"Christine and Raoul are back from England." Claire told Charlotte. "They are coming to the Opera tonight…and so are you."
Charlotte had barley left her bed since she came to the DeChagney Manor.
"Must I?"
"Yes." Claire said a little too harshly. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but you need to snap out of it."
Charlotte said nothing. All she had thought about for the past few weeks was whether or not Claire had accepted Philippe. She felt very silly for agonizing over this, but she couldn't bring herself to ask.
"Now you're coming to the opera tonight and I don't want a word of complaint." Claire felt as though she were talking to a child. "And for God's sake get dressed."
That evening at the Opera House
Claire was in her dressing room with Christine. The younger girl was telling her sister all about England when there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" Claire asked.
"Five minutes to curtain Miss Daae."
"Thank you." The star rose to her feet and turned to her sister. "I should be going and you should get to your seat."
"I will, I think I'll just stay here for another few minutes."
Claire smiled. "Very well, but don't be too long." With that she left.
Christine waited till she heard her sisters footsteps fade before she started. "Erik I know you're there…please show yourself, I need to talk to you."
"What could you possibly have to say to me, Madam DeChagney?" The Phantom's voice boomed.
"Erik please," Christine begged. "There's more to the story then you know."
He didn't reply and Christine thought he had left, but she turned when the mirror slide opened.
"Go ahead then…talk."
"Claire could show up anytime…can we go home?"
"If you are referring to my home-"
"Oh Erik stop it."
He glared at her, but extended his hand. She took it and the two started the descent to Erik's lair.
Intermission
"Charlotte have you seen Christine anywhere?" Raoul asked, taking a seat next to his sister-in-law.
"No, I thought she was with Claire."
"Claire says she was in the dressing room, but she's not there now."
"What's this?" Ramound questioned turning to his younger brother. Raoul repeated all to the Comte "You don't think our friend the Phantom could have something to do with this do you?"
"I don't know…but I'm going to find out. Please excuse me brother." Raoul rose to his feet and he hurried to find Philippe.
"Ramound, I need to tell Claire what's happening." Charlotte said after Raoul was gone.
"Charlotte-"
"I won't be a moment." She said quickly hurrying off.
"I think Erik took Christine." Charlotte said. She had pulled her sister into the dressing room so no one would here them. "Raoul went to get Philippe and I fear they are going to go down there."
"So?"
"Claire, if Erik didn't take Christine we can't let Raoul go down there. And even if he did, we need to warn him."
Claire glanced wearily at the clock. "We have twenty minutes before I have to be back. We'd better hurry."
The elder Daae slide the mirror open and the two sisters set off for their former teacher's home.