From his vantage point on the roof Erik saw the de Chagny carriage approaching.
He scanned the streets below for André, as unlike his compatriot, he preferred to travel by foot. Erik didn't know the man well, but from his observations he had discovered that he preferred walking to other modes of transportation, enjoyed the British game of cricket, detested American chewing tobacco, and was never tardy. Erik's thoughts immediately drifted to Nadir and Meg, knowing it was quite possible Nadir had shared what he had seen with the dancer and then she had passed this information onto her 'friend', or that her 'friend' had told her of his invitation and she warned him against coming. The thought of having to punish Meg for her betrayal made him feel uncomfortable, especially after his more recent admission, so he hoped the culprit was instead Nadir.
Once the de Chagny carriaged came to a stop outside ifnthe theatre Erik was pleased that both the Vicomte and Gilles André alighted. He should have known neither man would come alone and that they would seek solace in one and anothers company. He smiled to himself as he considered the childishness of their behaviour - neither man strong enough to face him on their own - believing in safety in numbers. Surely they hadn't forgotten who he was, or what he was capable of. He wondered if either man had brought a pistol, but dismissed the idea quickly knowing that André wouldn't know how to weald one, and the Vicomte probably being too useless.
He quickly surveyed the surrounding streets to check for signs of the police or privately hired thugs, before decending into the theatre to greet his guests.
--xxx--
Christine had never ventured outside of her home at nignt alone before.
Being spring, the city hadn't yet been plunged into complete darkness and there was still a bustle of people around.
She had chosen to dress in her plainest clothes; a pale pink dress with burgandy trim with a black belt and hat, but she conscience a woman of her class was rarely seen alone at night, and if they were they would become the centre of society gossip. Knowing this she kept her eyes down as she walked, hoping the cab she was expecting would arrive soon and she wouldnt be left standing alone on the pavement.
The decision to accompany Meg and Nadir had been a spontaneous one driven by her concern for both her husband's and Erik's welfare. When the pair had explained their concerns about Erik's behaviour Christine felt her stomach sink; she had hoped that her promise to sing, and her kiss, would have been enough to end any outlandish plans that Erik had. When she had offered to accomoany them Meg had objected, stating she felt Christine's presence would only agreviate the situation further, but Nadir agreed believing she would have a calming influence on his friend.
When the cab did arrive Christine reluctantly climbed inside. She was greeted warmly by Nadir, but Meg's expression was cold and judgemental.
"You haven't dressed very inconspicuously", the ballet dancer commented gesturing to Christine's attire and eyeing the green cameo set in silver with garnet stones, "I'm surprised you weren't robbed".
Christine shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "this is the plainest outfit I own" she said trying to sound confident, but the comment reinforced the nervous feeling that had overcome her while waiting in the street alone.
Nadir shook his head and eyed Meg disaprovingly. "Pay her no mind madame", he said turning his head towards Christine , "Marguerite is worried about her friends and her emotions are driving her attitude". His tone was reassuring and accompanied by a gentle smile.
"I apologise", Meg added, without looking at the Vicomtess, instead she focused on the houses passing by the window. It wasn't Christine's fault that she didn't own plainer clothes, and when they reached their destination her appearance wouldn't matter, but she couldn't stop the twinge of jealousy she felt towards her old friend. Her animosity was further fueled by her disagreement with Nadir's logic; Erik was a different person compared to who he was in New York and Paris. It may have been true that in the past Christine could have had a calming influence on him, but Meg believed that the Vicomtess' presence would now have the opposite effect.
Ignoring the conversation occuring in the cab Meg closed her eyes and tried to organise her thoughts. She blamed Christine for Erik's erratic behaviour; thinking her comtinued correspondence had given him the illusion of hope, and that he clung to this desperately, risking everything he had gained since leaving Paris for a chance to be with Christine. Meg had known Christine for most of her life, and she knew that her childhood friend would never betray her marriage vows - even if she wanted to - for fear of eternal damnation. In fact, her friend was so devout she believed an angel was teaching her to sing for several years, which Meg had thought was a symptom of mental illness when she had first found out.
Meg was torn from her thoughts when the cab stopped beside the stage door entrance to the theatre, and the driver opened the door.
--xxx--
The auditorium was shrouded in darkness, with the only illumination being the gas lamps that had remained in tonrelieve the pressure from the gas fittings. The ghost lights made Gilles nervous, not only did he see them as an unnecessary cost but the continued burning of gas was a fire hazard he'd rather not see. When they began renovations he had told Richard it would be wise to invest in electric lighting throughout the property for longevity, but his partner had refused to agree the additional expense and time required to complete such work.
Both men walked down the right-hand ailse straining their eyes in an attempt to locate Erik. They scanned the stage, the rafters, the seating and the parts of the circles and boxes that were in their eyelines, all to no avail.
"Another trick", Raoul muttered turning to leave, but as he did the ghost lights went out and they were plunged into complete darkness.
"Gilles", Raoul said in an attempt to locate his friend, and was relieved to see the spark of a match bringing his companion's face into view.
"Unneeded theatrics", Gilles muttered lighting a second match and his went out.
When he struck the match he was certain he caught the shape of a shadow in the corner of his eye, fuelling his desire to leave. "Come on Raoul, lets leave. I'll contact Destler in the morning and praise him for this marvellous escapade"
No sooner had he spoken the house lights came on and Raoul grabbed at his friend's arm forcing him to turn round.
In the centre of the stage tied to a chair was Richard Firmin.
--xxx--
When Meg, Christine and Nadir entered the theatre there was a deathly silence.
"Is it always this dark?", Christine asked,
"Obviously not", Meg retorted, "it is night and the lights are off". Her tone earning a scornful look from Nadir as he lit a match so Meg could find the light switch, enabling Meg to guide them to the wings.
Seeing the silhouette of a man tied to a chair made Christine's heart sink.
--xxx--
Seeing his buisness partner bound a chair scared Gilles, but his instincts kicked in and he started to make his way towards the stage, but was prevented from progressing by Raoul gripping his arm tightly and pulling his back.
"It's a trap. Remember, I've been subjected to his games before", he hissed
"Do you think he has killed him?", Gilles asked refusing to take his eyes off his colleague out of concern that if he did the Opera Ghost may commit an atrocious act .
Raoul shook his head in reply, then raised his voice to address the seemingly absent Erik. "What do you want?"
"To enlighten you both" came a disembodied voice, before the lights flickered and Erik was standing behind Firmin' bound form. He passed some smelling salts beneath Firmin's nose and the man stirred, his eyes filling with panic as he discovered he was bound.
"Tell them what you've been doing", Erik instructed, moving so his face was only a few inches from his captive.
"I have nothing to tell", Firmin mumbled, "youbare insane!"
"So I've been told", Erik laughed, "but you have a story to tell".
When Firmin didn't answer Erik decided to step up his plan. He removed a black cloth and bronze box from his pocket, laying it out carefully on the floor. Erik knew suspense would likely losen Firmin's tongue, so he then laid out the small vial of liquid he had made the previous night, a syringe, a rubber tube and a plain hankerchief.
Gilles and Raoul strained to see what was happening, slowly taking small steps closer in hope their approach wouldn't immediately be noticed as Erik was focused on his current task.
"Now - if you won't comply willingly, I shall have to resort to other methods", Erik spoke slowly oulling up Firmin's sleeve and tying the band around his arm, before carefully drawing the liquid into the syringe, "you know this works Monsieur" he said with a sadistic smile.
When the needle made contact with Firmin's arm a small yelp was heard from the wings, causing three sets of eyes to turn in the direction of Meg, Christine and Nadir.
--xxx--
Christine didn't mean to make a sound, especially as Nadir had given clear instructions that they were to remain silent until he indicated otherwise. As soon the sound left her mouth she immediately regreted it, instantly covering her mouth and glancing at her companions with regret.
"Ah, it seems we have a larger audience", Erik commented bowing in the direction of the wings and turning back to his invited guests, " I have brought you here good messuiers to enlighten you on the business dealings of our dear friend Richard Firmin. I apologise for the theatrics, but I must admit I have a penchant for the elaborate".
As he spoke Raoul and Gilles made their way to the side of the stage to climb the steps allowing them to join the others. Erik didn't object to the change, having everyone on the same place actually made it easier.
"Our dear friend has been given a concoction that acts as a truth serum. He has refused to willingly share his expliots so I am giving him a helping hand", Erik chuckled.
Meg was unnverved by Erik's sudden change of behaviour. Their last encounter had been tender, as they had walked hand in hand, and now he was acting very much as the Phantom. "Erik", she said quietly starting to move towards him, only to be pulled back by Gilles and faced with Nadir's shaking head.
Erik didn't notice Meg's gesture, instead he focused on Christine clinging to her husband's arm, causing him to purse his lips in revulsion as the comforting gesture, "You see, Monsieur Firmin has tried to be a puppet master and cause you pain", before turning to his capitive, "tell them about your dealings with the Doweger Comtess de Chagny"
"You leave my mother alone!" Raoul shouted stepping forward, but being prevented from crossing the stage by Christine,
"You promised Erik. You promised if I sang you'd leave her be", Christine interjected, "you lied to me!" she cried
Erik felt dejected by the look in her eyes and by the lack fo trust she held in him. He had promised not to interfere with her mother-in-law and had kept true to his word, even though she was the orchestrator of Christine's unhappiness. "I have not lied and quite frankly my angel, I am dissapointed you think I would recind my word so quickly", then turning to his captive he repeated his last question.
"The Doweger Comtess offered me a buisness deal", he began, "she wanted mademoiselle Daae's "claws" out of her son. She asked me to reintroduce the Vicomtess to her lover, the Opera Ghost, and create evidence to enable her son to seek an annulment to his marriage".
"Lies!", Raoul cried, "my mother would never..." but the words fell away. He knew his mother was more than capable of such manipulation and duplicity. It would certainly explain why she had continued to stay in England and interfere in his life.
"We were never lovers", Christine added, not to the audience, but to her husband. Clutching his arm tighter causing him to whisper words of knowing reassurances.
"What was your plan?", Erik asked once again turning his attention to the bound man.
"I did as she asked, but you didn't engage in an affair. I even gave that girl Lucy money to vacate her role - but the Vicomtess never stepped in".
"But why did you send me to America? Why involve me in my mother's scheme?" Raoul asked confused, stepping closer to the two men in the centre of the stage. He was nervous and concerned that Destler could act out violently if provoked.
"Money. You needed it, and I want it. Your mother never specified how to fulfil her request and we could all be wealthy men if a scandal was afoot. Why should you have missed out because of your supposedly adulterous wife?"
"I have never!", Christine called, only to be silenced by the raised hand of her husband
"Thank you Monsieur Destler for your assistance in this matter", he said tenativly turning to face Erik's imposing and somewhat frenzied figure, "now lets release this scoundrel and I will deal with my mother".
Erik laughed, almost maniacally, "hardly" he scoffed before turning to face Christine, "your husband has decieved you, his family don't want you, they clip your wings preventing you from soaring. They don't love you, not as I do. I will give you everything my angel - my Christine".
Meg, still shielded by Gilles, felt tears burn her eyes as Erik made his declaration. Erik was a genius, but he failed to see what was in front of him: he loved the idea of Christine - to him she was the embodiment of his music - but she didn't know him. He would never tell Christine of his past, of the things he had done in Persia or of his childhood, for fear she would hate him. Her heart broke for him as he repeated his declaration of love to the terrified looking Christine.
"Erik, lets not repeat history", Nadir spoke clamly,
"This is not your concern Daroga. Untie the man and leave with all but my angel" Erik responded dismissively, not once taking his eyes off Christine.
Raoul began to cautiously make his way back to his wife, but was stilled by Erik's sudden glare and the sight of a punjab lasso hanging from his hand.
Seeing the weapon in Erik's hand was the final straw for Meg. She quickly glanced between Nadir and the Vicomte, trying to figure out their impromptu plan, before pushing past Gilles and approaching Erik with outstretched arms.
"Erik, put the lasso away", she said calmly, drawing his attention from Christine long enough for Gilles to grab the Vicomtess and pull her into the wings behind him.
"Erik, look at me" she said in her softest voice as she continued to approach. The entire audiotroun was entombed in a deathly silence, the atmosphere was heavy and tense, with every click of her boot across the stage made both Gilles and Christine physically flinch.
With Erik's attention now on Meg, Raoul and Nadir made light work of untying Firmin, but none one expected the portly manger to be nimble enough to take the rope used to bind him and throw it around Erik's neck, causing him to stumble backwards. Erik's hands immediately went to the make-shift noose and abruptly pulled it away, causing Firmin to crash face first into the floor.
The first thing Meg noticed was blood starting pool under the manager's face, and when he sat up it was clear the fall had broken his nose. She left tout a.sigh of relief realising that he hadn't cracked his skull, but this was short lived when within seconds a small horizontal red line was visible along Firmin's neck and trailed to Erik's hand.
"Erik, no!", she cried reaching for him and tightly gripping his free hand in both of hers.
"Erik, you are a better man than this. Be the Erik Destler I know. Be the renowed composer, the kind man who helped me when I was unwell, the man I visited the museum with, who danced with me and played for me. Who gave me gifts, who cares for my reputation and wellbeing. You are not this man Erik. Not anymore".
As she spoke Meg saw the lasso slacken, and Firmin scramble away with the help of Raoul and Nadir.
Meg believed the look in Erik's eyes to be terrifying, they seemed clouded and distant, but alight with a fire she had never seen. Meg refused to avert her gaze, instead she stood holding his hand searching his eyes for the Erik she knew. Nadir tried to catch her eye, to tell her they were leaving, but she dared not look, fearing that if she looked away the progress she had just made would be undone. She slowly moved one of her hands from his and tentatively ran the backs of her fingers along the side of his face, stepping closer.
As she approached she held out her arms and quietly whispered his name, before Erik collapsed into her, his weight causing them both to fall to their knees. They remained in the position for several minutes, with Meg stroking Erik's hair but not speaking a word, knowing he was crying silent tears of emotional exhaustion.
"She's left me again", Erik finally said pulling away from Meg's embrace and placing his head in his hands, "not matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, she doesn't realise that we are destined to be together"