Chapter 2

Christine sat up quickly in her bed, looking quite disgruntled after a fitful night's sleep. Christine quickly turned her head towards the whispers, and cruel laughter that was now circulating around the small room. Christine quickly rose from her bed feeling very self conscious, and hoping that the other women had not found out about the nightmares that were a nightly torment for her.

The woman quickly helped each other dress for the day knowing that there would not be much time for breakfast, Christine however was left to her own devices.

When the ladies finished dressing they quickly left the room excited talking about the mysterious manager of the opera house that only Madame; and upon special occasion Meg Giry had seen. Finally finished dressing for the day Christine left the women's dormitory helping to have the kitchen to herself, and a single moment without ridicule. Christine walked to the door and slowly the knob, but had to quickly move aside in order not to be; hit by the door as it opened then Christine's ees widened as she saw who was exiting the kitchen.

Meg Giry quickly came out the doorway with long blond hair and warm rosy cheeks, and Christine who was sure that she was a foot or two taller was struck; by the change a mere two years had brought to her best friend.

"Oh I beg your pardon, but I am in quite a hurry. Surely you know how upset mother becomes, when any of her dancers are late for practice."

"Meg," Christine said, still feeling a bit dumbfounded.

Meg froze only for a moment then turned to the voice that still sounded so familiar.

" Ah so the rumors,and what mother has said is true you have returned." Meg said coldly as she glared at the women who stood in front of her.

"Oh Meg I'm so happy to see you, I've missed you so mu-"

"If you'll excuse me I really must be going, a dear friend of mine has been waiting two years to receive a letter from me!"

Meg turned on her heel, and started to leave Christine standing in the corridor.

"Meg wait I can explain!" Christine pleaded as she watched Meg leave her.

Christine felt her throat tighten as she watched her closest friend desert her, and stifled a sob as she closed the door to the kitchen. Then with her appetite now gone Christine made her way to the stage where the women were going to practice. Christine practiced her steps numbly as she tried to focus on the task at hand, but couldn't because the world around her proved to be a constant distraction .

Everywhere she turned she heard the women of the ballet troupe whisper about her, and laugh cruelty.

They would whisper about how foolish she had been to try, and rise above her station; or how she had been unable to please her former lover, each word cut her like a knife but what hurt her the most was that she had no one to defend her. Then there was the position she held in the troupe, Christine was now reduced to a spot in the back row of the troupe.

The days of her being a prima donna had long since past, she missed the adoration of the crowd, but most of all the adoration of Erik she cursed herself from the moment she had heard of his death. She knew that she had been dealt the punishment she deserved , but still felt that it was almost impossible to bear. When the day at last came to an end Christine found herself wandering around the opera house until she finally found the small chapel, the small, but sure light house that would even if; for a brief moment would give her shelter from the storm that was currently her life. Christine walked into the small stone room, and felt somewhat comforted as she looked at the paintings of angles on the walls and a compassionate Christ looked down lovingly at the prayer candles. Christine gently hung her father's picture under a fresh candle, then carefully lit the candle and slumped down to the floor unable to stand any longer with her hands clasped in prayer.

Erik had just locked the door to his office, and was making his way the foyer when he heard the distinct sound of crying. Erik took the left corridor that branched off from his office, which would lead him towards the chapel; feeling that it was his duty to protect anyone who resided in his opera house Erik stopped beside the doorway, and hid in the shadow of the gas lamps.

After a moment Erik decided to look in the doorway, and saw that it was Christine.

Erik quickly retreated to the safety of the shadows determined never to return to that place, knowing that it would be a trap for him. Erik was about to leave, until what he heard left him frozen with shock.

"Oh father I've made a terrible mistake I left the man I truly love to be with Raoul but that relationship has ended. My best friend wants nothing to do with me, almost all the other women in the opera house despise me, and the worst part is that the man I truly love is dead. My life is in shambles and I have no idea how to make amends, I would give anything to have you here with me." Christine sobbed as her head dropped to the floor.

Erik stood frozen in the shadow of the gas lamps as he processed everything he had heard, everything madame Giry had said was true. Erik could no longer delude himself that madame Giry in her sadness over losing Christine decided to think of a woman who resembled Christine as the young woman who had been so dear to her. Erik also found himself, thinking about what had happened earlier that afternoon. Madame Giry had entered his office in quite the distressed state, lamenting the fact that Meg and Christine had not repaired their friendship. Erik of course was not surprised by this , but in order to comfort his friend he said that if they were truly meant to be friends they would find a way to reconcile. Erik came to this conclusion while thinking of his friend Nadir, and even though the two men had a difference of opinion on everything; and even though Erik had sometimes brought Nadir hardships, the two gentlemen still managed to be best friends anyway.

However the thing that confused Erik was what Christine said about Raoul, how could the boy after risking his life for her ever choose to dismiss her?

Erik, finally able to move again chose to quickly leave the opera house, and vowed to never think of Christine again; to Erik her current fate was well deserved. Erik told his driver to take him to his home which was an hours drive from the city, Erik watched the city turn to a wooded road as he let his thoughts turn back to the management of his opera house. The driver stopped in front of a iron gate, and dismounted the carriage and opened it then took his seat again; and drove the carriage down a long driveway which was lined with rose bushes; and led to a spacious but cozy chateau . Erik got out the carriage, and opened the front door then hung his coat and hat on the hook. Erik walked into his parlor and picked up his dinner which waited for him on a sliver tray.

Erik had hired one maid to take care of the house work making sure to pay her, and his driver handsomely to make sure that neither of them said anything about their employer. Erik had even written an opera about his life, which had managed to give him some sense of peace. Erik hoped to have it preformed on the stage, but he still had to get his opera house on stable footing; after spending a few more hours doing business Erik went to his bedroom and even though he would never admit it he hated sleeping alone.