Chapter 5


Erik didn't dare come out of his home after the ballet ordeal, and Christine hadn't
visited him, much to his displeasure. But on this morning, he was terrified to find her
leaning over his bedside smiling brightly.

"Oh good! you're awake!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

"Christine, what a lovely surprise. I was hoping to see you . . ."

"But that isn't the surprise," she interrupted. "I have an even bigger one later on.
Just you wait!"

Erik was intrigued.

"A surprise? What sort of surprise? Will I like it?" he asked eagerly.

Christine laughed.

"I can't tell you. Then it wouldn't be a surprise! Oh I can't wait to see your
reaction!"

Uh oh, Erik thought. I hope it's not the sort of surprise as in, 'Erik, I've bought a
new tutu for you!' He shuddered at the thought and pushed it away.

"I, uh, am very busy today. Couldn't the surprise wait?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh no, no, no!" Christine shook her head. "Today is the day!"

"Damn," Erik muttered.

Christine looked startled.

"Erik what did you say?"

"I said 'delightful'," he lied.

"It didn't sound like 'delightful'."

"Well it was. Isn't it time for rehearsal?"

Christine looked at the clock.

"Oh my, it is! I'll see you later with the surprise, Erik!"
She ran out of his room and out the front door before Erik could blink.

"Superb. Au revoir dear," he said weakly to himself and fell back to sleep.

He woke a little later to find Nadir on his divan, sipping a cup of tea, completely
relaxed and at ease. Erik was shocked to see him wave, nod, and continue sipping his tea.

"Oh hullo Erik! How does it go? Quite good, this tea is. Where do you get it? I
must make a note to -"

Nadir was cut off when the lethal rope went around his neck.

"Just what did you think you were doing, entering my house without permission,
and while I'm asleep, no less!"

Nadir stop struggling and shrugged.

"You said we must do tea again sometime."

"Not when you're not invited! When will you learn to mind your own business,
Nadir? When?"

Just as Erik was tightening the rope, Christine burst through the front door.

"Erik! I've brought the surprise!" she sang out in a sing-song voice. Raoul peeked
over her shoulder and catching sight of Erik and Nadir, pushed Christine out of the way
and strolled right into the room.

Erik could feel his anger building up inside of him, but before he could say
anything, Raoul shouted.

"So you are into bondage too! That's fine, so am I!" Raoul grinned. "So this is
your house? Quite nice."

Erik dropped the lasso, and Nadir fell to the floor.

"I am NOT into bondage, thank you very much! And I don't care to hear about
your lascivious fetishes. And Christine: I don't want you hanging about this dirty fop
anymore. Have I made myself clear? All of you get out! But you, Christine, can stay with
me . . ."

He kicked Raoul in the rear, causing him to fall out of the door, and shoved Nadir
through afterwards, making him land flat on Raoul.

"Bye bye," Erik sang, and waved his fingers while slamming the door in their
faces. He turned to Christine. "Just what did you think you were doing with HIM?"

Christine gave him a blank look.

"Christine," Erik began slowly, "Raoul is a moron. A dolt. A fop. Why in the
world did you bring him here? You know I can stand him as much as Carlotta can stand
going five minutes without a chocolate! Do you follow?"

Christine's eyes were glazed over. Erik sighed.

"Never mind, Christine, I see you can't comprehend what I'm telling you. Just
NEVER EVER bring him here again, or even mention him, is that clear?"

Christine just stared and Erik gently manoeuvred her to the door.

"I think you need some rest, dear. I'll take you back to your dressing room where I
want you to get some sleep."

Erik dropped Christine off at her dressing room and decided to roam the Opera
House a bit. Seating himself comfortably in his box, he watch as stage hands set a scene
for the upcoming opera. He was quite relaxed when he sensed a presence outside his
door. He quickly hid himself in the shadows and watched as a figure came into the box.

"Erik, I know you're in here!" rang Nadir's voice loudly.

Erik jumped at the Persian and grabbed his neck.

"Shut up, do you hear me? Are you trying to attract attention?" Erik growled
through clenched teeth looking around warily.

Nadir pushed him away and looked ashamed.

"Heavens! Try to kill me before you can get an explanation. I wasn't trying to
attract attention. Just yours," he grinned sheepishly.

Erik sighed and rolled his eyes and sat back down in his chair.

"What do you want, daroga?"

The Persian fumbled with his sleeves and mumbled something unintelligible.

"Speak up, I can't hear you!" Erik exclaimed impatiently.

"I want you to, er, I want to, uh, accompany you."
"Accompany me?" Erik nearly roared. "Accompany me in what, pray tell?"

Nadir fumbled again with his words but managed to spit out, "Around the Opera. .
."

Erik stared at him increduously.

"Darius is such a bore!" the daroga spilled out. "I'm tired of him! I need some
adventure! And you seem to have lots of it, living in this lovely Opera House. I figure we
can roam the corridors together. How about it?"

Erik stared at him and burst into laughter.

"You can't possibly mean it, can you Nadir? What are you high on?" Erik
sniggered, but calmed himself at once. "And why aren't you sharing?"

Nadir was flabbergasted.

"I am NOT high on anything! How dare you suggest that?"

Erik snorted.

"Very well. Let's go."

Nadir grinned. This was going to be fun.