I awoke the next morning in my old familiar room. I walked over to my
dressing table and ran a brush through my hair, and put on a dressing gown.
I put on my slippers, and walked to Erik's bedroom. He was not there, but
I found a note pinned to the wardrobe. I walked over, grinning. I pulled
off the paper, and read it.
Dearest Christine, I'm sorry to make you unhappy. I do recall you had made a promise to be my wife, and that would have been so now, if our masked friend wouldn't have shown up and taken the ring I presented to you. You are in no danger from me. As for your phantom, I am not stupid. I knew you are in love with him. I have him with me, and I assure you he is safe, but I cannot guarantee how long he will stay that way. I am sure by now you think I'm a madman. The answer is yes, I am. Your refusal of me for the Phantom of the Opera drove me to it. I apologize for the pain I know am I causing you, though I only remember that in the moments of sanity where I ask myself, am I doing the right thing? But then I always remember that smile on the phantom's face when you made up your lies, and I am driven again. "Erik" as you call him, will only be staying with me until he agrees to take back his command of you. Then he will be free to return to his hell on earth, and you will be free to return to me. I love you, as always, Raoul,
I dropped the note on the ground, and picked it back up. I started to tear it, but instead I picked it up and carried it with me. I ran back to my bedroom, got dressed, and placed the note carefully in my pocket. I ran out of the house and around the lake, and commandeered my way through the labyrinth, almost automatically. I came out through my dressing room mirror. Looking at my reflection, I straightened my skirts and fixed my hair. I then calmly walked out of the room, as though an emotional battle was not taking place in my mind. Fortunately, I immediately saw the person I desperately needed. "Hello Madame Giry," I said. "Christine," she nodded, calm and cool as ever, though I could detect the tiniest glimmer of surprise in her eyes. "May I speak with you somewhere privately? It is a matter of the utmost urgency I assure you." My eyes pleaded silently with her, and she nodded and led me to where else, but Box Five on the Grand Tier. "We shall be safe here," she assured me. "Now what is troubling you?" "It's Erik," I said, practically whispering. Madame Giry nodded. She and I were the only ones beside Erik himself, and well, Raoul, that knew his name. "Raoul has taken him somewhere, I don't know where. I only know that Raoul left me this either this morning or late last night. It was pinned to Erik's wardrobe." Madame Giry took the note, and read it for herself. "I can't marry Raoul, but I cannot let any harm come to Erik. I love him. How can I save him Madame Giry? What can I do that will not result in the ultimate misery of Erik or myself?" I was on the verge of tears, but I gently swallowed and took a deep breath. "This is a very precarious situation my dear. I have an idea, but it could be dangerous for you." Madame Giry said seriously. "Anything that will get Erik back to me." I said. He had risked his life for me, and I felt it was the least I could do. "Then follow me," Madame Giry said, standing.
Dearest Christine, I'm sorry to make you unhappy. I do recall you had made a promise to be my wife, and that would have been so now, if our masked friend wouldn't have shown up and taken the ring I presented to you. You are in no danger from me. As for your phantom, I am not stupid. I knew you are in love with him. I have him with me, and I assure you he is safe, but I cannot guarantee how long he will stay that way. I am sure by now you think I'm a madman. The answer is yes, I am. Your refusal of me for the Phantom of the Opera drove me to it. I apologize for the pain I know am I causing you, though I only remember that in the moments of sanity where I ask myself, am I doing the right thing? But then I always remember that smile on the phantom's face when you made up your lies, and I am driven again. "Erik" as you call him, will only be staying with me until he agrees to take back his command of you. Then he will be free to return to his hell on earth, and you will be free to return to me. I love you, as always, Raoul,
I dropped the note on the ground, and picked it back up. I started to tear it, but instead I picked it up and carried it with me. I ran back to my bedroom, got dressed, and placed the note carefully in my pocket. I ran out of the house and around the lake, and commandeered my way through the labyrinth, almost automatically. I came out through my dressing room mirror. Looking at my reflection, I straightened my skirts and fixed my hair. I then calmly walked out of the room, as though an emotional battle was not taking place in my mind. Fortunately, I immediately saw the person I desperately needed. "Hello Madame Giry," I said. "Christine," she nodded, calm and cool as ever, though I could detect the tiniest glimmer of surprise in her eyes. "May I speak with you somewhere privately? It is a matter of the utmost urgency I assure you." My eyes pleaded silently with her, and she nodded and led me to where else, but Box Five on the Grand Tier. "We shall be safe here," she assured me. "Now what is troubling you?" "It's Erik," I said, practically whispering. Madame Giry nodded. She and I were the only ones beside Erik himself, and well, Raoul, that knew his name. "Raoul has taken him somewhere, I don't know where. I only know that Raoul left me this either this morning or late last night. It was pinned to Erik's wardrobe." Madame Giry took the note, and read it for herself. "I can't marry Raoul, but I cannot let any harm come to Erik. I love him. How can I save him Madame Giry? What can I do that will not result in the ultimate misery of Erik or myself?" I was on the verge of tears, but I gently swallowed and took a deep breath. "This is a very precarious situation my dear. I have an idea, but it could be dangerous for you." Madame Giry said seriously. "Anything that will get Erik back to me." I said. He had risked his life for me, and I felt it was the least I could do. "Then follow me," Madame Giry said, standing.