Chapter 4
I really wish I had been able to see Erik's face when Andre announced, "Due to circumstances beyond our control," Hah. "La Carlotta will not be singing tonight. In her place, we were lucky enough to find a very talented young lady with a voice that could almost rival Carlotta's!" Hah. "Mademoiselle Minuet Duquesne!" The audience broke into somewhat reluctant applause. I didn't care. There was only one person in the whole audience whose opinion mattered to me: Erik. I wish I could have seen his face when I was announced singing in place of Carlotta. Oh well, I'd see him when the curtain rose. And rise it did. I was ready. I waltzed out onto the stage, holding up the replica of a bleeding severed head in my right hand, and began to sing.
"This trophy from our saviors, from our saviors. From the enslaving force of Rome!"
I glanced up at Box 5 and was able to make out Erik's face. It was a strange mix of surprise, delight, pride, and disbelief. I smiled and continued with the opera. Everything went smoothly; in the sense of there were no foul-ups or "accidents". Well Erik was off-duty as the Opera Ghost right now, so I hadn't expected anything to go seriously wrong, but I was the only one. I knew the rest of the cast members were a little skittish after the stunt I pulled earlier today, but at least that ensured they were doing more than their best just to make sure everything would be all right and the Phantom wouldn't have any reason to make anything come crashing down on them. I could take care of that for them, but once again, they did not know that, and it was going to stay that way.
Very soon, it seemed, it was time for that aria that had started it all. I had been unsure before about singing it, but I simply swallowed my doubts, walked back onto the stage, took a breath, and sang.
"Think of me..think of me fondly, when we say good-bye. Remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try. When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free, if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."
Once I began, continuing was effortless. I could see Erik's smile through the shadows, and that fueled the confidence within me. I sang on, doing better than my best, just for Erik. All too soon, it seemed, the opera ended and I was bowing to a standing ovation. I was given bouquets of roses, and the curtains closed. Madame Giry came to me and smiled.
"Well, it seems that someone else has been visited by the Angel." she whispered to me. "Is that true?"
I had no idea what to say. I just stood there for a moment, thinking fast. I couldn't tell her the truth, even if it was Madame Giry, who already knew most of the truth. Would she even believe that the Opera Ghost has a little sister?
"In a way.." I said slowly. "He has sung for me, and given me lessons, but things aren't nearly at the level they were with Christine. It's not like that."
"I hoped so," Madame Giry replied, looking a little relieved, "Are you all right? Have you seen him?"
"Yes and no. I'm fine, he hasn't done anything that would be considered evil, but I have not seen him." I answered. Gee, lying is really easy once you start.
"Good. I just hope things continue to be this way. You sang well tonight. He will be pleased." she added, with a smile. I smiled back. Both of us knew perfectly well that she had said the same to Christine that night a year ago. I already knew that Erik was pleased, but I still liked hearing it from Madame Giry. And thinking of Erik, he'd be expecting me home soon, so I had to go.
"I should go. My family will want to see me." I said. That was more of a half-lie; Erik would want to see me, and he was my family, but Madame Giry undoubtedly thought that 'family' meant father, mother, brother and/or sister, so it wasn't quite the whole truth either. It would suffice, though.
"Yes, go child. I'm sure they will be thrilled at your performance. I hope to see you here tomorrow." Madame Giry said.
"I'll be here." I responded and left. I went to my dressing room (which, ironically, was once Christine's) and changed out of my elaborate and somewhat uncomfortable costume and into a plain dress. I gazed at the mirror, thinking of when Erik had sung to Christine from behind it. His voice sang those words in my mind.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!"
I smiled and quietly sang, "Angel, I hear you. Speak! I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last, Master!"
"Flattering child, you shall know me," sang a very real voice from behind the mirror. I looked in surprise as the voice continued, "See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there, inside!" As he sang those last few words, I did see him 'inside' the mirror. He smiled at me and sang, "I am your Angel of Music! Come to me, Angel of Music!" as the mirror opened. I smiled and walked through, feeling it close behind me. Erik just looked at me for a moment, and then took me in his arms and held me to him.
"Minuet, you little imp, you didn't tell me!" he laughed. "You sang so beautifully tonight, I can't believe they chose you as a replacement for Carlotta."
"Of course I didn't tell you, you don't tell someone about a surprise, that would defeat the purpose now wouldn't it?" I replied, hugging him. "I'm glad you enjoyed the performance."
"I did. I enjoyed it immensely. I had always hoped that you would be prima donna someday, I just didn't expect it so soon. I am so proud of you." he said, holding me still tighter.
"Erik," I said in a choked voice.
"Yes, my little Angel?" Erik replied.
"I need to breath!" I gasped.
"Oh! I'm sorry." Erik said, loosening his hold on me. "I'm just so pleased with you, I didn't mean to crush you like that."
"Well, it was meant lovingly at least." I replied. "Let's go home."
"Yes, you must be tired. Let's go home." Erik agreed. So we walked home together, Erik's arm around my shoulders. When we reached the lake, Erik tied my boat to the back of his and towed it back home so I wouldn't have to row it. Erik sang as he rowed, another Italian song I liked. I smiled and closed my eyes as I listened. I was asleep pretty soon, dreaming of being onstage singing with Erik, who wasn't wearing a mask, but was handsome and wondrous. The dream soon faded to black and stayed black for a while. Soon, though, the calming black was replaced by a nightmare. I was going under the portcullis, calling Erik's name. Every time I did, I heard someone say, "I'm here, the Phantom of the Opera!" I followed the voice until I reached the bedroom Erik and I shared. I stopped at the door and stared in horror. Erik lay on the floor, dead, with a Punjab lasso around his neck. Raoul stood over him, grinning like a madman.
"I'm here! And he never will be again! You can come with me now, he is gone!" he cried, looking delighted. "You can be free, Minuet, you can have a real life now. Come with me like he wanted you to that night a year ago."
I just stared in horror, then I ran to Erik's garrotted body, fell to my knees beside him, and screamed, "ERIK!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!" I looked up at Raoul with a fury beyond imagining burning in my heart and screamed, "MURDERER!!! YOU MURDERED MY BROTHER!!!!! DAMN YOU!!! BURN FOR A THOUSAND ETERNITIES IN THE HOTTEST FIRES OF HELL RAOUL!!!!"
Raoul just looked at me, then said quietly, "He's poisoned your mind. I can see that there is no way to save you now." He took out another Punjab lasso and said, "I'm sorry Minuet," before the lasso was around my neck. I woke myself up by jerking in my sleep and hitting my head against the wall and sitting bolt upright after the shock brought me back to wakefulness. I had learned to do this over the years, but hadn't had to in a long while. I was thankful that I still could, though, even if I did see stars for a few moments. I was violently shaking, and longed for Erik to hold me to him, to feel his heart beating and letting that calm me, to hear him sing for me and whisper soothing things in my ear. But Erik was asleep in his bed on the other side of the room. I did something then that I hadn't done in years. I got out of bed, still shaking, and walked over to him. I stood next to his bed for a moment, wondering if I should do this now. I had been very little when I used to do this, and I wondered if it would be more strange than comforting to do it now, when I was almost fourteen. I decided that Erik wouldn't care how old I was if I needed him to comfort me, and I lay down in bed beside him. The bed and sheets were warm from him sleeping on them, and that was soothing too. Though I was lying with my back to him, I could tell when Erik opened his eyes and looked at me after a moment. He knew that I had had some terrible nightmare, or else I'd be in my own bed asleep. He rolled on his side and put his arms around me, his hands resting on my stomach protectively. He sang "Music of the Night" very softly into my ear until I stopped shaking. There was silence for a minute and I put my hands on his. He whispered to me, "Did you have another nightmare, sweetheart?"
"Mm-hmm." I replied. It was all I could say, though I knew he'd ask if I could tell him about it next.
"Want to tell me what it was?" he asked.
"Yes, but I don't know if I can." I said. "It was just so horrible.." and then the whole nightmare poured out. I could feel Erik getting a little tense when I told him about Raoul being there, but he didn't stop me. When I finished, he didn't say anything. I spoke for him, "I was so afraid. So afraid that it was real. It's so hard to tell the difference between my dreams and reality."
"It's all right, Minuet, your Angel's here." Erik said, knowing that would make me smile. I did smile, and he continued, "Don't worry, Raoul couldn't defeat me in any type of battle. Even if he caught me unawares. Besides, how would he get past the gate? We're perfectly safe here. No one can get in without one of us opening the gate. And you know I would never open the gate to Raoul. It was just a dream. You're awake now. It's all right now. Stay with me tonight, I'll chase away your nightmares." He sang "Music of the Night" again, and I smiled. I knew that as long as I was near my big brother, nothing could hurt me, not a person, nor a nightmare. As I drifted off to sleep again, I thought I heard Erik whisper, "Tomorrow's your birthday. I have something you're going to like. Think about that," and then keep singing. Whether it was real or my imagination, I didn't care. I fell asleep listening to Erik sing and thinking about what he got me for my birthday.
I really wish I had been able to see Erik's face when Andre announced, "Due to circumstances beyond our control," Hah. "La Carlotta will not be singing tonight. In her place, we were lucky enough to find a very talented young lady with a voice that could almost rival Carlotta's!" Hah. "Mademoiselle Minuet Duquesne!" The audience broke into somewhat reluctant applause. I didn't care. There was only one person in the whole audience whose opinion mattered to me: Erik. I wish I could have seen his face when I was announced singing in place of Carlotta. Oh well, I'd see him when the curtain rose. And rise it did. I was ready. I waltzed out onto the stage, holding up the replica of a bleeding severed head in my right hand, and began to sing.
"This trophy from our saviors, from our saviors. From the enslaving force of Rome!"
I glanced up at Box 5 and was able to make out Erik's face. It was a strange mix of surprise, delight, pride, and disbelief. I smiled and continued with the opera. Everything went smoothly; in the sense of there were no foul-ups or "accidents". Well Erik was off-duty as the Opera Ghost right now, so I hadn't expected anything to go seriously wrong, but I was the only one. I knew the rest of the cast members were a little skittish after the stunt I pulled earlier today, but at least that ensured they were doing more than their best just to make sure everything would be all right and the Phantom wouldn't have any reason to make anything come crashing down on them. I could take care of that for them, but once again, they did not know that, and it was going to stay that way.
Very soon, it seemed, it was time for that aria that had started it all. I had been unsure before about singing it, but I simply swallowed my doubts, walked back onto the stage, took a breath, and sang.
"Think of me..think of me fondly, when we say good-bye. Remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try. When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free, if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me."
Once I began, continuing was effortless. I could see Erik's smile through the shadows, and that fueled the confidence within me. I sang on, doing better than my best, just for Erik. All too soon, it seemed, the opera ended and I was bowing to a standing ovation. I was given bouquets of roses, and the curtains closed. Madame Giry came to me and smiled.
"Well, it seems that someone else has been visited by the Angel." she whispered to me. "Is that true?"
I had no idea what to say. I just stood there for a moment, thinking fast. I couldn't tell her the truth, even if it was Madame Giry, who already knew most of the truth. Would she even believe that the Opera Ghost has a little sister?
"In a way.." I said slowly. "He has sung for me, and given me lessons, but things aren't nearly at the level they were with Christine. It's not like that."
"I hoped so," Madame Giry replied, looking a little relieved, "Are you all right? Have you seen him?"
"Yes and no. I'm fine, he hasn't done anything that would be considered evil, but I have not seen him." I answered. Gee, lying is really easy once you start.
"Good. I just hope things continue to be this way. You sang well tonight. He will be pleased." she added, with a smile. I smiled back. Both of us knew perfectly well that she had said the same to Christine that night a year ago. I already knew that Erik was pleased, but I still liked hearing it from Madame Giry. And thinking of Erik, he'd be expecting me home soon, so I had to go.
"I should go. My family will want to see me." I said. That was more of a half-lie; Erik would want to see me, and he was my family, but Madame Giry undoubtedly thought that 'family' meant father, mother, brother and/or sister, so it wasn't quite the whole truth either. It would suffice, though.
"Yes, go child. I'm sure they will be thrilled at your performance. I hope to see you here tomorrow." Madame Giry said.
"I'll be here." I responded and left. I went to my dressing room (which, ironically, was once Christine's) and changed out of my elaborate and somewhat uncomfortable costume and into a plain dress. I gazed at the mirror, thinking of when Erik had sung to Christine from behind it. His voice sang those words in my mind.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!"
I smiled and quietly sang, "Angel, I hear you. Speak! I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last, Master!"
"Flattering child, you shall know me," sang a very real voice from behind the mirror. I looked in surprise as the voice continued, "See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there, inside!" As he sang those last few words, I did see him 'inside' the mirror. He smiled at me and sang, "I am your Angel of Music! Come to me, Angel of Music!" as the mirror opened. I smiled and walked through, feeling it close behind me. Erik just looked at me for a moment, and then took me in his arms and held me to him.
"Minuet, you little imp, you didn't tell me!" he laughed. "You sang so beautifully tonight, I can't believe they chose you as a replacement for Carlotta."
"Of course I didn't tell you, you don't tell someone about a surprise, that would defeat the purpose now wouldn't it?" I replied, hugging him. "I'm glad you enjoyed the performance."
"I did. I enjoyed it immensely. I had always hoped that you would be prima donna someday, I just didn't expect it so soon. I am so proud of you." he said, holding me still tighter.
"Erik," I said in a choked voice.
"Yes, my little Angel?" Erik replied.
"I need to breath!" I gasped.
"Oh! I'm sorry." Erik said, loosening his hold on me. "I'm just so pleased with you, I didn't mean to crush you like that."
"Well, it was meant lovingly at least." I replied. "Let's go home."
"Yes, you must be tired. Let's go home." Erik agreed. So we walked home together, Erik's arm around my shoulders. When we reached the lake, Erik tied my boat to the back of his and towed it back home so I wouldn't have to row it. Erik sang as he rowed, another Italian song I liked. I smiled and closed my eyes as I listened. I was asleep pretty soon, dreaming of being onstage singing with Erik, who wasn't wearing a mask, but was handsome and wondrous. The dream soon faded to black and stayed black for a while. Soon, though, the calming black was replaced by a nightmare. I was going under the portcullis, calling Erik's name. Every time I did, I heard someone say, "I'm here, the Phantom of the Opera!" I followed the voice until I reached the bedroom Erik and I shared. I stopped at the door and stared in horror. Erik lay on the floor, dead, with a Punjab lasso around his neck. Raoul stood over him, grinning like a madman.
"I'm here! And he never will be again! You can come with me now, he is gone!" he cried, looking delighted. "You can be free, Minuet, you can have a real life now. Come with me like he wanted you to that night a year ago."
I just stared in horror, then I ran to Erik's garrotted body, fell to my knees beside him, and screamed, "ERIK!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!" I looked up at Raoul with a fury beyond imagining burning in my heart and screamed, "MURDERER!!! YOU MURDERED MY BROTHER!!!!! DAMN YOU!!! BURN FOR A THOUSAND ETERNITIES IN THE HOTTEST FIRES OF HELL RAOUL!!!!"
Raoul just looked at me, then said quietly, "He's poisoned your mind. I can see that there is no way to save you now." He took out another Punjab lasso and said, "I'm sorry Minuet," before the lasso was around my neck. I woke myself up by jerking in my sleep and hitting my head against the wall and sitting bolt upright after the shock brought me back to wakefulness. I had learned to do this over the years, but hadn't had to in a long while. I was thankful that I still could, though, even if I did see stars for a few moments. I was violently shaking, and longed for Erik to hold me to him, to feel his heart beating and letting that calm me, to hear him sing for me and whisper soothing things in my ear. But Erik was asleep in his bed on the other side of the room. I did something then that I hadn't done in years. I got out of bed, still shaking, and walked over to him. I stood next to his bed for a moment, wondering if I should do this now. I had been very little when I used to do this, and I wondered if it would be more strange than comforting to do it now, when I was almost fourteen. I decided that Erik wouldn't care how old I was if I needed him to comfort me, and I lay down in bed beside him. The bed and sheets were warm from him sleeping on them, and that was soothing too. Though I was lying with my back to him, I could tell when Erik opened his eyes and looked at me after a moment. He knew that I had had some terrible nightmare, or else I'd be in my own bed asleep. He rolled on his side and put his arms around me, his hands resting on my stomach protectively. He sang "Music of the Night" very softly into my ear until I stopped shaking. There was silence for a minute and I put my hands on his. He whispered to me, "Did you have another nightmare, sweetheart?"
"Mm-hmm." I replied. It was all I could say, though I knew he'd ask if I could tell him about it next.
"Want to tell me what it was?" he asked.
"Yes, but I don't know if I can." I said. "It was just so horrible.." and then the whole nightmare poured out. I could feel Erik getting a little tense when I told him about Raoul being there, but he didn't stop me. When I finished, he didn't say anything. I spoke for him, "I was so afraid. So afraid that it was real. It's so hard to tell the difference between my dreams and reality."
"It's all right, Minuet, your Angel's here." Erik said, knowing that would make me smile. I did smile, and he continued, "Don't worry, Raoul couldn't defeat me in any type of battle. Even if he caught me unawares. Besides, how would he get past the gate? We're perfectly safe here. No one can get in without one of us opening the gate. And you know I would never open the gate to Raoul. It was just a dream. You're awake now. It's all right now. Stay with me tonight, I'll chase away your nightmares." He sang "Music of the Night" again, and I smiled. I knew that as long as I was near my big brother, nothing could hurt me, not a person, nor a nightmare. As I drifted off to sleep again, I thought I heard Erik whisper, "Tomorrow's your birthday. I have something you're going to like. Think about that," and then keep singing. Whether it was real or my imagination, I didn't care. I fell asleep listening to Erik sing and thinking about what he got me for my birthday.