Chapter 5: Shadows Driven Away
1 week later
Christine and Meg walked around the estate together. The two young women talked about what they have been doing since the ball. They walked into a sunroom, which over looked the land that Roul owned.
" It's so beautiful," Meg said
" Yes, it is," Christine said
Meg looked at Christine and smiled and said, " Your leading a good life here. Are you keeping your voice up?"
" Yes, of course," Christine said, " I do sing often."
" That is good," Meg replied
" What about you? Have you found another place to dance?" Christine asked
" Yes, it's a small place out side of Paris, doesn't pay as much, but still it's enough," Meg said
" I was thinking about the opera house the other day," Christine said, " How it was great to sing on stage."
" Yes," Meg said
Meg kind of drifted away and Christine looked over at her dear friend. She was unsure what made her friend ponder.
" Meg is there something the matter?" she asked
Meg looked up at Christine and said, " No, of course not. What would make you think that?"
" You have been quiet," Christine said, " Something must be weighing on your mind."
" Everyday life does that," Meg said
Later, Meg left and headed back home. She looked out as the scenery changed and she could only feel relaxed. Her mind fell upon that night a week ago, she was slightly embarrassed that she did that. She touched her painted lips and closed her eyes.
The carriage stopped and Meg opened her eyes as the carriage door opened.
" Mademoiselle, is it alright if I share your carriage?" a man asked
" No, not at all," Meg said
The carriage driver waited until the mysterious man climbed up. He got in and sat across from Meg, setting a medium size box on his lap.
" Thank you Mademoiselle," the man said
The carriage once more picked up pace again and headed to the city. Meg looked at the man as he pulled down his hood. Her eyes slightly soften in seeing the man's face.
" Still in shadows I see," Meg said
" The only place I hide Mademoiselle," Erik said simply
" And where were you off to, today Monsieur?" Meg asked
" Seeking out the land, beyond the borders of Paris," Erik replied
Meg nodded and Erik looked at her.
" And what do you think about France outside of Paris?" Meg asked
" It is very lovely," Erik replied, " I wish to explore it more, but I don't believe I can go. I've been a way for much to long."
" How long were you gone for?" Meg asked
" Three days," Erik said
Meg switched sides and sat right beside Erik and looked at him. He turned his head to her.
" And what may I ask were you doing today?" he asked
" I was visiting a dear friend of mine," Meg said, " She called for me so I responded by visiting her."
Meg smiled softly as Erik stared at her, she felt her smile meant more when he was around him. Erik could only feel the warmth from her delicate smile, that she showed. It made him feel delighted to have her in his presence. Meg looked at the nicely wrapped box and was curious.
" Who's the gift for?" she asked
" It's for Perle," he replied, " I promised a gift for her."
Erik undid the fabric around the box and removed the top, there inside was a beautiful porcelain doll. Her dress was blue and white, face had a delightful look, and long brownish gold hair.
" She looks just like her," Meg said, " She's beautiful."
Erik shut the box and wrapped it up once more and looked at Meg.
" She must be your favorite Erik," Meg said
" I feel close to her, because it was she who found me after the incident at the opera house. I was battered and unable to feel that I could go on, but then she came out of no where. She led me to where she lived and I was taken in by everyone," Erik said, " So it is only right that I favor her more than then the others. Her act of kindness pulled be from one part of darkness."
Meg smiled and touched his face and Erik grabbed her hand.
" You're a man that draws everyone to you, a true composer of the arts," Meg said softly
As the long ride to Paris continued, Meg had drifted to sleep once more. Her head rested on Erik's shoulder and he gently draped his cloak around her. He moved the box and laid Meg's head on his lap, making her sleep that much more comfortable.
Once they arrived Erik gently woke Meg and she sat up. She looked around and looked at Erik.
" We're here?" she asked
" Yes," he said
Meg looked at his cloak and handed it back to him, knowing he needed it. He wrapped the cloak around himself and slipped the hood on. The door opened and Meg was helped out and Erik got down himself and grabbed his things. Erik paid the driver and the carriage was off.
" Please, allow me to walk you back," Erik said
Meg nodded and wrapped her arm around his own, as they walked to the apartment.
" How is your hip Erik, I can see you are without a cane?" Meg asked
" It's healed, but I was told to be careful," Erik replied
They walked up and Meg stood by the door and looked at Erik.
" Thank you Erik, I'm glad I ran into you," she said
On the other side of the door Madame Giry listened to her daughter thanking Erik. She felt some uneasiness with this, but Erik needed someone as much as her daughter did. Their company was much like the company, that of Christine and Erik, when he mentored Christine. Madame Giry did not want to wish heart break on Erik, but she was afraid that this friendship would become dangerous for both. Erik feared the outside world, that laid past the ghettos and Meg was young and unaware of these moments she spent with the terrified man.
Meg opened the door and entered with a blissful feeling all around her. She locked the door and saw her mother.
" Did you have a nice time Meg, visiting with Christine?" Madame Giry asked
" It was nice, she showed me the whole estate. You have to come next time mother, it was wonderful!" Meg exclaimed
" I will try," Madame Giry replied, " Now Meg you should get your rest."
Meg looked at her mother and saw there was something bothering her.
" Is there something wrong?" Meg asked, " Has something happened?"
" No, everything is just fine," Madame Giry replied
Meg nodded and then went off to prepare for bed, Madame Giry sighed. Her concern could wait until tomorrow or later on.
Erik walked in ever so quietly, he laid his bags on the stairs, then removed his cloak. He gathered his things and went into the sitting room, seeing Madame Amical and Doux knitting.
" Did you have a good time Erik?" Madame Amical asked
" Yes," Erik replied
He sat down and joined them, looking around the room. It was much more quieter than usual, but perhaps it was because the fire was not roaring like usual.
" So, did you do anything special?" Madame Doux asked
" No, just lookedat some property," Erik said
" Oh, property?" both inquired
Erik did not say much as he went into the kitchen and cut a piece of bread.
" You seem different Erik," Madame Amical said
" Do I?" he questioned, " Why would you say that?"
" You are holding your head high, as though you have gained something lost from long ago," Madame Amical replied
Erik walked back into the sitting room and took a seat. He removed his dress coat and laid it on the back of the chair.
" You look happier," Madame Doux said, " Like an angel came from heaven and blessed you with the grace of God."
Erik smiled a little, something they liked to see.
" So, what has been bestowed upon you now?" Madame Amical asked
" Just the grace of good fortune and success," Erik said, " I was offered a job outside of Paris ,outside the cruel angst of this cold city."
" Oh, Erik that is wonderful!" they exclaimed " When do you start?'
" Tomorrow," Erik said, " No longer will shadows dwell on my face. I am leaving Paris."
Erik's news to the old women did not touch their ears alone, but Perle and the other children. Each child stared down from the railing of each stair.
" Your leaving us Erik?" one child asked
Erik and the two old women looked up at 6 anxious little faces.
" I must," Erik said
" But what will we do without you?" another asked
" I will be here to watch over you," Erik replied
The 6 children came down and crowded around Erik and Erik looked at his young students. He was their father figure, the only one they truly knew.
" You can't leave us Erik," they all cried
He knelt down and looked at them.
" I won't leave you, I'm taking you all with me" Erik said, " Because you know why?"
" Why?" they all asked
" Cause where I'm going is to the Estate of the Vicomte de Chagny," Erik said
Madame Doux and Madame Amical looked at Erik in pure surprise, they dropped their knitting materials.
" Oh, Erik," the old women said
" Who else would hire such a disfigured face, without pity?" Erik stated
The children hugged Erik and the two old women joined into the hug.
" Now, let us rest and tomorrow we will go out to Paris and celebrate our last day out," Erik said, " No longer will we hide."
The children cheered and Erik herded them up upstairs, Perle was the last one up, she looked at Erik.
" Erik, you're an angel," Perle said
Erik smiled and lifted the young girl and kissed her head.
" No, my Petite Bijou, you are the angel," Erik said carrying her upstairs
The morning came and Erik led the young children out into the city of Paris. New clothes were bought, as well as new luggage. Their elegance would match that of the leisure life of the rich. Erik was fitted for several new dress outfits. He remained as classy as those who walked into the Paris Opera house. The children were bought new toys as well, best wine was bought to celebrate the last night. Erik stood at the end of the table and looked at them all.
" A toast," Erik said, " To our future and for those we love."
The children smiled at one another and sat down to eat their feast. Excitement didn't stop there, after dinner Erik explained to them, that their lives would be plentiful and that they should not be greedy, but thankful.
That evening the children rushed up to bed and got nestled tightly in their blankets. Erik leaned back in a chair, in the sitting room and looked around.
" We leave everything," Erik said, " Nothing, but our belongs."
" When do you suppose we leave?" Madame Amical asked
" Early in the morning there will be three carriages sent by M. le Vicomte de Chagny," Erik replied, " The children will sleep well through the ride there."
Madame Amical chuckled and said, " My Erik how you are sure of yourself. And what of your young lady friend? Does she know of this move?"
" No," Erik replied, " I fear there will be no contact with Mademoiselle Giry and Madame Giry. I have bid each of them farewell in a letter that they will receive tomorrow morning."
" Are you sure about this Erik?" Madame Doux asked
" I believe it would be right to do this," Erik said
Erik looked at the box with the doll in it, he had yet to give the doll to Perle. He sighed and went upstairs and climbed up on the roof. He looked up at the clear sky and pulled his cloak tighter as the gentle wind blew. He closed his eyes and sighed feeling the freedom he was feeling already, by leaving Paris.
" I can live a life away from stares," he thought
The following morning the young children stumbled out of bed, dressing in their new clothing, then wrapping themselves in their blankets. They stumbled down one by one and carried their things to the carriages. Each adult took two children in each carriage. Erik walked with the two youngest and got them settled in, then he got in. Perle sat beside and Erik lifted her into his lap, while the other child had the seat across from them to herself.
Once everyone was in the three carriages took off and headed for the estate. Erik closed his eyes as he held Perle in his arms and thought about the letter he sent to Meg.
As the long ride continued the children became anxious and awake watching the towns outside of Paris.
" Erik is it going to take a day to get there?" Perle asked
" No, just half a day," Erik replied
" I can't wait," the other child said
Erik looked at them seeing they would both have a better life. Erik looked out and then touched the box, which held the doll for Perle. He would give that to her as a house warming gift, a new gift along with a new home.
Meg opened her eyes and got up, she prepared for the day and walked out into the sitting room. She saw her mother sitting down reading something.
" Morning," she said
Madame Giry looked up and smiled. She poured her daughter a cup tea, then handed her the letter.
" A letter came for you as well this morning," Madame Giry said
" Oh, do we know who it's from?" she asked
" I don't know, go on and read it," Madame Giry asked
Meg sat down and opened the nice looking envelope. She pulled out a long letter, which addressed her as Mademoiselle Giry. She began to read it and each word placed on the piece of paper seeped into her mind. Meg felt her heart beat hard against her chest as she read the sweetly written letter. As she turned the page she finished the letter, which ended: Your warm smile will always be with me each day. I will see you some day and perhaps in your dreams. Please, live a full life without me in it. Sincerely Erik.
Meg sank back into her chair and she wiped the tears, that fell from her delicate face. Madame Giry looked at her and folded the letter she had received.
" Erik has written you as well my dear daughter?" Madame Giry asked
" Yes, mother," Meg said, " Erik was offered a job outside of Paris."
Madame Giry nodded and grabbed her daughter's hand.
" It is what's best for him," Madame Giry said, " Don't shed anymore tears on this matter."
Meg nodded and sipped her tea as she looked at the last part of the letter.
" Oh Erik," she thought, " I'm sorry it had to be this way."