Chapter 8: Erik's Past and Healing
Charlotte breathed deep as the three men carried both Erik and Laurent off. Hs followed them until they stopped her. She reached out her hand in Erik's direction, then began to sob. Christine walked over and wrapped her arms around her daughter, but she pushed her mother away.
" Leave me," she said, " My mother and father have betrayed me. Why couldn't you have left me alone?"
" Erik, was going to harm you," Christine said, " He's known for his obsession for falling in love."
" Obsession? To be loved?" Charlotte questioned, " Do you know what he has been through these last years?"
" No," she asked
" Dwelling in darkness, his wife was murder in this very estate, his other wife died of an illness, three months after they married," Charlotte said
" Stories, to misguide you," Raoul said, " You have become a victim of his lies."
Charlotte looked at her father and shook her head.
" I'm in love with Erik," she said, " He loves me too mother."
Christine looked at her daughter and touched her face. She could see Charlotte's heart had been given to Erik. Her daughter was young for marriage, but Charlotte was two years younger than she was, when she and Raoul married. Christine began to blame herself for this.
" Charlotte," she said, " I'm sorry, this is all my fault. If I hadn't made a promise you wouldn't be confused like this."
Charlotte sighed and walked to the door and touched it. She leaned her head against it and tears fell from her face.
" Erik, Erik, oh my dear sweet Erik," she whispered, " Please, be alright."
Hour after hour past and the guest had left long ago. Christine and Roul remained there waiting for news on Laurent and Christine looked at Charlotte as tears stained her face.
" Please, Erik," she whispered, " I want to be there when you wake up every morning, everyday."
The doors opened and the doctor walked out and wiped his hands on some clothes. They looked up in anxiousness as the doctor wiped his face.
" I've done all I can," he said, " They will have to depend on their strength now and the divine power of our heavenly father."
" Are we able to see them?" Christine asked
Charlotte looked at her mother when she used the word "them", it surprised her very deeply. The doctor nodded and let them go, Christine walked in with Raoul to see their son. Charlotte ran to Erik's side and knelt down beside him, where he laid on several clean sheets and blankets. Erik's pale face show death's deathly kiss, as his breaths were shallow.
" Erik," she whispered
Erik opened his eyes and looked at her. His eyes looked distance and he tried to move his hand.
" My sweet angel," he whispered
" I'm here to stay, I'm turning back," she said
Erik looked at her and she touched his hand as she let tears fall from her face. Erik closed his eyes and she touched his face, she leaned over and kissed him.
" Erik, rest and I will be with you forever," she whispered
Christine looked over at her daughter and felt tears fall from her face. Laurent was inflicted with twice the pain, that Erik had been inflicted with.
" Laurent, we're here with you," she whispered
" Madame, Monsieur de Chagny, we have prepared a room for you to stay as long as you need to," Gabriel said
" Thank you," Christine said
Hours later Charlotte had fallen asleep beside Erik, her hand rested on his chest. Christine fell asleep in Raoul's arm as they waited for a sign that Laurent was alive. Raoul looked over at his daughter, who laid beside the man who inflected pain the his whole family. He couldn't make his daughter change her mind, she was in fact in love.
" I can not accept this love affair, my daughter deserves better," Raoul thought
3 weeks later
Erik rested in his room and Charlotte sat beside him. She gently fed him to keep his strength up, he was weak and losing color to his skin.
" Are you well today?" she asked
He looked at her as she opened the window and let fresh air into the bedroom. She slipped a shirt over his bare torso and kissed his cheek.
" Why do you remain here?" he asked, " I have showed my true personality."
" I remain here because I love you, and those acts were out of frustrations and protection," she answered
She dabbed his face with a wet cloth, she checked his bandages. She sat down and touched his face, then kissed him.
" Do you still wish to be my wife?" he asked
" Yes," Charlotte replied, " I'm not abandoning you."
Erik took her hand and kissed it, careful of his deathly wound, she traced his face, then fed him a little.
" Erik, in order to fully to be your wife, I wish to know everything," she said
" Everything?" he asked
" Yes, your past," she said
Erik grabbed her hand and nodded. He cleared his throat and so the story began of what happened 16 years ago.
Flash back
16 years ago
Erik looked at Christine as she handed him the ring on her finger.
" Christine, I love you," he whispered
" My promise we will meet again, if I am to have a daughter, she will be your student when she is 16," Christine said
" I shall remember," he whispered, " Hurry and go."
Once she was out of sight he lifted a candle opera and smashed every mirror and escaped. He had wrapped his black cloak around him, as he entered the snowy night. People came to hunt him and he took off covering half his face. Erik felt life just leave his body, finding it was pointless to go on, but something pulled away from Paris. Erik's endless days of traveling brought him to the town, which laid miles from his estate. He stumbled into town and fainted. His body wanted rest and yearned for it, he found it there.
Erik coughed up water as it touched his dry throat. He felt arms supporting him up, then opened his eyes.
" Easy," a soft voice said
Erik gulped down the water and slightly choking on the water.
" Your drinking to fast," the soft voice whispered
" It's been days since I've had water," he whispered
" Well, you must eat too," the girlish voice
Erik looked at the girl that helped him and he saw darkness in one eye.
" Am I blind?" he whispered
" Your face, it was scared, it looked like you burnt your flesh," she said
" Your ignorance is amusing, I have been like this for most my life," Erik said
The girl looked at him and removed the bandages and touched his face. He looked at her and she squinted to get a good look at it.
" What happen?" she asked
" I don't wish to discuss it," he replied
" I'm sorry, I did not mean to ask such a rude questioned," she said
Erik looked at the girl and asked, " Where am I?"
" A small town outside of Reims," she said, " You will rest her, my parents will not mind."
Erik noticed that he was in no ordinary home, but that of a large estate. Erik looked at the girl and nodded. She smiled and laid him down on the soft bed.
" Rest Monsieur," she said
" Your name," he said
" Alexandrie de Ambler," she replied as she left
Erik, fell asleep and there was peace in his life for that time.
" A new life begins," he whispered
2 months later
Erik began his new life and taught the young opera singers that needed tutoring. He had seen many and felt some should have never even thought about singing. Erik admired Alexandrie's delicate voice. Erik's many talents helped the young diva and slowly he was falling for her. The daughter of a very wealthy official, whom owed a lot of land. He gave Erik some land to start his new life and there began to build the his dark dwelling. As he worked with her, he added more to his estate, paid every lesson. Every time Alexandrie sang a lead Erik was paid double.
As the year went by the young diva spent time with Erik. Their friendship reached a height, when Erik's affections grew for her. She was now 16 when he spoke to her about their relationship with each other.
" Erik," Alexandrie said
Erik looked at her as they stood on the veranda of his estate. He took her hands and she kissed him directly on his lips.
" Erik, do you love me?" she asked
" Love you?" he whispered
Alexandrie looked at him and touched his face and ran her hands over his fine garments. Erik grabbed her and pulled her to him, then kissed her deeply. Their kiss was that of true love and passion, but they did not stop there. Their love brought them further and into the bedroom.
Two months after they bedded one another, Alexandrie's father found out. He offered Erik his only daughter. Erik accepted and Alexandrie's father gave a dowry of 4 times what he paid Erik, for Alexandrie's lessons. Once the two were married, Erik asked for another dowry so he could support Alexandrie and her unborn child. Her father was outranged about it, but Erik told him it was necessary. Erik had caretakers and servants to aid his wife during the pregnancy. He was there by her side as she sang each note on paper. Their year together was worth it and Alexandrie gave him a healthy son, which would succeed the wealth. Erik took care of them, getting money from those who did business with Erik. His mask came back into place when someone told him, they would not do business with him. He made the porcelain mask and became known as the Comte de Bellamont.
During their second year of marriage, Alexandrie was pregnant, but this child was different. It made Alexandrie ill and Erik worried about her, but there was something else about the child…it was not his own. Alexandrie had confessed that the second child was not his, but the man she had loved before him. Erik was angered by this and wanted so much to hang his wife for her betrayal, but he loved her so much. He let her have her affairs, but it was his fault he did.
One winter afternoon, Erik returned and heard sobs, he climbed up the stairs in terror. He opened the door and there fear had laid upon his very own face. Alexandrie laid in her lover's arms…dead, stabbed and he covered himself in her blood. Erik became so furious that he grabbed the poor actor by his neck and carried him to the highest point of the house. He tied his lasso and hanged him on the highest point, he left his body there and return to gather Alexandrie in his arms. He carried her body all the way back to her father's estate and there fell to his knees. Her father came to his knees as Erik presented his daughter's body to him. He fell to the ground and Alexandrie's father took Erik in for the few months Erik dwelled. The child that remained in his care, became older and Erik did his best. Erik ran his life as he tended too and raised his son, but it was not over. Death came again, when his young 3 year old son found his way out the estate. He fell into the dark lake and drowned. Erik was in deep despair, that he found darkness as his companion.
" Kill me," he cried out
His caretakers forced him to eat, death nearly claimed him several times. He returned to his work and met Jacqueline de Bontecou, the 24 year old diva, who's voice came to him. The young woman had a very powerful voice, but needed adjustments. Erik worked for her and she paid him 3 times the amount Alexandrie's father did. Like his last, he fell in love with her. His heart longed for the taste of love, the desire to feel human. His body was aching for a woman's touch, but he did not wish to marry her.
His denial of affections only made her want him, his unseen side, made curious. He revealed that once she saw his face it would mean she became his.
So, it was Jacqueline, who removed is mask and horror touched her eyes, but then tears fled them.
" What pain have you seen, my dear master?" she whispered
Fear turned into love and so it was 2 months, they married. She told Erik that she was ill for many years. Erik found himself with drawing from the world.
" Erik," she whispered on her death bed
" Yes," he replied
" I have son," she whispered, " From a marriage before our own."
" A son?" he whispered
" Gabriel Daniel de Bontecou," she whispered, " Find him, he's a scared child and his father neglects him because of his face."
" I will," he said
Erik traveled around and 5 months later he found a pathetic looking boy. The boy wore fine garments, but traveled away from wealth. The child looked at Erik in fear and Erik looked at him.
" Gabriel," Erik said
" Who are you?" he questioned
" Your guardian, come with me," Erik said, " Your mother's last wishes were to take you under my wing."
" My mother?" he questioned
Erik took the boy by his hand and soon raised his stepson, there a part of his void was filled and raised Gabriel. Gabriel worked under Erik, calling him master, not father. Erik became bitter about that, the child became his servant.
End of Flash back
" For ten years, I have longed for the title of a father, though Gabriel doesn't see me as his father, I am still the only father he has," Erik said
Charlotte looked at him and kissed him and kissed his neck.
" I will give you that child Erik," she said, " Our child."
Erik looked at the young girl and grabbed her hand, Charlotte gently sang to him and Erik closed his eyes. She stayed with him for awhile then went on to find Gabriel to tell him.
" Gabriel," she called
" I refuse to call that monster my father," Gabriel said
He jumped down and looked at her.
" I refuse to call you my step mother," Gabriel bitterly spat
Charlotte looked at him and said, " He raised you, how could you deny him that honor."
" I'll tell you, that monster courted my mother for her money, he bedded her like the other woman, but did not love her," Gabriel said, " He continues to build onto his darken estate, taking yet another woman. Does he love you?"
Charlotte slapped Gabriel across the face and he looked at her.
" Did you not see the signs Charlotte," he said, " Did you not notice my song."
Charlotte looked at him and backed off and Gabriel grabbed her wrist.
" Charlotte….I saved you from your darkness, I sang to you," he said
" No, I refuse to believe it," Charlotte said
" How could you miss my roses?" he questioned
Charlotte shook her head and turned away. Gabriel looked at her and removed his mask and turned her head.
" Look at me!" he growled, " Look at me! My mask is removed, my heart is yanked from my chest, but do you notice?"
Charlotte looked at him in horror, his face told of scarier past, the reason he ran from his home. Tears fell from his face and Charlotte looked at him and hugged him.
" Poor child of the night," she whispered, " What horrors have you seen?"
" Do not pity me," he whispered, " I do not need pity."
He pushed her away and slipped his mask on.
" Go to your beast, your wounded lover," he growled, " Some day dear, Charlotte, I will have you."
Gabriel looked at her and then turned away and Charlotte looked at him. Charlotte went to her room and brushed out her hair. She was worried for Erik and now she was afraid of Gabriel. He was 16 just like her and now he did not wish to see her marry Erik, much less give him a child. Charlotte laid down in her bed and fell asleep for a few hours.
She was awaken, by a knock on the door and she opened her eyes. She sat up and then looked around, the evening light was setting in.
" I must have fallen asleep," she thought
She got up and opened the door a servant stood there.
" Mademoiselle, supper is ready," the servant said
" Yes, alright," she answered
Charlotte brushed out her hair and then walked down. She ate supper alone, usually dinning with both Erik and Gabriel. She sighed and ate her dinner, staring at the mirror. Her imagination let her see Erik standing behind her, they were each a phase from the very beginning to when he truly cared about her. Tears fell from her face and she covered her face.
" Oh, Erik," she cried, " Please stay with me, I want to be your wife."
Stood up and wiped her tears, then walked down to the lair, which Erik did all his writings. She stood next to the organ and sat beside it, then began to play it. The music that laid on the stand was a different piece, but she played it anyway. Tears fell from her face as she played, hearing the sound of each note.
By the late evening Charlotte walked upstairs to Erik's room, she saw him sitting up reading. He looked up at her and set the book down beside him, as she approached him.
" I was wondering when you would come," Erik said
Charlotte smiled and climbed into bed beside him, he looked at her as she stared up at him. She reached her hand up and touched his face gently, he kissed her hand.
" My dear sweet Charlotte," he whispered
Charlotte saw sadness in his eyes and she reach up and fully kissed him.
" Are you feeling better, my dear Erik?" she asked
" Yes, my body is relaxed," he said
" You look a little better," she said stroking his cheek
Charlotte, fell asleep beside Erik that night, worried to leave his side at this stage of his recovery. Erik held her hand as they slept and his head rested on hers.
1 month later
A doctor came to check Erik's wounds, the gunshot wound was healing perfectly. He could move his shoulder better, with little pain. Charlotte watched as the doctor checked his stabbed wound. Erik stood up and the doctor carefully snipped the threads on Erik's wound.
" Your wound is almost healed, but continue to wrap it with fresh dressings," the doctor said, " Clean it as well, it still a little fresh. No running around, Horseback ridding, nothing that will make you strain"
Erik nodded as Charlotte wrapped his wound and the doctor looked at Erik.
" I'll be back in a week," the doctor said, " Please, be well, I don't want to sew you up again."
" Thank you doctor," Erik said
The doctor left and Charlotte finished dressing his wound. She kissed his side and Erik looked down at her. She smiled and stood up and wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped his around her. She kissed his neck and then kissed him.
" Erik, you're almost well, again," she said
" Yes, and soon we'll be married," he replied softly