7 the music of the night
Ivy was feeling a little better at least, on their way through the catacombs. She leaned up against Mme Giry on the way down, the two barely exchanging words as Ivy was still afraid to talk. She had to speak though, and soon was telling the older woman exactly what had happened to her. "If you hadn't come along..." she said quietly, and Mme Giry shook her head. "Think nothing of it my child. I'm only glad I came back when I did. That man is trash and should never be allowed to step foot in the opera again... but.. Ivy..." she stopped and the younger girl looked up.
"No one can find him. Jospeh has disappeared."
Ivy blinked, her eyes getting a little wide. "Disappeared? But how? You knocked him unconcious.. I don't understand." Mme Giry could only shake her head. "I do not know child.. I will do everything in my power to see that he never comes back here again." They had reached the destination that Mme Giry would leave Ivy to travel the rest of the way by herself. She kissed the young girl goodbye and headed upstairs, telling her to come to her if she should ever need anything. Ivy agreed and slipped down further into the catacombs.
As she was walking down, the sound of music filled her ears and at once, she knew what was going on. She could barely hear Erik's voice but it was there. If you listened closely, music and song could be heard everywhere in this place. Sometimes Ivy listened to the operas down here, instead of backstage. The further she went, the louder the song got and the more she realized that Christine was still with him. Inside. In her place. Erik's voice was low and seductive and Ivy could only imagine what he was doing to her. The way he might be touching her, singing to her like an angel. She was singing back to him, her voice rang clear and present in Ivy's ears.
Each note seemed to tear at Ivy until she realized that she was right outside her home. The sound was overwhelming now and there were tears running down her cheeks. She had almost died, and he didn't care one bit. Didn't care and didn't know. He was too busy in her, and all her elegant ways. Ivy would never be that beautiful or pleasant. And yet Ivy couldn't hate her. She knew that Erik was drawn to her because of her looks, and the way she danced. And that she was a part of the daylight, a world he so longed to touch.
Passing the gate, neither one seemed to see the small woman who had appeared in the corner. Ivy pulled up at her dress, hoping to cover up the bruises on her neck. She now knew that she could never show or tell him what had gone on. It would seem like she was pleading for attention, and she didn't want that for anything. She wanted Erik to love her for her, not because he felt the need to take care of her. If she ever saw Joseph Buquet again, she would make him wish he'd never touched her.
Suddenly Erik had pulled Christine up against him, her back flush against his chest and Ivy made a soft whimpering sound. How she had longed to be touched like that by him. Those hands over the curve of her hip, roaming further down and brushing against her thigh. She had dreamed of him touching her like that, every night. His other hand up in her hair, kissing at her neck just like that. Ivy was almost furious with pain and anguish. She knew she could take no more of this display. How dare he mock her like this in their house when she could be anywhere, watching. He wasn't the only one who knew every little thing about the opera house.
They were moving again, as Ivy got towards the organ. He was going to show her something, and Ivy didn't know what it was. She looked on as Erik revealed the lifesize looking doll in a wedding gown. It looked like Christine in the features yes, but ... something was off and then it hit her. Every other part of the doll was like Ivy. The hair, the body. It was small and lanky and not curvy like Christine's. Ivy had no further thoughts as Christine started to faint. Erik caught her and brought her over to the bed. The bed Ivy had made. Her bed. Ivy backed up slowly, watching him pull the cover over the bed and step away. She was about to be caught snooping.
He never saw her, or even heard her until he turned around. "Ivy...." he spoke softly and stepped towards her. How long had she been standing there? What did she see? Why did she look so terribly upset. He reached out a hand to him, but she only batted it away. "You cannot keep her here you know... she will need food.. and water." Ivy spoke softly but demanding to him and then she was gone. She couldn't bare to look at his face at that moment. It was causing her too much pain. She left to go gather Christine food and water, setting it beside the bed.
Erik was at his organ, writing here and there and ignoring Ivy. He had what he wanted. He didn't understand why she was so upset. Ivy was tending over Christine, and waiting for her to wake up. There was too much silence and he was getting annoyed. Putting down his music, he went over to Ivy and grabbed her by the shoulder. "What is your problem, Ivy?" he spoke gruffly. Ivy had turned, wincing though her face was away and he could not see it. "What is my problem? You bring her down here and everyone has been searching. You cannot just take people down here and keep her down here. Even if she wants to stay, there are people who will miss her!"
Erik's hands were at her wrists in a flash which caused Ivy to jump, a flash of the night before in her head. "She is mine.. I can do what I'd like and you will have no say do you hear me? I asked you do one thing for me and now you're telling me no? You know I don't like my orders to be disobeyed." He backed her up, pressing Ivy up to the wall, his teeth nearly bared. "If you betray me Ivy, heaven help you..." and in an instance, his tone changed. "What's wrong with your neck?" Ivy was panting, and practically cringing at his contact. Normally she wouldn't put up with this attitude of his, but the night before had shaken her deeply. And now he was.. oh her neck.
"It's nothing." She spoke quietly and Erik pulled at her dress, tugging it down and revealing the bruises in very vibrant color. "Don't tell me it's nothing.. what happened.." And finally Erik saw the look of terror in her eyes and backed up slightly. "I'm.. Ivy.. please.. what happened." he let go of her arms and allowed her to regain some composure. "Last night.. while everyone was out looking for your... precious Christine.. " her voice almost venom. "Joseph Buquet decided he wanted a taste of me. Thankfully Madame Giry hit him over the head before he killed me. He choked me.." And that at least, seemed to shut up Erik rather quickly.
The rage was back in his eyes, she could tell but this time it wasn't trained at her. He was angry just like she knew he would be. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" his voice crisp and clear and she knew that she couldn't smart mouth off to him like she normally would without getting hurt. "Because you were busy.." she tried very hard to hold back her sarcasm. "Besides he's gone.. no one can find him.. and I ..." Ivy was cut off by the sound of Christine awakening. "Go.. she needs you." Ivy pushed past him, not saying another word as Erik growled and sat back down at his organ, very confused.