Chapter 10: She Came On a Sad Day

3 years later

Meg ran into her mother's room and climbed into bed with her. Antoinette opened her eyes and looked at her daughter.

" Hello my angel," she said

She pulled her daughter close and kissed her head. Meg smiled and hugged her mother.

" I heard voices again," Meg said, " I got scared."

" Don't worry about the noises, Erik works early in the morning my darling," Antoinette said

" Erik, needs to respect those who are sleeping," Meg said

Antoinette smiled and kissed her daughter's head and closed her eyes falling asleep.

Erik stepped into the warm water of the lake and walked over to the gate. He was fixing the gate, which was stuck, mostly rusted from the water. Erik dove under and fixed it, returned for a breath of air. He pulled the lever and the gate opened, he nodded in satisfaction, but then the gate came down. Erik had no chance to move before it cut him down the arm. He let out a excruciating shout, which echoed through all five cellars. Erik tore his sleeve as blood dripped into the untouched water, turning it red. He knelt down in the water and remained there hoping it would stop. This was a failed attempt and he knew it needed to be cleaned and Erik pour half a bottle of wine over his wound to stop the bleeding. The pain was making him nauseous and delusional and he climbed out of the water. Erik sat down and leaned forward to trying to get over the nauseated feeling. Erik stumbled towards his bedroom where he kept the bandages, that Antoinette often supplied. There he tended to the still bleeding wound and tightly bandaged his arm. Erik wrapped his arm 3 times and then just fell back into bed out of weakness.

Later soft hands touched his unmasked faced and Erik moaned.

" Is he dead?" a voice asked

" No, he's alive," another voice said, " Erik, Erik."

Erik opened his eyes, but everything was so distorted. He rolled over on his stomach and to the side of his bed as sickness came to the surface. Antoinette looked at him as she gently stroked his head.

" Antoinette," he whispered, " my arm, I think it's been cut off."

" No, you have both your arms, though one is badly injured, I sent Marie for a doctor. Rest Erik," she said

" I fixed the gate," Erik said, " and then it fell down cutting the flesh off my bones."

Erik sat up and Antoinette wiped his mouth with a wet cloth and looked at him. She touched his head also feeling he was burning up.

" Erik, you're burning up," Antoinette said

" I had to dive under to fix the other wheel," Erik rambled

Antoinette looked at him and laid him down into his bed and put a cool cloth on his head. She cleaned up the surfaced sickness, that was due to the nauseated feeling he had felt. Erik continued to ramble and not a care in the world and Antoinette looked at him. A doctor came down with Marie and checked Erik, he stitched Erik's arm up and wrapped it.

" He's just in shock, it happens when someone receives a serious wound," he said, " he'll be fine, but I do suggest that you have someone stay with him."

Marie looked at Erik and looked at his disfigured face, she pitied him. She looked at Antoinette and volunteered. Antoinette looked at her friend and Marie smiled a innocent smile.

" Are you sure?" Antoinette asked

" Yes, it's the least I can do for stepping in a forbidden area," Marie said

" Very well," Antoinette said, " but neither one of you can speak a word of him being down here."

" Madame Giry I am a doctor there will only be privacy for this patient," the doctor said

" I promise too, Antoinette, tell them I'm feeling under the weather," Marie said

Antoinette nodded and the doctor gave Marie the medicine incase his fever continued. Marie sent them off and she walked downstairs to take care of the ill Phantom.

Antoinette danced across the stage and Meg watched, she looked around in fear that the Phantom would come, but he did not. Antoinette looked at her daughter and sighed as she feared the Phantom who was the same man who took care of her.

After practice Antoinette took Meg out for lunch onto the town and they got caught in a crowd of people, listening to a violinist playing and his young daughter singing. The voice of the young girl was beautiful and yet it was untrained. Meg broke free from her mother's hold and pushed through the crowd to get a better look. Meg smiled as they listened to the many songs. She reached into her small pouch and pulled out 5 francs and placed them into small silk pouch in front of the violinist's feet.

" Meg," Antoinette called

She came to her daughter's side and Meg looked at her.

" Isn't this music beautiful, the opera house could use them to draw the crowd," Meg said

" Yes, but we can not just hire someone my darling," Antoinette said

They walked off, but it was only later that they would run into each other at the opera house. Meg and Antoinette ate a little lunch a few blocks from the Opera Populaire and continued back. There, right in front of the opera house stood the young girl, she stared at the opera house with sparkles in her eyes.

" Bonjour Mademoiselle," Antoinette greeted the young girl

" Bonjour Madame, Mademoiselle," the young girl said

" Are you interested in the fine arts?" Antoinette asked

The young girl nodded and said, " Yes, Madame…I love to sing."

" Would you like a tour?" Meg asked

The young girl looked at Meg and smiled, Antoinette sent Meg on her way to give the young girl a tour. Antoinette walked in and heard some talking coming from the office of Monsieur Lefevre. She walked around and watched as Meg made a friend, someone her own age. The two young girls walked over, Antoinette knelt down at their level.

" How old are you?" she asked

" I'm 8," the young girl said

" She's a year older than me Mama!" Meg said with excitement

" My name is Christine Daaé ," she introduced herself

" Christine Daaé ," Antoinette repeated, " What a beautiful name…I see great things for this young girl."

For weeks the two girls stayed attached at the hip, Antoinette spoke with Christine's father trying to get him to stay and play for the Opera Populaire and allow his daughter to have lessons.

" Madame Giry, I am grateful for your offer, but we travel," Monsieur Daaé said

The excitement reached the fifth cellar and the healing Erik rose from his bed after being bed ridden for weeks. Erik's arm was healed, but very tender, but he managed to ignore that part, for his reputation was failing. Erik touched the rafters and heard the young girl's voice…he looked down and saw young Meg and another girl. He jumped down and called to Meg when no one was around.

" Monsieur Erik, you are out of bed," Meg said in the shadows

" Who is she?" Erik asked

" She's a violinist's daughter, she's 8 years old," Meg said

" I see, what is she doing here?" Erik asked

Meg paused and said, " Mama, is trying to get them to stay here to sing and play."

" I see," Erik replied, " off with you now…go on."

Meg smiled and walked away and Erik looked at the young new comer.

" Soon you will become the angel which one looks up to and O.G. will be only your desire to keep that one up on stage."

Erik closed his eyes and felt a warm liquid fall from his eyes.

" Thank you," he whispered

He opened his eyes and fled to the loft of the Opera Populaire. He watched and listened as Antoinette and the father spoke about Christine's talent. He could see the father wanted his daughter by his side at all time, but there was hope that his daughter would be able to live a dream. Erik listened and then heard the doors bust open and Marie ran to Antoinette. Her face was full of fear and Marie whispered to her about something. Antoinette's face to became full of fear and Erik knew it was his disappearance from his bed that had the two women scared. Antoinette excused herself and ran with Marie down each cellar.

" All that's left was a dented pillow and his sheets," Marie said, " I was bringing clean lining for him because he looked well enough to stand."

" It's alright Marie, I'm sure he is well," Antoinette said

They came down to his domain and Antoinette looked around for Erik. His music remained on the stand, his bed remained unmade and still stained with blood from his wound. She pulled the sheets off and asked Marie to place the clean ones on.

" He's around, do not worry yourself," Antoinette said, " Why don't you go rest Marie…I'll find Erik."

Marie nodded and ran up the stairs and Antoinette sighed, she looked at the gate that remained down and sighed.

" Erik, Erik," she sighed

3 months later

Erik heard the sounds of footsteps coming down the cellar. He stopped playing and heard a soft voice.

" Young Meg?" he called

" Erik, Mama has left me," she called, " Can I come stay with you?"

Erik sighed and turned away from then entrance and then looked at his mask.

" I am not decent Little Giry," he said, " You may for a little, but let me become decent."

Erik fled from where he was sitting and Meg came down the rest of the way. Erik changed into his usual shadowy attire and slipped his mask and wig on. He walked out and looked at the little girl with blondish locks, hanging over her shoulders.

" Erik did Mama tell you where she was going?" Meg asked

" No, Little Giry she did not," Erik replied

Meg felt tears fall from her face, Erik walked over to her and took her into his arms.

" Shh, Little Giry, she did not leave you," Erik replied

Meg wrapped her arms around Erik and Erik looked down at her.

" Come, let us go up," Erik said

" I want to stay down here with you," Meg said

Erik sighed and gave up trying, he decided to amuse the little girl, by playing the organ. He watched her follow the notes and lightly hummed to the beat, he felt a bliss of happiness as she did.

" I'm going to be a ballerina and I'm going to be like my mother," Meg said

" I have seen you dance Little Giry," Erik said

Meg smiled and Erik continued to play, he later read to her an adventure story. Meg looked at Erik as he read with such expression, it allowed her to understand what was happening in the story.

When the time came to eat dinner, Meg ran upstairs and brought food down for them both. She sat down and looked at her food and Erik looked at her seeing a puzzled look on her face.

" What is wrong Little Giry ?" Erik asked

" I was thinking, but it was rude of me to think of this," Meg replied

" What were you thinking?" Erik asked

" I was wondering why you wore a mask," Meg answered with hesitation

Erik looked at her and said, " It is a long story Little Giry…one that can not be told in one dinner setting."

Meg sighed and nodded and then ate and finished ready to listen to more adventure stories. Erik was pleased to see the girl's excitement and eagerness to hear his voice.

Later, Meg fell asleep in Erik's arms and he gently lifted her up, then carried her to her room by the first cellar. He entered and gently laid the girl down, he watched her curl up into blankets and whisper good night. Erik sat down and watched her for awhile, he had truly grown attach to the young Giry. He was not surprised, because he watched her grow and watched her become a friend in his heart.

" Sweet young Meg, how I have grown so fond of you child," Erik whispered, " Good night Fleur Dansante."

Erik heard the door shut and stood up, then walked out to see Antoinette standing there.

" Madame," he whispered

Antoinette just stayed there, her hand covering her mouth and in the candle light saw moisture on her cheeks. He walked over to her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

" Madame, dry your eyes," he whispered

Antoinette looked at Erik and wrapped her arms around him. He looked at her as he felt her bury her head into his chest.

" Tell me Madame what makes you cry?" Erik asked

" Death," she whispered, " Death is all around us."

Erik pulled her close and kissed her head.

" Sweet Giry, speak," Erik whispered

" I have taken in Mademoiselle Daaé , she will now be trained as a ballerina," Antoinette said, " Erik, save her from her tears; they only hurt those who have lost everything."

Erik looked at her and felt his heart beat against his chest. It was time he became the angel that Christelle told him he would become. He turned away and looked up at the ceiling.

" Listen to your heart Madame there is no sadness, you are loved by the world and the world is loved by you."

Madame Giry looked at him and touched his face.

" I pray that you'll be that child's light Erik, just as you have become mine and Meg's…you are the king, the sultan, the emperor of the opera house. Save your people Erik as your servants saved you," Antoinette pleaded

Erik sighed and turned away and then nodded. He walked off and fled from where he stood. His dark shadow faded away and Antoinette walked to her daughter's room. She looked at Meg and leaned against the door frame, there was a settled look on her face.

" He has been so good to us, this king of opera," Antoinette whispered, " He treats Meg like a princess and I like his queen, but there is no feelings for us to be together, but maybe this young lass can save him from his solitude. Christine Daaé what joys can you bring to Erik's life?"

Erik hide behind the walls of the chapel and saw a candle lit. He looked and saw a young girl kneeling there.

" Papa, you are in heaven," she whispered, " please speak."

She cried as she prayed and Erik watched then listened as she sang a song about a girl name Little Lotte, who was blessed with her angel of music. Erik closed his eyes and listened.

" My child, my dear sweet child," Erik spoke

The young girl's eyes opened and looked up.

" Who's there?" she questioned

" Have you forgotten your father's promise…that he would send you an angel of music?" Erik spoke

" Oh, Angel…speak," she whispered

Erik closed his eyes as he felt a warm feeling surround him.

" Young child, I shall take you under my wings and I will make your song take flight," Erik said

" Angel of Music I wish to please you with my talent," she said

" Sleep, child," Erik whispered, " and let the dream begin."