Chapter 2

As lessons passed I progressed. Two years had passed. He taught me to play simple tunes at first, then more challenging ones. He scolded gently when I made a mistake, and placed his hands over mine to show me the proper way. He scolded harshly when I didn't practice or didn't practice enough. I hated for him to be disappointed in me, but when he was pleased I always knew. He lavished me with gifts; dolls and dresses, music boxes and necklaces. He was always respectful, never touching me, except for my hands, when he taught me to play. And over time I learned to call him Erik.

Everything changed when my father took ill. Father insisted I still go to piano lessons, even when I begged to stay by his bedside. Erik knew right away that something was wrong when I arrived for my lesson. Instead of going straight to the piano room as we always did, he led me down a different hall and through different rooms. He stopped in a room that was dark. It had no windows; the only light came from various candles placed throughout the room.

I edged closer to him, not liking the feeling of the darkness. "Oh, let's leave." I whispered, "Please, I don't like the dark." I feel him move next to me, and find myself being lifted into his arms. I put my hands on his shoulders, "Master, I am scared." He brought me closer to him; "There's nothing to be afraid of here, my child. I'm here; nothing can happen to you."

He moves father into the room, and lowers into a chair. I move closer to him, "Papa is sick, Erik." He says nothing. "I am scared for him. I hear the servants, they talk of him dying." His hand goes to my hair stroking it, playing in it, "Christine, love, there's nothing I can tell you, there's nothing I can say to you. Death is a part of living, child." I look up at him. His eyes seem to shimmer, his mask seems to glow, "He can't leave me, Master. I will be alone!"

His hand moves to stroke my cheek, "Not alone, my angel. I will be with you, always." I put my own small hand on his cheek that is not covered by the mask. I feel him flinch beneath my fingers, "Do you promise?" His hand leaves my face, and covers my own hand, "I promise."

He gently removes my hand from his face. "Close your eyes, child. Listen to the sounds of darkness." I shut my eyes tightly. The tips of his fingers dance over my eye lids, "Not so tight, Christine." I relax, and shut them gently. I wondered how he could see me in the darkness. "I don't hear anything." I say. "Shhh… You must listen first, my angel." He whispers. I can feel his cool breath caress my face. His face must be just in front of mine. I don't dare open my eyes. Instead, I concentrate on listening.

Slowly the sounds come. I hear my own breathing, then his. I sense him move away from me, then gather me to him again, pressing my cheek against his chest. And then he sings. His voice is hypnotizing. It is soft and hard, light and harsh, kind and cruel, loud and quiet. I hear the words rumble in his chest, then resound in my ear. I want to burrow closer to him, yet at the same time, I wish to run. I open my eyes. The soft glow of the candles makes eerie shadows on the floor, walls, and ceilings. I almost close my eyes again.

I remember his words; "there's nothing to be afraid of here. I'm here; nothing can happen to you." Instead I focus on the small flames of the candles. They seem to flicker and dance in time with Erik's song. They appear to dim when he sings soft, and brighten when he sings loud. I find myself mesmerized. The words to his song float through my mind, barely making sense.

I was lost
Swimming in the black
Can't move forward
Can't turn back.
Black above me
Nothing below
The sound of silence
Is all I've ever known.

I weep gently. Why was he so sad? His hand moves up and down my arm. It's comforting. When he stops singing I almost cry out. His hand drops from my arm, and I miss the warmth. He says quietly, "It is time for you to go home now. There will be no lesson today." He wipes my tears with the back of his hand. Gently, he sets me on my own feet, taking my hand, then silently leads me out of the dark room.

Phantom's POV

As I walk with her back to the main entrance she is quiet. She holds my hand tightly. I hate to see her upset. I silently curse her father. But if he did die… She could live with me, be with me. I could watch her, teach her, love her. I did love her. She was only a child. She could understand nothing of what I felt. One day I would tell her everything. One day she will give herself to me. One day she would understand everything. One day she will know that she belongs to me.

But for now let her think of me as teacher, as master. Let her see me as her protector, her guidance, her angel of music. As much as she belonged to me, my heart belonged to her. Her small voice interrupts my thoughts. "Will you come with me, teacher? Come with me to see father?" I hesitate, "I do not think I should, child. He needs his rest." She tugs on my hand, "But he wants you to come, he said. He wants you to come. He was going to send a note to you." She looks down in shame, and says quietly, "But I forgot it. He says it's important, he must speak with you."

I open the wooden door for her, letting in the outside air. Her carriage is here. She doesn't go outside, though. "Will you come?" Her eyes are so big, so trusting. I cannot disappoint her, "I will go, child."

She is quiet the whole way to her home. She sits close to me, her gaze fixed on studying her own hands. She doesn't appear to notice when the carriage stops at her house. "Christine, we're here." She jumps slightly and looks up at me. "Ok." She says softly.
Her house is grand with many stories. I follow her inside.

Christine's POV

I wait outside Father's room impatiently. Erik was in there now. I tried to listen at the door, but the wood was too thick. I heard nothing. I sit quietly, instead. To pass time I walk to the room where the piano is kept. It's a magnificent piano. As good as the one I practice on at Erik's house. I try to remember my song from last week, but I make many mistakes.

Frustrated, I go back to wait outside Father's room. This time I don't wait long. Erik comes out. I try to read his expression, but as usual I cannot. He says, "Your father wishes to speak to you." I look into the room and see Father lying on his bed. When I turn back to look at Erik he is gone.

I tiptoe into the dim bedroom. "Papa?" I whisper. "Christine, child, come closer." His voice is weak. I sit on the side of his bed, "Papa, how do you feel, Papa?" His face is pale, his eyes are sad. "Christine, listen to me. I have something to tell you." I nod, "I'm listening, Father, tell me." "Darling, I am weak. I fear I don't have much longer." I shake my head, "No, Papa. Don't say that. Why are you saying that?" "Please, my darling, I am not going to abandon you Christine. I promise. I've given you an angel. He will take care of you. When I am gone you will go with him. Do you understand this, my daughter?"

I nod my head, "But, Papa, who is he? Who is my angel?" He places his hand on my cheek and closes his eyes, "You will know, child, you will know." His hand starts to fall from my face. I catch it and bring it to my cheek again. "No, Papa. Please say something. Don't leave me here. Papa! I love you, Papa!" He whispers so softly that I can barely hear, "I love you, Christine."

I throw myself of his chest and sob, "No, no, come back! Papa, come back! I need you, Father, I need you." Strong arms grasp me from behind and pull me off of his body. I struggle, "No, no, let me go. Let me see him!" Strong hands hold me close to a solid body. I am being carried away. Out of Fathers room, down the hall, down the stairs, and out of the house. I sob and scream, "No! Let me go! Let me go! Why are you doing this!"

I feel myself being lifted up. I am on a horse. One arm holds me in place the other is on the reigns. We're leaving. We're going farther and farther away from Papa. My pleas are lost to the wind. My struggles are no match against the strong grip I am in. Exhausted I slump against the broad chest behind me. I feel my body shaking as my sobs subside. I close my eyes, and let sleep take me.