Chapter 4

Phantom's POV

The next morning I went to see her. She was dressed, sitting in front of a mirror brushing her long brown hair. She looks at me in the mirror but says nothing. I clear my throat, "I trust you slept well?" She only nods. I walk over, "May I?" I extend my hand for her brush. She turns around and gives it to me, then turns back to face the mirror. I run the brush through her hair. It's soft as silk. I brush gently, not wanting to hurt her.

"There's something I want to show you, Christine." I set her brush down gently, "Come with me." She stands and allows me to take her hand and lead her out of her room. I stop outside her door. Look at the door handles, Christine." I had tied different color ribbons to each door. She looks up at me confused, "What do they mean?" I'm relieved to hear her voice, to know that she was still speaking with me. I smile, "Allow me to explain. If you wish to get to the library you follow the blue ribbons. Follow yellow to the piano room, red to your schooling room, violet to the kitchen, orange to my study should you need me, and white ribbons always lead back to your room from each destination."

She repeats slowly, "Library, blue; piano room, yellow; schooling room…" She frowns, "I forget." I point, "Red." She smiles, "Oh yes, schooling room, red. Kitchen, violet; your study, orange; and my room; white." I squeeze her hand, "Very good." She tugs my hand, "But, Master, where do the green ones lead to?" I touch her chin, "I was hoping you'd ask. Come along, that's what I wanted to show you." I lead her down the path of green ribbons.

I stop at the final door, "Here we are, the gardens." I open the door. I hear her gasp, "Oh, it's lovely!" I follow her outside. She leans down and smells a rose bush. "You mean, I can come out here whenever I want?" I nod, "Yes, anytime. This way you shall never get lost. I expect that you will learn your own way, eventually." She barely listens running from one flower plant to another.

"Come this way. There's more." I lead her to a clearing where a swing is tied to a shady tree. A gazebo stands to one side, a fountain to another. She walks over to the swing and sits in it. I walk around behind her and begin to push her. "Higher!" She calls to me. I smile. She was happy. I push a few more moments, "Stop now, Erik. I want off." I bring her to a slow stop. She jumps off and comes to where I stand. She smiles, and then gives me a hug. I close my eyes and wrap my arms around her shoulders. I hear her muffled voice, "Thank you." I whisper, "You're welcome."

I release her, "Darling, there are things I must attend to now. You may stay here if you wish. Do you remember your way back?" She nods, "White." I stroke her hair, "Good girl. I shall return later." I take a piece of paper out of my pocket, "I've written down where each color of ribbon leads so you don't forget. I want you to memorize these today. You should be able to recite them to me by evening." She takes the paper, "Yes, Master." I look at her one last time before I go inside. She is sitting on her swing studying her paper.

Christine's POV

I stared at the paper he had given me. And where was the way out? Out of this dark house? High walls surrounded the gardens; I'd never cross them. A thought crossed me mind. There must be some way into the gardens from the outside, a gate. I stand up and look around. As I had expected there was a gate. I ran to it and tried the handle. It was locked. I peaked through the crack between the gate and a wall. It was a padlock on the outside. There was no way to get to it from inside.

I circle around the entire wall and find no other door. I wished my room were not so high up. I would now gladly climb out a window. I was scared here. Erik could be so kind and gentle and in the next moment be angry and harsh. I did not know what to make of him. I did not want to belong to him. I did not dare tell him this; I knew it would not please him.

I sit back down on my swing. I drag my feet back and forth in the dirt. My shoes are getting dirty, but I don't care. I was so lonely. It was somehow better when he was with me, at least I wasn't completely alone. He wasn't so bad to be around when he thought I was happy, that seemed to make him happy. All I could do was make him happy.

Years passed. Eventually I did learn my way around his house, although there were still hallways I never ventured down and doors I didn't open. I learned quickly what I was and was not to do. My piano playing abilities matured greatly. He had also taught me violin, but his favorite thing to teach was singing. He took great care of me. Spoiling me with gifts still. I didn't see him as a father figure, but as a teacher, and as someone who I was to obey always. It was the night of my sixteenth birthday…

Erik had devoted the whole day to me, as he always did on my birthday. Not once did he disappear into his rooms to do whatever he did down there. He had special meals prepared, and had given me presents throughout the day. We had just returned from the opera; it was spectacular as always. He had reserved, as usual, his box seat.

Erik was hanging up my coat. I suppress a yawn, "I do believe I'll change for bed, now." He touches my arm, "Please come to my study when you've finished. There's something I must talk to you about." I only nod. As I made my way to my room I wondered what he wanted to tell me. With Erik you could never really know. He was so hard to figure out, a true mystery.

I never knew what would please him and what would anger him. I still hadn't told him about Raoul. There was always a chance he would be pleased. Raoul came from a fine family, the kind every girl hopes to marry into. But something told me he would not be pleased. In my mind I knew he would disapprove. He often reminded me he was to be the only man in my life. Not so directly or in so many words, but the subtle hints were there.

I couldn't understand why he still had me with him. Surely, music lessons were not the only reason. He didn't treat me as his daughter, though. Perhaps he knew I would never accept him. I could never betray my real father. Maybe he was just lonely. Still, though, he seemed to avoid me more and more in the past few months. I would never understand him or his ways. And he didn't seem to plan on ever revealing anything personal.

I still wondered what lay behind his mask. When I was younger I had made the mistake of trying to take it from him. He went mad. He pushed me away so violently I fell. He yelled, and threw things, knocked over tables and candles. Then he swept out of the room slamming the door and locking it. My door remained locked for two days. I was beginning to think he was never coming back, when he finally did let me out. He said nothing to me, only glared. After that I didn't see him for weeks. When he finally did appear he made it clear I was not to ask of that again. He didn't have to tell me; I would have never even mentioned it, after that.

I reach my room and quickly dress. I didn't want to make him wait. He hated waiting. I knock on his study door. "Come in." I hear him call. I open the door. He is standing in front of the fire his back to me. "Have a seat." He still doesn't turn around. I walk over to one of the chairs near the fire and sit. I fold and unfold my hands. Why was I nervous? He turns away from the fire and walks to the door. I had forgotten to close it. He shuts it now, and I hear a soft clicking noise. I forget to breathe for a moment. He was locking the door.