The charred remains of the Opera Populaire stood out against the night sky. Black smoke still spiraled from the windows, mingling with the dark clouds that hung in the air. Three bodies covered with white sheets lay outside the building. It was a miracle that almost everyone who was there that night had escaped. Many were able to leave without a scratch on them. They filled the streets, their faces and clothes covered in dark soot. They were all shouting at once, some of them out of anger, but mostly out of fear. It took the police fifteen minutes to calm them down enough to the point where they could ask questions. They all said the same thing.
"It was awful, simply awful."
"I've never seen anything so horrible in all my life."
"I have no idea who he was! I don't even think he was really human."
The police had searched most of the dark catacombs of the Opera house. They had found a strange home by an underground lake. It appeared as though someone may have been living there, but it was practically empty; it seemed as though any trace of the mysterious Ghost had vanished. Raoul sat on the stone steps, his head in his hands. It felt like forever ago when he had last seen his fiancée. He looked up into the face of the detective, pleading once more for the chance to go after his kidnapped love.
"Monsieur, I have told you everything I know," he said in a frustrated voice. "We had planned to capture him when he came to see Miss Daae perform, but he was a step ahead of us. He appeared on stage and tried to lure her away. When she revealed his identity, he destroyed the chandelier as a distraction so he could escape with her. I immediately tried to flee from my seat and save her, but…" he started to break down, remembering how helpless he had felt, knowing that Christine was in danger and there was nothing he could do to save her, " the crowd was so thick. I…I pushed my way through to the outside, but they were gone. That was when you apprehended me and I have been here ever since!"
"Monsieur, I understand that you are upset, but you need to calm down. You're the only one here who seems to understand what happened. Now, you will answer my questions, or I can put you in a cell until you are ready to do so!"
Raoul was beyond the point of exasperation. Why wouldn't they just let him leave? Every minute they kept him there was another minute that Christine had to spend with that monster. Raoul cringed imagining what he would do to her. The way he had put his hands all over her during their performance…Raoul clenched his hands into fists. He stood and kicked a piece of debris that lay in front of him, wishing that it was the man who had kidnapped his fiancée. It was no use; the rage inside him wouldn't fade away. For a moment he stood there, and his fury towards Erik was soon directed at himself. Raoul was filled with overwhelming guilt. He was practically choking on it. He looked up at the sky, his hands rubbing the back of his neck. Why had he asked her to help him? He thought his plan was fool-proof. He should have known better than to challenge the Phantom in his own opera. Raoul could no longer control the emotions that had been building up inside him. On the verge of tears, he appealed to the detective once more.
"Monsieur please. I'm begging you. I can't live without her. I won't take another easy breath until she is here in my arms and I know she is safe. I need to find her. Please," Raoul's voice cracked.
The detective let out a defeated sigh. "Vicomte, we don't want anyone else to put themselves in harm's way. I am asking you not to take this investigation into your own hands. Please don't do anything without the support of the police."
"I will agree to that only if you agree to include me in your investigation. She is my whole world."
"Very well, monsieur. We shall work together to find your fiancée. I will assign some men to you. You can take them with you on your journey. I am going stay here and see if I can find anything out."
"Thank you, monsieur. How soon can your men be ready?"
"Give them a chance to pick up some supplies. You will be on your way as soon as possible."
Raoul walked away with a renewed hope. When all was prepared, he and the men set out on their quest. As they neared the city limits, Raoul took one last look behind him. He vowed not to lay his eyes on Paris again until Christine was safe with him.
