The Phantom of the Opera
Part Four
When she awoke, the next day, it was to anxious whispers. She opened her eyes blearily and sat up. She couldn't remember… the stage… the paint… Erik singing to her…
"Erik?" she said aloud. The voices stopped and Firmin, André and Madame Giry all rushed in.
"Christine!"
"Miss Daae! Are you alright?"
"Do you remember what happened?"
Christine clutched her head and reached for the water on the bedside table. She drained the glass and then looked up, wild eyed.
"What happened? The Viscount… and the Phantom! Where are they?"
"The Viscount is on his way. And as for the Phantom… Miss Daae, why has he taken such an interest in you?" Firmin asked. Christine turned to Madame Giry.
"Madame, is he alright?"
"He is fine, child," Madame Giry assured her. The managers looked genuinely confused but started as Christine clambered out bed. Someone had cleaned the paint from her and dressed her in a new nightdress.
"Madame, I can't do it! I can't give him what he wants!" Christine sobbed, clutching her hair in desperation. André stepped forward.
"The Phantom?"
"No, the Viscount. You heard what he said… he won't let me go." Christine cried, wiping at her tears angrily.
Firmin looked at André. "Do you understand any of this?"
"Not a word. Miss Daae, please calm down and explain what you mean."
Christine took a deep breath and said, "The Viscount… unless I give myself to him he is going to renounce his patronage of the Opera Populaire. I swear, Monsieurs, I have tried but I can't… I can't do it. I belong to someone else, but I cannot let him close the Opera House!"
Firmin and André stared at her. Firmin cleared his throat.
"And when you refused him… he hit you?"
She nodded.
"Why did you not tell us?"
"Are you not listening to me? He is going to close the Opera House!"
"Miss Daae, I think you should get some rest. We would just like a word with Madame Giry."
They went into the next room and Christine sat in silence, straining her ears to hear their conversation.
"Madame Giry, the girl is not stable. She cannot accuse someone of the Viscount's position of something like this!"
"And if it is true? That he is going to renounce his patronage unless she sleeps with him?" Madame Giry demanded.
"Who is everyone going to believe, Madame Giry? They will believe the Viscount. I think it best that Miss Daae is sent away to a home until she is of a sound mind."
Christine couldn't believe it. They thought she was insane? That was… she got to her feet.
No. They would not send her away. They could not. If they separated her from Erik…
"Please, do not send me away!" she cried, bursting into the next room. The three people looked at her.
"Miss Daae, the stress has clearly affected you. It would not be permanent. We would send Monsieur Reyer to you so you could practice the Opera. You would perform in three weeks, as planned. You will be able to relax," Firmin said, in his most convincing voice.
Christine stared at him and then turned to Madame Giry.
"Madame, please…"
"Christine, you will go." She said.
Christine gaped at her. "But Madame!"
"It will be better for you. No one will be able to get to you there." It was clear that Madame Giry meant the Viscount. But also it would mean separation from Erik. Madame Giry touched her shoulder.
"It will be alright, Christine. I promise you that everything will be alright," she said quietly.
Christine turned away, feeling betrayed. "I… I will pack," she said in little more than a whisper.
A carriage was waiting outside the Opera house when Christine had packed a few things. She hesitated on the steps of the Opera House. Madame Giry kissed her cheek.
"I will see you in three weeks, Christine."
"Tell him…" Christine began. But she didn't know what message Madame Giry could relay to Erik. Instead she shook her head and went down the steps. Several ballet girls were watching, talking quietly. Meg hugged her friend tightly.
"I will write to you, Christine," she promised.
Christine smiled weakly. "Thank you, Meg. I will see you soon."
Christine looked out of the window, back towards the Opera House. And as she did her heart ripped in two.
"What do you mean she has gone!" the Viscount shouted at Firmin and André who cowered.
"Miss Daae has been suffering from extreme stress. We thought it best that she have some time away to mentally prepare herself for the performance," André explained.
"Where is she?" William demanded. Madame Giry came in and shook her head.
"She will have no visitors, monsieur."
"I want to see her!" William shouted. Madame Giry stood proudly, not allowing him to intimidate her.
"I am sorry, monsieur. She will return in three weeks for the opera. No one shall see her before then. If you will excuse me, I have rehearsals to practice."
Erik sat at his organ, staring blankly at the sheet music in front of him. He had gone to see Christine only to find her gone and Madame Giry had said that she had left the Opera House. He felt… empty.
Marie Giry would not tell him where Christine had gone. "She needs to get away from everything, Erik. That includes you." She had told him. He had felt utter fury at that but knew that there was no chance of getting the information from her.
A thought struck him and he got to his feet. He had to see Marie Giry.
Madame Giry looked up as she heard footsteps. A cloaked figure stood in the shadows.
"Erik, I have told you that I will not-"
"No, Marie. I will not force you to tell me. But you must do just one thing for me."
"And what is that?" Madame Giry inquired, tidying props away. Erik held out a letter and a rose tied with a black ribbon.
"Send these to her."
"Erik-"
"It is nothing that will harm her. Merely a letter to wish a quick recovery and some singing tips," Erik said firmly. Marie looked at him and sighed.
"Very well. I will send them to her."
"Thank you, Marie."
"But in return you must not attempt to see her until the night of the Opera."
"Agreed."
"And Erik? The Viscount has chosen to sit in Box 5 at the opera," Marie said hesitantly. Erik didn't speak and then disappeared. Marie shook her head and sat down to write a letter.
Christine sat at the desk in her room. The home was nice enough: a large house which had been converted. She had arrived yesterday, expecting something much worse.
There was a knock at the door and a nurse looked in.
"A visitor for you, Miss Daae."
Christine stood as Madame Giry came in. "Madame? Is everything alright?" she asked, wondering why she should visit so soon.
"Everything is fine, Christine. I am merely here to deliver a message for you."
"From whom?"
Madame Giry held out the rose and the letter. Christine's breath caught in her throat and she darted forward to seize them. Madame Giry stared as she tore open the letter and read hungrily.
My dearest Christine,
Madame Giry has informed me of what happened. She will not tell me where you are, but has agreed to deliver this letter to you. She believes it is a letter wishing you a recovery and some singing tips. Make sure that is all she believes.
What happened on the stage was an accident. I never meant for you to be hurt. My apologies to you for what happened.
It was supposed to be nothing more than a warning for the Viscount. I did not plan to sing to you. It just happened that way. My darling angel, I will find the time we spend apart unbearable and wait impatiently for your return to the Opera Populaire. When you return I will make sure that the Viscount is prevented from taking you away from me. I realize that this sounds undeniably selfish but I want nothing more than to keep you for myself.
There is much more that I wish to tell you, but not this way. When you return we will talk more thoroughly. For now, I can only give you my love.
Erik
Christine sank into the chair, clutching the letter tightly.
Madame Giry asked, "Everything is alright?"
"Everything is… is fine. Thank you, Madame Giry. Thank you so much…" Christine said, hugging her tightly.
She looked pleasantly surprised and asked, "Do you wish to reply?"
"What? Oh… yes. Yes, I will write a letter now," Christine said, seating herself at the desk.
"Monsieur Reyer is waiting downstairs for your singing lesson. Do not take too long."
"I won't," Christine said with a smile.
My darling Erik,
You can have no idea of the happiness your letter has brought me. This place is not bad, but I would so much rather be there with you. The only comfort of being here is knowing that the Viscount cannot reach me.
The incident on the stage was, in no way, your fault. Do not think for a moment that you were in anyway responsible for what happened that night.
I must write quickly, for Monsieur Reyer is waiting for our lesson. All I can write is that I could never belong to anyone other than you and offer you all that I have – myself.
All of my love, forever
Your Christine
Erik stared at the hastily written words and then up at Madame Giry.
"Marie… did Christine truly write this?"
"Every word," Marie confirmed. Erik looked back down at the letter and then, to her utmost surprise, kissed Marie's cheek before disappearing into the shadows.
She allowed a shadow of a smile to cross her face before going to rehearsals.
The time passed quickly. Christine and Erik exchanged letters with the help of Madame Giry, although not many times. Christine practiced hard, pleasing Monsieur Reyer.
"You are doing incredibly well, Miss Daae! The opera is sure to be a great success," he assured her. Christine smiled and thanked him.
The day arrived when she would return to the Opera House. She had packed her things and was pacing the room impatiently for the carriage to arrive. When it did arrive, she took her things, thanked the nurses, and hurried to the carriage. Madame Giry was waiting for her and greeted her with a knowing smile.
"Are you glad to be returning?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. Christine smiled.
"More than I can express with words."
The journey back to the Opera Populaire seemed unbearably long. As soon as the carriage stopped Christine climbed out and dashed up the steps, muttering something about taking her bag to her room.
She burst through the door and cried, "Erik!"
The room was empty.
Christine looked around in confusion and then approached the mirror. "Erik?" she asked, wondering why he wasn't there. Madame Giry's reflection appeared in the doorway.
"Christine, there is a rehearsal now. It is important that you run through with the other performers."
"Where is he?" Christine asked quietly.
Madame Giry looked around and then gestured to an envelope on the desk. Christine tore it open and a slip of paper fell out with just one word written on it.
Tonight.
She smiled and tucked the note into a drawer.
"He is waiting to hear you sing," Madame Giry murmured.
Christine smiled and said, "Then we should go and practice. It must be perfect for him."
Carlotta was the only person who was not glad to see Christine. After a few snide comments, they began to practice.
Madame Giry and Monsieur Reyer were astounded at the change in Christine. She sang more perfectly than ever before, danced as if she were floating on air and not even Carlotta's comments could change her mood. She even insisted that they run through twice, to make sure everything was perfect.
André and Firmin greeted her nervously but she smiled brightly.
"Monsieurs, I should thank you for helping me through my difficulties."
"You are… better now?"
"Much better, thank you. Excuse me," she said as Madame Giry called her. The managers looked at each other in surprise and then smiled.
By the time they started to get ready for the Opera, Christine could barely contain her excitement. Meg helped her into her costume, a lovely red dress, and did her hair for her.
"Are you nervous?"
"A little. More excited than nervous though," Christine admitted.
Meg smiled. "Your time away has obviously helped you. You look so happy!"
"I am happy, Meg! I am!" Christine laughed, spinning around to let her hair fly out behind her. Meg laughed.
"Why? What on earth has brought out this change in you?"
"I have had three weeks of wonderful relaxation, I have been practicing my singing, and I'm performing in a famous opera, even if it is only a small part." Christine laughed, throwing out her arms as she danced a few steps. She turned to look back at her friend and found the smile had faded from her face. But before she could ask what was wrong she bumped into someone. Christine fell to the ground and she giggled helplessly.
"My apologies, Monsieur…" she said, looking up but the breath caught in her throat as she found the Viscount de Martinez looking down at her with a smug smile.
"Miss Daae. You have returned, and in a far better mood than our last meeting," he said holding out a hand to help her up. She didn't take it, climbing to her feet, and tried to think of a way out of the conversation.
"You are feeling recovered?" he asked. Christine nodded.
"I am, Viscount. Thank you for asking. You will be watching the Opera?"
"Of course. From Box 5."
"Box 5?" Christine said in surprise. He looked amused.
"Yes."
"I… I see. Excuse me. I must go and warm up my voice," Christine said, attempting to step past him. He caught her hand and smiled.
"Christine, I will take you to supper tonight."
"No monsieur, I cannot. My apologies, but I have to meet with the managers tonight and there are several people that I must speak with. I have a lot to catch up with, since I have been away for so long." Christine said firmly. William looked surprised, but amused as well.
"Very well. Tomorrow, then. And I won't take no for an answer, Christine."
Christine didn't reply. Instead she stepped past, and she and Meg walked on towards the back of the theatre. Meg glanced over at Christine who had a stony look on her face.
"Are you alright, Christine?"
"I'm fine, Meg. Come on, let's go! This is going to be wonderful!" Christine laughed, excitement filling her again.
Christine's song was the end of the Opera. It was when she and her lover, played by Piangi, sang to each other before Christine's character was killed. It was a simple, pleasant song called All I Ask Of You.
Christine danced onto the stage beautifully and sat near the edge, her legs arranged gracefully as the bars of music began to play and she waited for Piangi to start singing.
She didn't know, nor did anyone else, that Piangi was currently unconscious in a cupboard and the man who stepped onto the stage behind her was a different person. But as he began to sing Christine's eyes widened and her heart began to race. She longed to turn and run to him, but knew above all things that they must finish the opera.
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wild eyed fears
I'm here
Nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Erik sang, his eyes fixed on her. On her cue, she rose gracefully to her feet and turned to face him. They were on opposite sides of the stage and he longed to cover the distance between them and hold her to him. A smile from her assured him that she felt them same way, so he continued.
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Now, he thought. Now it is your turn. And, perfectly in time, she began to sing in that pure voice that made his heart ache, the way all beauty did. Christine smiled, dancing gently and beautifully. They did not touch but danced around each other.
Say you'll love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you'll need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
They stopped dancing again, still at opposite sides of the stage. Christine glanced up and the Viscount staring down at her, a slight frown on his face. He knew, she thought. He knew something was wrong. But she couldn't think about that now. Not when Erik was singing to her.
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe
No one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
He held out a hand to her and she danced across, singing her own part until he held her in his arms as she sang and they danced together, in a movement that looked as though it had been practiced for over a thousand years.
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
Almost before she'd finished singing the last note Erik sang again in his powerful voice, dancing her majestically, his eyes fixed on hers. To the audience, it was as if they were completely unaware of the fact that they were being watched, as if they were alone together. The audience sat in perfect wonder at the beautiful movement and sound coming from the two figures on the stage.
Then say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here
Beside you
Anywhere you go let me go to
Christine
That's all I ask of you
Several members of the audience looked confused. Christine was not the name of the character, but most were too absorbed in the singing to care. The Viscount on the other hand had looked across at the managers in the opposite box who had exchanged a startled glance at the name.
Say you'll share with me
One love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Erik joined her and they sang together. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her, spinning her around and she smiled in utter delight.
Share each day with me
Each night
Each morning
He put her down again and she stepped back slightly, teasing him and daring him to come closer.
Say you love me
She sang the words clearly, her eyes fixed on his, and he took her hands in his as he sang his reply.
You know I do
And then they sang together, quietly.
Love me
That's all I ask of you
The music surged again as they danced, apart from each other at first and then rushing back to each other again, as if even those few seconds had been too unbearable. The crescendo hit its peak and they sang again, louder and more clearly than ever before, pouring their true emotions into every syllable.
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me
That's all I ask of you…
The music faded away, leaving the two figures on the stage in silence, wrapped in each other's arms. The audience held its breath and then Erik began to sing without the music.
Say you'll share with me one love
One lifetime
Lead me, save me
From my solitude
The orchestra members looked at each other in confusion but Monsieur Reyer leapt in, signaling for them to play again, but quietly, gently.
Say you'll want me with you
Here beside you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Christine!
That's all I ask of-
But he never finished. Because Christine had reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him. Shocked silence filled the room. This sort of behavior was unheard of! And yet… most members of the audience sensed that what was happening was no longer an act.
And then the spell was broken by a groggy Piangi running onto the stage and pointing an accusing finger at Erik.
"Intruder! He hit me and hid me!" he cried.
The Viscount got to his feet and shouted at some men at the sides of the stage. "Seize him! Don't let him get away!"
"Erik!" Christine cried.
Erik seized her arm and whispered, "The mirror. I will meet you there."
And then he vanished. The audience exclaimed and began to talk noisily. Christine turned and began to run off the stage but the Viscount shouted and one of the men seized her. She kicked at him and he grunted in pain, allowing her to get by.
Christine ran through the theatre, ignoring the shouts and exclamations. She flung herself through the door to her room and screamed as she ran into William.
He grabbed her arms and spat down at her, "Where is he, Christine? Where is Erik?"
"Let me go!" Christine shrieked. William held her tightly and slapped her face.
"Tell me, Christine!"
"No! I won't let you hurt him!" she shouted, no longer caring for her own safety.
"Why not? Why?" William demanded.
"Because I love him and if you hurt him I will kill you!" Christine cried.
William stared down at her and then smirked.
"Is that so? The star of the Opera Populaire in love with the Opera Ghost… how very ironic. And does he love you in return?"
"Yes. He does." Christine said firmly. William laughed and dragged her after him, away from the mirror and towards the bed. Christine screamed, hitting at him but she had no effect. William threw her onto the bed and locked the door. Christine jumped up but he slammed her against the wall, kissing her so roughly it was painful.
"If he loves you, he'll come… and then we can punish him as he deserves," William hissed in her ear, ripping her dress in his hurry to remove it. Christine cried aloud and tried to push him away but he was much stronger than her.
"Come on then, Erik! If you love her, come and save her!" William shouted, throwing her onto the bed. She tried to twist away but he pulled her back, kissing her again. He saddled her, pinning her to the bed. Tears of rage and humiliation sprung into her eyes and she screamed again as William carried on shouting to Erik.
And then he was there, hitting William, knocking him off of her. Christine hurriedly covered her naked body and jumped up as William and Erik fought.
"Erik!"
She ran to the door and unlocked it, with the idea of getting help but was flung back from the door as several men rushed in. They pulled Erik and William apart and Christine cried as they pinned Erik to the wall. He struggled but even he couldn't fight off this many men. William seized Christine's arms and shouted,
"Take him to the stage! Let's show the people of this ridiculous Opera Populaire exactly what they've been fearing all this time!"
The performers of the Opera Populaire were all talking loudly when the entered. More than one person shouted in protest when they saw Christine being dragged along but one look from the Viscount made them fall back.
Firmin stepped forward, "Viscount, I must protest!"
"In your place, you fool," William spat. Erik was dragged onto the stage where he struggled uselessly. Christine, being held by William, fought to get to him, bitter tears running down her face. Meg looked at Erik in surprise.
"The Phantom of the Opera!" she cried and everyone began to talk until William shouted for silence.
He shook Christine. "You are all fools of the highest degree! To be scared for so long of nothing more than a pathetic man like this…" He threw Christine at two men who held an arm each. She tried to wrestle away but they were so strong.
William crossed to Erik and punched his face. Christine cried and threw herself towards them but the two men wrenched her back. William seized Erik's hair and pulled his face up.
"Tell me, André; is this pathetic creature worth 20,000 francs a month? Is this despicable beast so frightening that he gets whatever he wants?" William asked.
Christine shouted, "Stop this! Leave him alone!" William glanced across at her in amusement and then back at the crowd gathered before the stage.
Madame Giry stepped forward. "Viscount, release them," she said sharply. The Viscount glared down at her.
"I think not, Madame Giry. Because I want to ask Christine something and I think you all might have been interested in the answer."
He turned to Christine and said, "Tell us, Christine. Have you ever seen what lies beneath the Phantom's mask?" Christine swallowed hard and William smirked.
"I thought not."
"Viscount, please. This madness must stop," Madame Giry said. William looked at Firmin and André.
"Wouldn't you like to see what it is that has been influencing your Opera House for so long?"
The managers looked at each other and Christine sobbed, "No… please, monsieurs let him go."
"What is that, Miss Daae?" William said, looking down at her.
She pulled herself up to her full height and shouted, "I said let him go!"
"And why would we do that?" William demanded.
"Because I love him!" Christine shouted.
Gasps filled the hall and Christine looked down at the crowd.
"I love him. I don't care what any of you say or think. I love him more than I have ever loved anyone in my entire life. When I sang tonight, I sang only for him."
"And yet you have never seen beneath his mask!" William shouted in glee. He marched across to Erik who tried to pull away. William seized his hair, pulling his face up so everyone could see him and shouted,
"This is your Phantom of the Opera!"
And he pulled the white mask away.
Screams filled the room and the Viscount dropped the mask in horror and disgust. Christine felt her blood run cold.
His face was a twisted mass of flesh, dark red with faint blue veins showing. His eye was sunk so far back into its socket that the flesh of the eye socket was clearly visible. The effect was skeletal and shocking beyond belief.
"My god!" Firmin said in horror. The two men holding Christine had loosened their grip and Erik had fallen to his knees as he captors moved away in disgust.
Christine pulled free and looked across the stage to where the two men were. One, incredibly handsome, standing tall and strong. The man next to him was kneeling on the stage, desperately trying to hide his mangled face.
William looked across at Christine.
"Now tell us that you love him," he said quietly. He did not need to speak loudly. Everyone had become silent at the sight of the girl walking slowly towards the kneeling figure.
Christine didn't reply. She crossed slowly to Erik, her bare feet making no noise. Without a word she stood above him. He looked up, his hands still clasped over the deformed side of his face. Christine looked down at him.
"Stand up," she said quietly. Slowly, painfully slowly, he got to his feet, his hands attempting to cover his face.
Christine swallowed hard. She reached up and took his hands away from his face. There was a slight intake of breath but Christine didn't hesitate. Her fingers lightly ran over the twisted flesh, caressing it softly. Slowly she started to sing.
Mistreated creature of darkness
What kind of life have you known?
God gave me courage to show you
You are not alone!
And then she reached up and pressed her lips to his.
The kiss was brief, sweet, and precious. Christine pulled away and pressed her lips against the deformed skin, kissing it over and over again until the tears became too much and she buried her face in his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her, holding tightly and he pressed his face into her curling mass of hair.
For some time no one spoke. Christine looked up at Erik, her face streaked with tears and then, her arms still around his neck, she turned to look at the Viscount.
"I love him. You asked me to tell you that I still love him, even with his mask off. I don't love him despite his face. I love him because of it."
"Christine…" Erik whispered.
She turned back to him, tears coming anew and pressed her face to his, whispering over and over again, "I love you, I love you, I love you…"
Bearing in mind that this was a theatre, and the crowd watching this were all great supporters of drama, they couldn't resist a short round of applause. But William shouted to his men and the pair were ripped apart. William looked at Christine in disgust but she stared at him defiantly.
"Christine, I have offered you everything and still you choose this deformed creature over me?" he said, disbelievingly.
Christine spat, "Yes, I choose him."
"I very much doubt that. The police are on their way. He'll be going to prison for the rest of his life," William sneered.
Christine's eyes widened. "No… no, you can't do that!"
"I can do anything I want, Christine. You forget that," William smirked.
Christine seized his arm. "No! Don't do this!"
"Too late, Christine." He shook her off.
"Monsieur André, Monsieur Firmin, please! Please!" Christine begged. The managers looked helpless. Christine tried to reach Erik but William held her back.
"Erik, I won't let them take you!" she cried. William merely laughed and Erik tried to shake off the two men who were holding him back again.
"Christine…" he said, trying to reach her.
"I can't lose you!" Christine cried. A thought flashed through her brain. She stopped struggling and stood perfectly still. Erik stared at her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Slowly she turned to William.
"Let him leave… let him leave the Opera House."
"And why would I do that?" William asked smugly. Christine held his eye and said with a carefully composed face,
"If you let him go… I will do anything you ask of me."
"NO!" Erik roared, punching out at the two men who held him, but still not able to shake them off. William observed Christine.
"You would do that for him?"
"Yes. If you let him leave, tell the police that it was all a misunderstanding and on the condition that he stays away from the Opera House he is allowed to walk free… I am yours."
"Christine, no!" Erik shouted.
She squeezed her eyes shut tightly as tears threatened to flow. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked up at the Viscount. He was looking at her strangely.
"Well? Your choice, Viscount," she said firmly. William glanced over at Erik's furious face and then back down at the girl who stood before him. Without taking his off her he spoke to one of them men.
"Jacques?"
"Viscount?"
"Escort that man off the premises. He is free to go."
Christine let out a slight sob and then bit her lip tightly. She looked over at Erik who was being dragged away.
"Wait… wait!" She cried, "Let me say goodbye at least!"
"Very well." William said, sounding bored. Christine jumped off the front of the stage, through the crowd to where Erik was standing. He held out his arms for her and she threw herself into them.
"Christine, don't do this…" he begged. She looked up at him.
"I love you. I can't let them take you to prison!"
"You think that this is better?" he demanded sharply. Christine looked up at him, unable to stop the fresh wave of tears.
"Erik, if you're in prison we are separated forever. You said that you would never leave me. And you never will. Not if you're free."
"Christine, I can't let you do this… you can't give yourself to him!" Erik said harshly. Christine placed a finger to his lips and flung her arms around his neck on the pretence of sobbing uncontrollably.
As she did so she whispered, "One day… one day we'll be together again…"
"Enough!" the Viscount shouted. Erik was wrenched away from her and she stood helplessly as he was dragged from the room. She was shaking, staring after him with wide eyes.
"Christine!" he shouted back to her. She took a step but William's hand had found her arm and was holding onto her tightly.
"Erik…" she whispered before it all became too much and she fell to her knees and wept, her hands clasped over her mouth as she took shuddering gasps.
The members of the Opera Populaire gathered around the sobbing girl, but none tried to comfort her. They didn't know what to say. André and Firmin looked as helpless as the rest of them. More than one actor or dancer glared at the Viscount but he ignored them. He turned to Madame Giry.
"Take Miss Daae to her room."
Madame Giry stepped forward and took Christine's arm, pulling her to her feet. Christine's eyes were fixed on the door but Madame Giry pulled her towards the stage, taking the shorter route to the rooms. Christine stopped and bent to pick up the white porcelain mask. Madame Giry took her arm again and guided her out. The door closed behind them and the Viscount turned to Firmin and André.
"She will perform tomorrow night and the night after. When the opera is finished I will be taking her away. Ensure that her things are packed."
He turned and walked out. Meg spat after him and walked away. Many followed her.
A/N: First of all, I have to think everyone who has reviewed so far! I was nervous about posting this story but you're very encouraging! And, in case you're wondering how I'm managing to spit out ten pages every day, I've already written the first twelve chapters. But I'm posting them at my leisure Don't hate me! Lol, hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm expecting a few death threats because of this ending, but there you go. Love you all, Katie.