The Phantom of the Opera
Part Seven
Two days later Christine told Erik that she would travel to Paris. He had refused to even consider it at the time.
"How can you even consider this, Christine? It's madness!" he had shouted but she had remained calm.
"I will be there and back in a day. I just want to see Madame Giry and Meg and then I shall return straight away. I also wish to visit my father's grave."
"Then I shall come with you," he said decisively.
"We shall be more conspicuous as a pair, Erik. It is perfectly safe. The newspaper said that the Viscount is searching outside of Paris. He will have given up on the Opera Populaire."
After much wheedling and reassuring, Erik had reluctantly agreed to let her go. Early in the morning she rose from their bed, said goodbye, and had taken one of the horses from the stable.
The journey took four hours but Christine was a relatively accomplished rider and arrived before midday. She knew the Opera House would be bustling, preparing for the latest show. Still, she had no wish to take any chances and drew a bonnet over her dark hair, tying a plain cloak about her. She was inconspicuous enough to travel the streets of Paris without anyone giving her a second glance.
Christine found, to her surprise, that she had missed the bustling, busy streets of the capital and enjoyed her ride to the Opera House. When she arrived, she tied her horse to one of the posts in the square and, drawing her bonnet carefully over her head, walked up the steps to the doors of the Opera House.
A wash of memories flooded her as she entered the grand lobby. Smells, sights, and noises sent a wave of nostalgia over her, but she shook them away. It would not do to linger, where anyone could see her.
She walked hastily across the lobby and heard the familiar voice of Madame Giry through a doorway. Christine looked through and saw the older woman scolding a ballerina. The girl curtsied apologetically and rushed away. Madame Giry sighed in despair and turned.
"Madame Giry…" Christine hissed. The woman turned sharply and her eyes widened.
"Christine? Is that you, child?"
"Yes, Madame!" She embraced her old friend and smiled brightly. Madame Giry looked at her fondly.
"My goodness, you look so well! Obviously the country air agrees with you."
"It does, Madame. I wish I could stay longer but I must return by tonight."
"Indeed. But you must see Meg first, she would never forgive me if she found that you had visited and she had missed you."
Within a minute Meg had run into the room and launched herself to her friend.
"Christine! I can barely believe it!"
"Nor can I, Meg!" Christine laughed delightedly. Meg hugged her tightly.
"How are you? And how is Erik? Is he here with you?"
"I'm fine, Erik is fine, and no, he isn't here. He wanted to come, but it would be easier to travel alone. Fewer people would notice us."
"Are you married yet?" Meg asked excitedly.
"Not yet. We have only just finished repairing the house."
"And your name? What name has Erik chosen? He had no surname of his own," Madame Giry inquired.
Christine smiled. "I am to become Christine le Phantome."
"Le Phantome? My goodness, I should have known." Madame Giry smiled.
There as a knock on the door and the two managers entered, looking worried. They both froze at the sight of Christine.
"Miss Daae! When did you arrive?" André asked in surprise.
"Only a few moments ago."
"Then you have not heard?" Firmin said.
"Heard what?" Christine asked in puzzlement.
The managers exchanged looks and André said, "Perhaps it would be better if you sat, Miss Daae."
"Why? What is wrong?" Meg asked.
Firmin looked uncomfortable. "We only found out a moment ago… it was so unexpected…"
"Please monsieur, just tell us." Christine said, fear rising in her chest.
Firmin took a deep breath and said quietly, "The Viscount de Martinez left this morning with a large band of men. According to a member of his household who has been informing us of his movements, he has found out where you and Monsieur Erik have been living. He has gone to find you. He obviously did not know that you were both in the city…"
Christine let out a strangled cry and seized the edge of her chair.
Firmin smiled comfortingly. "No need to be worried. If you are both here he will not-"
"Erik is not here! He is still at our home!" Christine cried. Firmin's eyes widened in horror. Christine jumped to her feet, seizing her hat. "I have to go to him! If the Viscount finds him, he will kill Erik!"
"Miss Daae, wait. We will all accompany you," André said, but she shook her head.
"There is no time! Please, monsieur, when did the Viscount leave?"
"Two hours ago, maybe a little more."
"Then there is still time. If I can get to Erik first we can escape," Christine said, dashing for the door.
Madame Giry seized her arm. "Christine, if you are not there in time… the Viscount will have you."
"I have to try, Madame. Erik is all I have. I cannot lose him again. I would sooner die!" Christine shouted, freeing herself from the grip of the woman, and ran through the door.
Firmin looked to Meg and said, "Go to the stables and have a carriage prepared for us. We shall follow behind Miss Daae."
It was a strange sight for the people of Paris. A young woman, riding like a man at high speeds through the streets of the city, her hair trailing behind her like a banner.
Christine had ridden at a moderate pace that morning but now she pushed the horse to ride at a gallop, one thought filling her mind.
Erik…
No! She would not, could not lose him again! Not when they were just about to start their lives over, not when things were going so well for them…
Tears obscured her vision for a moment and she brushed them away quickly, digging her heels into the horse's sides to force him to go faster.
Please be alive, Erik, please be alive…
The skies were darkening with the threat of rain by the time she drew near to the village. People in the streets leapt out of the way of her speeding horse. The poor creature was exhausted but still she pushed him, not allowing him to slow for a moment. Over the top of the hill, and then she would be able to see the house.
The horse climbed to the crest of the hill and Christine's heart skipped a beat in horror. A strange light shone through the darkness, as though light was flooding from the house. But then she saw that it was not just light… but flames.
The house she and Erik had spent so much time repairing and caring for was on fire. In front of the house stood rows of men, all of them brandishing weapons of some kind. And there, in front of them, atop a white horse, was the Viscount de Martinez. He was shouting up at the house and Christine realized with a mixture of relief and horror that Erik was still inside.
She kicked at the horses flank and they began to descend the slope. She curved him around to the side of the house, praying she wouldn't be seen. But there was a shout and she turned her head to see a group of men running at her. She cried aloud and climbed down from the horse, running for a door to the house.
Christine flung the kitchen door open, threw herself through it and bolted it behind her. Almost instantly she was blinded by the smoke. Choking, she ran through the kitchen to the entrance hall of the house. As she did so a window shattered and a man climbed through. Christine felt an icy hand clutch at her heart. It was the Viscount. He started towards her, a sword in his hand.
Christine turned and began to run up the stairs. A piece of flaming wood fell nearby and she screamed but kept moving. She could hear the Viscount's footsteps close behind her and ran onto the landing. She bumped into someone and gasped again, but it was Erik.
"Erik!"
"Quickly, to the roof!" Erik said, pulling her along. The viscount was stumbling through the thick smoke, choking and spluttering.
The roof of the house was a wide, flat balcony. Christine and Erik ran through the door into the night air to feel drops of rain beginning to fall. Erik slammed the door shut and pushed several pieces of rubble up against it.
"You're alive!" Christine cried, throwing her arms around his neck.
Erik held her tightly for a moment before speaking. "We have to escape. The house cannot be saved."
They ran to the edge of the balcony and looked down. The Viscount's men were below, shouting, and Christine could see a carriage approaching over the edge of the hill. The police had arrived.
"Erik, the police are here!"
"Quickly, Christine!" Erik shouted, tying a rope around a stone ornament that was carved into the balcony. "You're going to climb down, onto the roof of the stables. Run to the end and jump down, it should be safe," he said, giving her the rope.
"What about you?"
"I'll follow when you're on the stables. Quickly!"
But the door to the balcony flew open and the Viscount flew through. He looked around, wild-eyed with rage and ran at them, roaring. Erik pushed Christine out of the way of William's sword and seized his arm. The sword hit stone with a shower of sparks. Christine cried aloud as the two men wrestled.
Erik was thrown back against the balcony and hit his head. He slumped to the ground, dizzied by the blow and William looked down on him, lifting the sword. Before he could move Christine had flung herself at him, pushing him away.
"No!" she shrieked. William shouted in anger and seized her, she kicked out at him, but he held tightly.
His voice hissed in her ear. "Mine… mine!"
Christine whimpered and wriggled in his grip. His sword found her throat and she fell still as she felt the cold metal blade pushed against her neck.
"Be still… do you know what I have given up to track you and that beast down, you little whore? And you think that I'm going to lose now?" he spat. Christine winced as trickle of blood ran down her neck. It was quickly washed away by the pouring rain.
"Let me go…" she whimpered but William snorted. He looked over at where Erik had been lying and froze.
He was gone. Quickly the Viscount spun around, still holding Christine. He peered through the grey sheets of rain and shouted, "Show yourself, Phantom!"
"Erik, run!" Christine cried but choked as the blade pressed against her skin. William looked around, his soaking blonde hair falling into his face as he howled into the darkness.
"Give yourself up or she dies! Your choice, Phantom!"
A chuckle of laughter came through the darkness and William stared around wildly. Christine felt his grip on her tighten and whimpered in pain. She lifted her foot sharply and brought it down on the Viscount's own foot. Hard. He winced and released his grip enough for her to break free and run to the other end of the roof. He advanced on her but suddenly there was a rope around his neck and he was choking. Christine saw the outline of Erik standing behind him, holding the rope in his hands and went to go to him but the Viscount pulled away, tugging Erik after him.
For a moment they teetered on the edge of the balcony before they both fell. Christine heard shouts from below and ran to the edge with a cry. The rope that had been around the Viscount's neck was lying on the ground far below and both men clung desperately to a ledge. Christine reached down, the rain blinding her.
"Erik! Erik, take my hand!" she cried. Erik reached up and swung her for hand but he was too far away. Christine leaned further but couldn't reach. He was shouting up to her but she couldn't hear. Erik pointed to the corner of the balcony. She looked over and saw the rope they had been going to use to climb down hanging there. She ran to the edge and pulled it free, then ran back to Erik and threw it down. He caught it and Christine pulled with all her strength as he climbed up, using the rope.
He fell onto the balcony at her feet, panting and sweating. She felt hot tears spring to her eyes but picked up the rope again.
"Help me!" she cried above the noise of the rain. There was a loud groaning noise and she and Erik exchanged startled glances.
"The house! It's going to come down!" Erik shouted. Christine's eyes widened and she threw the rope over the edge to the Viscount. He swung at it wildly and caught it.
"Hold on!" Christine shouted. Erik seized the rope and they started to pull. But as they did the room leading out to the balcony creaked and began to fall apart. The noise and heat hit them within seconds of each other. There was a scream, a shout, and the rope snapped.
Erik covered Christine with his own body and shouted, "We have to get down!"
"How? The rope's gone!"
"We'll have to jump down onto the stables," Erik said, pulling her towards the edge of the balcony. They glanced over the edge and Erik shouted, "Put your arms over your face and bend your legs as you land. Get down off the roof as quickly as possible."
"Come with me..." she pleaded, but he shook his head.
"One at a time, or the roof could fall in."
She climbed over the edge of the balcony and down onto the ledge. In fear she looked down at the stable roof, far below her, and then back up at Erik. He reached down and she caught his hand with her own. She pressed it to her lips, shaking with fear and shouted up to him, "I love you…"
Christine didn't know if he heard because she jumped a second later, hearing another groan rack the house. She landed in ball and rolled halfway down the roof. A strange numbness ran up her left arm and the thought my arm is broken raced through her mind. But she crawled to the edge of the roof, clutching her arm to her and looked up at Erik. He was standing on the ledge, preparing to jump.
Another groan, even louder than before sounded and a hideous cracking sound split the air. All Christine could remember was heat, rain, noise and the knowledge that Erik didn't have a chance to jump before the house collapsed. And then something hit her head and she fell from the stable roof. She was unconscious before she hit the ground.
Something cool and damp lay across her forehead. Christine frowned slightly and tried to open her eyes. But her eyelids were too heavy and wouldn't open. She waited a moment and then tried again. It was easier this time. Her eyes opened a crack.
The room was dimly lit, but she could already tell that she didn't know it. She looked around, not moving her head. It felt too sore to move at that moment and there was a painful throbbing sensation in her arm. She sensed movement to her left and glanced over. Madame Giry sat there but looked up as she saw Christine's eyes flicker in her direction. She leant forward, removing the damp cloth from her forehead.
"Christine?"
"Madame…" Christine spoke. Her voice was sore and harsh. She closed her eyes and then opened them again. "Where… where am I?"
"The Opera House. What do you remember?" Madame Giry asked. Christine frowned.
"I… remember the house was burning. And I jumped onto the stables and hurt my arm… the Viscount fell from the roof…"
"The Viscount de Martinez is dead, Christine."
This news brought neither joy nor sorrow to Christine. She didn't think she was capable of feeling anything at that moment. A name had burned itself into her brain and she looked up at Madame Giry. "Erik. He didn't jump. Where is Erik?"
Madame Giry closed her eyes and then opened them again. "Erik is dead, Christine."
The numbness that had filled Christine's brain was suddenly pierced by anguish. She stared up at her dear friend for a moment before her face twisted in pain.
"No… no! You are lying! Where is he? Where is Erik?"
"Christine, listen to me. The house collapsed before Erik could jump. They are still clearing the debris but there is no way that Erik could have survived. Erik is dead."
Everyone in the Opera Populaire looked up in surprise, and then terrible realization as a piercing scream of utter pain and sorrow rang through the building.
When Madame Giry stepped outside of Christine's room and pulled the door closed behind her she found four people waiting for her. Firmin, André, Meg and the Chief of Police.
Firmin asked quietly, "You told her?"
"I did."
"How is she taking it?" André asked hesitantly. Madame Giry gestured at the door. They fell silent and heard wails of sorrow coming from behind it. Meg sniffed hard and pressed her eyes to stop the tears that threatened.
The Chief of Police looked at her. "May I talk to her?"
"I think it would best to give her some time alone. She has just lost her home and the man she loves. Have a little compassion," Madame Giry said quietly.
The Chief sighed and scratched his head. "I don't know what to do, Madame Giry. The Viscount de Martinez is dead but no one knows how. If he fell, or was pushed… some witnesses say that Miss Daae and the Phantom were trying to help him but-"
"Erik. His name was Erik," Meg said softly. The Chief paused and then continued.
"But why would they help him if he was trying to kill them?"
"Because they are not murderers. They would have helped him," Madame Giry said angrily.
The Chief shrugged and said, "Until I have spoken to Miss Daae and gotten her account of what happened, I have to assume the worst."
"Miss Daae is suffering from severe loss, head injuries, and a broken arm. Until she is slightly recovered I will not allow anyone to disturb her," Madame Giry said quietly.
The Chief shrugged helplessly and turned to leave, but Firmin said, "Chief? May I request that when Monsieur Erik's body is found, the mask be sent here? It may serve some small comfort to Miss Daae to have it."
"When we find the body," the officer replied, nodding.
But Meg said, "If. If you find the body."
They looked at her and she shrugged. "How many times has he tricked people before? How do we know he did not simply escape?"
"Why would he do that? If he was alive he would come straight to Miss Daae," André said. Meg considered.
"Not if he thought that he was being held responsible for the Viscount's murder. He would stay away from her to protect her."
"I have no time for theories, Miss Giry. When the body of Erik is found, we shall need to have it identified and then buried," the Chief said, moving off.
Meg looked up at her mother. "Maman? Is it not possible that he escaped?"
"I don't know, Meg. I would expect the Phantom to escape, but Erik was not the Phantom anymore. He was simply a man."
"I think he is alive, Maman. I do not think that they will find the body," Meg said.
André looked at her. "And why do you think that, Miss Giry?"
"Because this was delivered to me this morning," Meg said, holding up something. They all leaned in to look and Madame Giry frowned.
It was Christine's locket.
When Meg was finally allowed to see Christine the next day she found her friend curled up on her side, staring despondently at the wall.
"Christine?" she said gingerly, sitting down. Christine closed her eyes tightly, a tear trickling from the corner to run down her blotchy face.
"He's gone Meg… he promised that he would never leave me…" she whispered. Her voice caught in her throat and she covered her face with her right hand. Her left arm was bound in a thick, heavy plaster cast. Meg leant over and hugged her carefully, making sure not to hurt her.
"He promised me, Meg… he promised me!"
"I know… I know, Christine."
Madame Giry had told Meg that under no circumstances was she to tell Christine about the locket. It would be far worse to build up Christine's hopes and then have them dashed. Meg longed to tell her friend, to give her some comfort, but she dared not disobey her mother. Instead she held Christine, willing herself not to weep.
Christine looked up at her and said quietly, "Nobody keeps their promises, Meg. My father promised to send me an Angel and he didn't… Erik promised to stay with me forever and now he is gone… how can I go on knowing that all my hopes, my dreams are gone forever?"
"I don't know Christine. I have never loved anyone the way you loved Erik. But maybe you should be thanking God for the time you had together, short though it was. Be grateful for all that you had," Meg whispered.
Christine closed her eyes and again and took a deep shuddering breath. "It's all gone, isn't it? The house, all of our possessions? Everything Erik and I owned is gone. I have nothing left of him."
"You have your ring," Meg said quietly. Christine looked down at the hand poking from the end of her cast. The golden ring shone brightly.
She licked her dry lips and said, "Will they let me stay here, Meg? Will I be able to stay here and sing again?"
"Of course you will. Are you sure that you want to though?"
"I have nowhere else. And… we were happy here, for a short time."
Meg looked at her friend sadly.
Christine looked at her. "I would like to sleep now."
"Of course," Meg said, rising. She drew the blankets up over Christine and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.
When Meg entered the theatre shortly afterwards, she found Carlotta throwing another tantrum. She wasn't sure what it was about, costumes or something. One of the ballet girls approached her.
"How is Christine today?"
"Not good, Annette. But she wants to stay at the Opera House. Maybe singing will help her again."
"Maybe," Annette pondered. Madame Giry snapped at them both and they hurried to their places to rehearse.
Monsieur Reyer and Madame Giry spoke quietly. "I am not sure that staying here is the best choice. Surely if she were somewhere with fewer memories of him…" Monsieur Reyer said but Madame Giry replied, "No. This is the one place where she will not be haunted by him. Besides, if my daughter's theory is correct and Erik is still alive… he will come for her here."
"Do you believe that he is alive, Marie?" Monsieur Reyer asked.
Madame Giry sighed and shrugged. "I don't know. I thought that I knew Erik better than anybody, but I was wrong about him so many times. But if he is alive he will come for her. Maybe not soon but he will come."
Carlotta appeared to have been appeased and Monsieur Reyer began to conduct the orchestra. Madame Giry turned to her ballet girls and began to instruct them.
In the bedroom, Christine stared into space. A slight frown crossed her face and she looked down at her body. She began to chew her lip as she rested her head on the pillow and a sigh escaped her mouth.
She didn't know how she knew, but she did. It was as obvious to her as if it were seared into her very skin. Erik may be dead, but she was still alive.
And so was his child.
A/N: DUN DUN DUUUUUUUUUUN! Yeah, I know. Predictable. Lol, never mind! Thank you all for the lovely reviews. I read and appreciate every single one! And don't worry, I'm still working on this fic. It won't be ending any time soon. Lotsa luv Katie