A New start

Chapter 19: Storms and notes

It was the closing night of the newest gala at the opera, and it was an exciting event for all, because both Christine and Marie Claire were performing. It was a legendary event to be sure. The previous nights had been completely sold out, and there had been a roaring standing ovation after every performance. Everyone commented to one another that opera seemed to be a family affair, what with Christine and Marie singing and Raoul being the patron. Perhaps one day even Felix would become involved. All who attended the galas complimented Raoul on his wife's and daughter's beautiful singing. He grinned every time someone did this, because he was so proud of the two of them. But despite all of the good things going on, and the cheerfulness in the opera atmosphere, the weather seemed to tell different story. It had been a beautiful week in Paris until today. Now it was overcast and cloudy, and the wind was blowing fiercely. It looked as if it were going to rain at any minute, but it didn't, as though it were waiting for something to occur. But with the weather being what it was, and with all the excitement of the gala going on, no one seemed to notice the dark, shadowy figure, standing in the rafters near the stage, eavesdropping on a conversation. A conversation that just happened to include Andre, Firmin, and Raoul. It was about one in the afternoon and Raoul was discussing arrangements for the night's gala with the managers. Andre and Firmin were ecstatic because the previous night's performances had gone so well.

"Well dear Vicomte," said Firmin excitedly, "I must say that buisness has never been better. Your wife and daughter are a phenomenon together."

"Yes," said Andre nodding fervently," I've never seen anything like it."

Raoul grinned.

"They are a pair to be sure. Speaking of them, I'd better get home, it'll be time to bring them over here soon."said Raoul, shaking their hands firmly and turning to go.

"Goodbye Raoul we'll see you this evening." said Andre and Firmin.

"Goodbye monsieurs." responded Raoul as he gave one final wave and walked briskly towards the doors. He was looking forward to seeing Christine and Marie sing, and he knew that Felix was as well.

As he neared the door, he heard a crash of thunder outside that seemed to shake the opera house. Then suddenly someone grabbed Raoul's arms and roughly tied them behind his back. Raoul gave cry of surprise and tried with all of his might to free himself, but the man's grip was like iron.

"Good afternoon Monsieur le Vicomte." said Erik, his voice sounding like venom as he yanked the ropes around Raoul's wrists tighter.

Raoul flinched as the ropes cut into his wrists, still tyrying valiantly to get out of the Phantom's grip.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he exclaimed as he tried vainly to free himself.

"Taking care of you so that you won't get in my way!' growled the Phantom as he pulled Raoul towards a dark and unused part of the theater.

They reached one of the unused store rooms in the back of the opera house, near the vaults of the theater. Erik shoved Raoul hard into the room, tying him to the wall. Raoul looked at the Phantom in shock and the Phantom smirked.

"No need to fear Vicomte, I'll be back to finish you as soon as I have you lovely wife and daughter under my control. You can die knowing that they will be well taken care of." he said silkily, looking Raoul coldly in the eyes.

Raoul shook his head, casting a defiant look at the older man.

"I don't think so. I'll get out of here somehow, I won't let you get away with this. I'll find Christine and Marie, because I love them with all of my being, and won't let anything happen to them. I don't care what you do to me, but don't you do anything to cause them pain!" Raoul yelled, tears clouding his blue eyes.

The Phantom's eyes had a wild look in them, the look of someone who had gone over the edge as he struck Raoul hard across the face. Raoul grunted in pain, the hand mark on his face bright red as he glared up at Erik angrily. He placed his hand on the side of his face, and it felt as though it were on fire.

"Someone in your posistion has no reason to be speaking." said Erik stonily.

"I will speak if I want to." said Raoul, defiantly.

"Be quiet you insolent fool!" yelled the Phantom angrily as he placed his hand around Raoul's neck.

Raoul cast him a dirty look as Erik let go, smirking at the younger man.

"You hate me don't you, boy?" spat Erik.

"No," said Raoul, shaking his head, "I just think that you're completely insane!" he yelled in a voice filled with anger at the Phantom and worry for Christine and Marie.

"For once Vicomte, you are right. Perhaps I am insane. But unfortunately there is nothing that you can do about it. I shall see you later. Make good use of your last hours." said Erik, turning to go.

Raoul kicked him in the back of the knee as he went. Erik fell and grunted in pain, but nonetheless got up and locked Raoul in, giving him one last glare. He dropped a letter for Andre and Firmin to find, then turned to go. Raoul began to try and free himself, hoping that either he could get out or that someone would find him. He had to save Marie and Christine, he simply had to, and he would do anything to accomplish that. He could not let the Phantom hurt them anymore. Luckily though for Raoul, someone had just seen what had just happened, and that person was Arthur.
Marie Claire was sitting in the living room, talking with Lizzie about the gala. Both girls were very excited , considering how well the the other nights had gone. But Lizzie could tell that something was bothering her dearest friend.

"Marie, I know that you are excited about tonight's gala, but are you worried that the Phantom might try something? You seem distracted." asked Lizzie, her green eyes knowing.

Marie Claire nodded solemnly.

"I am afraid that he will do something considering that its the last performance and mama and I will both be performing. But I just don't know what to expect." said Marie Claire, putting her face in her hands and sighing exasperatedly.

Lizzie put her arm around her friend's shoulder, trying to comfort her. Marie smiled at her friend, glad that she had someone like Lizzie to keep her grounded. Lizzie smiled slyly, and Marie looked at her curiously.

"Hey Marie, I brought something that might cheer you up. Its a picture of us when we first started ballet lessons. I thought it would be good for old times sake." said Lizzie, grinning.

Marie chuckled. "And look where we are now, stars of the opera."

"Seems like a far cry from those days, dosen't it?" asked Lizzie happily. "Hang on let me go get it, I put it in your room earlier." said Lizzie as she walked up the stairs.

Marie Claire sat there, thinking about how far she and Lizzie had gone, and remebered fondly the old days when they had first begun dancing and singing. Then a loud clap of thunder and a flash of lightning were seen and heard outside. Marie Claire, jumped, startled by the noise, but not nearly as startled as she was when she felt a hand come over her mouth, stifling any sound of protest she could have made. She attempted to make muffled screams and tried valiantly to get away, but she was a small girl and Erik was a man with a very firm grip.

"Shhh.. madmoiselle," he whispered softly, his words sounding like a hiss so close to her ear. " There is no point in fighting."

Marie wondered fleetingly what had urged Erik to come to the house to capture her, and hoped that he hadn't gotten to her parents yet. But as she looked in his eyes they seemed to induce a trance over her, and she fainted. She tried had to stop herself from this, but it was unavoidable. As she fell, Erik caught her and picked her up. He carried her out to the carriage he had stolen and carefully laid her in the backseat. He dropped a letter for Lizzie to find, jumped in the driver's seat, and headed towards the cemetary where he knew Christine was.

Christine walked slowly through the cemetary, the cold wind blowing her dark curls about her face. She pulled her black cape closer about her shoulders, shivering. She stopped at the grave of her father, placing the flowers she had brought before it. She sighed heavily. She had come here hoping for some guidance from her father. She bowed her head in silent prayer as she heard a carriage pull up at the gates. She paid it no mind, thinking that it was simply another mourner coming to visit a grave. She lifted her head and looked around the cemetary, remembering where Raoul and Erik had had the swordfight. She could almost hear the swords of her teacher and her lover clanging against each other. But as she stood there pondering the past, she felt a cold hand on her thin shoulder, and her worst fears were confirmed. Her heart told her that something was wrong, terribly wrong.

"Good afternoon, Christine, my angel." said Erik, his voice cutting into the silence.

Christine breathed deeply, trying to remain calm as she shrugged away from his touch.

"Erik, what have you done with my family?" she asked, her voice sounding like that of a terrified child who knew that something was wrong.

"Well, "said Erik slowly, "Marie Claire is waiting for us in the carriage there, and as for your darling husband, well I believe he is a bit tied up at the moment, shall we say. As for your son, do not worry, I have no intention of involving him, he is far to young to have ever to have done anything to offend me."

Christine turned to him, her dark eyes streaming with tears.

"Erik if you truly cared for me, you would see that what you are doing is hurting me." said Christine, her voice shaking uncontrollably. "Why must you do this to me? You were my teacher, I trusted you. Couldn't it have remained that way? Couldn't you have been happy that I had found love in Raoul, and continued to tutor me instead of this madness and horror? If you had done that, there wouldn't be such a rift between us and my family, the family that is my very reason for living, wouldn't be in danger." and with that, her voice broke and the tears and the sobs overcame her.

"Raoul, Marie Claire, Felix..." she choked out.

Erik felt a twinge of guilt and sadness for her for a moment, not liking the fact that he was hurting her, but her quickly brushed it off. He was going to get what he wanted for once. He took a firm hold of Christine's wrist, so that she could not get free.

"Trust me Christine," he said, his voice hard. "This is the only way that you will see reason. Someday you will learn that I am right."

Christine shook her head desparingly.

"No Erik, I won't."

"We shall see Christine, we shall see." he said as he locked the carriage door.

As he pulled away, a torrential rain started to fall, thunder crashed, and lightning flashed across the sky.
A/N: Ya, I know its a cliff hanger and you're all going to kill me, but I promise to update very soon, I'm already working on the next chapter. So, do ya like it? I hope so. Thankyou so much for your reviews! They really encourage me to write more. A special thanks to angel 718, who has been super supportive. Thanks again, please read and review!