Chapter 2
The doctors work with Erik gave him inspiration in the many years that came to help others, the ravages of the first World War bringing him many clients to heal physically and emotionally. Erik was very interested in the doctors continued success and vowed to support him in future research. Others should not suffer as he had. The journey by train to France was enthralling to him. His journey by boat to America and Germany had been spent closeted in first class accommodations, him never leaving his room. He wanted to spend many years experiencing life, seeing distant places, but his most urgent need was to see Christine. He had not asked of her since his first letter. Miranda had of course told him of her marriage. He did not want her to know of his return he only wished her happiness. But did long to see her once again, if only from a distance. He had arranged to meet Miranda at a park near her school. It was a beautiful park, filled with flowers and many scattered artists. He had written to her of the surgeon but didn't quite describe the incredible success. She was shocked of course at his transformation. His face seemed completely normal except for a slightly receding hairline on his right side , hidden by a thick dark hair true to the gypsy blood of which he was half. The long hair cut chin length and parted on his left side, also covered some scarring.
They talked, filling in holes their few letters had not covered. He tried to tell her how he was simply driven him mad at the end, desperation and anguish at the thought of finally and completely losing Christine leading him to the final horrific acts he committed. The depth of feeling in her kiss brought him to know the love Christine had truly felt. This moment both broke and restored him. He was deeply ashamed of his doubts and of his own cruelty. He was ready to die at that point and had resigned himself to capture or death. Christine understood however what he had been doing and saved him, reaching out through her own confusion and fear to him in those final seconds. His only thoughts after she left were to save her pain in the knowledge of a his death, and so went through with the plans so carefully made. His amazing turn of fortunes had much to do with what he knew in his heart. Christine love for him had sustained him in every way.
Madame sat and listened sadly. She understood now what Christine's bond with Erik had developed into those last days, something she had suspected but had also tried to deny, knowing it could only end badly. She felt she was to blame for much of what happened, not being able to trust the new managers with the secret of The Phantom of The Opera, not trying harder to reach Erik and confront him about Christine. When Christine had first come to the Opera house as a child she had been shattered by her fathers death. They, alone in the world had only had each other. Erik had known Christine story and was curious about her. He listened to her prayers in the chapel, the only times she would emerge from her bed. He only wanted to help her in some way, comfort her and this he did. She was also a beautiful child with an equally beautiful voice and talent he did not want to see thrown away. Christine came out of her protective solemn shell and Miranda allowed the strange relationship to continue, seeing the good it did her, but watching closely. She knew he retained a love for the child through the years and helped her in the way he could. Miranda did not know when his love for her turned to a romantic love but had suspected in the months preceding the tragedy.
Emotion, pushed back into the furthest recesses of the soul of this practical, strong woman emerged for the first time in many years. Erik cautiously touched her hand- he was not used to touch- and she grasped it tightly." It was my fault Erik," she said through tears, "the situation became beyond my control."
Erik was aghast. Had she thought this all these years? Of course it was not her fault what had happened. "Miranda, I did not let you near me those last months. I was so ashamed of my feelings for Christine. You did the best you could with an impossible situation. You were the only friend I knew then, and I feel honored to have you as a friend now." They sat quietly on the bench for some time, collecting their emotions.
She turned her thoughts to Christine. Miranda had grown increasingly concerned for her over the years. Although Christine tried to remain optimistic, the many doctors they had seen gave them less and less hope of Raoul walking or his ability to give her children someday. There was something she was not telling her, something dark that had distanced them these last years. She knew Christine had not sung a note since that night for a fact, even for her own pleasure. Miranda knew there was something missing in her. She knew Erik was ready to move on once he acquired his music but something in her did not want that to happen. She pressed into his hand the master key to the Opera house she had been given by Andre and Firmin, telling him all was there in the vaults. Before she left she imparted to him the knowledge that this park was where Christine walked daily with Raoul. She also left him with the knowledge of his injuries.
Erik sat on the bench shocked by the information just given to him. He knew he should leave right now but he did want to see her at least once before he left. He didn't know where he would go. He couldn't stay here, it was taking too much risk however cold his case was. He didn't know what to think of Raoul being bound by a wheel chair. He sat and waited. Soon they came into his sight. Christine looked as beautiful as the day he had left her. She had filled out some, most likely due to a life of leisure, no grueling ballet practice day in and out he mused, and he thought it suited her. She was outwardly gay, but this gaiety almost seemed forced to him, her talking too loudly, trying to bring out a much more subdued Raoul. It was spring, beautiful, and warm. Seeing her in daylight surrounded by flowers turned something in his heart. He was thrilled to see her but the old pain came back and he did leave, walking the direction of the Opera house. Christine noticed a tall handsome man walking quickly away from them, and before he had completely turned she caught the sight of a face that seemed familiar to her. It took her some time walking to understand who it was this person reminded her of. How stupid of me she thought chidingly. The recent Opera… no it wasn't possible. Erik would never be out in the daylight like this, and although she only saw part of his face before he had completely turned, she could tell this man had been wearing no mask.
He reached the Opera house some time later. He had been walking at a fair pace for over an hour. He knew the area well of course and had chosen to walk, hoping his emotions would calm. He finally stood before it. It was still the grand palace it had been, just neglected. Sighing, he unlocked the door. He saw evidence of the German occupation Miranda had told him of, but they had only been there briefly. He hoped they had not been interested or able to attain entry to the vaults. Andre and Firmin had learned of the occupation and after the war had returned to find most everything of value gone, but strangely enough no one had entered after the Germans. Although it had been left open for some time before their return, apparently the story of the Opera Ghost was still strong enough to keep people away. They sadly counted their losses and simply went back to what they had been doing before all this happened.
And now it was up for sale. The Opera house Populaire had been the original popular opera house, very old and not the small city the Paris Opera house was. It had become a sort of second class venue after the new grand Paris Opera house had been built, saved only by the close nit 'family' who would not leave its walls. Erik's contributions had actually helped restore audience for some years and it enjoyed popularity for people truly appreciating the art of Opera.
Erik first went to the vaults. They had been opened but apparently the Germans had found no use for his immense and unorganized body of work. It made him glad to see it. He then made his way to his old home, being very careful to remember his various traps. Everything was intact. Miranda and Meg had come back after receiving his note and had done everything to preserve what could be of value to him, then left things as they had been. He decided to stay there that night and possibly for awhile. He got what he wanted, his music but there was something about the look of Raoul that bothered him and he wanted to be sure of Christine happiness before leaving again. His entire being ached to let her see him now, transformed inside and out. Because of these feelings he knew he could not stay here long. He also knew Miranda would not have given him the information she had if something had not been wrong. He was also just glad to be here again. The world had treated him cruelly, but here he had only felt protected. This had been his home.