Chapter 12

I've gotten many reviews and I haven't replied to them, but I have decided to do so now... I'll start from my last reviewer, to the first.

Carolinus Took: Who wouldn't want to huggle Erik?

The Singing Fox Demon: Sorry it took so long to Chapter 12, but I still updated!

Han Fatsu Anti Normal: Well, if Erik killed one of Christine's friends... it would have a larger impact on her.. thus, Erik killed a girl. Oh yeah, I liked your Chuckles comment. :)

Maeve Of the Nile: Dark chapter, indeed. I like to stick to romantic stuff but it was necessary.

YoukoElfMaiden: Thanks, I try my best!

GoldenLyre: Thanks, loyal reviewer!

RietroFan42: Thanks a lot. I just thought that it was an interesting comparison, because Erik is called a living corpse and stuff and he has a coffin.

Number47: Okay, I'm going as quickly as I possibly can!

Countess Alana: That's an interesting approach. It's sweet. :)

Angel: Christine is 12, Erik is 17. It may seem strange, but... ah, whatever. They're still my favorite couple ever!

TerpintineMind: Thanks, but they are children. I suppose they should be naive. Children... I'm not one to talk am I? is 14 years old

Cat: Thanks for the offer, but I would like to see how I do on my own. Don't worry, I'll try to pick up the little mistakes... eh heh.

midnightangel38: Thanks, I'm glad you like my story.

PhantomInMyDreams: I think it's weird too, but Erik isn't really normal.

Aurie: Cliffhangers are fun and enjoyable. I leave them at cliffhangers for kicks and giggles. Nah, I just tend to do that, I suppose.

Slashzilla: I'm sorry. It was an accident? Haha, sorry I made you cry, Slash.

Saber: Thanks, I'm glad you like it.

The Dash: Well, thank you very much.

(A/N: In this chapter, a few years will pass and it will have some references from the novel, the play, and the movie, however, it will not be my own version of the original.)

Sobbing. I could hear it from my dwelling, behind the mirror. Christine was now back at the Opera House, sitting in front of the large mirror, crying. The sadness of her voice when she wailed, "He's gone... he's gone...!" ripped through me, but I couldn't go back to see her. Not yet.

Meg kneeled down beside Christine, who was on the floor, sorrowing. "Christine, why are you crying?" She asked her friend, softly. Christine wiped her eyes, but they flooded with tears again. "I will never see Erik again!"

"Oh, Christine," Meg sniffled. "You will too see Erik again..."

"No, I won't! ...And after I tell him about my feelings... Meg, it hurts so..."

Meg embraced Christine and they wept together. "Christine, it will be alright..." Christine shook her head, "No... it will never... not until I get Erik back..." Christine sobbed louder and so did Meg, as she tried to comfort her friend. It pained me so, knowing I was responsible for their tears.

It has been five years since Mireille's death, but the Phantom of the Opera did not rest. Even as a 22-year-old, I seemed like a schoolyard bully, playing pranks and scaring others into giving him their money. Christine and Meg were 17 now and were now part of the chorus and they were fellow corps de ballerinas, dancing on the stage, gracefully, during an Opera. It always put a grin on my face to see Christine, but as I watched the operas from Box Five, the box that I demanded the managers to reserve for me, I began to get bored and very irritated.

Irritated because of the diva Carlotta, whose voice made me want to rip my ears off. Right now,Carlotta practised with Monsiuer Reyer and everybody else were taking a short break.While Christine and Meg rested after a long afternoon of ballet practise,I eavesdropped on their conversation from above the stage."That Carlotta... we would be better having an animal as the prima donna." Meg snickered.

"Yes, but who else would be prima donna?" Christine sighed.

"You could! You sing beautifully, Christine. You do!"

"Right," Christine said sarcastically. "Wait, are you suggesting that I am an animal?"

"Do not give me that attitude! And no, you are not an animal. Anyway... go on and sing. Come on now, sing Carlotta's song then! Prove to me that you cannot be prima donna."

"That is ridiculous, Meg!" Christine said, laughing. "Why would I do that?"

"There is nobody listening but you and I." At least that is what Meg thought.

Christine shook her head, sighing. After a moment of hesitation, she took in a breath and began to sing so dazzlingly. I reminisced and recalled her singing voice of 12 years. Oh, how it has matured and improved! Why should that toad Carlotta be praised as prima donna when young ballet and chorus girl, Christine Daae, has a such a divine voice? Instead of rehearsing as a ballerina and chorus girl for Hannibalthe Opera they were preparing forshe should belearning and rehearsingall of Toad's songs and restoring the beauty of the music that Carlotta took away when the words fell out of her mouth.

I got it! Sabotage! Carlotta began to sing a songthat would be beautiful if it was not coming from her. With a roll of my eyes, I untied a rope that held a large prop for the Opera and I watched it fall and topple the song-butchering toad. All those around her gasped, as she squirmed around, babbling wildly. The two fools/managers hurried over to the enfuriated diva. "My, I am so very sorry! Please, allow me," Said manager one. "No, allow me, Firmin," Oh, Firmin is his name. I forgot; it isn't like I care very much either. All I want of them is to surrender their francs. Both managers took hold on Carlotta's hands and yanked her out from her prison underneath the large prop. "Now," Said manager two, still nameless. "Are you alright? Can you still sing?"

Carlotta argued with incoherent rambling. I heard something about a "doggy" but that seemed rather irrelevant until I realised something: she was leaving. With a mutt in her arms and her belongings in her... servants' arms, she stormed out of the Opera House, the managers trying to convince her to stay. With a smirk, I watched the two managers begin to panic when Carlotta disappeared behind the large doors to the Opera House.

"What are we to do now? Hannibal was supposed to be in a few days!" Panicked ManagerTwo. He then gasped, "Oh! Is there an understudy?"

"Surely there must be an understudy, Andre! There must be!" Firmin said in response. The old conductor, Monsieur Reyer sighed, "There is no understudy... not for La Carlotta..."

"We are simply doomed then!" Said Andre.Firmin nodded his head solemnly, in agreement.

Meg gasped and waved her arms around, trying to get their attention. "I have a suggestion!" Christine blinked at Meg, confused. Andre, Firmin, and Reyer turned to Meg. Meg pointed to Christine, "Christine could sing in place of La Carlotta!"

"What? Meg, no, I could never!" Christine retorted.

"A chorus girl?" Andre spat, in what seemed like disgust. Firmin answered, in desperation, "Fine, sing then. Go on," Firmin demanded.

Christine's face flushed red as she looked around at everybody, waiting for her to start the song. Christine gulped, stepping forward as the music began to play. She came to a stop and braced herself to sing. "Think of me..." She began quietly out of nervousness, then she turned to Meg who was cheering wordlessly, with a large grin on her face. Christine smiled and sang more confidently and the managersstared at her in disbelief. Everybody around her was also stunned by the beauty of her voice. I sneered; her voice is good, but not perfect. I will be the one to make it perfect. For now, I lingered, listening to her sing.

When she was finished, everybody around her began to clap and she laughed, shyly. Andre and Firmin approached her with praise. "Lovely! You have the voice of an angel, Miss Daae!" Said Firmin. Christine giggled and thanked him.Andre smiled, "Yes, truly exquisite! With some practise, I am sure you will feel much more comfortable singing in front of an audience!"

"Yes, comfortable!" Firmin responded, excitedly.

They definitely did make Christine comfy. The two gave Christine the prima donna's dressing room where she could be at ease, and relax.

That evening she sat in her new dressing room. "I really do not deserve this," Christine groaned, as she sat on the extragant couch with Meg beside her. Meg chuckled, "Oh Christine, why so modest? Just enjoy it. This room is very beautiful."

"Okay." Christine murmured in reponse.

"What is the matter?" Meg questioned, softly.

Christine remained silent for a moment as she recollected her memories. "This room reminds me so much of Erik... and of how I shall never see him again."

"Oh, Christine, that was years ago. Forget about it all," Meg suggested.

"I cannot forget him. I could never!" Christine shouted.

Meg comforted her, "I am sure he is still around, though. That incident with Carlotta, that had to be his doing."

Christine wiped her eyes so that the tears that were tickling her eyes would not come out, "It was probably that Joseph Buquet. It could not have been Erik."
"This has not been the only strange thing that has happened." Meg pointed out.

Christine just shrugged, saying, "Shouldn't you go? It is getting late and I am sure you are becoming weary.."

"Umm.. I suppose," Meg opened the door and stepped out. She stopped and wished Christine a good night, "You should get some sleep yourself. Good night, Christine."

"Okay. Good night, Meg."

When Meg was gone, Christine stretched. "I should get some sleep... maybe I will feel better in the morning." She said to herself. Christine walked behind a screen and threw her clothes over it and a blush coloured my face. I was watching the entire time from behind the large mirror but I turned away, even though she was dressing behind a screen. Just the thought of it made me flush. When I glanced through the mirror again, she had emerged, in her nightclothes. Christine walked to her door, about to leave when I stopped her by calling her name, calmly. She gasped quickly turning around, asking who was there. Looking around the room, she saw nobody. She gulped, shivering in fear and I said, woefully, "Have you forgotten your angel...?" Christine gasped and approached the mirror, placing a hand on it. "Erik, is that you?"

I slid it open and looked down at her, one eye peering through the white mask that concealed the right side of my face. I felt so much joy stir within my body and I just smiled widely at her, throwing my arms around her. "It is..." I said, answering Christine's question. With tears in her eyes, she hugged me back, so tightly. "Erik, I have missed you so much... where have you been these past five years..."

"I have missed you too, but I've been right here... waiting for the right time to come to you."

"Erik, you should have come sooner! My heart so ached for you," She whimpered.

I apologised repeatedly and then she broke up our powerful embrace and smiled, despite her tears. "It is okay... you are here now, Erik. Thank God you are here with me... I would have broken down into sobs. This room brought back so many painful memories."

Again, I apologised. "I am sorry for all those painful memories... it is all my fault."

"Erik, I did not wait five years to listen to you pity yourself."

"Then what have you been waiting for?"

"Well, isn't it obvious..." She tiptoed a bit and kissed me on the lips affectionately and after a while, she broke the kiss to breathe in. I felt tears of joy fill my eyes but I dare not shed them. I quickly wiped them and took Christine by the hand. I whispered, "Come, it will be much better in my lair where we do not have to speak in whispers."

Christine shook her head, "Oh, no, I couldn't... I am much too tired and what if I do not show up to practise?"

"Christine... please..." It was sad of me to beseech Christine, but I felt no shame. I need Christine near me... Christine couldn't deny me, so she succumbed, allowing me to take her with me.

As expected, Christine got very exhausted by the time we arrived at my home. I brought her to the room and let her lie down. "I am certain that you are worn out. You should sleep," I said.

"What about you?" She asked, yawning.

"I am not going to sleep."

"Oh... what are you going to do?"

"Nothing."

"Oh... then..." She blushed. I raised a brow, befuddled by her behaviour and waited for her to finish her sentence. Noticing this, and not wanting to force me to wait, she blurted out, "can you stay here and watch me?"

I was silent then when I finally found the words, I spoke slowly, "Watch you? That is a bit unorthodox... but I cannot say that I am very conventional myself. But why?"

"So we can talk until I fall asleep... please?"

I found myself a chair and sat myself down, crossing my arms over my chest. "If you insist... however, may I remind you that the last time, you were not very comfortable with this?"

"I was a child, Erik..."

I chuckled and bent over, stroking her cheek with my thumb. "Yes, you have grown into a very beautiful young woman."

Christine's face turned pink and she giggled, sitting up. She leaned over and kissed me again. She grabbed me and pushed her body up against mine in a tight embrace. Her hands tugged at my clothes and the kiss was so passionate... it was more than passionate. It was beyond words.

We both pushed each other away, turning to look another way, our faces red. "Y... you should go to sleep." I said, seating myself correctly in my chair. Christine lied back down, nodding and said, "Okay, but I have one question."

"Okay, ask."

"Why didyou kill..?"

I was stunned by the question. How could I answer that question without breaking Christine's heart and bringing her to tears by telling her of my past, or lying?