Help Me Say Goodbye

Notes: Please excuse my absence; I was on a trip for a few days. Fortunately, it sparked some more creative ideas and reawakened a bit of my writing skills. Let's hope I do better in details than the last chapter. All characters belong to author, Gaston Leroux except for Charlotte.


"You better take your shawl, Miss Daae; it is rather chilly tonight with the storm and all"

Christine smiled with gratitude at her personal maid, Charlotte's concern. She was one the oldest maids in the house but certainly one of the better ones. Most would scoff and complain about their jobs while others often were too timid or cold to try and strike up a friendly conversation. But Charlotte was like a mother to Christine, often taking her side when ever the others would complain about her habits. To her Christine was the child she never had.

"Thank you," she replied. "It is colder than usual. I hope that the rest you will be all right"

Charlotte placed a soft, aged hand on her. Christine could help but feel comforted at this.

"We'll be fine, dear," She laughed hardily, her hands now wrapping the shawl around Christine's shoulders. She then inspected the outfit with her soft green eyes.

"There you are, child. You look so lovely in your attire; you remind me of those little porcelain dolls you find in the windows of toy shops," Charlotte sighed as she rested her plump body on a nearby chair. "I can see why Raoul loves you so. You have a face as beautiful as your soul."

Christine's brown eyes softened with warmth as she neared the door. "You are too kind"


Raoul's baby blue eyes greeted her as she ran into the carriage to escape the rain.

"It seems the rain has gotten worse," he said with an interested look toward the window. "But I'm sure it will die down by the morning"

Thunder then roared across the sky and the horse restlessly whinnied with fright. Christine nervously looked out to the sky, then back to her lover. She decided to calm her nerves by starting a conversation.

"Do you think you can save the rose bush? I would hate to see it uprooted and destroyed…."

"Darling, I can always replace it for you"

"But it's a symbol of our new life together in my eyes. I can't just watch it die like this. I feel as though--"

"Christine, it's just a gift, not a symbol or omen. You are just getting the better of your worries"

Silence filled the carriage for a few moments; both didn't say a word. Christine shifted in her dress and brushed a stray lock of her chestnut hair behind her ear as she began to speak again, still feeling awkward from their previous dispute.

"Raoul, will Jacques be driving the horses tonight?"

"I believe he's sick. But I've hired--"

Lightening crackled across the navy sky followed by a tremendous crash of thunder. A scream of terror sounded from the horses and the carriage jolted as it sped away. Christine looked fearfully behind her as she saw the château disappear behind the trees, too frightened to cry out. Raoul looked at her and then threw off his coat as he opened the carriage door, letting the pelting rain inside.

"Christine! Stay inside! I'm going to try and reach the driver's seat and calm the horses!"

Christine watched with fear as Raoul crawled out to the side. The rain stung against her cheeks as it whipped its way inside the compartment.

The carriage began to buckle from the rain slicked road and the rocks on it, tossing her body somewhat violently across the seat. She held fast to the edge of the window, the bumps becoming more turbulent as the horses galloped faster.

"Raoul?...Raoul!"

She pursed her lips together with suspense. Just then she heard a response.

"I'm in the driver's seat! Hold on best you can!"

Another flash lit up the sky and Christine shrieked as the carriage began to tip to the left side. A thud sounded outside and Raoul cried out.

"Raoul!"

The compartment seemed to whirl, crashing glass and mud flinging about as the coach toppled over. Christine shielded her head in terror, feeling the cold rain and the sharp glass against her arms while hot tears streamed down her ashen cheeks.


After a moment of hearing the driving rain against the coach she looked up. She was sprawled outside on the wet ground, blood from the cuts on her arms staining her clothes.

A groan of pain filled the air.

"Christine…."

She turned in horror to find Raoul behind her, the carriage crushing his body and crimson blood streaking down his nose and lips.

"Raoul?..." Christine's lips quivered with devastation, seeing her love bleeding away in her eyes.

"My Darling….Don't… cry…. Please…."

She tried to crawl over but the pain inside overwhelmed her strength, making the tears return. A hand closed over hers; looking up it was Raoul's. I weak smile was on his face, but it was soon replaced with a cry of pain.

"I-I know I won't make it….I just want--"

"No! Don't say that! You can get through this! Don't leave me, Raoul! Don't!"

"I love you, Christine…..I always will…"

His breath rasped and heavy sigh then followed. Warmth disappeared from his grip and Christine shrank away in disbelief as his hand fell to the ground.

"Raoul?..."

She knew he was gone, and she was alone again.


P.S.: I would enjoy it if someone woud help edit my work.If you have time and feel up to it inform me.