Help Me Say Goodbye

Notes: I would like to thank all who have reviewed so far; you all are great. I also would like to forewarn that I will be gone through the week of the 3rd to the 10th. Anyways enjoy! All characters, except Charlotte and Lionel, belong to author Gauston Leroux.


Christine's somber reflection stared back distantly from the mirror of her vanity, black shourding her porcelain visage.

It had been a month since the accident. When the authorities had finally found them, she felt as though her very soul had been sucked away. She still remembered holding herself as the rain began to grow cold, still trying to fight away the pain.

And now, today she would have to say goodbye. The funeral was being held at the catherdral and many of Raoul's family friends would be attending as well as what little of his family still survived, if any were left. But Christine couldn't help but feel alone, she had no one left here and felt as though she had nothing anymore.

"How can I go there?" she asked herself, tracing the black veil that hung about her face as tears began to burn through her vision. "I don't want to hurt anymore...I never wanted to go through this again"

Christine's heart wrenched as the old feeling of loneliness returned. Crossing her arms on the surface of vanity, she buried her face into them and softly began to sob.

"Christine?... Dear?"

Charloette's kind voice called Christine back from her misery, making her raise her head.

"I'm sorry but I'm here to remind you that the funeral service is going to begin in three hours" Charlotte's silver-haired head peeked cautiously through the now cracked door. Her green eyes gazed with sympathy towards Christine as she saw the pain begin to emerge.

"I brought you something that might help, Dear," she comforted as she entered the room and pulled a chair up near the vanity. Rummaging through her apron, she finally pulled out a letter and handed it to Christine.

"I believe it came from a Madame Giry in Paris. An old friend I suppose?"

Christine nodded as she wiped away a stray tear.

"She was my foster mother when my father passed away. I lived with her and her daughter until last year,"she replied softly. Charlotte nodded with understanding.

As wonder began to creep in, Christine started to open the enevelope; she craved to hear words of comfort from an old friend. She ran her eyes over the note as she unfolded it.

"Dear Christine,

Meg and I have heard of your terrible ordeal and we send our best regards to you.

I hope your wounds heal someday; you've had to go through too much heartache in one lifetime.

If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, you are welcome to visit our new home. The address is enclosed on the back.

Take care

Love, Meg and Madame Giry"

Christine smiled somewhat as she folded the letter and placed it on the vanity's surface.

"They sound like kind people," Charlotte said with as she stood up. The old woman then began to make the bed. "Perphaps it would do your heart good if you visited them. We can head out tommorrow"

Christine peered back into the mirror at her sad image. The fear of loneliness returned as she as thoughts of isolation materilaized. How could she face everyone at the service when she had no one to help support her burden?

She couldn't take it. She had to run.

"I'm not going," she softly stated. Rising from her seat she quickly began packed some clothes in a small case. Charlotte raised her head from her task in surprise.

"What?"

"I can't handle this...It's too much here," Christine replied as she closed her pack. "I have nothing here. Everyday I spend here grows more heavy...I have to leave"

Charlotte rushed over to Christine. She looked at her with worry.

"I know it's hard, dear, but you can't run away now. I'm sure you're just scared. You have the service--"

"Charlotte!...I can't...I have no one left...," Christine's voice broke into short gasps as she began to cry, knees falling to the floor,"all I have is Madame Giry, Meg, and you...How can I go to place where all they will show me is pity? I can't stay here..."

Cries of sorrow filled the room for a few minutes before Charlotte softly embraced Christine's shaking frame.

"I understand..."

Christine saw tears form in Charlotte's green eyes. They held a similar sadness.

"I'll tell Jacque to fetch the coach..." the maid whispered sadly as she rose and left the room.

Christine sniffled softly, looking around the room one last time. Clutching Raoul's remaining cloak, she held it to her bosom and rose up before wrapping it around her shoulders.

God forgive me...


It was late when they arrived in Paris. Charlotte was asleep, wrapped warmly in her homemade shawl. Meanwhile, Christine looked about the lit streets while remembering her childhood. It was still hard to grasp the fact that she had broken her own promise.

"We've arrived," Jacque informed as the horses halted in front of a small mansion.Climbingivy grew across it'sgray stone walls and a light could be seen through the top window, a sign of activity.The gates immediately opened as a young boy with golden curls approached the coach, still somewhat half asleep.

"Bonsoir," he yawned as he rubbed his amber eyes. "What business do you have...Can you not see it's late?"

"Lionel!"

The startled boy turned realizing he was in hot water. He bowed his head as a familar figure apporoached.

"You know it's rude to question a guest. Now go back to bed or else I will consider putting off your lessons for the next week"

Christine straightened up as she recognized the woman's voice.

"Madame Giry?..."

Sure enough, it was her. Her blonde hair seemed more dull in the light of the street lamps and her blue eyes had grown more weary. It seemed as though much had changed in only a year. Shestiffened up in her night robes and gazed at Christine is astonishment.

"Miss Daae?"


"So you want to move in with us?"

Madame Giry looked over at Christine from her armchair. The fire glowed softly within the room and gave it a warmth.

"Yes...Charlotte and I decided to move out of the chateau"

A sigh escaped from the middle-aged woman as she shifted in herseat. She seemed deep in thought.

"I guess we have space. You can stay with Lionel and Meg while Charlotte can take the extra room," she answered after rubbing her temples. "Lionel will guide youto your rooms"

"Yes Auntie," the young boy huffed with a tinge of defiance before turning his back. As he made his way up the stairs he turned toward the two of them. "Well...Follow me"

Charlotte chuckled slightly with amusement as she rose from the sofa. "It looks as though he'll be a stubborn one to work with"

Madame Giry smirked quickly at the old maids remark while Christine gathered her things.

Christine wearily climbed the stairs, the trip taking it's toll. Before disappearing into the hall after Lionel and Charlotte, Madame Giry looked up at her with worry. "Christine...You know you will have to go back someday"

Christine clutched Raoul's cloak as she looked down in guilt.

"I know..."