Chapter 7 Recovery
He had learned the language eventually, and had learned by distant observation all the workings of the Operahouse. He slipped unseen into its offices, in which were stored a vast amount of ballets and Operas. Frustrated by lack of new material, he decided to write his own. He lost himself in music, worshipping it above and beyond everything. He had known how to play the piano and had found, and been allowed to take, an ancient pipe organ kept in a lower storage vault. He had made a life there. He retired now to the lair to work, sealing himself off from the world, not eating, sleeping. He had worked on this particular Opera for many years, it was his most complicated and advanced piece. He needed it now, it was to be his farewell. She had made her choice. He knew she had known he was there on the roof. He stood watching, suffering as she had chosen her perfect, adoring young man. It had wounded him to his soul. "It was hardly a face." The words still squeezed his breath from him.
She was still there at the Operahouse. This he knew from Mme. Meg had known of her mothers relationship with the Phantom, but had never known details. She only knew he looked out for her, her mother and Christine above everyone else in the Opera. With Christine's recent prompting, she finally asked her mother about him. Antoinette decided she was of an age to understand and that she had and absolute need to know. She then took her down to the lair as she knew her inquisitive child might let curiosity get the better of her and attempt it herself. She was also worried about him as he had not contacted her since that night… it had been several weeks.
There were warnings before every trap if you knew what to look for, and she taught her what to look for. They carried baskets of fruit and bread as he was not accustomed to eating much meat--anything that spoiled quickly he did without. Meg imagined he did without many things down here in the depths of the opera house. But she was awed by the sheer beauty of the place. He had his pick of old set pieces in storage, and he had a feel and love for beauty in every form. He was at the organ playing when they arrived, and did not turn around at their voices at the gate. The piece had a strange power of it's own and Meg and her mother stood silently waiting until he turned and with one motion, pulled the lever, opening the gate. He was thin, with deep hollows under his eyes. The crashing cacophony of sound he had been creating also seemed to be consuming him.
He looked at Meg brow creased, then at Mme, "If you have come about Buquet he said, it will not happen again. It was beyond my control when it happened but I will never allow myself to be out of control in that manner again. And I am leaving, he said wryly. "Christine made her choice, I am finishing this last opera-- I wish for it to be performed. That will be my last request from you Antoinette. When I am finished I will be gone."
Mmesighed and brought the baskets up. "Erik, if you are concerned about Buquet, the furor has died down. It seems no one cares much about him being gone at all. The kind of person he was is beside the point however," she said firmly. " I wish you would consider the doctors I have told you of." She turned to help Meg out of the boat. "I have told her everything -- she asked and I decided it was time. We are your friends."
"No doctors!" He softened,looking at Meg."Little Meg." He strode towards them meaning to help them with the baskets but became dizzy as he did and fell promptly to the ground. He awoke to find them gone, but they left a plate of food by his bedside and a note with instructions from Mme.
Please eat and regain your strength, I will not allow you to destroy yourself in this manner. I have talked with the managers and they now understand some about your prior arrangement here, but will not pay your salary until they see the work. This is important and amazing progress Erik, please see it that way. Of course you must stay hidden forsome timeuntil interest from the authorities has died down. Christine is still here. Raoul comes to see her daily, in his 'concern' as she has refused his invitation to take up a guest residence at the De Chagny Manor. I will come to see you soon.
It comforted him to knowChristine was still there close to him, although he knew she would soon, be entirely lost to another. He ate what was on the tray then fell back asleep.
It had been several weeks since the incident and the Operahouse had taken a sort of vacation. Firmin and Andre wanted the shock of the events to fade. Some of the immense staff had left, finally frightened off for good by the Opera Ghost, others quickly took their place, thankful for the opportunity. Life went on. Erik grew stronger but remained immersed in his work. One day he received a note in the baskets that had been left for him. It was from Meg.
