Chapter 3: Nighttime Flight
When Lotte got home dinner was waiting for her on the table. Raoul took her jacket and hung it up for her along with her dance bag. Lotte sat down and with her family said grace. She ate slowly looking up at the clock every now and again watching the time tick by. She wondered if she had made a big mistake agreeing to go and live with the Phantom. Looking upon the face of her parents she sketched them into her mind in case she never saw them again. Yet, she didn't know how long she would have to stay with him. But a promise is a promise and she meant to keep it.
"You're eating so slow Lotte. Is something the matter?" Christine asked her.
Lotte focused on reality and rubbed her eyes. "Nothing's wrong. I guess I'm just tired. May I go to bed early mama?"
"Yes, you may. I'll be in a little while to tuck you in."
Lotte got up from the table and went up the stairs and into her room. She pulled back the covers and made them ready to get into bed. Still dressed she climbed in and pulled the covers up to her chin. She flicked back her brown curls and pretended to be going to sleep.
Just as she had promised Christine entered the room and crossed to the bed. "Had a long day didn't you? But you enjoy your classes don't you?"
"Yes mama. I enjoy them very much. But I need my rest for tomorrow."
"Of course. Good night my darling. And pleasant dreams."
"Night mama. I love you."
"I love you too Lotte."
Christine turned out the light and closed the door behind her. Lotte waited for a while, then sprung from her bed and began throwing things into a bag. A picture, clothes, and other important things. The clock soon struck midnight. Lotte looked around her room realizing that she would probably never come back to this place again. Then she crept downstairs avoiding the stair that creaked. She grabbed her jacket and dance bag off the coat rack and slipped out the front door. Outside the wind was picking up and snow was beginning to fall. She went round the house to the alley way and waited unaware that someone was with her.
"Lotte this way," a familiar voice calls to her. Lotte turns around to see the Phantom standing with a black horse. A long sword hung from his belt. "To protect ourselves," he said as if reading her mind.
He took her bag and put it into the saddlebags then lifted Lotte up into the saddle. Once she was situated he pulled a hood over his head and led the horse into the city streets. He looked for the most used streets to hide their footprints. They went up to the back side of the theatre and he helped her off the horse. Lotte could make out a small door and with suitcase in handErik led her and the horse inside.
Along a candle lit hallway he led her till they came to the underground lake. Here he tied the horse off on one of the pegs along the wall and filled a trough with water. Removing the saddle he brushed the horse down and wrapped it in a blanket. Lotte spied a boat sitting on the water. He put her suitcase into the boat then ushered her inside. She looked up at him as he climbed in pulling up a stick and pushed off. They glided along simply until an iron gate blocked their path.
"Sing Lotte. Sing like you did back in the theatre."
Lotte hesitated, but soon began to sing like she had the other day. She had no idea that this song was the same one her mother had sung all those years ago when she was brought down to the lair. SoonErik joined in and the gates lifted. Candlesticks rose out of the water illuminating a dark and spacious cave. Then Lotte spotted the organ. A marvelous piece of work, but how could the sound have been so powerful from all the way down here?
Erikpulled the boat up along the dock and once again helped her to dry land. As he grabbed her bag she took a look around the cavern. Candles were everywhere and figurines of wax decorated the stone walls. She walked up to the bed and ran her hand along the front, which was shaped like a swan. As she felt the sheets a small yawn escaped her lips.
"You must be tired. It is late and I have much to teach you," the Phantom said coming and standing behind her. He picked her up and placed her gently on the bed.
"Thank you sir…"
"Please child. My name is Erik, but you are to call me Father, because this will be your home for a long time. So get used to it."
"What are you going to do with me?"
Erik looked shocked once again. "Did you think I was keeping you here for my own good? My dear child I have stepped away from that path long ago. All I want now is to share my music once again. As long as you stay until I finish there will be no harm done to you. Such a sweet face you have. You will be a star someday. Now go to sleep while I play you a sweet lullaby." He leaned over and kissed her cheek before pulling the curtain cord.
Before he made it to the organ Lotte sat up. "So I'll never see my parents again, Father?" It was so strange calling him father.
"Not until you finish your lessons. All I want from you is to do as you're told and keep hidden. I've managed to hold out my reputation of being silent and secret, so I expect you to do the same. Understood?"
"Yes, Father," Lotte said quietly laying her head down.
Erik went over to the organ and began to play softly. The melody of the song soon made Lotte's eyes drop and she drifted off to sleep as her new guardian watched over her.