Wow I'm in the mood to keep writing yeah for thunderstorms and other things like photos of ghosts to get my creative juices flowing. Ha I love it when things work to my advantage. Plus I now have Easter chocolate to gnaw on so that will really help. Except the kite I tried to fly sucked so I have to putz with it later. Jacqueline is in this chapter and she gets to insult a couple of old characters.
Thanks Serena Fae, for helping me come up with the concept of this chapter. What would become of me if I didn't have the help of my fans?
Chapter 56: Freedom?
Pierre had been studying the door carefully for a couple of minutes and his brain had been clicking the entire time at a way to get it open and get them out of there. "Wait I got an idea. Why didn't I see it before?" he cried running the plan through his head one more time.
"See what before? It's a door, what else is there to see?" Meg snapped growing more irritated every minute.
"Well Meg if you have any bright ideas then I would love to hear them," Erik threatened. Meg fell silent and pouted. "Do continue Pierre."
"Thank you. After careful inspection of the door frame I found that the hinges are on this side of the door. My father usually had his office door locked and on many occasions lost the key, so he pulled out the pins in the hinge and go about his work like always, except he couldn't close the door. If we pull the pins out of these hinges no lock can keep us in here for much longer."
"Now why didn't I think of that?" Erik pondered.
"You were asleep dear," Christine noted.
He climbed over her and went over to stand next to Pierre. He asked to see what Pierre was planning and listened closely as the young man walked him through it.
"We just need to lift out these pins here and that will allow the hinges to come apart. Once the hinges are free we can reach out and undo any of the locks that are on a chain or latch in order to remove the door entirely from the door frame. Once we do that we easily sneak out of this place and go back to the Opera House."
"They'll just come back for us. Plus what's the point if we have no money to support it. The next show isn't ready for the fall season and without this show we can't expect much for the winter one."
"As annoying as your babble is Meg, I hate to admit that you're right on so many levels. If only I didn't have my own cursed vow I would do off with Fletcher this very second," Erik snarled as the Punjab lasso slipped out from his cape and fastened itself around the chair in the corner.
Erik's eyes were like golden torches as he gave a deep menacing laugh and went over breaking a leg off the chair. Christine ran to him and pulled the lasso from his hand and held it behind her.
"Why did you bring this? You said you wouldn't kill again yet you bring along the one thing that caused so much trouble in the past; along with that sword. Erik these things have a hold over you. Get away from that hold, don't let it overpower you," she cried hoping they would reach him. For awhile he only glared at her the chair leg still gripped in his fist. Soon it fell to the floor with a thud and he looked at it hopelessly.
"What have I done? I took my frustration out on a piece of furniture. I've become so overcome with anger and hatred that I destroyed a chair. Am I to remain this hopeless for the rest of my life or will I finally be able to become that which I've always feared; a real man?"
Christine dropped the lasso and took his hand. "Erik, you are a man, but because you hate them so much that you just don't want to believe that you are one of them. But you are. How would I be able to love you if you were but a ghost lurking in the shadows? The only thing you have that they don't have is that someone special to say I love you every morning and mean it."
She saw the gold of his eyes calm and became a light shade of yellow and the look of helplessness on his face became a small smile. "Thank you for pointing that out once again to me. I'm so used to those random outbursts, that once they're over I forget completely who I am."
"So now that you're calmed down can we please finish getting out of here?"
Erik raised an eyebrow at Meg and scowled at her. "If you insist, but because of your annoyance I think I may have to appoint a new head ballerina. You seem to be just a bit to headstrong if you ask me."
Meg glared back at him, but didn't say anything.
"I just need something long and thin to get these pins out. But we don't have much to work with," Pierre said looking through the bags.
"Here," Christine said undoing her hair and letting it fall along her back. "You can use my hair pin. It should be strong enough to pull the pin out."
"Perfect." Pierre went to the door and began working on the first pin. He grunted at the pin for it seemed too have rusted a bit and was stuck within the hinge. With a frustrated cry the pin went flying and hit the floor with a clink. The door heaved under the weight as the hinge coming apart and was dangerously hanging on the locks and the bottom hinge. "Someone grab the door. If it isn't straight I can't get the last pin out!" he shouted.
Erik ran over and placed his back against the door throwing all of his weight into it, so that it stood up perfectly, but the door was made of iron and it was slowly becoming too heavy. Erik grunted as he shifted his shoulders and dug the heel of his shoes into the floor. Lyle rushed over and did the same trying to even out the weight between them.
The bottom pin went sailing across the room and Pierre joined them as the door threatened to fall. "Now Christine I need you to peek out and see if any of the locks need to be detached from the door. Like ones with chains." Pierre said as the three men struggled with the door. "And be quick!"
Christine peered out and saw that three of the locks had chains on them. Quickly she unlatched them and announced that the door was free.
"All right here's what we're going to do. Christine and Meg take hold of both sides of the door and try to keep it up." The girls got into position and held onto the sides. "Good, now Lyle seeing as you're in the middle you'll crawl out first and help on Meg's side. And Erik you join Christine on her side. When the four of you have a good hold I'll move along it and grab onto the top of the door. We have to set this gently on the floor, so as not to arouse attention."
Lyle crawled out and stood next to Meg holding up the side and Erik joined Christine making sure he had more of the weight then she did, so she wouldn't hurt herself. When given the okay Pierre walked with his back along the door and got to the top where he got a firm grip on the iron. "Okay Erik and Lyle spread yourselves out so that you can control it better as it moves towards the floor. Now slowly move it downwards and I'll tell you when to let go."
They slowly lowered the door to the ground. "Okay Christine let go and step back." Christine let go and stepped away. "Now Meg let go and do the same." Meg did as she was told and watched. "Lyle let go and then Erik let go." In order they released their sides and watched as Pierre lowered his side a bit more before it fell with a heavy thud to the floor.
"You did it Pierre. You're a genius!" Lyle exclaimed slapping Pierre on the back.
"I couldn't have done it without all of your help. It seems only right that we all get out of this mess seeing as we all threw ourselves into it to begin with."
"Well there isn't much time to celebrate. We have to go now, "Erik said going back into the room and collecting his things. He threw the lasso back into his cape, placing the mask that was in it back on his face. The sword had been tucked away under the bed and he quickly tied it around his belt.
"I'm surprised they're not coming at the sound. You think they would be here sooner," Christine noted as she gazed into the hallway.
"They're rolling in money and they managed to take something else; the wine. Something tells me they're busy getting drunk," Pierre said as he threw the two blankets and Meg's ballet outfit into his bag.
"But Fletcher won't forget his promise and he only has two hours until he comes looking for me," Erik stated. "He won't pass up the opportunity to see me hang. None of them will."
He pulled his bag over his shoulder then crossed the room to Christine and offered her his hand. She looked up at him gratefully that he would be coming home with her. He pulled her to him and took those few moments to hug her. They were going to make it if he had any say in the matter and nothing was going to stop him from getting Christine home to Lotte and Jacqueline.
xxxxx
Lotte sat upon the stage with Madeline while Jacqueline sat between playing with Le Noir, who had wondered upstairs to find them. Lotte looked sadly into the house hoping that Pierre would come walking through the doors, but they remained closed.
"Don't worry Lotte, they'll come back," Madeline said resting a hand on Lotte's shoulder.
"Quiet Madeline; I don't want to upset Jacqueline."
Madeline nodded and looked down upon the little girl, who now had Le Noir in her lap and petted the cat behind the ear making her purr. Suddenly Le Noir sat up and looked towards the doors. Jacqueline looked up also and saw two men standing in the doorway.
"Granpa, Papa!" she called out as she jumped up and ran down the stairs and into the house.
Lotte jumped up and tried to catch up to her, but Jacqueline was already standing in front of two elder gentlemen dressed in evening wear. "Look mama, it's the two idiots," Jacqueline said pointing at them.
Lotte quickly picked Jacqueline up as the two men exchanged confused glances with one another. "I'm so sorry Monsieur's. I have no idea where she learned that word." "Father was probably thinking out loud again."
"No harm done," the first gentleman said giving her a small bow.
"Can I help you in any way?" Lotte asked as Jacqueline rested against her in her arms.
"Yes, my dear you can. I am Richard Firmin and this is my good friend Gilles Andre. We were the former owners of this Opera House."
"Oh, right my father mentioned you."
"Monsieur Armand? Actually we were hoping to speak with him. We heard that the Opera House has been suffering under its current manager and we wish to speak with him on the idea of us buying it back from him and try again with the Opera business," Andre piped up.
"The Opera House is doing just fine gentlemen. Even if you wanted to fight him for it you're out of luck, because he's not here right now."
"Just our luck; we really wanted to get this place back. When will he be returning?"
"I'm not 100 sure sir. But I will let him know you stopped by."
"There is the perfect example of neglecting responsibility. The fall season is upon the Opera House and the manager isn't here to overlook things. How do you expect to make any money if he isn't even here?"
"He'll be returning soon I assure you gentlemen. There were some things he needed to get for the performance. I will leave a message for him that you came. Good day," Lotte said heading through the house and back on stage.
"Bye idiots!" Jacqueline said sweetly over Lotte's shoulder.
Madeline couldn't hold back her giggles at the child's innocence, but Lotte shot her a nasty glance. They watched the two men leave before Lotte set Jacqueline down and gave out a heavy sigh.
"What did they say they wanted anyway? Who are they?" Madeline asked as Jacqueline sat down once again and took Monk into her arms.
"They're the past owners of the Opera House."
"So, but why did Jacqueline call them idiots?"
"Father calls them that sometimes, but they came, because they want to buy the Opera House from him. Somehow they found out that the Opera House isn't doing so well and think they can do a better job. I highly doubt it though."
"Well your father better come back now or the Opera House will be forced to have a new manager and personally I won't hear of it."
"It's not that simple Madeline. Even if he doesn't come back no one will listen to a bunch of ballet girls. We have no say in the matters of management. We just need to sit back and wait."
xxxxx
Erik led the others down one hallway and then another trying to find a way out, but he was failing horribly and time was running. Coming upon a dead end he leaned his back against the wall and groaned. "I don't know how the hell to get out of here. I think we're going in circles."
Christine came up to him and leaned against him. Her breath was shallow from walking and she was beginning to grow tired. "When will it end?"
Erik had no answer and only shook his head. He brushed a gloved hand against her cheek. "We'll keep trying. There has got to be a way out of here."
Meg leaned against an opposite wall and somehow managed to hit a hidden lever in one of the stone slabs. A door opened behind her and she fell back with a timid cry.
"Meg!" Christine cried as she pulled away from Erik and went to the opening.
Meg was sitting on the floor of a wide tunnel. Erik came and looked. "Now I wonder where this leads to," he said as he stepped over Meg and advanced into the tunnel.
Christine helped Meg to her feet and followed Erik through the darkness with Lyle and Pierre behind them. A light was coming from ahead and Erik hurried towards it thinking they had finally found the way out, but stopped as he came to the end of the tunnel right above a well lit room. Struggling to keep his balance he threw up his arms.
There was a timid gasp from behind him and delicate arms wrapped around his waist pulling him back and allowing him to rest against the wall. Christine fell against him and brushed her lips against his. "That was too close for comfort," she said as she pulled back.
A deep hearty laughter filled the tunnel, but it was coming from below. They looked carefully over the edge to see Fletcher entertaining his men with the wine and the money. At seeing him again Christine trembled remembering everything that had happened to her. She leaned over Erik's shoulder wishing she could just kill off that horrid man.
Erik however wasn't looking to kill anyone, but the fact that the money was spread out all over the floor angered him. That could really boost the Opera House and allow for them to do better productions. But he needed a way to get in there unseen and gather up the money.
It was time to put one of his greatest illusions to work. He stood at his full height and proceeded to project his voice:
"Fletcher I have managed to escape your pitiful prison. If you still wish to destroy me you'll have to try harder at holding me," his voice boomed from outside the room and down a hallway.
Fletcher put his wine glass down and stood up.
"Sir, did you hear that?" Monty asked.
"Yes, something tells me we have a traitor among us." He turned to the man closest to him and punched him in the face. "Let that be a warning to all of you. There will be no traitors allowed within this building. Monty go and check on our guests. I want a full report when you return."
"Yes, sir," Monty said as he stood up and dashed from the room.
"Damn," Erik hissed. "He's too smart. I'll have to try again."
"Give it up Erik. They'll find we're missing soon enough and then this whole place will be in an uproar," Lyle noted.
"I'm not going to give up." Erik studied the room and saw a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. That would work perfectly.
"Fletcher you're a fool to ignore my warning. You have done a terrible job at holding me in a room and now you doubt that I can break free from it. It would probably be best if you go and look for me. I'm never negotiable when I'm angry." Erik watched in triumph at Fletcher and his men, who all were now cowering in fear of the chandelier, which was now chuckling menacingly at them.
"Fletcher; it's horrible. Somehow the prisoners have escaped. The door has been lifted off its hinges and placed next to the doorway. I don't know how they did it or where they are now, but they are no longer in the room," Monty shouted as he ran into the room.
Erik saw Fletcher's eyes flair and pushed everyone back as Fletcher scanned the room. "Well everyone just don't sit there. Spread out and find them. I only want the Phantom and his wife. Kill the others though. They're worth nothing to me."
The men rushed from the room and Erik peered over the side of the tunnel again. Fletcher was the only one left in the room scurrying to pick up the money and stuff it in a bag. Erik gave a hearty laugh and pulled out the Punjab Lasso. Christine noticed it and grabbed his arm.
"What are you doing? You'll be going back on your vow."
The look of evil on Erik's face washed away for a brief instant where he said those three little words, "I love you." She watched in horror as he flung the lasso out into the room and got it around Fletcher's neck. There was a small rafter above him and he threw the rope over it, and then with a leap he grabbed the other end and sailed towards the floor while Fletcher was chocked to death on the other end.
The body hit the rafter and Christine let out a terrified cry as the body spun in the noose and faced her. Erik was enjoying himself and soon let go of the rope letting the body fall to the floor. "You did not heed my warning Monsieur. Hopefully you'll have seen things my way."
"ERIK!" Christine shouted throwing him out of his trance. He looked up into the tunnel to see a bunch of Fletcher's men closing in on her and the others. He positioned himself under the tunnel opening.
"Jump, Christine; I need you to jump." She looked down and after closing her eyes jumped from the opening safely into Erik's arms. He set her down and then called up to Meg to do the same. He caught her just as gracefully. He was about to call to Pierre when he noticed that Pierre was already scaling the side of the wall and climbing down himself.
Lyle and the bags were left. He quickly kicked the bags over then looked down in fear as the men started coming closer to him. "Oh, this is not good," Lyle gulped looking back over his shoulder.
"Lyle jump down I can catch you," Erik called up to him. "Trust me!"
Lyle gulped and jumped. Erik had kept his word and then set him on the ground. Pierre had finished his climb down the wall and was now scurrying to pick up the rest of the money and chuck it in the bag.
Shouts came to them from the tunnel and Erik looked up in triumph that was until shouts came from the open doorway.
"Stop right there Phantom. We still have a promise to the Vicomte to fulfill and we will not fail," Monty shouted. In a blinding flash a rope sailed through the air and managed to catch around Erik's neck. Monty pulled back tightening it. "Ha that was too easy."
"You are just as foolish as Fletcher," Erik laughed.
Monty looked up in shock as Erik stood there with his hand between him and the noose. "How the hell did you block my noose?"
"Keep your hand at the level of your eyes. I honestly thought it was just a joke, but I guess Mme. Giry was right. But now it is time for you to die or regret everything and beg for mercy," Erik threatened pulling the noose from around his neck and unsheathing his sword.
The skull seemed to grin back at Monty, who was now white with fear. He fell to his knees and began to shake. "Please Monsieur forgive me. I have a wife and three children. I only took this job hoping to make some money so I could feed them. I did not agree with Fletcher's ways, but I had no say in the matter. He was completely in charge. Please forgive me."
The anger in Erik's eyes slowly melted away and he lowered his sword. Looking upon his hand he wondered what the hell had happened and what he was doing. He quickly realized that he must have gone off on another one of his furious rants. This was the second time today and he was unsure of what damage he had caused. He looked down at his feet and retched at the sight of Fletcher's body on the floor.
Christine ran to him and rubbed his back gently as the vomit burned his throat and proceeded to hit the floor. When he was sure there was no more he wiped his mouth and let the sword fall to the floor with a clatter. Warmth enveloped him as Christine fell against his side and held him. She was scared and holding him was the only way to keep from getting sick herself. "Erik let's go home. Let's just take what belongs to us and go home."
"Yes, please we will gladly assist you out of here and tell you how to get back to the Opera House," Monty offered standing. "We assure you that we'll never pursue you again, because you have all done us a favor. Fletcher had been planning to keep the money to himself and keep us here to serve him. I have already been away from my family for long enough."
"Pierre bring me the bag," Erik called to the young man.
Pierre hurried over and Erik opened the bag to count out a few bills. "Here take this money and feed your family. To the rest of you do any of you have experience in construction or stage work?" A few of the men raised their hands. "I could always use a few more stagehands."
The men cheered as Christine hugged him. She was so proud of him, yet in his anger he took one last life, but it helped so many people. Plus it felt as if he had done it for her. She still felt pained from that horrific experience and felt herself cling tighter to her husband telling herself that she would never let go of him. All she wanted to know was that he was safe.
Okay wow this was interesting to write. If anyone is really confused I based Erik's rage off the violent rages he got in Susan Kay's novel "The Phantom" In there his violent rages were ones that if anyone intervened they would get hurt. An example from the movie would be the killing of Buquet. Erik felt nothing after that meaning he probably had no idea on what had happened. This entire chapter focused on that and for those of you who read that book or not I hope this chapter is too your liking.
Plus may we have a new threat from Andre and Firmin and how will Erik react to Jacqueline's new word? Join us again next time for the next exciting chapter. But until next time sweet dreams and good night.