A New Pupil

The Phantom of the Opera belongs to Gaston Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Erik is the phantom's name from the original novel by Leroux. Melody is a character that I "made up" for the story.

I hope you like it )

Chapter 3

"Christine..." said a familiar voice.

Immediatly, her head shot up. "What? Where are you?" She got up and looked around.

She clentched her fist and ran upstairs to Melody's room. "Melody...tell me now. Who do you sing to! Who?" She grabbed Melody's arms. "Who?" Tears were flowing down both of their cheeks.

"I don't know his name!" She shouted.

"Oh my God...oh my God..." Christine let go of Melody's arms and sat back. Her stomach was turning so violently, she thought that she would throw up at any moment.

"Mother! Why? What is the matter?" Melody yelped.

Christine didn't have a reply at first, but then shouted. "You must never, talk or sing to this man, ever again. Do you hear me? Never."

Melody just nodded her head. Christine got up and went towards the door. She was dizzy and nearly tripped.

"Mother? What is wrong? What is the matter!" Melody screeched as she got up to go near her mother. Christine grabbed Melody's hand, and she pulled her downstairs.

"Melody, Melody, Melody. This man...I knew him when I was your age..." she said nervous and sobbing.

Melody looked really confused.

"I thought that I would never have to say anything to you, or think about him again, but he is always in my thoughs. He will always be there!" Christine took a box down from off the fireplace. "He gave me this many years ago." She opened the box, and revealed a dryed up rose, with a black ribbon. Melody brought out her hand, and stroked the black ribbon. She didn't say anything. "He is the man who taught me to sing, and made me the lead singer."

Melody was puzzled, "What about daddy? Why didn't you marry this man?"

Christine turned pale again. "Why? Why didn't I marry him? He was insane! He murdered, and he didn't even care! Melody, I loved him, but in a different way. I could never have stayed with him. He was a mad genius!"

Melody looked as if she were about to fall over. She had no idea about the man, exept that he had a wonderful voice, and began teaching her how to sing. Christine put the rose back in the box, and quickly shut the lid. She took a deep breath, and put her hand on Melody's shoulder.

"You must never sing to this man again." Christine wiped off Melody's tears, and then her own. Christine looked around the room, as Melody's eyes were fixed on the box.

She lifted her head, and calmly said, "Yes, mother." She gave a faint smile to her mother, and Christine did the same. Christine put the box back on top of the mantel on the fireplace.

"Run along now Melody. And forget the man." Melody ran to the steps. She looked back at her mother and sluggishly made her way to her room. Suddenly the phone rang. Christine reacted as if it were something else and jumped in shock. She then ran to the phone and picked it up.

"Christine? Is everything okay?" Raoul asked.

"Raoul..." Christine stuttered, "I told Melody...I told her about Erik. I had to! It was defiantly him Raoul! It was him! I heard his voice! He called my name!"

There was a pause. Raoul spit out "Oh my God..."

"It's true Raoul! He has come back! And for our daughter. Raoul, please come back! I don't know what to do!"

"I will be back around noon tomorrow. Darling, keep a close eye on Melody."

"I am, I am. She knows, and I don't know if she cares!"

"Calm down Christine..."

Christine paused and took a deep breath. She heard someone say a word behind her, but she could not make it out. She turned around and looked around the room.

"Christine?"

"Oh Raoul...I need you here."

"I will. Tomorrow at noon. Please go and relax. I love you, and good night."

Christine hung up the phone without even saying good bye. She was so paranoid that Erik will do something. She boiled herself a cup of tea, and stood infront of the window, and watched the beautiful sun set. She ment to lean against the wall, but she leaned against some other figure, that had also put a cold, dry hand onto her shoulder. She dropped the tea to the ground, and screamed. Melody came running down the stairs. "Mother? What is wrong!" Christine looked at Melody with a blank expression, and just stood there.

"Go upstairs, and lock yourself in your room...turn on all the lights" Melody ran upstairs and did as her mother said. Christine felt as if she couldn't breathe, and she fainted. But instead of landing on the hard, wooden floors, she landed into the soft warm arms of Erik. He carried her up to her room and placed her on the bed. Christine woke up a short time later.

"What happened...why am I here?" she gasped, as she rose to her feet. She tried walking to the door, but became dizzy, and fell into Erik's arms once again. "Let me go!" she struggled out of his arms. He began singing a familiar lullaby tune, as she quickly calmed down. She completely stopped struggling, and just layed there in his arms.

"You're safe. I won't ever harm you." She sort of smiled after she had heard those words. She was almost thrilled to hear his voice once again. "Love me, Christine." Erik blurted.

Christine didn't know what to say at first. She didn't want to anger him, or make him believe that she really chose the wrong man. A tear ran down her face. "Erik...I'm sorry...I'm with Raoul." Christine sighed. He sat her down on the bed.

"Is this what you came to tell me? What about Melody?" Christine stuttered.

"I heard that your daughter needed me to teach her to sing. Just like her mother."

Christine shook her head. "No, Erik...No." she said trying to hold back tears.

He tried to give a smile to her, but it turned out like a frown. Then Christine watched as he slowly walked down the stairs. She got up, and stood in the doorway. She saw him until he disappeared by the door to the garden.

"Oh my goodness..." Christine mumbled to herself. How could he have left that easily? What will he do now? She rushed downstairs, and looked outside the garden door, but did not see him. She went back up and knocked on Melody's door.

"Melody? It's your mother. Please let me in" Seconds later, she opened the door with tears running down her face. Christine went in and kneeled to her level, and gave her a hug. Melody was upset and confused. "I'll never let you go...I promise." Melody was kind of struggling so Christine let her go and grabbed her hands. "Get ready for bed. Your father will be home tomorrow at around noon." Melody nodded her head, and Christine left. She started walking down the hall. She sighed, "Oh Erik..." and went in her room, and closed the door.