Forget Me Not: Chapter 14
I just uploaded chapter 13, so I might as well start 14 while the content is fresh in my mind.
I do not own Phantom of the Opera. Working on Plan B to steal Ayesha. Plan not going very well.
I've decided to make this an RM, by the way. Or at least Meg unrequited, where Meg loves Raoul but he doesn't feel that way. Just so you know, there will be evidence of that in this chapter.
Two updates in one day! I'm good.
When Madeline Giry got to the shore of the underground lake, she felt that nothing could have prepared her for the sight before her.
Nadir Khan, a man she knew to be a friend of Erik's from his past, was pointing a finger at him, screaming about something or other, his face beet red. Erik was giving him a guilty, yet slightly amused stare. He turned his head at her.
"Madeline," he greeted, softly nodding.
"Monsieur Khan?" Madeline asked, hoping for an explanation.
"He…! He…!"
She gave him a look, fighting back a smile. He was over excited about something, and Erik himself seemed to be suppressing a laugh. Her smile disappeared, however, when Nadir was finally able to complete his sentence.
"He SLEPT with her!" he cried out, pointing an accusing finger at Erik. Madeline stopped smiling.
"You…what?"
"He slept with Mademoiselle Daae!" Nadir continued, as Madeline approached Erik.
"Madeline…" Erik began, shifting uncomfortably. He was cut off, however, by Madame Giry's hand slapping the unmasked side of his face.
"How could you?" Madeline cried, as Erik rubbed at his cheek.
"She's left her husband!" Erik protested, nearly spitting out the last word.
"Yes," She cried, placing her sore hand on her hip. "I'm quite aware! He came to me, begging me to tell him where she was!"
Erik stared at her, his eyes wide.
"You didn't say anything," his tone was low, cold.
"I didn't say anything," she assured him. "I didn't think you'd be helping her break her marriage vows!"
"She left him!"
"A note means nothing, Erik!" Madeline cried, her thick French accent rising above and overpowering his soft, almost angelic chords. She had never been able to beat him like this before. She rather liked it. "Adulteress is a title that will follow her to the grave! She won't be able to walk into a room without people whispering and staring!" Madeline placed a hand to her forehead. "My God, what have you done?"
"That's enough, Madeline," Erik cried, regaining power. "No one has to know. And she never has to go back!"
"Allah have mercy…" Nadir moaned.
"Oh, do be quiet, Nadir!" Erik snapped. "You two are blowing this completely out of proportion…it's not like I raped her! She came to me of her own will!"
Madeline and Nadir stared at him.
"You don't understand, she's a woman constantly in the public, she'll be the subject of everyone's gossip! Do you really want that life for her?"
Erik stared at the woman before him. If she was anyone else, she would have paid for her impertinence. But he had never killed a woman, and he didn't plan to. Especially not Madeline. He simply shook his head.
"What's done is done," he sighed, stepping towards the boat. "And no one needs to know."
"Don't you want her ring?" Nadir called after him. Erik reached into his cloak and pulled out the small packet.
"I got it while you were screaming. Honestly, Nadir, you must take better care of things you don't want to lose."
Nadir gaped at him, then checked his cloak. His purse was gone.
Madame Giry must have been lying, because there was nowhere else for Christine to go. Women do not vanish into thin air, that much was certain. She knew where she was, and she was going to tell him.
He walked up the same cobblestone path, the birds singing their morning song. He used to love the morning, waking up, listening to the birds, then getting to work. Morning meant a new day. But without Christine, he found his concentration wearing thin, and he couldn't focus on anything but bringing his wife home. He gave two sharp knocks, then stood, waiting. He was greeted by Meg Giry, who turned a bright red.
"Victome," she said, giving a small bow. Raoul forced a chuckle.
"Once again, Mademoiselle Giry, there is no need for such formalities…is your mother at home?"
"No, she…" Meg paused. "Went to see a friend." She finished finally. Raoul sighed.
"I see…"
"She won't be gone long!" Meg cried. "Would you like to come inside and wait?"
Meg placed a teacup in front of him, making sure to smile. He was so handsome…she could see why Christine was so in love with him…or at least, used to be.
"So," Meg said finally, trying to make conversation. "Why do you need to talk to maman? Is there anything that I can help you with?"
"Not unless you know where Monsieur Erik lives," Raoul replied, a look of sheer contempt on his face.
"I will tell you where he lives, Meg, but only so you never go there!"
"I swear, maman, I won't!"
No. She couldn't betray her friend! She couldn't. She'd made her choice. She was happy, wasn't she?
But he'd made her cry so miserably…Raoul would never make her cry like that…
She looked at the man before her. She wanted him to be happy, above all else.
"I'll take you there, monsieur."
She was drowning! There was no way out! She was going insane! She was going to die!
She couldn't bare the pain. She had to get it over with soon…
Erik unlocked the door, the giant bundle in his arms. His stomach churned as he took in his surroundings.
Vomit was on the floor, and near it, his Christine.
A bloody mark was on her forehead.
And, that's called a chapter done in a rush. I think that took me…an hour, maybe? I don't know. Enjoy.