Thank you all so much for all the positive reviews and being specific on your thoughts and opinions (it really helps the writing process) Anyway, enjoy the latest chapter and I'm sure I'll hear from you all really soon!
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"You had better start thinking about what is best for yourself…and what is best for that 'precious angel' of yours Christine."
The threatening tone made Christine shiver and she now wondered why Raoul was so suddenly slinging to the inside of his jacket pocket.
"Raoul what are you speaking of?"
He looked up at her frightful facial appearance then and Christine noticed that he was smiling something dark and twisted beneath his own handsome features. "Even Phantoms aren't immortal Christine…"
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The shady passageways that had become so recognizable to her were now confusing and leery. Typically the expedition wouldn't have been so elongated as it was…then again perhaps it wasn't taking any longer than usual, perchance it was just her intense imagination that was making it feel that way. And maybe it was the same element that was causing her to rush down here so quickly, she could no longer deny her intuition however and therefore plunged into that strange and seductive darkness once more.
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" Raoul...you can't possibly mean-"
"Christine I made a promise to myself that I would protect you at any and all costs." He confirmed in a softer tone. "And through I've never taken a life before I would gladly do so now if it predestined that you would be out of harm's way."
The shock and horror that laced Christine's pale frame could not be denied. "Get away from me." Shakily she reached out for the wall behind her, longing for any kind of steadiness. "I never asked for your protection Raoul. And though I know you would willingly give it to me, it is far from necessary. So just stay away from me from now on." She whispered as she gradually began moving away from him.
"Christine wait!" Called out the Viscount as she made out for a full out sprint towards her dressing room. Something in his eyes had made her frightened beyond words for her tutor and friend...and something about the manner in which he had spoken himself to her made her all the more aware that he might in fact place some sort of impairment upon him.
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So now Christine called out in the everlasting night for her angel as she began to fear the worst from her old friend. What if he already had a plan in mind? He has lots of recourses, my God what if hires someone to pursue Erik ? Surly he would find his home? What then? Something told her in her heart that all the begging in the world couldn't permit Raoul for whatever it was he intended to do...
"Erik!" She called out once more and afterwards she briefly allowed the stir of the echoes to bounce from her throbbing heart. "Erik! Erik are you here?" She looked about wildly before proceeding deeper into the halls of the subversive retreat. A deep sense of relief found her when she reached the lake and witnessed her Erik playing his organ in an relentless fashion.
"Erik!" She screamed as she recognized him through the shadows.
At the sound of her voice the music ended immediately, and the lair grew strangely quiet. Before she even realized what was happening she felt a presents by her side encasing his eerie arms around her quivering shoulders.
"Christine? What is it? What had injured you so?" He begged as she buried herself in his embrace and began sobbing.
"Oh Erik!" Was all she could manage before her cries took over her verbal skills entirely.
"Come with me my dear. You are safe now, it's alright." He continued to whisper sweet words of reassurance into her ear as he led them to his residence on the other side of the lake, desperate to contain the many cries that punctured her voice.
Before Christine realized any time had passed they were securely ashore and she was being led to the area that served as a dinning hall to diminish her hysterics.
"Christine...please don't cry I can't bare the sight." Said Erik in a sympathetic tone. "Tell me I beg of you, what troubles you so?" The tears that were now streaming down her face were stopped when his forefinger and thumb forced them to meet their demise halfway down her cheeks.
"Oh Erik! He intents...to hurt you! He thinks you are of some sort of hazard to me and in his own mind he believes he has some right to shelter me from it..."
"Christine who is this fool you speak of?" He replied sternly, although he already had a suspected answer.
"My childhood friend Raoul...he's always been protective of me…even when we played games as children he always yearned to shield me from our imaginary monsters… When I rejected his advances he just grew more paranoid at leering dangers I suppose..."
Erik who had now by this point risen abruptly from the table was now clenching his fists as he turned his back to Christine to prevent her from seeing his rage. Thoughts of killing this young boy flew through his mind. How dare that fop think that he could possibly be capable of hurting Christine! That shallow insect would meet his maker if he didn't learn to keep his mouth shut! To say such things to Christine that would upset her so deserved more than death...oh the horrifying things he could do to that reckless imbecile…!
Erik closed his eyes in thought and suddenly recalled his promise to Christine. The contemplation of such a simple yet grueling task made him remember his seraph's presents. He turned to her once more and smiled gently at her in a genuine effort of relieving her of her sorrows.
"You do not need to worry for me my darling. These tedious acts of intimidation cannot hurt me...they cannot hurt you...or the music we make together." At this point he was circling her, eagerly reaching out for any words that would allow a smile to grow on her face. The mention of music seemed to do this well enough for she smirked slightly at him and replied in a playful manner:
"My concern for your welfare Monsieur is not something that should be toyed with."
"Is that so?" He replied stopping to stand in front of her with a firm grin on his lips. "And why is that Mademoiselle?" He asked with an unnecessary formality.
"Because," She started as she now began circling him. "If I am the muse that you claim me to be, then perhaps I shall just go away and never return-"
Before she had the opportunity to finish her empty threat Erik stopped her game and pulled him close to his side.
"…and then I would die from heartache." He whispered sadly.
"Oh Erik," She said pulling him into an embrace. The instant of serene silence entwined them both in a blissful, idyllic moment that didn't last nearly as long as it should have before the sound of a throat clearing itself managed to awake them from their stupor.
"Well it would appear that I have another visitor." Erik stated with an air of annoyance.
"Madam Giry." Christine breathed as she approached her mother-like figure.
"What are doing here?" Erik snapped before the women had the opportunity of converse.
The older woman held her tongue at the rude comment but sent a glare in his direction that prevented him from saying any more on the subject of her intrusion.
"I am afraid I have some rather troubling news that I need to discuss with you." She said gesturing towards the young man now sitting by his organ in stern observation. A moment of silence went by while the more mature woman looked back and forth from the couple.
"Well if you are going to say something Madam than say it. Mademoiselle Daae and I no longer hold any secrets do we?" He said faintly smiling in her direction. She merely responded with a small smile in return and the two pairs of eyes met briefly before returning their attention to Madam Giry.
"I have received a somewhat disturbing letter today from what I suspect to be a very misinformed Commissaire en chef de police."
The alarmed look on the faces of the receiving group of this information could be easily recognized.
"Well then, what is it?" Snapped Erik again at the loss of his patience.
Madam Giry glared at him with a unspoken look of warning in her eyes before taking a small envelope from her dress pocket and opening it. Christine moved closer to the older woman and wrapped her arms around herself in a nervous nature while Erik remained several paces away from the relatable party.
Send to care of one Madam Antoinette Giry-
Dear Madam Giry,
I have been informed by an anonymous source that a rather unstable man has been causing a relatively large amount of aggravation for the Opera Populaire. With this brought to my attention and with the recent murder of Joseph Buquet my department has begun a formal investigation surrounding the infamous "Ghost" which as been described as viciously sadistic.
More so however is the regards as to your own involvement in this spectacle. I have also been told that it is you who receives the letters of the "Ghost" and delivers his salary. Let me inform you Madam that uncompromising action will be taken against you should you continue with this charade. Detectives will be visiting to question you formally. But be aware that your association with this villain will be duly noted and taken into account when managing this case.
I thank you in advance for your aid.
Greatest regards,
Commissaire en chef de police de Paris Aubert Bartlett.
The fearful silence the echoed inside the desolate room was louder than words could express. The letter was put away and great sighs of panic could be heard by the young soprano.
"What are we to do?" She asked timidly to no one in particular. Madam Giry wrapped a loving arm around the young girl and smoothed back a rebellious strand of hair, allowing her mere presents to calm the girl.
"We shall have to devise a plan." Stated Erik soberly. "We can not have them finding my home now can we?" He asked deviously. "We shall simply convince them that the trouble they speak of no longer exists…I shall have to remain unspoken from the theater's occupants for a brief time…"
Both women looked at each other in a skeptic manner "Erik, do you realize what this will require?" Asked Madam Giry stepping forward slightly. "You shall have to make yourself invisible. No jokes, pranks, letters, you shall even have to give up your monthly salaries until the pressure wears off and the media gets notion of something more exciting."
"It can not be that complicated-"
"Don't you understand Erik?" Christine asked from her place in the corner. "This means that you truly have to become a ghost. If anyone catches your presents down here-"
"This also means that you can not visit him anymore my dear." Madam Giry spoke softly at this point.
"What are you talking about? That's not a necessary gesture-"
"If heaven forbid someone where to follow her down her you would be ruined Erik! If by some chance she were to lose herself again in your music and disappear for even more than a few hours it would look suspicious!"
"Those are a lot of 'if's' Madam." Erik said through gritted teeth.
"She is right Erik." Christine said speaking solemnly. She sat herself upon a near by chair while Erik rushed to her side, the misery evident in his misty eyes.
"No Christine no! If we are careful enough you can still come here! As often as you like you can come and visit your poor Erik…" On one knee he stood at this point in front of her, silently begging her to change her mind on the subject.
"She is right Erik." She stated still not looking up at his heartbreaking face. "If they have pieced together that Madam Giry is conspiring with you then they will believe I am as well…I will no longer have privacy in the theater…if we are together they will find us-"
"No!"
"Erik, stop and think for a moment! Not only is your safety at risk but Christine's is as well!"
The words made Erik stop his tantrum and rise to eye level with Madam Giry who was looking deprived of a decent night's sleep herself.
Erik sighed sadly knowing he had been defeated. He turned to Christine who had just risen and took her hand into his own. "I shall miss you." He whispered into her ear.
"…And I you." She replied with equal sadness.
"I am afraid we must return. Both of us have been gone far too long." She said gesturing towards the tear-streaked Christine.
Christine took her hand hesitantly but willing and was led off into the exiting passageways. Her eyes never leaving her angels…her Erik's…until the dark consumed any vision available and her tears gave way once more.
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