Before I begin chapter 2, I wanted to thank all of you who have reviewed my story. You have no idea how much inspiration all of your reviews give me. I hope that you will enjoy this chapter too. As always, please read, review, and enjoy!
Gerard- Thanks for the review! I really appreciate it. I agree that descriptions are very important to a story. Please keep on reading and reviewing!
Minalana- Nice pen name! I'm always open to new ideas and ways to improve my story. I made the changes you suggested. I hope you enjoy this second chapter!
Chapter 2: Her Name Is Emily
Erik sighed. His mind, it seemed was filled with more thoughts than it could hold. He placed his head in his hands. This whirlwind of thoughts and feelings encircled one person. Emily. Now that he thought about it, it was strange that it had come to this. A few months ago, his world had been engulfed by darkness. Life and time held no meaning for him.
Flashback
Erik slammed his fingers on the keys of the organ. The earsplitting sound echoed through his lair. Even the walls seemed to vibrate.
It was useless. Music no longer held its simple magic for him. He couldn't write operas. He didn't even want to try. The music of the night had died away, leaving only the memory behind.
Erik could still remember her angelic voice, clear and beautiful. It haunted him, whispering to him in the darkness, reminding him of what could have been. Whenever, he closed his eyes, he would see her face, her dark eyes framed by her long lashes, a smile that would make her eyes dance. His angel of music, he knew, would always be there haunting him, never letting him forget the past.
Erik stood up, trying to get his thoughts away from Christine. He fixed himself some tea and sat down on the nearest bench. Why he continued to eat he did not know. Erik no longer wanted to live. He sipped the tea slowly, tasting nothing.
He had loved Christine from the moment he met her. Erik had given her his music, his very soul. When Christine betrayed him, she took both with her. Now, he was an empty shell, not wanting to live but scared to die.
Finishing his tea, he thought vaguely of taking a nap.
" Erik?" A voice called from the gate. He dropped the teacup. It shattered.
"Now you're really losing your mind, my dear Erik," he thought to himself. "You had better take that nap."
"Erik, will you please open the gate?" the voice asked more urgently. It belonged to a woman! Erik spun around, hoping against hope that it was Christine.
Madame Giry peered at him through the gate. She smiled.
"Are you going to let me in?"
"Of-of course," Erik stuttered, caught off guard.
He hastened to open the gate. Did he really expect to see Christine there? Why did he do this to himself?
Erik waded into the lagoon and helped Madame Giry to the bank.
"Why have you come?" he asked quietly.
"Well," said Madame Giry, wringing out her skirt. " I have come to ask you a favor."
Erik gestured for her to sit down. She sank onto the nearest chair.
"And what is that," he asked politely.
"There is this young girl," she began tentatively. "About, say, fifteen. She's coming to the opera house. I've heard her voice, monsieur. She's got some real talent. I was wondering if you could give her lessons."
"What!" Erik exclaimed, aghast. Surely Madame Giry didn't expect him to agree to this! Teach another girl after Christine? He couldn't do it! He just couldn't do it!
Erik tried to hide his anger. " I am afraid, Madame, that I will be unable to accept," he said with forced politeness.
For some reason, Madame Giry smiled.
"Do you remember the first time we met?" she asked carefully. " You were a sideshow in that awful carnival. They called you the "Devil's Child." If I remember correctly," she paused. " It was I who rescued you. Is that not so?"
Erik nodded curtly. What was she getting at?
" I have never asked you for anything in return. Now I am. Will you please teach her, monsieur?"
Erik clenched his hands into fists. He knew there was no way he could reject her offer. She spoke the truth. After all, Madame Giry was an old friend. If she hadn't rescued him, he might still be in the carnival. She alone had befriended him, given him a chance to live.
"I will accept," Erik said heavily.
"Thank you," she replied easily.
Madame Giry got to her feet and made to leave.
"May I ask you something," Erik asked suddenly.
She turned. "Yes?"
"What is the girl's name?"
Madame Giry paused for a moment in thought. "Emily," she replied finally. "Her name is Emily."