In Planning
In the dark recesses under the Opera Populaire, a single torch illuminated the stone walls as Antoinette Giry carefully made her way towards the underground lake. Christine's hopefulness upon her return to the boarding house had been obvious, yet Antoinette could not help but feel wary of what was to come. Erik had been alone in his misery and madness far too long, and Christine was still but a child in many ways, despite her recent maturity.
Antoinette had endeavored to keep them apart for precisely this reason, but that was not to be. All she could hope to do now was ease their reunion in whatever way she could. She had helped Erik in countless little ways over the years, but none so vital as this. She had done his bidding in moderation, mostly as a messenger in his haunting, extortion and schemes. She had feared his darker nature, his moral ambiguity and terrible temper. Antoinette was still uncertain whether Christine was strong enough to take on the responsibility of standing beside Erik, but it was clear that she was, perhaps, the only person who ever could.
But could Erik forsake the Phantom to become a man for Christine? Antoinette had to know what he was planning now. She would do all that she could to aid him in this…she owed it to him, and to Christine. Her own foolishness years ago had set this all in motion, and she was determined to make amends for it now. Antoinette would do whatever was necessary to finally give Erik the life that had been denied to him for so long.
She had felt a certain sense of dread at finding his chamber in the north tunnel empty, and had proceeded down to his former lair. Certainly, he should have been alerted to her presence by now, yet there was no sign of him. Antoinette could not imagine that Erik would have ventured out of the tunnels in broad daylight, though she suspected that he had taken to traveling the Paris streets at night, chancing discovery. Though the authorities had moved their attention to more pressing issues in recent weeks and the strange case of the Phantom of the Opera was all but officially closed, one misstep by Erik would bring them all back down upon him again. Such a thing would devastate Christine.
Making her way to the end of the passageway, she called out for him. "Erik? Erik, are you here?" There was no answer at first, and she stepped into the connecting chamber, surprised to find Erik sitting on the landing in front of the bed, bent over with head in hands. She had not seen him look so defeated since she had first discovered him after the fire. She grew uneasy at his obvious despair, thinking how contrary it was from Christine's happiness. "Erik? What has happened?"
He raised his head slowly, and for a moment, stared blankly at her until his face seemed to clear slightly. "Antoinette. Why are you here?" Suddenly a look of panic crossed his features and he stood quickly. "Is it Christine? Has she not returned safely?"
Antoinette shook her head and replied quickly, "Christine is fine. I left her looking happy and in love…but it seems you do not share her contentment."
Erik turned away to avoid the woman's accusing stare. He dragged a hand through his hair. "What has she told you?"
Antoinette eyed his back, seeing the tension in every line of his posture. "Only that you have found your way back to one another, and that you intend to leave Paris. I came here to ask what you need of me."
Erik seemed to collect himself then, his shoulders rose and fell with the deep breath he drew, and he turned back to her with determined purpose. "I will need a coach and horses. It is the most inconspicuous means of travel for us. I know you have connections..."
She nodded, "I do. You will have what you need, Erik. May I ask you where you are thinking of going?"
Erik leveled his gaze on her, debating a moment the extent to which he should trust her. He had not forgotten her betrayal of him on the night of the fire, but he knew Antoinette had only acted in fear for Christine. It had been forgiven, and Erik chose to trust Madame Giry with his plans. "Calais. Although we will only go as far as Chantilly by coach, I think. The railway station there should provide a more discreet boarding. We will try to book passage in Calais to Dover. England should be safe enough for the time being."
Antoinette nodded again, her sharp mind already working out details. "I have contacts which might secure you tickets for the train."
Erik smiled slightly, "Thank you, Antoinette."
She raised a brow and speared him with a reproachful look. "You are welcome, Erik. Now tell me why you are not happier to finally have all that you have wanted."
His expression grew suddenly dark, his tone hardening, "I did not want this, Madame! Christine deserves better than to be forced away from all she has known...all she loves."
Antoinette shook her head sharply. "She loves you, Erik." The tone of her words conveyed an unveiled reprimand, and Erik's self contempt drained away.
His voice softened to a hoarse whisper, "And I love her, but what has my love cost her?"
She narrowed her eyes as her motherly instincts took over, "Erik! Your self pity will be of no use to Christine! If you cannot begin your life together with hope, then what future will you have?" Her voice softened and her lips turned up just a little. "She has chosen a life with you, Erik, but you must choose that life as well. If you love her as you say, then you will embrace what the two of you have made between you."
At her careful phrasing, Erik's eyes locked on hers. She cannot possibly know, he thought. Yet somehow, he suspected that Antoinette Giry had more ways of knowing things than even he. Erik drew in a deep breath and nodded obediently. "You will...speak with your contacts. Tell Christine I will come to her tonight so that we may discuss our plans further."
"I will, Erik." Antoinette hesitated a moment before adding. "I...know of a vicar who has a very small church just to the south of Chantilly. I know him to be very discreet, should you desire his...services."
Erik stared at her stunned. A vicar? A church? Christine as his…wife?
He cleared his throat, "I...will…speak with Christine."
She nodded in approval. "Very well."
As she turned to go, Erik stopped her, "Antoinette..." She turned to look back at him and her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the almost hesitant smile upon his face as he spoke, "Thank you, for everything."
She nodded and returned his smile. "You are most welcome. Please be certain to keep yourself safe tonight, Erik."
He chuckled a little, "As always, Madame."
Antoinette nodded to him again and made her way back through the chamber to begin her ascent to the streets above. Left alone once more, Erik glanced around the remnants of his once opulent lair. He had spent so many years here in his playground, lost in the music that had echoed from the Opera above. Love and betrayal, life and death, pleasure and pain had all sounded off these walls. And now only silence. The music had faded away by his own hand, and he knew that he too must fade away. The Phantom was truly dead, buried here in the dark, broken remains of the Opera.
It was time for Erik to begin his life.
A/N: I know…short chapter, but necessary for exposition. Fluff will be coming up next.