Thanks to all of my reviewers for Chap. 7 & 8:
Moonjava: Thanks! I'm really glad you're enjoying the story. :)
Final-Threshold: How dare you call me a poo face! LOL, I'm just joking! Actually, when I read that review it cracked me up. Hehe, I'm glad you are enjoying the story! You are such an awesome reviewer!
aragornlover: Actually, yes, I kind of wanted to do something like that from Kay's version. I was going to do that actually, but I didn't think anyone would like it. But now that you suggested it I might just put that in there. ;) Thanks for the review!
Vicangel: Thanks so much! I hope you enjoyed Chapters 7 and 8. :)
Jinxed4Ever: Thanks so much, I'm really glad you like it so far! And yeah, I had an awesome time at camp, although sometimes I came home bored and depressed, lol. We actually did a performance on Friday and it was totally awesome. I was Peter Pan. My friend Alice was Tinkerbell and Captain Hook, and she was so hilarious! She made Captain Hook ghetto and Tinkerbell a total blonde. It was hilarious!
Nixieharpist: I know, I hate getting up early for camp! Gawsh, it feels like you are getting up and ready to go to school. It's like, Hello? It's summer time! Hey, did you like your camp? Oh yes, and thank you so much for the review! I'm glad you like the story so far!
erik'sangel527: I am always looking forward to a review from you! You are such a great reviewer and you really make me want to keep on writing! The bloody thing she saw was a ghost, but I don't think I explained it that well, lol. And yeah, Erik is going pretty insane. And don't worry, I'm trying to keep my updates at least only 3 to 4 days apart. YAY! I display a nice insane Erik! That's so sweet! hugs :)
ReverberatingSilence: Thanks so much for the review! Yeah, Christine was in a mess of trouble. Luckily Erik didn't go too hard on her, right:)
Tryptonphan: I just have to say, that I loved your review. I am so happy that you agree with how Erik is in this story. Sometimes I read some E/C stories and Erik is always so sweet and stuff. Sure, I like them, but I think it would be more believable if he was a little bit insane, like he was in Kay's version. And yes, I actaully did get my inspiration from Beauty and the Beast. I just watched it a few days ago, gawsh I love that movie. And yes, I agree that my characters were really confusing in the beginning. Hope it's better now! And good luck at camp! I enjoyed reading this review, I hope I can read more soon:)
Lords of Insanity: LOL, I know the spider thing was disgusting! Just thought I could squeeze something like that in there, lol. Thanks for the review, I'm glad you like the story so far!
Sapphire Tearz: LOL, yeah, I wouldn't of just ran out of the room. I'd probably be running to the bathroom, lol. Thanks for the review, I'm glad you like the story!
speechdisappearsintosilence: YAY! I'm glad you are liking the story so far!
Starlightlita: OMG, your review made me smile so brightly! I am so happy that you like the story! And thank you so much for putting me on your favorite authors list! You really don't know how much it means to me! hugs! I hope I get more reviews from you later, too!
And to answer Lords of Insanity's question (review for chap. 5): Yes, I just got finished reading Dracula a while ago. And Phantom by Susan Kay was just so brilliant. Those have to be two of my favorite books ever. My favorite part in 'Phantom' was when Christine sees the spider in her room and wants Erik to get it out for her. My other favorite part would have to be when Christine puts on the wedding dress and Erik feels like he wants to rape her, but then stops because he figures out what he's doing (yeah, I have weird favorite parts, lol). My favorite part in 'Dracula' is when Dr. Van Helsing, Arthur, Dr. Seward and Quincey Morris go and see Lucy's tomb, but then they find out she is not there. That part was very suspenseful. Although in Dracula, well, I thought Bram Stoker could put just a little more Dracula in the book, lol.
xxxxx
Erik made me sit down in the library and wait for him to return. I supposed that he had to go and fetch something, so I didn't ask any questions.
It had been a little over a month now, so I knew it was sometime in July. I only wish that I had a calendar, so I could to aware of what day it was. My birthday is next month, and I will be eighteen. But how will I know? Usually once or twice a week, or as I think it is a week, I ask Erik what day it is. He always gets annoyed, but he answers me anyway.
Erik walked into the room a few minutes later with a musical score in his hand. He was looking threw the score until he jerked his head up and saw me. He looked at me confused for a moment but then remembered that he had asked me to come here.
He sat down on a chair across from me and set the score neatly on his lap. Then he said,
"Christine, I wanted to tell you that you have improved highly on your singing. I am very, very impressed. And I want to ask you something,"
I beamed a smile up at him. "Yes?"
He sighed happily before saying, "I want you to be the Prima Donna of the Opera Populaire."
I was happy, I really was, but I was so confused at the same time. I asked testily,
"Don't you have to be apart of the cast to sing in the Opera?"
"Of course." He assured me. "All you have to do is walk into the theatre, and ask the managers if you could sing here. I'll sign you up for an audition. I'm sure they will be very impressed with your singing."
"Oh Erik, this is really sweet but, I don't think I'm that good at singing yet. I have only been singing for a month, I don't think I'm ready-"
Before I could finish my sentence, Erik waved his hands frantically in the air and shouted:
"You don't think you're ready? Christine, you are more ready than you'll ever be, I assure you!"
"But Erik-"
Erik held up a warning hand for me to hush. I did so and he spoke,
"I am your teacher, my dear. I am also your guardian, friend, and angel. I know that your voice is perfect because I have taught you, and I know if you are doing well or not. You are fantastic and you are quite ready."
I smiled faintly and nodded. This was going to be tough.
x x x x x
The next day Erik told me that he had signed me up for an audition. I was to meet in the theatre the next day, with a song and piece of music.
"What song would you like to sing?" Erik asked.
I hummed to myself for a moment, thinking of a song.
"Would Think of Me be okay?"
Erik thought about this for a moment and nodded. "Of course."
"What Opera am I trying out for?"
"Hannibal."
"But if I am trying out for an Opera, well I wouldn't be able to be here everyday! Erik I really don't want - "
"Silence!" He declared. I shut my mouth.
"I have already signed you up for an audition. You will get the leading role. Besides, I don't think anyone wants to hear Carlotta screeching her big fat - "
"Carlotta?" I wailed. "Carlotta! My mother! She's here?"
Erik looked at me sadly for a moment and then replied, "No. Not your mother Carlotta. Besides, you mother is back in your own time - "
"You killed her." I reminded him harshly.
Erik shot me an insane look and then replied confused, "What? I didn't kill her! Why are you accusing me of this? Christine, I would never hurt your family - "
"What are you talking about?" I demanded hotly. "You stabbed her to death from what I saw! How can you possibly forget?"
Erik studied my face for a moment and then replied quietly, "Stab? Why would I do that?"
I looked at him as if he was crazy. How could he possible forget doing something like that?
"You killed Raoul too!"
"Wait! Christine, I've just figured something out. Did you meet a boy named Logan by any chance?"
I thought for a moment and then answered slowly, "Yes..."
"Did he look quite...gothic? Black clothes, sharp jewelry..."
"Yes, I remember."
"It was him."
I felt that I could burst out laughing. Erik thought he could just accuse someone for no reason? What could Logan possibly of done? But then I saw the serious look on Erik's face.
"What do you mean?"
Erik sighed and replied, "Logan is an evil spirit, Christine. He must of gotten out of the Ouija Board. When he was still alive, he was sentenced to death because of all the murders he has done. He must of taken over my body and killed Raoul and your mother. As I said before, I would never hurt your family."
"What about Raoul?"
Erik grumbled. "Well, I would of killed him but - "
"Erik, just stop. How is that possible? Why would Logan do that? Why didn't he just kill me instead? He sounded so nice on the bus!"
"He must of had feelings for you then,"
I stared at him in shock and answered, "But I saw you with a knife in your hand! It doesn't make any sense Erik!" Thinking about Raoul and my mother made me want to cry. I tried to stop the tears that were ready to burst but I just couldn't.
Erik took me gently into his arms. But I immediatley pushed him back.
"Erik? Why did you kill them?"
"For the last time, Christine!" He shouted hotly. "I did not kill them! How many times must I tell you for you to believe me?"
I wiped a tear away from my eye and looked at him sadly. "I don't know. I don't know if I should believe you are not. What you are explaining to me seems...I-impossible!"
Erik took me in his arms once more and held onto my hands with his so I couldn't fight free. I didn't try to either, I just sobbed into his citrus smelling chest.
"Shhh, Christine. My poor, poor Christine. Stop crying, my child." He pulled out a hankerchief from his pocket and handed it to me. I wiped all of the tears from my cheeks and under my eyes until they were all gone.
What should I believe?
x x x x x
The next day came around slowly. After Erik and I had the arguement yesterday, we didn't speak until evening, when he offered to read me a story. I agreed, and listened to the story without any questions.
Auditions were today. I had a feeling inside me that I wasn't going to make the leading role. But I had to do my best, because Erik might be watching me.
I put on a light pink dress and a tad of pink eyeshadow. I combed my hair and let my curls flow free. I needed to look good today, it was after all a first impression.
When I was ready, I walked out of the room and into the kitchen, where a nice breakfast was prepared for me. I heard a violin playing, so I knew that Erik was in the music room. I wasn't that hungry, so I only had two rolls and some water. I washed the plate off when I was done with it and went into the music room.
The first thing I saw was Ayesha. She was resting on Erik's lap as he played his violin. His eyes were closed; he seemed so in to the music. It was such a beautiful sound, it sounded like a lullabye. I stayed silent and watched him play the violin in awe.
He jumped when he opened his eyes and saw me standing before him, listening to the music. Ayesha jumped also. I blushed and said,
"I'm sorry. It's just that the song you were playing sounded so sweet. What is it called?"
Erik picked up Ayesha and set her on the ground. She trotted off and as Erik opened his violin case he told me,
"I don't have a name for it."
"Did you write it?"
"Yes."
"Was it a lullabye?"
Erik snapped the violin case shut and set it back so it was leaning against the wall. "Yes. Why so many questions?"
"I'm just curious. It sounded so beautiful."
"Why thank you, my dear."
Erik looked so, tired. He had a large circle under his eye, but I still couldn't see under his mask. His shirt was wrinkled and stained, and so were his black trousers.
"Erik, you look so tired. Why don't you rest? I don't have to go to auditions-"
"Oh, I don't think so my dear. I'm not resting until you finish this audition, understand?" He answered groggily.
"But Erik-"
"We are not having this discussion again, Christine. Please get into the boat, I will be there in a moment."
I sighed and stomped off into the boat. I almost tipped over, but luckily I caught the dock before I could plunge into the water. I steadied myself and awaited Erik's return.
He came out of his room with a few sheets of paper. I saw him set the papers down as he put on his cloak, then pick them up again. Before he got in the boat, he handed the papers to me.
It was the music for Think of Me.
"Erik, what if I mess up?" I asked worriedly.
"You won't," He assured me as he started to row across the lake.
"Will you be watching?"
"I'll see what I can do."
The rest of the boat trip was silent. When we reached the other side of the lake, Erik helped me out and then helped me get onto Ceasar, his horse. As he held onto the rein's and walked me down a dark corridor, I asked:
"What if they ask where I come from? What if they ask where I live and who my family is and - "
"Stop worrying Christine. My dear, you will do fine, I assure you."
I didn't ask any more questions.
x x x x x
Here I was, sitting down in the theatre waiting for auditions to start. I was so nervous, I started to bite my nails. I know it isn't lady like and that I was in the 1890's, but I couldn't help it. Erik said he would be watching me from Box 5, and that I would do fantastic.
What if I didn't?
That's what was happening ever since I got here. I have been asking questions to myself. What if something goes wrong? What if I forget a line? What if I trip and fall down the steps? What if I sound like a toad? What if I didn't make the leading role? Would Erik be angry?
I mentally slapped myself and told myself to calm down. Everything would be absolutley fine.
I looked around the theatre and noticed many other men and women trying out for Hannibal. But there was one person who really caught my attention.
Raoul!
I saw him sitting in the back of the theatre with a man a bit older then he was. It was Raoul! He was back! I felt so happy I wanted to jump up from my seat and hug him and kiss him. I missed him so much, but how could it be possible? Was it really him?
Just then I remembered something. The man may look exactly like Raoul, but was it him? My boyfriend Raoul? Erik told me that Carlotta, in this opera house, may look like my mother, but it wasn't. It's strange, that some people from the past could look exactly like people in the future.
The man who looked like Raoul turned and saw me staring at him. Embarrased, I turned away.
But a few minutes later the man came up to me. He had slick, golden hair that was smooth and straight; touching his shoulders. He had an award winning smile, and he wore a black suit and beautiful hazel eyes.
"Is this seat taken?" He asked casually.
I didn't know what to say. I couldn't speak! Instead I just shook my head. He took a seat next to me and said,
"I am Raoul de Changy. It's a pleasure to meet you," He took my hand and kissed it.
Oh that kiss felt so sweet! It reminded me of all the kisses Raoul use to give to me back when he was alive.
I blushed and said, "I am Christine Schuyler. It's a pleasure,"
We stared at each other for a moment until he finally said,
"Are you auditioning?"
I nodded sheepishly. He smiled and said,
"I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you."
"The last thing we want is Carlotta taking the lead role, correct? Do you know of her?"
"I've heard of her."
He smiled at me and asked,
"Are you from Paris?"
What was I suppose to say? Erik didn't give me any answers that I could use to these kinds of questions! I replied dumbly,
"Yes, somewhere around here."
He laughed and told me,
"Well, you are a very pretty girl. I'm sure you can sing quite well, correct?"
I blushed. "I hope so. Are you watching auditions?"
"Of course." Before Raoul could say anything else, two men walked on stage. One was tall and fit for his age, the other one was short and plump. I expected those were the managers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Opera Populaire. You are all gathered her today to audition for Hannibal. I am M. Firmin, and this is M. Andre; we are the managers of this opera house as you all know; and we wish you the best of luck for auditions. Please have your music piece ready for Madame Slovat, playing the piano. We will not be calling actors and singers up alphabetically."
Raoul and I watched the auditions quietly, and sometimes we giggled if the song was funny. I felt so wonderful to be around him again. Well, I felt so wonderful to see his face again. We both acted as if we were childhood friends, and that we have known each other for a long time.
I was too busy daydreaming I didn't realize that my name was being called my the two managers.
"You there!" Andre called. "Have you gone yet?"
I shook my head and stood from my seat, clutching the piece of music in my hands. Raoul smiled at me and said,
"I wish you the best of luck."
I said thank you and walked up to the stage, handing my piece of music to Madame Slovat. She inspected the music carefully before resting her fingers on the piano keys.
"Name please?" Firmin asked.
"Christine Schuyler. I will be singing Think Of Me."
Madame Slovat started the music quickly that I almost forgot when to start singing. When it was my cue, I sang:
Think of me
Think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
I looked over to Raoul. He was smiling brightly, and I smiled back.
Remember me
Once in a while
Please promise me you'll try
I glanced up at Box 5; and there he was. His white mask was only visible to me, for everything else was dark.
When you find
That once again you long
To take my heart but then be free
If you ever find a moment
Stop and think of me
I sang the rest of the song with all my heart and soul. I felt so good when I had finished. But when I had glanced over at Andre and Firmin, they were staring at me blankly. I felt nervous, embarrased, and ashamed at the same time. But I was so confused when they stood up, clapped, and cheered:
"Bravo!"
Everyone else in the audience was cheering for me too. I smiled brightly and walked off the stage. But to my embarrasement, I forgot my music so I had to run back up there and take it from Madame Slovat.
When I went to go sit back down by Raoul, he said to me happily: "You were amazing, Christine!"
"Thank you." I blushed.
I looked over to Box 5 and saw a perfect figure of Erik. I smiled at him, but didn't wave because I knew it would attract attention and people would be glancing up to see who I was waving at.
But Erik wasn't smiling. He was glaring. At me? No, it wasn't at me, it was at Raoul. Erik looked evil, even murderous. His fists were clenched and his face looked red. I wondered why, and then set my attention back to the stage, where Carlotta was performing.
Oh my, she looked exactly like my mother it was scary. She was quite good, actually. She went to very high pitches, which made everyone in the audience wince, but overall she was amazing.
When it was time for the managers to call out who was casted as who, I crossed my fingers.
They called out several positions and several names, but I didn't hear mine.
But then Firmin announced the star.
"And our star is of course, Carlotta!"
My heart dropped.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Eh, I thought it was a nice place to stop. What did you all think? Please R and R! And YAY, camp is done for me! More time to write the story, Hurrah!
Oh yes, and about the Christine/Raoul thing: Christine and Raoul were boyfriend and girlfriend as you all know, before Raoul was murdered. Christine still of course has feelings for him, and once she sees this guy who looks exactly like Raoul and has the same name as Raoul, don't you think she'd like him a lot? Of course she would.
It is just way more believable to have that put in the story. If Raoul, or some guy that looked exactly like Raoul, were to appear right in front of her she would be happy that she got to see her boyfriend again, or this guy that looked like her boyfriend. It would be totally unbelievable if she just saw him and didn't give a crud.
Just wanted to get that off my chest, because I know that somebody is bound to ask: What's up with all of this R/C stuff!
But don't worry, this is still an E/C fic. You never know, maybe Christine will suddenly lose her interest in Raoul and love Erik and stay with him as long as she lives...;) You never know...:D And thanks so much to all of my lovely reviewers! KISSES!