Author's Note: Louis apologizes to the Daft Penguin for the show of loyalty to Lestat and acknowledges the fact that former said person revealed all existence of this site to Louis. Louis thanks his Master for his kindness, but also feels that it is necessary to remind his Master that maker usually is placed above master. Louis also accuses both Master and Maker to be extremely evil in all regards to the matter (or scandal if you both prefer) dealing with Okami-jin. (Translation: Wolf-boy (for those who don't speak Japanese)) Louis shall now stop talking in third person seeing as it is weird and only used for effect. By the way the entire title of this chapter didn't fit, so I had to use a shortened version.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing. (maybe I need a job…) Actually I own most of the plot, but not the characters.
—
Chapter 4: A Reminder for the Forgetful and a Gift For Those Not Forgotten
Erik pulled a ring from his finger and began to fiddle with it, plotting. He put it back on his finger and stared down at its buyer. As Erik pulled himself up he saw the Vicomte being wheeled away. What he would give to be able to use one of those to get where he was headed. Unfortunately this could not be.
As quickly as possible Erik moved steadily upward until he reached the rotunda that held the chandelier. Its curvature was a perfect megaphone for his voice, a simple trick he had used many times before. His skills as a ventriloquist also helped, but at the moment it didn't matter.
He raised his voice, joy filling him as everyone below leapt out of their seats.
"The Phantom lives. He is still and always will be here. Do not forget!" Erik pulled out his long thin knife and cut the rope holding the chandelier. Surely they would still remember this trick, he mused as the chandelier fell, shattering once more. Erik was sure that this time it would not be repaired. He smiled, turned heel and left.
o-o-o
Erik made his way through the secret passages in the walls. When he reached ground floor he stopped and peered blinkingly into the light, a phenomenon he had rarely seen in his lifetime, and, if all went out well, he would never see again.
He saw the shape of Meg Giry standing on the steps observing the departure of Raoul in his car. The car drove away and Meg was left alone.
Erik turned to go and realized that ring had fallen off his finger. He bent over to pick it up (quite a feat) when a sudden thought struck him.
He drew out the rose and slid the ring onto the ribbon, securing it carefully. He walked out into the light and approached Meg, holding out the rose.
"For Christine," he murmured softly, though he was sure she had heard him. "Hurry. Please." He directed a pleading gaze at her as he sunk back into the shadows. He waited to see what she would do.
Meg stood for a moment before the shocked look on her face was replaced with one of resolution. She turned and hailed a taxi, quickly getting in. As Erik turned and began the slow descent back to his lair, Meg bore the rose to the cemetery, her taxi passing a stalled car that sat on the side of the road. This vehicle contained a faintly annoyed man who was headed to the same destination; gift in hand, in the form of a monkey-topped music box.