Whispers in the Night

Chapter 4- The Opera Ghost returns.

I should not be here. Madame Giry thought. I should not be here. She was in the entrance of the Opera House when she spotted Raoul and Christine entering. Christine beamed at her and began to walk over, unaware that her husband had been to see her just half an hour ago.

"Madame Giry, we have all been so worried, I assumed the worst" Christine greeted, gently hugging her.

"I was taken ill. But I am now fine… waiting to be seated." She smiled.

Raoul remained silent, staring at the walls, and casually smiling to those who passed him.

"Christine, we should take our seats now." He told her. The two politely excused themselves, and followed the general direction of the guests.

I should not be here.

Everything will be fine. He will not show up. Everything is fine, completely normal. You're safe. You have done what he asked, and now Madame Giry can deal with him. You are safe! You are with Christine! You did what you had to do, and you should be proud of yourself. Relax, enjoy the show.

Raoul sighed and patted Christine's hand. He was safe from him, Christine was safe from him, and she never needs to know about this.

"Are you ok?" She asked him, sensing he had something on his mind.

"Fine, my love. Just fine." He smiled at her, "I love you Christine." He added. She smiled at him and returned to looking at the audience.

"I sometimes think this a dream." He admitted.

Christine' face froze. Probably taken back by your honesty Raoul. He thought.

"I- If it is a dream. Please d-don't wake me up." She said to him quietly. Raoul grinned to himself and squeezed her hand.

The stage's curtains opened and the performance began. Faust. How many times must they perform this? Raoul wondered.

La Carlotta (after hardly ANY persuasion) had returned to the Opera Populaire and her shrill voice echoed around the crowded room.

Well, this is fun.

The first act of Faust passed without error, and Christine's expectations had lowered considerably – as she had expected drama.

She hadn't been paying much attention to the performance anyway. She could only think of Erik. He had returned to her. Does the man never stop? She wondered.

The curtains re-opened for the second act and the performance continued. Carlotta's voice did not soften as much of the audience would have liked, however she was still applauded as usual.

A couple of scenes through, Christine's wish was granted, she was to get her drama after all.

Carlotta had begun her solo, when all the lights dimmed in the Opera and the Voice was heard throughout the building, and it felt to everyone like he was speaking into their ear, their ear alone.

"A year since the incident of the fire, and she is still the best you can find? Has the publicity not brought sweet English girls from the North to you? Have you no Russian dolls to satisfy your needs? No. It appears Carlotta is the one for you. "

A pause.

"La Carlotta my dear," the voice continued, "Should you wish to keep all your limbs, I suggest you take a career in cleaning, perhaps in the stables?" The voice mocked her.

"I do as I please!" She shouted to the back of the Opera.

The voice laughed.

"We shall see, Madame, we shall see."

And just as quickly as the voice had begun, it had ended.

He is back.

Christine looked at her husband. Raoul seemed perplexed by the top of the box they were seated in. Christine's gaze followed his and met the rose balancing on a Cupid carved into the box. She shrugged Raoul's hand off from hers and stood up, and prised the rose from Cupid.

She cradled the rose to her chest and looked up at the roof of the box, hoping to see him.

"Did you see him?" She asked Raoul.

"No. I was looking at you the whole time." He replied.

"Oh…"

"Christine?" He called to her softly.

"Yes?" She said, barely above a whisper.

"Can we wake up from the dream now?"