"Please don't cry Christine. I am taking you back tomorrow." Erik said.
"Really? Oh Erik! I promise to return to you!" Christine cried. Erik was happy to see color return to his little Christine's face. But then he felt a stab of greif, he would once again be alone.
"Yes. To-night is the masked ball. I shall attend. No one will know, after all they will think that my head is a mask. But know, that if you do not return the consequenses will be dire."
"I understand Erik. Thank-you.Thank-you so much!" Cried Christine happily.
"It is late, you should get some sleep." Erik nodded.
Christne responded with a nod of her own. And she ran to her room. Erik sank into a chair, and put his face in his hands. He had made Christine happy, but at what cost? Would she return to him of her own free will? He knew that he could force her to return at anytime. He wanted so desperatly to keep Christine happy, but he didn't want to be alone either. Erik cried softly into his hands.He cared for this girl. He would die for her. He could get her anything that she could possibly desire, but that did not mean she would love him as a father. He could not force her to love him. Erik,didn't know what to do. He had made a mask that let him look like a regular man. He could live on the surface if that was what Christine desired. He knew it would be torture for Christine to remain down here, away from the light of day. Erik cried himself to sleep that night.
The next morning Christine woke up earlier than usual. Erik was already awake, and was making breakfast when Christine walked out of the room. Erik looked over at her and smiled weakly. Christine smiled back. How good it made Erik feel to see her smile. Shortly after that breakfast was finished and the two of them sat down to eat.
"As soon as we finish, I will take you back." Erik said.
"Thank you Erik. I can't tell you how happy that makes me." Christine replied.
"Just remember to come back."
"Don't worry I won't forget to come back to you, I promise." The rest of the time was spent in silence. Just as he promised Erik led Christine back along the Commuinist's Road. Christine kept looking at Erik smiling. Finally they reached the hidden door in Christine's dressing room. But before Erik let Christine out he reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold locket.
"This is for you Christine, wear it at all times, never take it off. For if you do, I will know, and there will be very dire consequenses." Erik said. Christine turned around so that Erik could put the locket around her neck. When it was Christine took it between her fingers and stared at it.
"Thank-you Erik, its beatiful. I love it." Christine said.
"It is a reminder to you that I will be waiting for you. Please come back soon. I will see you to-night at the masked ball." Erik opened the door and let Christine into her dressing room. The mirror door swung shut after Christine. She turned back to get a last look at Erik.
Behind the door Erik turned and let out a loud cry of greif. Christine heard Erik's cry and knew she must return. She would return that very night. Then Christine left the room to visit with her friend Meg Giry.
Raoul was very concerned about Christine, he loved her like a sister. He wanted to look for her, to bring her back with him. His first intention was not to attend the masked ball so that he could look for Christine, but his brother Pilippe would hear nothing of it. He forced Raoul to go with him that night. Later Raoul was glad he did. For he saw Christine at the ball.
Christine had not expected to see Raoul at the ball, but she was glad he came. When she saw him, she ran over and hugged him. Raoul cried out her name and swung her around and hugged her tight.
"You must tell me where you have been! Who was that man whom was riding in the carrige with you?" Raoul said.
"Oh, Raoul, I can not explain now, it is not the time. But I will tell you soon. Come we can not stay here." Christine grabbed Raoul's arm and began pulling him out of the room. It was as if she had seen a ghost!
"Where are you taking me?" Raoul asked.
"You shall see. But it is not safe here. We must go!"
Raoul decided to trust Christine. As she dragged him away Raoul caught sight of a man dressed all in red, with a large group crowded around him. He saw Christine glance at him, and she quickened her pace. Whoever it was Christine was obviously afraid of him. Raoul did not push for answers, he was just happy to be with Christine. But the way she kept glancing back, made Raoul nervous. He didn't know what she was so afraid of.
Erik stuck by Christine. He could not help that the crowd had formed around him. But he kept a close eye on Christine. That night Erik had decided to dress as the red death. He wore all red, and a long red cloak that dragged along the floor. In one of the corners, in gold thread was the words: Do not touch me for I am the red death spread abroad. The people around him gazed with curiosity in their eyes. One man was so bold as to reach out his hand to touch Erik. But before he could erik grabbed his wrist and twisted it. The man let out a cry of pain as Erik pushed him away. Then when erik looked up he saw Christine was no longer there. But just before she ran out of the room, Erik caught a glimpse of her. She was with that other man, Raoul de Chagney. Erik was outraged! He ran after Christine and pursued her, careful to stay out of her sight.
Christine led Raoul all through the Opera house, desperate to get away from Erik. She was sure that he was following them. She led Roaul to the upper levels of the opera house, trying to get as far away from the house on the lake as she possibly could. But she could never escape Erik himself.