He woke up immeadiatly. He had thought he had heard a pistol being cocked. Raoul didn't hesitate. He took aim between the two yellow eyes and shot. He was too late.
Erik saw the pistol in Raoul's hand, and slid down the gutter. Luckily a cat had been there to save Erik. It had climbed up, after atking the bullet. Erik pressed himself against the wall under the balconey. He saw Raoul look up the street for him. When Raoul was back inside Erik called a cab and went back to the Opera Populaire.
Christine didn't sleep well that night. She had horrible dreams about Erik. She knew she was making a mistake of not flying away that night. But she also knew that Erik must hear her sing one last time. She resolved right then that tomorrow she would give a performance that surpassed all that she had done before.
The next night Christine did indeed out-do everything she had done till then. Raoul was sitting in the audience instead of in his box. Erik was listening, but not in his box. He was below the stage, waiting to pull the lever that would bring Christine to him.
It was in the last act. Christine had just finished the invocation of the Angels. The lights dimmed, and Erik pulled the lever. Christine was too surprised to scream. She fell into Erik's waiting arms. Erik quickly put Christine on her feet keeping on arm around her waist, and put a cloth over Christine's mouth. Erik pulled away the cloth before Christine passed out. He picked her up again and took her back to his house.
When they got there the effects of the chloriform Erik had used began to wear off. Erik put Christine in her room.
"I am very sorry my child, but I must leave you for a short time. I must see my banker." Erik said. Then he turned on his heel and walked out of the room. He then went back to get his twenty thousand francs from the managers.
Christine threw herself on the bed and cried into the pillows. After a few minutes Christine had an idea. Still with tears in her eyes, Christine got up and banged her head as hard as she could against the wall. Yes, Christine was going to commit suicide. In her mind, anything was better than living with Erik. She did this a few more times and felt blood run down her face with her tears. She did this one more time and passed out.
Erik rode up in his boat chuckling. Even with that saftey-pin it had been easy to get the money.
"Christine! Christine! I have returned." Erik called. When there was no answer Erik called her name again. Fearing something had happened, Erik rushed to Christine's room. When he saw her passed out on the floor, Erik was filled with dread. He guessed instantly what happened. Erik knelt down and checked Christine's pulse. It was still there. Erik's tears fell and mingled with the blood on Christine's face.
Erik cleaned Christine's face, then he tied her hands behind her back. After that was done, Erik laid Christine up against the wall. He wanted to make her more comfortable, but if he put her on the bed she could get off and try to kill herself again.
Christine came around a few minutes later. She tried to move and found that her hands were bound behind her. She looked up as the door opened, and Erik walked in.
"How are you feeling Christine?" He asked.
"I feel alright." Christine replied.
"I know that you are afraid of me. I am sorry about this Christine. I have to ask you: Will you be my child? I would be a loving father. I know that it is a difficult question to answer. I will give untill 11 o' clock tomorrow evening. If you say no all will be dead and burried." Erik said. Then Erik left Christine alone to reflect on his question.