Chapter 16

Nothing Is As It Seems

Corrine's mother stumbled and staggered into the bedroom as her tears blinded her. Her husband had just gotten out of bed long enough to get dressed. The sight of his wife's disarray both shocked and scared him.

"Martha, what in the world happened to you? You're as white as a ghost."

"I saw a ghost, Richard."

"Now Martha, there are no such things as ghosts."

"Yes, there are and I met one. He threatened my life."

"Nonsense. Ghosts don't go around threatening people."

"You don't believe me?" Martha asked as she cried hysterically.

"You must have just had a bad dream. That's all. Just a dream."

Martha went ballistic, and started yelling frantically and incoherently.

"You're going insane. Stop your yelling this instant." He demanded angrily.

Their conversation was interrupted by a frantic knock on the door.

"Come in," Richard yelled a little louder than need be.

The door opened and a young boy of about 12 stood at the door shaking.

"Well? What is it?"

The boy's voice shook with fear as he said "The stables Sir."

"What about the stables?" Richard was starting to get more and more annoyed and he was taking it out on the boy.

"There's a body."

"Lad, please speak in complete sentences. I am getting quite tired of listening to you."

"Sorry, Sir. There's a body hanging in the stables Sir. I believe the Phantom did it."

At the mention of the Phantom, Martha jumped out of her chair.

"See? Do you see? I was right. There is a ghost. It's going to kill us all. He sees everything. He even might be watching us right this second. Richard we can't stay here."

"Excuse me Sir, is Madame feeling well?"

"She's delirious. She'll be fine. Would you please show me this body?"

There was a fairly large crowd gathered in the stable. Word of the dead body had spread like fire thought the Opera house. Richard managed to push himself through the crowd. He stopped short when he saw the body hanging from the eaves.

"What was the man's name?" Richard demanded.

"Louis, sir," Someone spoke up.

"It wasn't a murder. It was a suicide. Here's a note he left," Madame Giry stated as she handed over the note.

Richard opened the note and read:

Please forgive my part in the plot with Corrine. I am extremely sorry. Please give my belongings to my wife, and tell her I love her.

He looked up to see everyone watching him, expecting him to take charge.

"Please remove the body. Put him in my best carriage, and take him to his family for burial. You will tell his widow that he died due to a work related accident. Did he have a contract?"

"Yes Sir. It was to be renewed in 5 years," another stable boy answered.

"It is my responsibility to see to it that his family is provided for. I'll see to it personally that his widow receives his wages for the remaining 5 years."

After his orders were given, he turned to see Madame Giry standing behind him.

"Do you know what he meant by his participation in the plot?" He asked her.

Madame Giry looked at Richard with pity. He not only lost his children, but very possibly could lose his wife as well.

"You must speak to your wife about that."

"That reminds me, I haven't seen Corrine nor Alec in days. Have you seen them?"

"As I said Sir, you must speak to your wife about that."

Erik had returned to find Corrine crying. Alec ran to Erik and hugged his legs.

"Erik, Cori's crying. She thinks you might have hurt mother."

Erik raised his voice loud enough for Corrine to hear.

"I didn't harm anyone. That's a promise."

"You didn't?" Corrine sniffled as she walked over to them.

"No, I didn't. I wanted to kill all of them, but I didn't. But, only because you asked me not to, and I couldn't bare the thought of hurting you."

Corrine wiped away her tears, and glanced at the clock.

"My goodness look at the time. Alec, it's past your nap time. Come along, I'll tuck you in."

"No, I want Erik to do it."

"Do you mind Erik?" Corrine sighed.

"No, I don't mind at all," He said as he picked the boy up.

"Wait, I want a kiss Cori."

"Very well."

Corrine walked over to give her brother a kiss.

"No, you have to close your eyes first," Alec said.

Corrine smiled as she closed her eyes. She felt the pressure of her brother's hand on the back of her head as she leaned in to kiss him. As her lips met soft warm lips, she heard Alec laughing. Corrine's eyes flew open only to see it wasn't Alec she was kissing, but Erik. Alec scrambled out of Erik's arms.

"I think I'll go take my nap now. I can tuck myself in."

Corrine's face felt unusually warm, and she couldn't bring herself to look at Erik.

"What must he be thinking? I hope he's not annoyed or offended," Corrine thought to herself.

She looked up to see Erik looking curiously at her. Almost as if he expected her to scream or run.

"I better go check on Alec," She babbled.

"Corrine, wait."

Erik's simple plea was enough to stop her in her tracks. She turned aaround, but couldn't bring herself to look at him. The thought of what just happened brought all new feelings to her. She knew that whatever she had felt for him before was now different. She tried so hard to deny what was plainly the truth; She was falling in love with him. The problem was, it would crush her if he didn't share the same feelings.

A slight sound drew Erik's attention away from her, and toward the other side of the lake.

"Christine?"

"Yes, Erik. I'm back."