Standing in the Shadows
Chapter 1
By: XO Erik's Angel OX
"Ooh. My head." Groaned an extremely tired Christine.
She sat up, rubbing the bridge of her nose. Her vision was blurry, but she noticed that she still wore her blue gown from the day before.
She sighed loudly and turned her head, praying that Raoul would be sprawled across his half of the bed like normal. He, of course, was not sprawled across the bed.
She sighed again.
Throwing the covers from her legs, she stood and ran a shaking hand through her curls.
"I figure," She murmured, "that I should get out of this dress."
She opened her closet doors, and reached in to grab a plain red gown. That's when she noticed something. Something was missing, she just didn't know what.
Christine slowly unlaced her blue gown and slipped out of it. She unlaced her white corset and pulled of her under-dress. The rest of her undergarments came off, and then she slid her stockings off. She stood in the middle of the room completely naked, but she didn't feel uncomfortable. No one could see her, and no one could walk in on her. So she finished getting ready in this, interesting state.
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While brushing her hair, Christine began to giggle to herself. She used to do this when she was little. Before she was sent to the opera house, of course. And now, twelve years later, she understood why. It really was much more comfortable.
"For the next three years, this will be my morning routine." She said to herself, giggles over coming her again.
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Her hair pinned up out of her face, Christine walked into the bedroom and began to dress.
First came her stockings; she pulled a black pair from a drawer and tugged them up her legs. Next came underwear-a black pair- that she pulled up. Next she chose a black silk under-dress which she allowed to fall over her head, and slide down her body. She pulled on it slightly, and adjusted it about her hips. Next was a red corset which laced up the front. She pulled it tight, and tied a knot. Then she unlaced the red gown and stepped into it. She buttoned the front, and zipped the side. She then pulled a large white petticoat out of the closet and pulled it on, fixing her skirt as she went. Finally, she slid her feet into a pair a black heels.
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Christine sat at her dining room table reading the newspaper. The opera Populaire's first performance since the 'accident' was that night. Christine was singing as the star.
"The Phantom," she said loudly, "Would be very, very proud of me. He always said I'd be a star." She giggled mercilessly to herself.
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Christine sat on her bed and stared absentmindedly out the window. Something was missing. She was sure of it now. She had wandered her whole house –all fourteen rooms- and all four acres of land, and something was wrong.
The house was completely silent except for her gentle footsteps. No one was gardening or just wandering outside.
Christine stood and went to leave when she noticed the open closet. It seemed nearly empty, with only her few dresses and petticoats.
She knew then what was missing. Raoul. He may not have been the prince charming she had thought he was, but his presence was extremely important.
She began to cry.
"Raoul, you lousy, no good bastard. How could you leave me here alone. Ooh, come home! NOW!" She sobbed.
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After about an hour Christine had cried her eyes dry, and she was left gasping for air. She needed a solution to her problem, and she needed one, then.
"Meg, Meg will know what to do.' Christine breathed.
And with that she ran out the door and in the direction of the opera house.
Alright. There you have it. Chapter one. Tell me what you think…
3,
Hannah