XV

The next few days represented another reign of terror for the theatre. Note after note arrived, each one detailing different problems in the play, problems that had not been present only a few days before.

The set wasn't painted correctly, there was a fault in one of the dances, the acting was sub par. Anything that could possibly be criticized was and everyone scrambled to try and fix those small problems.

"It is insanity!" Monsieur Reyer complained one afternoon, "I do not see any of these problems, do you, Madame Giry?"

"Non," she replied simply, "I do not, Monsieur Reyer, but he does."

"Yes, so we must suffer."

Antoinette nodded her head, "Yes, it seems to be our fate…"

"Maman," Meg said, hurrying over to her, "shouldn't we be rehearsing?"

"I suppose so," she sighed, "go and get everyone into their lines. I will be there in a minute."

"I will get the orchestra ready," Monsieur Reyer sighed.

"Merci."

Antoinette could hardly bear to watch the rehearsals anymore, she had become tired of the twisted plot that had erupted from Erik's mind. Every day she was forced to watch the demented plot play out before her eyes, as well as watch her dancers perform some of the most erotic dances she had ever seen.

"That is enough!" she called at length, "you may go and take a break. Rehearsals are finished for the day."

The girls all scampered off the stage in what could only be described as relief. Apparently they as well were tired of the play, and it had not even been performed yet.

"Maman?" Meg asked.

"Yes?"

"Never mind," she sighed, "I'm going to go find Christine."

"That is a good idea," Antoinette agreed, "then you two may go out for the afternoon. I think we could all use a break from the theatre."

"Thank you," Meg breathed, "we'll be back before it gets dark."

"I should hope so."

Christine wandered the chill streets of Paris with Meg, looking into the windows of the shops, but not really seeing what was inside. Ever since the night in the stable she couldn't help but blame herself for the trouble in the theatre. After all, it was her fault, wasn't it?"

"Isn't that lovely?" Meg asked, pointing at a dress displayed in a shop window.

"Yes," Christine replied quietly, "its lovely, Meg."

"Christine, have you even looked?" Meg asked, "you seem so distant. I thought that going out might cheer you up a bit."

"I'm sorry, Meg, I guess I'm just a bit…distracted."

"Christine," Meg said, grabbing her friend's forearms, "what's bothering you? You can tell me, you that don't you? I'm your friend, Christine, I want to help you."

"Its nothing."

"But I can't, can I?" Meg asked, "not this time…not anymore."

"Meg," Christine said, realizing her friend was close to tears.

"Its not like when we were little," Meg murmured, "I can't make it better with a hug, and I want to. I want to make it all go away and I can't, and it makes me feel so helpless."

"Its not your fault," Christine assured her.

"I know," Meg sighed, "but it isn't your either."

"I'm not so sure of that," Christine whispered.

"Come on," Meg said, trying to sound cheerful, "lets go to a café, I'll buy us some hot chocolate."

"Alright, but we have to get back soon," Christine said, "Raoul, will be looking for me."

"Right, he's taken to guarding the dormitory," Meg said, "I'd forgotten."

Christine gave a weak smile. It was true, ever since her encounter in the stable Raoul had deemed it to dangerous in the theatre. They had even had an argument over it. In the end Raoul had refused to leave her alone for the night, even if it meant sitting outside the door all night. And that is exactly what he did."

The next days passed with more rehearsals and when the day before the performance finally dawned the entire theatre seemed to be on edge. Props were being adjusted or repainted, costumes were being double checked to ensure they fit properly and the theatre was being shined to the point where the wood would reflect the audience's faces.

Erik found the buzz of the theatre annoying and quickly descended to the lake bellow. Tomorrow his opera would be performed and, despite his constant complaints, everything was as close to perfect as it could possibly be. Except one thing…

With a sighed he knelt by the lake and ran his hand through the cold water. He was tired and scooped up a handful, meaning to splash it on his face, but instead he just watched as it slowly seeped through the cracks in his hand, falling back into the lake bellow.

No matter how hard he tried he couldn't keep it within his hand. It was just like everything else he had ever tried to hold onto, no matter how hard he tried it always seemed to somehow slip through his fingers.

He had once wondered when it had all started, when exactly he had begun to lose control, but he knew exactly how it had started. It was just like the water, he had tried so hard to hold onto her, put down so many foolish and unnecessary rules, that he had barely noticed it at first. Barely seen her beginning to slip away until it was too late.

"Oh, Christine," he sighed, letting the last of the water fall into the lake.

It was then that he decided to return to the surface, to watch as the final touched were added to the theatre for the performance. He would stay there all night if needed, to correct any mistakes that he found. Tomorrow would be the debut of his opera, and there was nothing in the world that would prevent his from completing his plans now.

A/N: Ooh, an update. And a fast one at that. Soon, very soon this story will be coming to an end...though how is another matter. The ending will probably take a long time to write, given all teh insane dialogue I'll have to sift through. So drop me a review, the next two or so chapters should be up fairly quickly.