A/N: Here is another chapter. I really hope you like it. And thanks to my readers. A personal thank you is at the bottom after the story.
Ch. 3 – Rescuing and Realization
Madame Giry and Meg had avoided the mob and they went to explore his lair. Although Meg had never been down there before, Mme. Giry had several times. Erik had told her all his secrets so that she might visit him.
Now they stood in his great lair, trying their best to find him. Mme. Giry didn't explain why to her daughter but she did promise to do so later. So Meg went to help her search for the Phantom of the Opera.
"Mother, do you hear that? It sounds like he's screaming."
Madame Giry strained her hearing for what her daughter explained. She desperately hoped it wasn't him but when she heard it she knew. She found where the source of it was and noticed it was on the other side of the wall. Knowing Erik's secrets came in handy. She pulled a lever that, at first, seemed to do nothing. But then she removed the maroon draping and what was once a mirror was now a door to a secret hall.
Madame Giry looked at her daughter who was at the moment in awe, "How did you…Mom!" The smile that was on Meg's face fell when she saw the sight that was in the hall.
Madame Giry turned her head to see what had frightened her daughter so much. When her eyes gazed upon the sight that lay before them she almost screamed. The man she promised to protect was now lying on the ground with several men hovering over him. They were beating him very badly and she could see he was almost on the verge of death.
Madame Giry silently told Meg not to say anything and to follow her. Meg nodded and followed her mother to the horrible sight before them. Madame Giry saw that, at the moment, Erik was still conscious, so she had to work fast in order to prevent his death.
"Monsieurs, don't you think you harmed him enough? He is sure to die now. Stop, or you'll be no different than him."
That last line seemed to have stopped time. The last thing any one wanted was to be like the Opera Ghost. Every one looked at Erik, or mainly at the state he was in. Surely he had some broken bones, maybe even internal bleeding.
"She's right. Look at him. He looks like a corpse, and soon he'll be one. Let's leave him."
The man who took the mask from him now threw it at him. They all took one final look at his unconscious form and left, including the Giry's. The men were constantly talking with each other about what they had done to 'the demon from hell'. During their constant boasting Meg asked, "Mom, aren't we going to help him?"
"Yes, child." Madame Giry looked at the surroundings around her and then said, "Come in here." She grabbed Meg's hand and pulled her into a niche that was cut into the wall. They waited there until the men they were traveling with turned the corner.
Once they rounded it Madame Giry and Meg slipped out from their hiding place and went back to Erik. Madame Giry went on one side of him and instructed Meg to go on the other. She knelt down by him to inspect the damage. She needed to know what was the best way to transport him to his bed, or his settee, depending on how far they could carry him. "Meg, we have to bring him back to him home. Put your hands on his lower back and behind his knees."
Meg did as she was told and waited for further instructions. Madame Giry put her hands on his upper and middle back. They were about to lift him when Meg caught sight of something glistening on the candle light. She turned her head to see what it was, it was his mask. She picked it up and put it where it belonged. She put her hand back on his back and they both slowly lifted him.
Slowly but surely they carried him into his home, but the closes thing they could get him to, without dropping him, was the settee. So they brought him to it and rested him upon it. Both of them tried to make it as comfortable for him as possible.
Once that was finished Madame Giry said, "Stay by his side, I'm going to see if I can find some bandages." Meg nodded and knelt down by him. Silently she whispered to herself, "You must really love Christine." Although she hasn't heard or seen much, she did see him in Don Juan Triumphant. And she saw how he looked at her with adoration. It looked like Christine felt the same way, but she couldn't be positive.
After a few minutes of pondering over her theory Madame Giry returned holding a bowl of water and some bandages. Meg scooted over to get out of her way as Mme. Giry knelt down beside Erik. She once again inspected his body for anything that needed attending. Over all he had a broken rib, a sprained wrist, and his left shoulder was dislocated. Of course he had many bruises but there wasn't much once can do for them. "Meg, I'm going to need your help. His shoulder's dislocated and we need to put it back in place."
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Christine's POV
For the rest of the day and all through the night Christine cried. Not just for her but also for her love. The last she saw of him, those men were punching and kicking him and she knew that they more than likely killed him. That is, unless some miracle had been performed. Please God, let him live. He doesn't deserve to di, is what she prayed all night.
Then she remembered someone, a very important someone, Madame Giry. Christine remembered the night when she made her first performance in a major role; just before Mme. Giry left the room she picked up a rose with a black silk ribbon tied around it, gave it to her, and said "He's pleased with you."
Christine should have realized it then, how did Mme. Giry know he was proud? How did she even know she was being taught? There was only one logical answer, she knows him! Now Christine knew what she had to do, she needed to get a hold of Mme. Giry.
After making up her mind on what she needed to do someone knocked on her door. Well, Raoul's door. She didn't consider where she was staying her home. "Who is it?" she asked although she already had a fair guess at who it was.
"Christine? It's me, Raoul, can I come in?"
She was very much tempted to say no but she knew she couldn't dodge talking to him. So with a sigh she said, "Yes."
Reviews:
Sands-agent Don't we all hate Raoul? LOL But, trust me, in the end it will all be good. I promise.
Twinkle22 Thank you. And I'm sorry for not updating sooner.
