Angel of Music
When the play was finished, and she could leave, she snuck her way down to her haven in the chapel. She sat, still in the dress, and lit a candle for her father.
"Bravo, bravo, Christine," said the Phantom gently. She knew he had heard her. It was nearly impossible not to. Christine's attention then went to the door of the chapel. Meg had appeared there.
"Christine," she said, smiling, "Where have you been hiding? You were perfect out there. I wish I knew how you did it."
Christine smiled at Meg. She had done a great job out there dancing. "Meg," said Christine. It was about time that she told someone of her Angel of Music. "Whenever I came down here alone to light a candle for my father, ever since I've come here, there's been a voice from above, and even in my dreams. See, when my father died, he told me that I would be protected by an Angel of Music."
"Christine, do you really believe that the spirit of your father is coaching you?" Meg looked suspicious, but Christine know what she was talking about. There was no doubt in her mind that the Phantom was the Angel of Music her father had promised her.
"Who else? Who else would be coaching me, Meg?" Christine looked around, still sensing that he was there. "Whenever I sing, I can sense him. He's here, even now. He's inside this room, and he calls me softly, somewhere, hiding."
"Christine," said Meg softly. Christine could barely hear her. She could feel his presence growing stronger.
"He's my Angel of Music," said Christine as she let Meg lead her up the stairs. "He's my guide and guardian. My secret angel."
Meg led Christine to her mother, and Giry led Christine away. She led her into the dressing room that was Carlotta's, but now had become hers. There were flowers sitting everywhere in the room. Alone, on the table, sat a lone red rose.
"You did very well," said Giry, turning to Christine with the rose in hand. Christine noticed that it had a black ribbon on its stem. "He is pleased with you."
She must have meant the Phantom. Christine already knew that he was. Giry left the room, fighting away the people that begged for Christine and left her there alone. Christine sat at the small vanity table and looked at the room around her. Everything was so beautiful. She couldn't believe that she was there.
It had to have been Christine, Raoul thought as he fought through the crowd to the dressing room where she had to be. He remembered when they had been smaller and she had always sang to him. Little Lotte was what he used to call her. He know remember the poem that he used to recite to her almost day in day out. Now, her voice was beautiful, as was she. In ten years, she had changed dramatically.
"Ah, Vicomte," shouted a voice. Raoul turned to see that it was just Firmin, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"I believe we've might quite a discovery with Miss Daae," said Andre, beside him. Raoul nodded, wanting to see her as soon as possible. "Perhaps we cold present her to you, dear Vicomte."
"Gentlemen, if you wouldn't mind, This is one visit I want to make alone," said Raoul, taking the flowers from Firmin to give to Christine. "Thank you."
Raoul opened the door quickly and placed the flowers on the empty table beside the door. Raoul smiled as Christine smiled at him. She must have recognize him. "Little Lotte let her mind wander. Little Lotte thought, 'Am I fonder of dolls, or of goblins or shoes. Or of chocolates?"
"Those picnics in the attic, and father playing the violin," said Christine. Her blue eyes were as clear and big as ever. Her dark brown hair was tied back, just staying out of her face.
"As we read to each other dark stories of the North," said Raoul.
"No," said Christine, her eyes meeting his. "'What I love best,' Lotte said. 'Is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head.'"
Raoul hugged her. It was great to see her once again after so long. So much had changed, and it felt good to have such fond memories from his childhood reborn once again. "You sang like and angel tonight."
Christine's eyes were bright and anxious as she spoke. "Father said: 'When I'm in heaven, Christine, I shall send the Angel of Music to you.' Well, father is dead, Raoul. And I have been visited by the Angel of Music."
"Oh, no doubt of it," said Raoul, standing. He was so anxious and glad to see Christine once again that she could hardly stand still. "And now, we go to supper."
"No, Raoul," said Christine, looking back up at him from her seat. "The Angel of Music is very strict."
Raoul laughed. Please. An angel that gave her commands? "Well, I won't keep you up late. I'll order my carriage. Two minutes, Little Lotte."
Raoul walked out of the door, his hopes and heart soaring.
Who was this fool? He was trying to take Christine from him. He had been wanting to act – to show Christine who he was, introduce her to his world. Now, he decided was the time. When the fool left, he quietly made his way to the dressing room door and locked the door, so that Christine could not get out. He didn't want her to leave before he could get to her.
The Phantom made his way quickly through his many passageways throughout the opera house to the one door that led to the mirror inside the dressing room. His spell on her was growing stronger, and she was falling for him. He waited until Christine was just about to open the door, when the candles went out. Perfect. Now was the time to take Christine.
"Insolent boy! He's basking in your glory! Ignorant fool! Sharing in my triumph!" he shouted from the tunnel. Christine turned around, and he could see the fear and awe on her face.
"Angel!" she exclaimed. "Speak – I listen! My soul was weak, please, forgive me! Enter at last, master."
"Flattering child, you shall know me," said Phantom, making himself barely visible in the mirror. "See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror – I am there, inside."
He opened the mirror, letting Christine enter. Her hand lightly grasped his, and he led her through the tunnel. To his eyes, it was dark and damp, filled with rats, but he didn't want her to see that. To her mind, he knew, the tunnel was filled with golden candles lighting the way. She would see the way things were, also with time, but for know, his spell was strong, and she could not resist.
He was inside her mind.
