XXXV
Erik yawned as he scribbled a short note on a piece of paper. He had been up for nearly two days straight, something that he was quite used to, if he were to be composing. However for the past two days he had just been unable to sleep, no matter how tired he felt. Of course the insomnia had led to composing, but he didn't deem any of the work good.
He yawned again and sighed the note with the familiar initials, then he slipped it into the envelope and grabbed his cloak. If he was going to be awake he might as well deliver the note. And while above ground getting something to eat couldn't hurt, and he could also check on the theatre and maybe even Christine while he was at it.
He pushed the boat along and climbed up through all of the cellars. He didn't know exactly where Monsieur Lefevre would be, but he figured he would be near his office. He turned and started on his way when he heard the man's voice in the hall, he was talking with Antoinette.
"Lucky me," he murmured and dropped the envelope. He smirked when it hit the man in the head.
Stifling another yawn he decided that he would check on the theatre another day. Trying to get some sleep seemed like a wiser course of action. Of course he would get something to eat first, seeing as he was near the kitchens.
Antoinette had to suppress a laugh when the note hit the manager on the head. He, however, did not find it nearly as amusing. He snatched the note from the floor and opened the envelope.
"Well?" Antoinette asked.
"It seems that our ghost has a sense of humour," He chuckled, "I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and will be eagerly awaiting my own gift of twenty thousand francs…you are over due on your payment. I remain, your obedient servant, O.G."
"Over due?" Antoinette asked.
"Unfortunately. However it is hardly my fault, he has not asked for the money and I had no want to send it to him. If he ever forgot it would be a blessing."
"Has he ever forgotten?" Antoinette asked.
"Not in all the years that I have been here…are you going to the service tonight?"
"Oui, Monsieur. Are you?"
"I was thinking of it. But there is still much to do, it is Christmas and that means New Years approaches. New Years means the Bal Masque, and that means extensive planning and the sending of many invitations."
"Take a break," Antoinette advised, "working so hard will take a toll on your health."
"No," he retorted, "the ghost and La Carlotta, will take a toll on my health. Good day Madame."
Antoinette sighed and glanced up, but there was already no sign of Erik. She gave another small laugh and made her way to the ballet dormitories to find Meg and Christine. She was taking them to midnight mass tonight and had to make sure that they were getting ready. She passed Christine going the other way and stopped her.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"I was just going to the chapel," Christine replied, "to pray for my father."
"You should be getting ready to go to mass."
"It will only take a moment, Madame."
"Very well then, run along, but be quick."
Christine gave a small curtsey and dashed off towards the chapel. The room was empty, as usual and she quickly lit a candle for her father and knelt to pray. She was done within a few minutes and called out quietly to see if her Angel was there. She received no reply.
She gave a disgruntled sigh and left. She had been hoping to see if it would be alright to go to mass. But she reassured herself again. She wasn't alone, she would be with Madame Giry and Meg. Not only that but it was church, not just wandering the streets and it was for Christmas, she had done it every year before now.
So, with renewed confidence, Christine went back up to the dormitory and found her cloak and good shoes. Then her and Meg went down to the stable, giggling and talking the entire time. Antoinette was already waiting with one of the coaches.
"Hurry up," she urged as the girls climbed in and sat down.
They spread a blanket over their laps and the coach lurched forward into the snowy night. And as they travelled away from the large theatre nobody noticed the shadow on the roof, watching the snow fall on the city bellow.
A/N: (gasp) An update! Yes I have finally updated, and would like to apologize most profoundly for the long wait. But alas, exams are nearing and time is precious for studying for crazy chemistry and biology. So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even though it was a little short, and will leave a review because they make me happy.
