After making sure the ballerinas where ready and that the star of the show, Christine, had found her costume, Madam Giry took Erik up to his normal box. The show started, and it went on without any problems. Unless, of course, you count Erik's shouting of random words during silent parts a problem.
"Christine, you where wonderful!" exclaimed a very proud Raoul, "Come on, I'm taking you to dinner. I'll bring the carriage around while you change out of your costume."
Christine was very excited to be going out with Raoul, "Finally!" she thought as she quickly changed, "an Erik-free night!" She had never thought that she would actually be glad to be away from the Phantom.
Christine made her way down the grand marble staircase, and out of the exit of the Opera Populaire, She didn't see Raoul, "He must be getting the carriage still." she thought, not worried at all, "I did change unusually quickly."
Walking down to the corner of the street to try and catch a glimpse of Raoul, a dark, hooded figure made his way towards her.
"Such a beautiful girl all alone in the middle of the night?" he asked, innocently enough, "What are you doing here m'dear?"
"Oh," said Christine, flattered at the kindness of the man, "I'm waiting for my carriage, you see."
"Yes...of course."
Christine smiled at the man, but he still didn't leave.
"But I am afraid, m'dear, that you won't be making it to that carriage."
And before she could utter a word, he whipped out a cloth hidden in his cloak, quickly wrapping it around Christine's mouth. He then took out a rope, binding her hands.
"The star of the Opera, Miss Christine Daae, left all alone, unguarded, in the dark at night? Such a mistake... Such a mistake indeed." He laughed in an unmistakably maniacal way.
Christine tried to struggle her way free, but it did no good, the man was much to strong, and instead of dragging her just picked her up over his shoulder.
"Come, my dear." he said laughing, "Our carriage awaits."
Raoul was confused. Christine was nowhere to be seen. Although, he did take longer than expected. He had a little "disagreement" with one of the two carriage horses.
"Christine must have gone with Madam Giry, Meg, and Erik, thinking that I was not coming for her." He knew that this must be the explanation to the disappearance of Christine.
"I must let her know that I had no intention of leaving her behind. I wouldn't want her angry with me."
And so he set off towards the Giry household, no more than 5 minutes from the Opera house.
He parked his carriage in front of their home, tying the horses to a nearby tree. Seeing a light coming from the window, he knew they must be home. He politely knocked upon the door of their quaint, two story home.
"Who is calling?" replied the sweet, young voice of Meg.
"It's me, Raoul."
"One moment" called Meg.
You could hear the click of a lock before Meg had opened the door.
"Come in; come in, what brings you here tonight? Are you coming for dinner?"
"No." replied Raoul plainly, "I was wondering if Christine was here. You see, she wasn't there when I brought the carriage around to pick her up. It took a while, so I figured that she just went home with you."
"No, she's not here, I'm sorry. Maybe she decided to sleep in the dormitories tonight." Meg was obviously not worried.
"Are you staying for dinner" Meg asked.
But before he could reply he heard Madam Giry yelling from the next room: "ERIK! NO!" this was immediately followed by a large thump, and then, the sound of glass breaking.
"ERIK, FOR THE LAST TIME, JUST BECAUSE YOUR WEARING A CAPE, DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN FLY OFF OF THE TOP OF MY CHINA HUTCH!" she was obviously angry.
Raoul didn't even want to get involved. He bid Meg a goodnight, wishing her luck with containing the childish antics of Erik, and left.
"She's just in the dormitories." he tried to convince himself. "She heard me when I told her I was going to get her." He was very, very worried, and was going very fast towards the Opera House.
He arrived only to find the doors securely locked, he banged upon them until a cranky janitor came and unlocked them for him.
"My goodness son! Quite impatient! Back in my day we wouldn't bang upon such doors..."
But Raoul left the man to remember 'the good old days' while he desperately made his way towards the dormitories.
"Christine!" he yelled, flinging the doors open. The girls, who had been reading, braiding each others hair, and practicing their ballet positions screamed at the sight of Raoul.
"You're not supposed to be in here. You're a man!" said one bold looking, red-headed ballerina.
"Oh, really?" he said sarcastically, "I didn't know that."
This obviously didn't please the girls. So he made it quick. "I'm just looking for Christine."
"She's not here." replied one girl named Mary, "just leave now. We don't want our dormitories infected with your manliness."
Raoul didn't know if this was an insult, or if they where complementing his manliness.
He was on his way out, and obviously wasn't moving fast enough for the girls, because he was pelted with a hairbrush on the way out.
He decided to check her dressing room first. Lighting a candle so he could see, he examined the room.
Everything was in place. There was no sign of struggle like there would be if someone came in and took her. He took his time, looking everywhere. He found a note pinned to the back of the door.
Dear Opera Populaire,
I have taken your precious Christine. She will not return until my demands of 20,000 francs have been met. And I expect that your opera will do quite poorly in the absence of your lead voice. Meaning it would be in your best interest to pay the ransom soon.
Leave it with the two guards at 9875 Chariot Street, just outside of London. That is where she is being held. Don't try to rescue her; I assure you that there are many security measures preventing you from doing so.
Regards,
William Patrick III
"Oh my god." Raoul gasped, "She's gone!"
