Chapter 16
Erik's fingers curled into a nervous ball and he closed his eyes to listen only to the music. He could also hear faint footsteps, but that couldn't be his Angel, Angel's floated didn't they? A soft seductive voice floated around his room, and like the wind, it wound its way through his ears and around his body, making it tingle.
"Insolent girl, this slave of fashion, basking if your glory! Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" Erik's eyes flew open at the sound of his Angel, yes he knew it was her, and he dropped his defences. He was now utterly glad he stayed. Rachelle was his past, his Angel was his future. He stayed rooted to the spot as the gentle flow of her song washed over him and playfully toyed with him. She had the voice of an Angel, but then all Angels did. However, she sounded a little angry at Rachelle, saying that she was taking something away from him and his Angel. He knew deep down in his heart that his Angel was right. Rachelle didn't matter, and couldn't only hold him back. He opened his mouth and out of it came his voice, which sounded only the best when he sang with his Angel.
"Angel I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me!" He looked around the room, and his words rang true. He wanted her to guide him, to be with him. He wanted her to know that he would always listen to her and do as she commanded whatever the cost. He lowered his eyes, knowing that she could see him, and wanted to be respectful. "Angel my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last master!" He finished and was afraid that she would go away, thinking that he was lying. Had she heard what Erik told Rachelle, that he loved her, and that she loved him? He trembled again, praying that the Angel would believe him and not leave him alone. His father would be furious if that happened and Erik desperately longed to see and learn from the Angel of Music. His fears were beginning to rise quickly, but as soon as they came they disappeared because he could softly hear his Angel replying to him.
"Flattering child you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror. I am there inside!" The voice grew and grew and on the last note is swelled to a great crescendo, forcing Erik to look in the direction of the voice and found himself staring at the mirror. He saw himself, looking scared and yet intrigued. He struggled to see past the mist that was slowly making it's way around the room and after a few moments he could distinguish a small shape in the shadows. He peered long and hard at it from this distance he couldn't tell weather it was a man or woman. He moved towards it slowly, and when is didn't back away, he moved forward even more. As he came closer the light seemed to increase from some unknown source, which threw light onto the creature standing I the mirror. But how could someone stand in a mirro? Erik thought with amazed eyes wandering over the creature. It's your Angel, she can do anything. Erik voice spoke up after being silent for so long. Of course. Erik's Angel. She could do anything. And as if one cue his Angel began to sing, coaxing him to come to her. "I am your Angel of Music. Come to me Angel of Music." Erik found it so very hard to resist and he quickened his pace to the mirror, which held his Angel there. He had no more doubts, or second guesses. This was his Angel and she was hear to teach him. He reached the mirror, which slid open to reveal the woman he met in his dream so long ago, she still wore the same white dress, and she still hid her face in the shadows. She held out her hand for his, and he took it without hesitation, and their fingers entwined together. A sudden banging on the door startled Erik briefly, and he glanced behind, but the tug of his Angel lured him back into a trance and he forgot everything once more.
"Who's is that voice? Who is that in there?" Rachelle's words rang out feebily from behind the door. Erik stooped for only a moment as if the words had brough him back from his unreal world, but his Angel whispered in his ear.
"I am your Angel of Music…come to me angel of Music." Her soothing voice made Erik turn back towards her, and she led him off by the hand, and he sunk into her world as the mirror started to close behind them.
"Erik! Angel!" Rachelle's howling, desperate cried were cut off as the mirror finished its closing journey, and Erik and his Angel disappeared.
Rachelle shoved hard against the door, but to no avail. She had heard Erik's voice and another woman's as well. She realised that pushing on the door was going to do nothing, and she glanced around the emptying hallway. Many were spectators who were murmuring angrily that they hadn't seen Erik. She spotted Mme. Giry, who had been introduced that night as the ballet teacher and Rachelle, knew that Mme. Giry would know what to do about Erik. She left the dressing room door and hurried over to where Mme. Giry stood, ushering people out into the main lobby for the beginning of the gala, which was going to last well into the night. Rachelle was sweating lightly, something which was very unladylike, but as the moment, she didn't much care, her only thoughts were turned to Erik and helping him.
"Excuse me Mme." said Rachelle is her sweetest and calmest voice as the two woman shook hands. "I am…" Began Rachelle, but Mme. Giry interrupted her.
"I know who you are Countess Rachelle de Chagney." Rachelle stared with a wild surprised look.
"How…well…it doesn't really matter how you know…" Rachelle, wasn't well known herself, but her older sister Pauline was very well known, as she was entitled to the Chagney's huge estate as soon as their father died. He had died a few years before, and so all her life Rachelle's sister had been going everywhere with their father learning how to upkeep the estate, and learn other business things. Pauline was married, but their marriage was arranged by their father, it was only natural in Paris, that a woman was supposed to be married and couldn't do anything by herself. Their father had taught her well, however, and Pauline only had a husband to keep up appearances. Rachelle knew quite well, that they were both very active in up keeping with the estate, and they were very happy together, despite the arranged marriage. Pauline ofen teased Rachelle that she hadn't got married yet, and with each passing year, her dowry of the estate got smaller and smaller. Rachelle smiled at the memory, she and her sister spent a great deal of time together, travelling around Pairs. It had been 14 years ago, that he, Pauline, and their father (their mother stayed back home at the estate because he was too sick that year to travel) journeyed to a small lake, a private one of the Chagney's They spent many summers there, laughing and playing in their childhood years. Even Pauline, who was wise and acted well beyond her young years, could be free at the small private lake at their summer home by the lake. That was where she had met Erik.
Erik and his father had been found in the bushes by Rachelle and Pauline who were walking and exploring through the woods. The two men had been sleeping, and Rachelle had been too scared to wake them up, but Pauline, ever the older sister, nudged them, and as they began to stir, Pauline grabbed some thick stalks from the trees surrounding them and lashed their arms and feet together. Rachelle had protested the whole time, and Pauline eventually, fed up with her, told her to go back to the house and tell father. Rachelle had hurried off, scared what Pauline might do to them, even though she had a kind heart. She reached the steps of the grand cabin and yelled to herfather that they had found a couple of people in their woods. Her father had told her sternly to wait in the house, while he went to see them, but Rachelle said he wouldn't know where to go, and he consented quickly, and reluctantly. The two of them made their way out of the house, and Rachelle led them to where she had left Pauline and the two men tied up. Rachelle's father had congratulated Pauline for tying up the trespassers and Rachelle gaped in surprise, she could not believe it. She could not believe that her father would do that to anyone.
"Father, they look poor, the least we could do it untie them and let them sleep one night in our house and give them some food." The little Rachelle had pleaded as she saw the two men lying helpless down on the floor. Her father looked down and little Rachelle and ruffled her hair affectionately. He knelt down to eye level and looked at his youngest daughter.
"Ma petite chere." He said, "You're too soft hearted…"
"But you were going to kill them!" she yelled, and her father's smile widened and he pulled her close to him into a hug.
"No dear, I wasn't going to kill them. I will turn them into the proper authorities because they broke the law." Rachelle glanced back down at the small boy and shook her head.
"You can't father. He's so young, let me take care of them here, and then they'll be on their way." Her father regarded her carefully.
"You would help these complete strangers?" she nodded vigorously, and he gave her a small smile. "Alright then. Help me untie them and we'll get them into the house." Rachelle set into it right away and from that moment on, Erik and Rachelle had been inseparable all summer long. After her father noticed how strongly Rachelle had taken to little Erik, he allowed them to stay longer with them. Erik sang and his father played for them in exchange for food and shelter. It had been the happiest time of Rachelle's life not only because she enjoyed the beautiful music and wonderful company, but because she met Erik.
And now after 14 years later, he was gone again.
"Please Mme. I need to get into Erik's dressing room, I think he may be in trouble." Mme. Giry gave her a hard stare and shook her head.
"I'm afraid I can't do that Mademoiselle Rachelle."
"Why not? I order you to give me the key!" she demanded, but Mme. Giry only shook her head again as a couple of more people passed by her, jostling them.
"I already told you I can't. I don't have the key. Erik has the only key."
"That's a lie! He never had the chance to get the key from you." Rachelle accused her directly. "When I wasn't with him, he was with the good doctor."
"How dare you tell me I lie. You may be of greater stature then I, but I must remind you Mademoiselle Rachelle that in the Opera House I am Queen. For your peace of mind, I was with Erik tonight, I had a gift to deliver to him from an admirer. I was there a few moments, and also handed him the key." Mme. Giry leaned forward and Rachelle actually felt a little frightened of her. "So you see, Mademoiselle, the only way that Erik had someone in there was because he wanted someone to be in there. And that would be his privacy." Mme. Giry gave a curt nod and tuned on her heel leaving the stunned Rachelle in her wake. She was in shock, She had told Erk that she loved him, and this was how he responded? He did say that they could take it no further, was this why? Rachelle wouldn't believe it, Erik could never, would never to that to her. If this was the case, then Erik was in danger…
Erik had been kidnapped.
A/N: Ok, I didn't really care for this chapter too much, it was a little hard to write. Tell me what you think. R&R.
