This is the last chapter I had done when I started publishing here. Unfortunately, now I will be on a longer schedule between chapters. Usually one a week or so.
Thank you to all of you reading this. I hope you are enjoying reading as much as I am writing...
Chapter 10
Erik moved down the hall, pressing his ear to each door, hoping to hear Claude and his guards behind one. He soon realized that was a dead end and continued to the door at the end. Remembering this door from their entrance to the hallway, he opened it, trying to ascertain if he was alone. Hearing no other noises save for his own light breathing, he ventured into an empty rectangular service area with two doors on either side of him and double doors directly across. Again, he began to his left. As he pressed his ear to the fourth door, he heard muffled voices. Listening for a moment, he realized that the voices were raised in anger but the walls and doors so thick it was impossible to hear what was being said.
This has to be where they have taken Claude. Certainly they would not take him far from the cell. Surely they wouldn't fear an escape attempt from a 'stupid, deaf' man. Besides to take him farther would be too inconvenient for them as well.
He touched the handle, hoping it would give with little sound. It moved silently at his touch. He pushed the door enough to create a slit wide enough to peer through. What he saw shocked even him. Claude was bound, hand and feet, to a makeshift cross. The commander stood before him with a guard on each side, each at the ready for anything their superior required. The commander held in his hand a scourge, and continually slapped it against his thigh all the while shouting at Claude.
"What were you doing there? Where are the women? Who are you? Who is the other man?"
Erik heard these questions shouted repeatedly for over a minute, wondering what the commander was thinking.
If he shouts loud enough, does he think he can force a deaf man to hear him? Had the circumstances not been so dire, he might have smiled. Although so far Claude appeared unharmed, Erik knew it would not be long before the commander lost all sense of civility and began to beat him.
Well, it's now or not at all…He moved quietly into the room. All three were so intent on Claude that he had little trouble coming up behind the commander and wrapping his arm around the man's neck. He crushed the man's windpipe almost beyond breath. The two officers looked at him in shock.
"Let him go…NOW or I will break your commander's neck. And it will break. Quite easily, in fact." Although Erik's order was neither loud nor jarring, it forced the officers into a race to see who could loose Claude the fastest. While they worked at Claude's bindings the commander seethed under Erik's control.
"Commander, I don't really want to hurt you. In fact, I want no trouble at all. What I desire is the opportunity to leave with my friend, as we have done nothing other than be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Claude had watched the men untie him but at the word 'friend' Erik watched his head snap up and meet Erik's eyes with a look of…what? Erik wasn't sure, but had no time to worry about it now. He knew if they didn't move fast, they would be trapped in this room with three hostages and a bloodbath on their hands should they choose to escape.
Freed from his restraints, Claude hurried to Erik, who still watched the two officers and continued to hold the commander in check.
"Claude, would you be so kind as to remove the keys from the commander's waist belt? I think we should delay the alarm somewhat as we take our leave of these 'gentlemen'."
He caught the faintest smirk on Claude's face as he pulled the key ring from the commander's belt. He backed toward the door, dragging the commander by the neck, and Claude close behind when he heard a noise behind him. He watched Claude's eyes grow round as saucers and it confirmed his worst fear. They had company, and from the look on Claude's face, lots of it.
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Raoul paced the walk in front of the fountain. It was almost noon. The note had been so cryptic.
The fountain, the park across from the Opera House, noon. Don't be late Raoul. Lives depend on it.
The note carried no signature and he did not recognize the handwriting, nor did he recognize the description of the woman who delivered it. He almost hadn't come, so consumed had he become with finding Christine. But some sixth sense told him this meeting concerned Christine so he came.
When she pushed the boat away from him and returned to that…that thing, well, he had been certain that only a hypnotic trance or some other mind control could have caused her to do such a thing.
Because she loves me! I didn't see him do anything of the kind, but it must be that. What else could cause her to go back to him? A kiss? That ensured only our release, nothing more. Surely she couldn't really think there was more to this monster than what she had already seen. The madness, the cruelty, the hate! No, he must hold some power over her that caused her to return and now…her life could be in danger. Or worse, he may already have killed her. I must know!
In the last few days he had thought he would go mad with worry. Le Agents de Police had found nothing yet. How could she have simply disappeared? The mob from the Opera had torn that monster's lair to shreds, and left nothing. He knew, had she still been there, they would have found her. What had that thing done to her? He continued to pace for some time, stopping now and then to remove his watch and check the time.
"Monsieur De Chagny? Or should I call you Vicomte De Chagny? I'm not sure which is quite appropriate, sorry."
Raoul spun round to see a woman, girl really, about the same age as Christine, standing before him. Her blond hair was plaited and hung down her back, her eyes the color of blue sky and piercing in their intensity.
"Vicomte will do Mlle. And to whom am I speaking?"
"My name, monsieur, is immaterial. I come with news of Christine."
At the mention of Christine's name, Raoul grasped the woman by the shoulders.
"What do you know? Does she live? Is she hurt? What did that monster do to her? You must tell me what you know. I have been out of my mind for days with worry…" His voice trailed off as he looked at the woman. Seeing the look on her face and realizing how he had acted in front of her, a commoner no less, he released her, removing his hands as if she were afire. Making an attempt to calm his breathing, he brushed his lapel as he looked in her face.
"My apologies Mlle. I simply have been so worried about her. What news do you have? Is she well?"
"Oui, monsieur, she is very well. But she needs your help."
"How do you know this?" His eyes grew to tiny slits. "She returned to that monster! Are you involved in some way? Is that how you know of her welfare and needs?"
He watched an odd expression cross her face for half a second, then it was gone.
Her voice took on an almost haughty tone.
"Monsieur, I bring a message from Christine. Everything you need to know is in it. Instructions to answer her are included as well. She must know your reply soon monsieur. Very soon."
With that, she handed him another envelope, this time with his name neatly written in Christine's hand, turned and walked away.
Antoinette walked round the corner toward M Legarde's carriage. How dare the Vicomte assess that Erik is a monster? What did he know of her angel? Her angel in disguise, who had saved her life, her fathers and had worked so tirelessly to try and save her mamman's? This Vicomte, this privileged boy, knows nothing of the man Christine truly loves! Erik is so kind, so gentle, so loving toward Christine. I wish I could find a man who would love me half as fully as he loves his Christine. And now, she wants this Vicomte's help? Mon dieu! I hope you are not mistaken in the Vicomte's character, Christine.
M Legarde helped Antoinette into the carriage.
"Did everything go as planned, Mlle?"
"It would appear so M Legarde, it would appear so. Now we must pray that it works."
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Raoul once again paced, this time in front of the gates to the cemetery. Christine was safe. Her note had told him simply to meet her here, with no other explanation. He was both tremendously relieved and extremely angry and wondered at the dichotomy of the two emotions revolving around one woman at the same time.
She was safe, had not been hurt. But she had been gone for days and he could not understand what would have kept her from him, nor could he imagine what kind of a hold that…that thing must have over her. Why not flee the minute she had the chance? Raoul felt overwhelmed with the different thoughts raging in his head. He turned from his pacing to look toward her father's tomb when he spied her standing to one side. She wore a cape similar to the one she'd worn the last time he'd been there with her and an eerie shiver went down his spine. He ran to her, almost grabbing her to him when he caught sight of her face and stopped short just a few feet from her. The look on her face told him she was not there out of love for him. In her hand, she held a single red rose.
"Christine, you're all right! I have been out of my mind with worry for you. I…"
She raised her hand to stop him, the expression on her face telling him he might not want to know after all, why she had asked him to meet her.
Christine had come round the side of her father's tomb and caught site of Raoul immediately. Her heart went out to him in sadness for what she must finish, and pity for she knew she would hurt him. But she could not deny her feelings and would not lie to him to protect his. She had worn a cape to cover her injury, knowing he would think the worst if he saw it. In her hand she held a single red rose tied with a black ribbon. She hoped the picture she presented to him would make too many words needless. She knew how much words could hurt. Lifting her chin, she moved toward him but had only taken a step or two when he turned and saw her. As he ran to her, the pity she felt for him brought tears to her eyes and he stopped short. He began to speak but she only heard her pounding heart. Gathering her strength she put her hand up in a signal for him to stop.
"Raoul, I have several things to say and I would appreciate your letting me speak without interruption. When I am done, you may say what you like and I will listen."
He opened his mouth but she shook her head, intent on finishing what she must tell him.
"I am sorry for the hurt I have caused you Raoul. You came to me, in love with a childhood memory. I was in love with the knight who rescued my scarf. I do not really know the man you have grown to be. There is nothing wrong with the man you have become, Raoul." She turned from him knowing her next statement would truly break his heart.
"But you are not the man for me. I led you to believe I felt a passion for you that never existed. I tried to talk myself into loving you because I was at a crossroad in my life. It scared me-this change I felt. You were a safe haven from a life of confusion and a sweet reminder of a life I can never recapture. I was maturing much faster than I wanted to. I needed a place to 'hide' and you were suddenly there." She turned back to him, her eyes pleading for his forgiveness. "I understand myself now Raoul. I know myself so much better than the little girl who professed her love for you. I know now that I should never have deceived you with false hope…false love. A few nights ago, I found my heart and it does not lie with you. It lies with…" She hesitated and took a deep breath. "It lies with Erik." She had watched his face carefully as she spoke, watching the hurt wash over it, but at the mention of Erik's name, his face grew red with anger.
"That monster? You love that thing, Christine? What kind of a spell has he woven that has trapped your heart, your soul? How can you possibly love something that is at best, half human?"
Before she could stop herself, she slapped Raoul across the face leaving him shocked, with a red mark on his cheek and pain in her heart. Her anger outweighed her pain and she continued to attack him.
"Don't ever call him a monster again, Raoul! He is a man, a man who breathes as you do, feels pain as you do, who loves, more profoundly than you could ever know. I will not have you think of him as anything less in my presence. I love him. Truly love him. I have wronged you, that is true. It happened because I was a vulnerable little girl. I am no longer that little girl Raoul. I have grown up, enough to know my own heart. I thought I loved you when I was young and naïve, but that little girl is gone now. I let her go, Raoul, and you must as well." Her voice had continued to rise as her anger burned. At one time, she would never have believed Raoul could be so cruel. But that was a lifetime ago and they had all changed. Calming her breathing she began again.
"I came here today to ask two things of you. One is to release me from our engagement." His eyes widened at her request. Surely he can't think, after all that I've said, I would still remain betrothed to him!
"And the other…well, after listening to you speak, I know my second request will be fruitless. And so, I ask the first. Will you release me from my promise?"
Raoul's eyes flared with an anger of their own though his face had assumed a passive expression.
"And the other, Christine? What is the seconed request?"
She paused before answering, watching his face.
"The second Raoul is…to help me free Erik."
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"Claude. How many do you count behind me?" Erik watched Claude's face as he continued counting the officers. They had entered the room at the first hint of a problem, but he held his advantage by the neck. He knew Claude could not see into the outer room and had no way of gauging what lay beyond the door.
"Four have come into the room behind you monsieur, and there are two barring the door."
"So, Commander. It would seem you have an audience of eight for sure. An audience for what, you say? Why, an audience to watch how easily your neck will snap should anyone attempt to stop us from leaving your most hospitable lodgings." Erik had kept his voice quiet but it held an air of authority he knew the commander would not fail to understand.
"And so, Commander, what is your pleasure? Would you accompany us to the door while your officers bid us adieu? Or would you entertain your subordinates with a sight I am sure they rarely see here? Your choice, Commander. Make it…now."
He felt the commander's body stiffen under his restraint, but it then went slack and Erik knew he had won the battle, but could he win the war?
"I see you are an intelligent man after all, Commander, though I did have my doubts. I will loose my arm just enough for you to instruct your men to clear a path for us, and provide three horses at the back of the building. I am honored that you will be 'seeing us out' and delighted that you will be traveling with us as well."
He felt the commander's body stiffen once again at his last statement, but true to his word, he loosed the commander's throat enough for the man to give the orders Erik had instructed. The commander did so through gritted teeth and Erik gave a slight smirk at the commander's anger.
Erik gave the officer dispatched a moment to secure the horses before he began to back out of the room using Claude as his eyes. Knowing the officers would not be inclined to cause the commander's death, Erik dragged him down the hall, Claude making sure the officers following made no move to stop them. When they reached the door Erik put his back to it, keeping the commander in front of him, and pushed it open enough to allow Claude a look into the alley. Claude confirmed three horses and no one around save for the lone officer that brought them. The three moved out the door, the officers following. Erik nodded his head at the lone officer to return to the others and instructed Claude to mount one of the horses, pushing the commander to another. Still keeping his arm around the man's neck, he swung into the saddle with one arm, dragging the commander up by the neck, with the other.
"You will kindly swing your leg over the saddle, Commander." The man did as he was told, seating himself in front of Erik. Erik told Claude to take the reins of the empty horse and lead him. The commander squirmed and Erik once again tightened his grip.
"Please enjoy the ride, sir. I'm sure your men understand the consequences should they decide to follow our little soiree. Once we have ridden as far as I think we must, you will be free to go. However, do keep in mind that, should you be foolish enough to attempt our capture at any time, now or ever, I shall come back for you. That is a promise I will hold myself to." He gave a little squeeze for emphasis before turning to the officers, still gaping at the scene before them.
"Gentlemen, thank you for your hospitality yesterday and today. We'll take our leave now. Just remember my words and we shall all have enjoyed our day, and our lives, immensely."
Turning his horse, he trotted down the alley with Claude following. As they rounded the corner, Erik glanced back to see the shocked officers still staring after them, not one of them having moved.