Author's Note: Okay, now that I have given you all a little taste of what Raoul is up to I'm going to delve back into the story. I really hope that you guys like the story the way it is going so far. I got a lot of feedback on chapter fifteen. Everyone wanted to know what was going to happen. Here is chapter seventeen. I really hope that you guys enjoy it.

Chapter Seventeen: Christine's Plan

Christine bathed, and then Elizabeth helped her dress in a beautiful deep purple dress. Christine didn't smile the entire time. Her mind was invaded with thoughts of Erik and the opera house. She missed Erik terribly.

She sat at her vanity table as Elizabeth helped her put her long, chocolate curls up into a fashionable style that she knew would please Raoul. "Why do I have to please him? I hate him!" Christine suddenly cried out.

"I'm terribly sorry Christine. I wish that there was something that I could do," Elizabeth replied, a look of sadness in her eyes.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Elizabeth quickly finished with Christine's hair and then went to answer the door.

"Dinner is ready Vicomtesse," a servant girl said.

"Thank you."

Christine sighed and then rose from her seat. "Elizabeth, I want you to be here when I return from dinner. I need you to go to the opera house tonight."

"Of course Christine. It would be my pleasure."

Elizabeth made sure that Christine's dress was set just right and then stepped back and let the Vicomtesse de Changy make her way down the stairs.

Christine made her way in the dining room where Raoul sat waiting for her. "Darling! You look beautiful!" he said, standing up and kissing her on the cheek.

She looked away. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Raoul moved and sat back down at his place at the table. "Please, sit." He motioned towards the chair next to him.

Moving around the table, Christine sat down and folded her hands in her lap.

"How do you like the house so far?"

"It's beautiful. How did you build this house so quickly?"

He smiled. "It actually belonged to my parents. This used to be our summer home."

"I see. Do your parents still use this house?"

"No. They stopped coming here about five years ago. Both Philippe and I outgrew the house."

The cook came out of the kitchen and placed a bowl of soup in front of Christine. She picked up a spoon and placed it in the bowl, moving it to the outside of the bowl and sipping on the soup. "Do you like it?" Raoul asked.

"It's very good," Christine replied.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. It was Raoul who finally spoke. "I thought that we might take a walk after dinner. I wanted to show you the garden."

"I'm actually quite tired. I was going to go sleep after dinner, if that's alright."

"I understand. Why don't you go ahead and go to sleep now? It's been a long day for you my dear."

She pushed back from the table and stood up. "Thank you."

Christine made her way over to the door. The sound of Raoul's voice made her stop. "Would you like me to walk you up to your room?" he asked.

"No thank you. I'll have Elizabeth help me. Good night."

She exited the room and made her way up the stairs. Christine kept her composure the entire time. When she entered her room, however, the tears started to come down. "I want to go back to the opera house!" she cried out as soon as the door was closed.

"Did everything go well Christine?" Elizabeth asked, looking up from her needlepoint.

"No! It didn't! Raoul and I don't talk like we used to. He's so cold to me. It's not like it used to be. There's no love there anymore."

She walked over to her vanity and took out a piece of paper and a quill pen. Quickly, she scribbled out a note.

My dearest Erik,

Raoul has taken me prisoner in his family's summer home. It is about four miles outside of Paris. I'm not sure of the exact location because I was asleep during the entire carriage ride.

He has forbidden me to speak of you or to ever sing again. He is taking everything that I love. Starting with my music, then he took you from me by kidnapping me. I don't know how long it is going to take this letter to reach you but I had to let you know what was going on.

I am working to create a plan to escape from here. I am not allowed outside unless Raoul is with me so I won't be able to do anything major. Please send word back with Elizabeth that you have received this letter. I won't be able to go on unless I know that you are still out there looking for me. I know you are looking for me. I just know you are. Please send word soon.

Love Always,

Christine

She folded the letter and placed it into an envelope. After writing Erik's name on the front of the envelope, she handed it to Elizabeth. "Please deliver this to Madame Giry at the Opera Populaire. Do not let Raoul discover this letter. If anyone asks, tell them that you are retrieving items for me from my dressing room. Do not return until you have received a letter back from Madame Giry."

Christine took out another sheet of paper and wrote down some things that she knew were in her dressing room. "Show this to anyone who asks what you are retrieving from my dressing room."

"Please, don't let anyone read that letter. It's vital that it gets to the opera house."

Elizabeth smiled and retrieved her cape and cap. "Of course Christine. I will be back in due time."

She opened the door and, after looking out in the hallway, left the room.

'I hope that she gets there in time. I don't want to be kept prisoner here forever,' Christine thought.

All she could do was sit, wait and pray.

Okay, now we know what Christine is up to. She's getting a plan formulated in her mind to escape. But now she needs Erik's help. If you all are wondering what happened to Erik, don't worry. He will be back in the next chapter. Hope that you liked this chapter. Please send reviews!

Sarah