Thank you for all the wonderful feedback on the last chapter. I'm glad that you guys liked it. Here is chapter four. I hope that you guys really enjoy it. Also, by the time this chapter is posted, I should have internet access. The company is supposed to come out on Tuesday to hook it up so after Tuesday, I should be able to post chapters from my room as well. Anyways, I hope that you guys like the next chapter.

Chapter Four: Wandering Child

Christine stood up from where she knelt at her father's mausoleum and looked around. Then she turned back to face the mausoleum. "Please help me father. I need your guidance, now more than ever."

Then she turned around and made her way back to the cemetery gates where she knew Shawn would be waiting with the carriage. Anne was standing outside the carriage when Christine emerged from the cemetery gates. "Is everything alright mam'selle?" she asked, noticing the tears streaming down Christine's face.

Christine nodded. "Yes, everything is just fine. I would like to visit Madame and Meg Giry now," she said, climbing into the carriage.

"Of course mam'selle."

Anne climbed into the carriage and after giving Shawn directions to the Giry's flat, they were on their way.

He watched the carriage pull away from the cemetery. He had heard that they were headed towards the Giry's flat but that didn't matter to him now. Other things were on his mind.

Walking back to where his horse was tied, he glanced back once more at the carriage. "I have to help her," he said to himself. "She's desperate for help and I don't think that the Vicomte is going to help her get over this pain she is feeling."

Mounting his horse, he rode off in the direction of the Opera Populaire.

A few minutes later, he pulled his horse to a halt and dismounted. He felt along the damaged wall for a moment and then pushed a brick in and a hidden door opened. He led his horse down the passageway and then tied him to a pole off to one side. Boarding the gondola he pushed off the shoreline and made his way to his destroyed home.

As his home came into view, he finally got a good look at the devastation. Papers were strewn about; his organ was damaged, but was repairable. The sheets on his bed we slashed, candles were tipped over. All of the destruction didn't matter to him as he tied the gondola to the shoreline. He strode over to his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen. He then sat down and began to write.

The carriage pulled to a stop outside the Giry's flat, and Shawn climbed down to open the door for Christine. Slowly, Christine stepped out of the carriage and looked at the building in front of her. It was raggedy and worn down. Shutters were missing and the building was in need of a new coat of paint.

She went and knocked on the door, slowly. Standing back, Christine waited for a moment, then was about to leave when she heard the door open and a familiar blonde head peek out.

"Christine? Is it really you?"

Meg Giry ran out of the doorway and enveloped her friend in a huge hug.

"I never thought that I would see you again!" she exclaimed, taking a step back from Christine.

Christine smiled, and looked around. "I think that it would be best if we went inside. Raoul doesn't know that I am here."

Meg nodded and the pair went inside.

"Mama! Look who's here!"

Madame Giry turned and saw Christine's familiar face. "Christine! It's good to see you my dear. Come, sit down and tell me everything."

Christine sat down in a nearby chair and Meg sat down next to her. "What happened with the Phantom? You look wonderful. How's Raoul?" A barrage of questions came from Meg.

"Cheri, calm yourself," Madame Giry said, looking at Meg. "Christine will tell us all in good time."

"He let me go."

Both Giry's looked up at the sound of Christine's voice. "Who let you go?" Madame Giry asked.

"The Phantom. He let me go," Christine replied.

"He did? That's remarkable," Meg said.

She looked at Christine, confusion in her eyes. "You said that Raoul didn't know that you were here. Is everything alright with you two?" she asked.

"Raoul doesn't know that you are here? Christine, it's not in your nature to deceive anyone. Is something going on?" Madame Giry asked.

"He's forbidden me to sing."

"What?"

"Raoul has forbidden me to sing. He says that he doesn't want 'him' finding us," Christine said, looking down at her lap.

Meg stood up and placed a hand on Christine's shoulder. "Are you alright Christine?"

"I miss him so much Meg," she said, tears streaming down her face. "His voice haunts my dreams. He killed for me. He's murdered people, but I miss him like crazy."

Madame Giry looked at the two friends. "Meg, maybe you should give it to her."

Meg nodded and disappeared into another room for a moment. She returned a few minutes later, a box in her hand. "Christine, I found this in his lair. I think you should have it."

She handed the box to Christine. Looking down at the box, Christine gently placed her fingers on the intricate design on the top. Then, she slowly opened it.

There, nestled in tissue, was his mask.

I know that it's a bad place to end the chapter but I promise that I did it for a good reason. I now have internet at home so I am updating from home now! Wahoo! Anyways, don't forget to submit a review and tell me what you think.

I remain your obedient author,
Phantomfan1911