A/N: ok, I've decided to make this entire story based off Christine's POV. If you'd like to see some-one else's POV, leave a comment and I'll try to get them into the story. ALSO, if you have any comments on where you'd like to see this story go, please let me know b/c after this chappie, it's kinda like a free fall for the author. Thanx!
Chatper 3: Murder, She Wrote (Pt. I)
I dressed in my best dress I could find for the occasion for all my dresses were black. I found a poofy one Raoul enjoyed when I wore such a dress in a shade of pink or lavendar. But now came his time and since it would be night, I'd blend right in...except for that mask: it'll glow in the moonlight and I shall sing his requiem into the streets as I walk back into my new home.
I fixed my hair into a pony tail tied with a black ribbon in honor of my great tutor who now rested with the angels - one of which my father - looking over me in this dark hour for Raoul. I almost felt bad for my childhood sweetheart butit was an apathetic moment so it really didn't matter.
Meg came down for the first time since the great fire. She ws shocked to hear soemthing move and when she saw me in a mask, she hit the ground laughing. "Christine, why the facade?"
"Meg, what are you doing down here?" My patientince was also running at a low point. She looked at me with a horrified look. It was like she didn't know me or I was the new O.G.
"I just came down to bring you the new riding pants and shirts you had mother order. She wanted me to also..." she looked around before she continued. "She wanted me to ask if you would need any new dresses since your stay will be...um..."she looked almost stupid just standing there trying to think of the word.
"Meg, my stay will be for a great while. I understand. Tell Mme. not to worry. I will be returning to Raoul's home and I will gather a few dresses there. Now, go on upstairs." She looked dumbstuck when I told her to return to the upper levels. She left with a smirk all ballerina's got when they were told to do something they didn't want to. I used to do it all the time but since I don't dance as much as I used to so I had lost my touch.
I returned to fixing my hair. Since I would be walking...or rather sneaking...around the streets, it wouldn't have to be extremly beautiful not painful so the way I had to worked to my benifit. My outfit...I still needed to find Erik's cape. I had checked the candlebras and the sleeping chamber but no sign of anything.
I decided to check the boat but still, I knew it was a silly idea, and I came up with nothing. I returned to his desk to check on the chair or for any sign. I went to sit on the bench of the grand organ and with my luck, found it. I suppose he did one last trick before they invaded his presonal house.
I dusted it off quickly to see if any damage had been caused due to the fire and to my luck, it was perfect. It seemed to be a bit heavier than I remembered but my strength never matched le Fantomes. I swung it on and checked my posture in the mirror. I looked quite ridiculous! I started laughing but I heard a rather loud noise that made me jump out of site and then I realized it was a familiar face. Nadir Khan, the only friend of Erik. He really supported him in that last part of life although I knew it wasn't going well due to his obsession over me (I felt rather guilty over that matter but I found it easier to put it beside me).
I hid in my little corner and observed what the gray man was doing. He looked around, as if a sign that I was there or if there was anything at all living here. I guess he wasn't satisfied. He must have known I came to take over for he left a small envelope above a package and left aburptly. Once I was certain he was gone, I went to investigate.
The letter was addressed to me so I tore into it rather quickly. It read:
Christine,
I know that you're here and I'm quite glad. It was something Erik would have liked. I have come to return your diary. I know, you're probably skeptical of how it has come into my possesion. You see, when you ran away and left the Opera House to burn, your room was untouched by flames due to all of Eriks' personal passageways and the concerte served as a protective barrier, per say. Erik scanned the room and came across the small book and took it down to read it. I haven't read a single word from yourpersonal book. Erik did and it broke his heart to hear that you truely loved him. I thought you'd want to hear that. If you need anything, tell Antoinette and she will guide you to me.
Erik loves you and always will. Never doubt it, Christine. Never...
Nadir
I was about heartbroken myself after reading the note. I truely felt sorry for Erik now that he read my true thoughts about him. I loved him but I chose the easy life. Ever since my father's death, I was a perfect disaster, and true beautiful wreck. Erik was too and he loved me anyway. Raoul only knew the little Lotte; he wasn't fond of me...the real me but I found that out too late.
I unwrapped the package and sure enough, i was my small little diary. The deep blue velvet lining the cover and the book that I carried ever since my father's death. I worte when I first arrived at the Opera House and then years later when the...events occured. I didn't think I could go to anyone so I wrote it down to put it off my mind.
I placed the book gently on the organ and figured I should start to leave.
