Chapter Sixteen

The Stakeout

After Raoul had collected his provisions and other materials he headed for the Opera Populaire. As he drew closer a figure in a hooded cloak rushed past him heading in the same direction as him and he was carrying a bag. He had obviously just gone out for food. Damn it! He missed his chance. Hopefully he hadn't bought very much food and would have to leave for more soon. He could only hope that was the situation.

Back to Christine and Erik

"Christine what exactly did you write in that note?"

"I told him we left early because we were fed up with the way he was acting and you know how I went to the bathroom. Well, I really didn't I told Bob where to find Raoul's diary. And he just happened to read the page where Raoul stupidly confessed his love to you. But he didn't realize who you were so he said he confessed his love for a man that he didn't even know. And Bob said they were over and left. And I said 'and like you said you are like so totally over.' Do think he is mad?"

"Probably just a bit. He is going to want to kill you for that. And I mean literally kill you."

"Oh, I didn't think about the after affect. What should we do?"

"We? What should you do? You're the one who wrote that note."

"Well I thought that you were going to always protect me from him?"

"Well I'll arm you then. You will always keep this gun next to your side. And the next time I go to get food you are going with me incase he decides to try and attack you while I'm out, he won't have that opportunity then. Wait here and let me get that firearm."

He left the room, and when he returned he held a fairly large handgun. "Can you shoot one of these?"

"I don't know. Do think I can?"

"No, not really."

"Well thanks for supporting me," she said sardonically.

"You're welcome," he said sarcastically. "Now when you are shooting you aim with the nose of the gun. Like this." He took the gun from her hands and showed her how to aim. "Then once you're aimed pull the trigger. And that is pretty much how you shoot this gun. Do understand how you handle it?"

"Yes. So lets practice like this right." She went through the exact same steps he had just shown her.

"Perfect. I think that if you had to use it you could at least get close enough to you target. I don't think you'll really need to use it. If he sees you with a gun I don't think he is going to try and get you shoot at him he will probably end up leaving you alone. I don't think he wants to get hurt again."

"Me neither. Because when Bob read that page in his diary he read it out loud. He is so messed up he was complaining about not being able to change his clothes or bathe as if he was about to die unless he bathed. He said he felt disgusting at least four times. HE is such a gay fop. I hate him."

"Me too." With that said he kissed her on the forehead then headed towards the bedroom.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going to bed. Would you like to join me?"

"Yes, of course." Christine hooked arms with Erik and then they headed into bead.

Raoul had been sitting out side that passageway for five days now. What was going on in there? What are they doing starving them selves. His gun had been sitting in the same place so long it was beginning to rust.

All of a sudden a man in a black hooded cape came rushing out of the passageway. He looked alone. Now was Raoul's chance to go get Christine. She was going to pay for what she did. He hurried down the passage and finally reached the lair. He started searching for Christine as quietly as he could. But she was nowhere to be found.

Oh, no. Someone was coming. Where is he going to hide? He ducked down behind the piano. HE was wrong Christine had gone with Erik to get food. Crap! What is he going to do? He can't stay be hind the piano. They are bound to see him soon. Then Christine gasped, she had seen him. He pointed his gun at her but was stopped by a large hand being laid upon his shoulder. Erik had walked up behind him.

"I thought you were thankful for Christine sparing your life?"

"I was, until she made Bob mad and he ended our relationship."

"Actually that was your fault for confessing you love to a man you couldn't even recognize in you diary, which I happened to know the hiding spot."

"She has a point you know." Erik was enjoying this so much. Tormenting Raoul was one of his favorite pastimes.

Raoul had dropped his weapon when Erik pulled him to a stand. This is not what he wanted to happen. He was supposed to slip in kill Christine then return home before Erik came home and found Christine. But he had suspected that he was up to something and prepared her and she must have left with him this morning. But how did she leave? He was alone when he passed Raoul. "How did you sneak her out this morning?"

"Ah yes. I knew you were probably by the back entrance. You see we were smart and I sent Christine and I met at the front of the Opera. She had left through the main door. Smart right?"

"Well, what are you going to do to me?"

"It is up to Christine to choose what happens to you." Erik was loving every minute of this.

"I think he should…die." Christine was afraid of the way Erik might react, but he was quite calm. Raoul was now extremely scared when he realized the last view he would have before he died would be dark, black stonewalls. Not very pleasant. Oh well.

"Please don't kill me. PLEASE! NOOOOO!"

"Christine will you please pick up that gun he brought. I need to talk to you." Erik let go of Raoul but pointed the long rifle at Raoul's head so he wasn't very tempted to move.

Christine walked up to him and whispered into Erik's ear, "What is wrong?"

"It's just that now I feel pity for him. Should we give him one more chance?"

"Erik are you becoming soft? Fine you can let him go if you feel it acceptable."

"Thank you Christine." He kissed her and then returned to Raoul's side. "You may go. Leave now. But you must leave through the opera. There is a passageway right there that leads to a storage room. Leave now before I change my mind."

Roaul hurriedly grabbed his gun and head toward toe passageway to leave. When he reached the storage room. He found himself outside the door to the Opera. The ballet girls were practicing. He glanced around at all of them when one of them caught his eye. Meg Giry. She was so beautiful. He actually had a crush on this woman. Surprising. Mme. Giry just dismissed them and Raoul took this chance to go talk to her. "Hello. How are you?"

"Oh Raoul it is great to see you. I'm fine how about you? What brings you here?"

"Long story. I was wondering if you would like to join me tonight at the manor for dinner?"

"Sure. I'd love to. How about I come over around Eight o'clock?"

"Sounds great. I'll see you then, ta ta."

"Bye."

He had to write in his journal. This was a very important time in his life. He was becoming bie.