Discovery and Disgust

Dust. Was it dust she smelled? Since being consumed by frightening blindness, Kristen couldn't help but notice that everything around her seemed so much more clearer than it had before. Sounds were brighter, touches were softer, the air was either lighter, heavier, colder or warmer. All of her senses were improved, and it surprised her greatly.

She walked with her mother down the corridors of the opera house, she was to meet Madame Giry today, and depart from her mother. She was scared, of course, but not so scared. Now that she knew there was hope for her, she was able to breath without her heart pumping through her throat, and without her stomach constantly turning over in her abdomen. Learning Braille wouldn't be so bad, it would be better than nothing, wouldn't it? She put her hand out and allowed it to brush against the wall as she walked, feeling her way down the passage.

Madame Giry, on the other hand, was beaten down by her nervous state. Her daughter, Meg Giry, had questioned countless times the source of her mother's unease, but the woman refused to answer her inquisitive daughter. If Meg found out anything, the entire Opera house would know. She knew her daughter was quite fond of playing broken telephone with every piece of news she received, private or not.

"Right this way" Dr. Perdoux encouraged Kristen. He took her hand so that she would not have to feel her way, and he lead her through the passage.

"How long will I be staying here?" Kristen asked, she could not help but he curious. If she was going to be staying there, she wanted to know everything.

"As long as it takes you to learn how to live without your eyes" he said in a friendly tone, "Do not worry, most people adjust quite well to the loss of sight. You will be no different, I'm sure you'll do just fine" he said. It was his job to encourage her and keep her in high spirits, and Kristen knew it. She could almost smell the lies behind his voice. Suddenly she could picture herself rocking back and forth, lost in her own bedroom.

At the end of the passage, Madame Giry awaited them. She stood wearing her gray hair in it's usual tight bun, and one of her black dresses that she usually wore while instructing the ballet. Her smile was warm, she hid her worries well. It truly bothered her that the Phantom would come to know of her presence there, what would he do to her? If he found out she couldn't see, oh how he would toy with the poor girl. She warned Perdoux but he simply would not listen, and now she was faced with the very source of what could truly become the newest problem in her life.

"Antoinette Giry, this is Kristen Verlaine. Kristen, this is Madade Giry" Dr. Perdoux introduced the two. Kristen held out her hand expecting to shake hands with the ballet mistress. Giry's hand came forward and took hers in friendly terms,

"I welcome you to the Opera Populaire" Madame Giry said, "I'm sure you will feel quite at home here."

Kristen mentally searched the room for her mother, this was happening all too quickly and she could feel that familiar fear rising in the pit of her stomach.

"Mother?" she asked,

"I'm right here, Kristen, don't worry" She embraced her daughter, "You must be strong, I know this is not easy, but it is for your own good. Pretty soon you will be able to read and write, and find your way without assistance. This will be good for you, you are a grown woman now any way, it is high time you found your way in this world."

Kristen's eyes filled up with tears, "But mother -"

"No Kristen, it is time" she said, and hugged her daughter tighter, "I love you darling, but I have to go now." She said. Dr. Perdoux nodded, it certainly was time, Madame Giry would be wanting to take her into the Populaire under her own watch instead of under theirs. She let go of her daughter and Kristen reached out for her, when Madame Giry took her softly by the hand.

"Goodbye Mother" She said, the tears she tried to hide falling from her broken eyes, her voice shaky and trembling. It was like walking through an unfinished story, and she wished she could know what was going to happen.

"We'll see you soon Dr. Perdoux said, and Kristen heard his footsteps and her mother's footsteps exit down the hallway, and eventually the sound was gone. She took a deep breath, she was all alone now, all alone.

"Now, Kristen" Madame Giry was afraid to show the slightest bit of tension in her speech, so she spoke as warmly and friendly as she could, "I will show you around a little, but I don't expect it from you that you should be able to manage on your own. My daughter Meg will help you if you are in need."

Kristen didn't understand it. When had her life taken such a turn? When had she become such a helpless little pity, to be sympathized by everyone? She had no choice but to allow it, painfully and shamefully. How could her mother just leave her there like that? How could she just walk away from her daughter? In all honesty, she really questioned whether she would ever see her mother again, even though they said she would. She had to wonder... Would she?

"Come this way" Giry led Kristen by the hand, "I will first show you to your room, then I will introduce you to Meg, she is really a very nice girl, but you must be careful what you tell her, she spreads gossip like jam over toast"

What is this? What filth? What dishonor? A girl, is the woman out of her mind? Erik watched the entire scene in disgust from that unfriendly hidden balcony, that loomed over them in shadow. It was not surprising that no one had ever noticed it, the only lights in those passages were those of which came from either end.

Another fool to add to the collection of idiots around here, he thought, frowning through that porcelain white mask. No, he could not think of this now, there was still too much planning where young Christine was concerned. He scowled bitterly, that foolish boy Raoul was never going to get in the way if he could help it. He wanted to throw a rope around the lad's throat and be done with him for good.

He watched through sickened eyes as Madame Giry helped Kristen towards the light. The girl was in her own darkness, as it seemed, being lead only by an unfamiliar hand down a path of uncertainty. At least she was blind, he thought, she won't be able to curiously wander my corridors the way so many other mindless twits do.