Chapter 10: Miss Daae's Return

Erik realised that the right of his face was uncovered; he turned away from her sharply, placing his mask back on the deformed portion of his face, hoping Christine hadn't seen.

He had heard her gasp, making him realise the one thing he would of hoped to conceal for as long as possible had been revealed only hours after he had been seen by Christine in person. He never intended it to happen like this.

"Th… That's why you wear that mask." Christine whispered timidly, stepping towards him.

Erik said nothing; he simply put his hand out indicating for her not to come any closer.

"Yes, that is why I wear this mask, to hide this loathsome, repulsive gargoyle of a face." Erik replied forcefully; his head buried in his hands.

Why hasn't she run yet? She has seen the monster behind the mask!

"I'm sorry." She whispered. Tears had formed in her eyes. She felt guilty that she had first inquired about it.

"Why should you be sorry? It is I that should be sorry, for letting you see this." He breathed heavily.

"Erik... I…" She began.

"Come, we should return." He said cutting her off. "Everyone will be looking for you."

He got up and walked past her, gesturing for her to follow him. Without another word she followed in his wake, out of the door and towards the glassy lake, upon which the boat she had arrived in still waited.

Erik helped her into the boat and she sat down. She felt the patter of four little paws climb past her and a ball of fur settle on her lap. She began to stroke Porsche, looking at her affectionately as the boat set off on its journey, Erik stood behind her rowing it gently.

His face so distorted and deformed his eyes full of pain and sadness. He has been so kind to me, yet he is so angry that I've seen it.

The boat continued to glide smoothly across the deep green lake. Erik still said nothing to Christine. He wasn't sure what to do now that she had seen the very thing which was his burden, his secret; the disfigured face that separated him from the world above.

Curse my foolishness! What a damn fool! How could I of been so careless!

Erik looked down at Christine who was stroking Porsche and had kept her head down since they first left his domain. He looked at her fondly, examining the way her rich brown curls spread out over her back.

But yet she did not run, why? She apologised for something that wasn't her fault, it was mine! I wouldn't be surprised if she never wanted to see me again after this, after all the lies I fed her and forcing her to stay, but then we seemed to be getting on well. Oh why why why did I let this happen!

Erik felt fire rise within him. He was angry at his own stupidity and how he had ruined everything.

The little boat drifted slowly to the shore of their destination. Erik got out first and stepped onto the wet stone platform. He turned around to see Christine smiling at him. He smiled back at her, pain searing through him.

Porsche was still sitting on Christine's lap. "Porsche, come." He commanded.

The cat obeyed, springing off her lap and onto the platform where she stood by Erik's feet, purring.

He reached out his hand to help Christine out of the boat. Christine placed her hand in his gently and slowly stepped out to where he stood.

"Thank you." She whispered.

He didn't reply but simply gave a warming smile to show that he acknowledged her thanks and appreciated it.

Erik held onto Christine as he led her back through one of the tunnels, Porsche plodding behind them.

As before, the arms holding the torches illuminated the pathway. However Christine didn't recognise this passage as the one she had travelled down.

"Where are we heading Erik?" She asked plainly.

"Where I said I'd take you, see?"

They had approached the two-way mirror, on the other side of the glass was her room. They stopped by it. Christine heard a click and the mirror, as it had done before, slid into the ground allowing her to pass by the barrier.

"Thank you, Erik." She said. But Erik was no longer there, he'd gone and so had Porsche.

The mirror then slid back into position. Just as it clicked the door flew open and Meg Giry came running through, throwing her arms around a slightly depressed Christine.

"Where have you been!? Everyone has been looking for you. We searched everywhere, and you've been in here all this time."

"Meg, please just..."

"The managers were worried. They have even considered giving Carlotta the main role of countess, and she's here now!" Twittered a frantic Meg, cutting her off.

What! I'm here now so she can go back into that pond from where she came!

"Come Christine we have no time. We must inform the managers that you're back."

Christine shook her head. "You can go. I'd rather be on my own for a few minutes please Meg."

"Fine, but I will come back when I have let them know, alright?"

"Yes, alright."

Meg threw her arms round Christine and embraced her again. "Please don't disappear like that again. I thought something bad had happened to you."

"I'm sorry." Christine muttered feebly.

"Well at least you're back and you're safe." With that Meg headed out of the door, her running footsteps became fainter until Christine was sure that she was a fair distance away. She locked the door.

She faced the mirror. "Erik?" she called. She expected his voice to answer hers, but no sound came.

"Angel?" She tried again but got no answer.

Christine looked down at the floor and headed over to her bed, memories of previous events coming back to her. She began to weep softly as she sat down on the soft covers of her bed.

Erik watched her, wanting to say something to comfort her, but didn't know how. He felt a tight knot in his throat; realizing tears were attempting to well in his bright blue eyes he blinked and putting a lid on his emotions, he turned to more important matters. He turned round and walked briskly down the passageway with Porsche still following.

Firmin was busy writing at his desk whilst André was having a hearty conversation with Carlotta. They were discussing Il Muto, André showering her with praises.

"You will be stupendous. Everyone will love you Signora!" He yelled.

Carlotta clearly loved the attention she was getting. "Yes, Yes." She replied with a stupid grin.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in." Firmin called.

Madame Giry and Meg entered. "Miss Daae has returned. Meg found her in her room." She told them.

Carlotta had obviously heard them, and had hurried over to make sure she had heard right.

"D… Did you say that Christine Daae has returned." She asked Madame Giry shakily.

"Yes I did." She stated.

"Well I shall go and check that she's alright." Firmin said.

"No monsieur. Let her be. She needs rest." Madame Giry told him.

Carlotta now looked over to the managers. Attempting to put on a charming smile, which failed to convince Firmin.

"Well now that Miss Daae's back we will have to stick to the original casting." He murmured.

"WHAT!?" Carlotta screamed.

"No signora, we will have you. Miss Daae will play the silent role." André said reassuringly.

He did not wish to be struck repeatedly in the face with her fan, which he had noticed in her hand when she came into the office about 15 minutes ago and so thought it best to keep on her good side.

"No, that's not fair. Christine deserves the part." Meg shouted back. Carlotta shot her a nasty look.

"But if we need Carlotta so that Piangi will play his part." André shouted frantically.

There was no one else to replace Piangi and so they would be in a spot of trouble if they failed to win him over. The only way he would take the role back is if his precious, darling Carlotta gets the limelight.

"That little girl will play the silent role!" Carlotta spat.

"But should Carlotta be given Miss Daae's role, accidents will happen." Madame Giry snapped.

"Miss Daae only got the main part in Hannibal because poor Carlotta was nearly killed!" André argued back. Gesturing over to Carlotta, who began to whine.

Firmin had had enough. "André!" He exploded. "Do you want a lasso around your neck too!?"

He unbuttoned his collar to reveal a red mark round his neck indicating where Erik's magical lasso had once attempted to strangle the life out of him.

"Someone may not be as lucky." He said warningly.

The whole room gasped. André looked very frightened.

"You mean the Phantom of the Opera did that to you?" Meg asked shocked.

"You stupid managers!" Carlotta wailed over the top of the gasps. "Don't you see that this is your theatre…?"

Erik, who was watching them from the same place he had watched the managers before, was getting irritated by Carlotta's attempts to win over André. However he was pleased that Firmin had learnt his lesson: Never disobey the Phantom of the Opera!

They don't need telling twice that it is not their theatre and as for the toad, if she does not cease to pursue this, then I may have to tell her in person. He thought slyly.

"Show him who's in charge." She croaked on. "Don't let him ruin you. Don't bow down to him."

Why would I ruin them? As far as the audiences know, I don't exist; they will believe it's all the mangers doing. But their place is in the office and there they shall stay.

"Miss Daae will be playing the Countess…" Said Firmin in a barely audible whisper. "…and that is that."

Carlotta did not pursue the subject any further, but instead turned round and walked out of the door, fan still clutched in her hand.

-

There was a knock on Christine's door. "Yes, come in."

Meg opened the door and whipped in quickly shutting the door behind her. She seemed to have a troubled look on her face.

"Meg, what is it?"

"He tried to kill him, Christine. There was a red mark round his neck!" She said quickly.

Christine had hardly gathered anything that Meg had said. "Meg slow down, what are you talking about?"

"O-one of the managers, umm monsieur F- fire?" Meg whispered almost breathlessly.

"Firmin?"

"Yes, there was a huge argument about who should play the role of countess since you had disappeared and he showed us what had happened to him. The Phantom of the Opera had tried to kill him!" Meg whispered looking slightly worried.

Christine's face paled at the last words. 'The Phantom of the Opera had tried to kill him.'

No, Erik wouldn't do that, he couldn't! Her face felt red, burning with anger.

"Well that gives you proof that he really does exist. The managers are terrified. Firmin is obeying his orders, which is good news for you because it means you keep the role of countess." She said cheerfully.

But that is no reason to attempt to take someone's life, for my sake, for my career!

"I'm sorry Christine. I will have to leave you for now. I told mother I wouldn't be long. You stay here and get plenty of rest. Mother has requested that no one disturbs you and if you need anything please let me know." With that Meg disappeared out of the room.

Christine now glared at the mirror. She could feel fire rising within her and she knew he was there.

"Erik!" She hissed.

No reply.

"Erik, I know you're there." She said a little softer than before.

Still no sound.

Fuming Christine marched over to the mirror and began to pound it with her fists angrily. "Answer me!" She cried.

His voice came from the other side of the mirror, he sounded pained when he spoke. "Yes Christine?"

"Is what Meg told me true? That you attempted to strangle one of the managers?" She asked, a mixture of fear and anger in her question.

"Mademoiselle Giry should learn when to hold her tongue!"

"So it is true! How could you? I trusted you! How do I know that you won't do that to me if I don't obey you?" She choked between newly formed sobs.

"Christine, I would never hurt you. They were going to replace you with that horrible wretched toad and I couldn't let that happen. I merely wanted to help."

"By threatening others! By putting them at death's door!" She shrieked at the mirror.

Erik was in pain because of the upset he had caused her, and it was breaking his heart.

Oh Christine, I know I am a monster, but I did it for you. Curse Meg Giry! Why did she tell her? Why did Firmin show them? She hates me, but she has to understand I did it for her, I would do anything for her. I LOVE her!

There was an uneasy silence for a few minutes. Christine was sobbing. Erik felt as though he had been stabbed in the chest.

He summoned up the courage to speak to her. "I'm sorry. I – I promise it won't happen again."

Christine didn't reply she was looking at the ground, one hand over her eyes and the other by her side, her fist clenched.

"Do you forgive me?" He dreaded her reply.

Christine looked up. "Do you promise me, that if I give you this chance you will never hurt anyone again?"

"Christine… I…"

"Do you promise me?" She repeated, cutting him off.

"Yes, I promise."

"Then you're forgiven." She smiled at the mirror.

"Would you care to join me? For a singing lesson?" He asked softly.

"Yes I would very much Erik."

With that the mirror slid into the ground, revealing Erik standing on the other side, dressed in black, his hair slicked back, and the white mask, which contrasted with his clothing, covering the deformed part of his face, which she had seen previously.

Christine quickly darted to her door, so that no one could enter and find her gone again. She only intended to stay for a short while this time. She returned to face Erik. She noticed his bright blue eyes looking into her emerald green ones the way they did before.

He smiled and held out his hand, she took it and held on gently as he led her down the tunnel. Remembering something she had been meaning to ask, she stopped. Erik sensed her stop, and turned to face her.

"Are you alright Angel?" He asked with concern.

"If I ever want to come down here on my own, how do you open the mirror?"

"There is a tile on the floor in the very corner near the mirror. Hold it down for a while with a fair amount of pressure and the mirror will open."

"And to get back to my room?"

"There is a switch, which I will show you when we return."

With that he turned, still holding her hand firmly, and continued down the little passageway. They came to the boat after a while, to find that Porsche had been waiting for them. The boat journey didn't seem as long as the last time for they were soon back in his lair, and by the piano. Christine stood beside Erik, who sat on the bench.

"Christine, before we begin, may I ask you something?" Erik whispered softly.

"Yes of course you can." She replied.

"Why didn't you run?"

"Run?" She repeated puzzled. "From what?"

"Seeing my face, you did not run in fear."

Christine smiled and walked round to the side of the bench and knelt down, taking his hand in hers.

"I do not judge you by your appearance, but by your actions. It's not the outside of you that counts. It's what lies in here." She placed one of her hands over his heart and held on to one of his with the other. She looked up into his face smiling.

Erik's every muscle had frozen. The beauty of her smile, the comfort of her voice, the wisdom of her words and her touch caused him to freeze and waves of unknown emotions shot through him. He wanted to hold her but what were these strange feelings flowing through him? He managed to smile back, before pulling her hands off him and placing one on her lap, and the other on top of it. Feeling able to breath again, he turned his attention to the piano.

She does not judge me by how I look. She is truly an angel. She forgave me and for that I will keep my promise to her. Why did I move her hand? She was being so sweet. After all I've done, maybe she truly doesn't hate me after all.

"Is there a particular song you would like to work on?" He asked.

"Yes I still think I need to work on the song at the beginning of act two." She replied.

"Very well, we shall practice on that one but first we need to warm your voice up. Stand up straight. We will do the regular warm ups that we have done previously as you know them very well. Ready? Here we go." He told her.

As he started to play, she sang softly. He began to sing along with her producing sounds of perfectly harmonized voices that echoed through the music room and the sound carried around the dark domain of The Opera Ghost. Unreachable by anyone, except Porsche, who moved her ears round to the source of the sound and settled back to sleep.