Chapter 24 – Journey to the cemetery
The weeks passed by. The first performance of Faust was tomorrow evening. Everyone was busy preparing, rehearsing like mad, setting up the stage, and finalising costumes. All involved were busy. All the seats for the first night had been sold. This was going to be the Populaire's biggest production yet.
Christine had still been giving young Zurie singing lessons and with each one she was improving. She was always very keen to know more about the angel of music as Christine had told her he tutored her. She wondered if he had also been sent from her mother up in heaven. Erik watched the girl, impressed by her character, her bravery and quick learning.
Meg and Byron were now a couple. They had denied it at first because Meg feared how her mother would react. But Madame Giry didn't take it badly at all. In fact she was pleased for her daughter as she was of age to start dating. It was only natural for a girl in her late teens. Since Byron was a very decent and good hearted person Madame Giry gave them her blessing and since then they had been more open about their relationship.
Rumours around Paris were that La Carlotta and her husband Piangi had moved out of France and had gone to live in Carlotta's home country of Spain. Indeed everyone was pleased to hear this as they were afraid that she would come back and the managers would take her back. They knew she had not been able to get work in an Opera any where else so had no choice but to leave.
Erik on the other hand knew the full story as to why she had really left. He was never going to reveal it. To his amazement she had not called the police. It looked like their confrontation had given Erik the result he wanted.
Christine continued to sing to perfection. Erik would come to watch her in rehearsals occasionally and later on that evening visit her in her room to give her advice on anything she could improve. This was mainly with the acting.
Otherwise everything went well. He had also watched the ballet rats. In the end Madame Giry had used the threat 'The Phantom will get you' to make sure they put their full effort into it, and it had worked. They knew the Phantom existed. He had spoken to them all that night. They had never mentioned it again in case they made him cross.
He had also made notes on the orchestra and what should be done, which was very little, and they obeyed him.
Firmin and André had kept their heads buried in paperwork. They were sorting out bills and other bits and pieces that managers have to attend to. This pleased Erik, as he believed their place was to stay in their office. All was going well. It was exactly as he wanted his Theatre to be run.
He was again going to watch the rehearsals and the final practice before the performance that evening. The performers were all in costume with the stage, props and everything else needed to make Faust come alive. He would make notes so that Faust would be the Opera's biggest hit yet.
He overheard Meg and Byron talking on his way down. They seemed worried. They were talking to Madame Giry.
"Mother we have looked everywhere. There is no sign of Christine." Meg said quickly.
Christine is missing?
"Do not worry sweetheart." Byron said putting a comforting arm around Meg's shoulder. "I'm sure she will turn up, but we must start rehearsing."
"Yes alright. We will see you later mother. If Christine is found please let us know."
"Yes of course I will my dear, now off you go." She replied, embracing her daughter.
Madame Giry headed off down the corridor towards Christine's room. Erik appeared in front of her.
"Nobody has seen her?" He inquired.
"No, no one, but you were the person I came to find. Could she of gone to your home?" Antoinette asked.
"I don't know she may have done. What about her room?" He replied.
"That is where I am going to check, Erik."
"I will come with you."
"Very well."
They entered Christine's room to find it was empty. Her bed was made up, everything neat and tidy. Her wardrobe was full so she had not packed to leave anywhere. Erik stepped on the tile and disappeared through the mirror.
Upon returning to his lair he called out: "Christine!" Her name echoed around the cavern. But there was no reply. He searched all the rooms, the library, the kitchen, the main room where the organ was, his bedroom and her room. There was only Porsche on his bed where she had been this morning. She poked her head up to see what all the fuss was about.
"Porsche, where could Christine be?" He asked the cat stupidly.
To his surprise the cat jumped off the bed and hurried out of the room. Erik assumed that she knew where Christine would be, so followed her. She walked around the lake and led him up one of the passage ways. He hadn't been down this one for a long time but he knew where it led.
It led him to the chapel. Of course Christine always came down here if she wanted to be on her own for a while.
He walked in hoping to see Christine kneeling saying a prayer for her father with a candle lit. Instead he saw an empty room.
He sighed looking around. "It's ok. Thank you Porsche, you can go back now. But keep out of Antoinette's way."
The cat mewed and plodded out of the room.
Erik looked around remembering this is where he first saw Christine as a child and started admiring her. Indeed she was a pretty girl, and as she grew older Erik's feelings for her had become stronger. Now Christine knew him and had told him that she was in love with him. It all seemed a lifetime ago
His eye caught a flicker. It was a flame, and a candle had been lit. So Christine had been down here to pray for her father. He knew Christine had been very close to him as her mother had died when she was born. He looked after his little girl, and had told her about the angel of music.
When he came down here he heard her whisper about the angel of music. It gave him the perfect opportunity to get to know her. Now that her father was gone Erik would look after Christine in his memory.
Erik was not really religious but wanted to pay his respects to Gustav. He lit a candle to burn along with Christine's already lit one.
There was a picture of him in the middle of the memorial: Gustav Daae at the top in red letters and underneath it read: 12th of August 1812 – 26th of March 1859.
He looked at the date 26th of March 1859. Realisation hit him hard. He tore from the room leaving it empty but the candles still alight.
He ran to Madame Giry's office and found Meg on her own in there.
"Oh hello Erik, have you seen Christine?" She asked.
"No but I know where she is. The date today is March the 26th right?" He asked, out of breath.
"Yes it is, but why is that important?"
"It's the anniversary of her father's death." He replied. Meg's eyes widened. "Just go back to the rehearsals, you inform your mother and I will go to see Christine."
"Yes, alright." She said and hurried out of the door.
Erik bolted for the stables. Luckily, the stable lads were all off having lunch. He went to see that Caesar had already been saddled. He mounted him, gave the horse a sharp kick in the sides with his heels and galloped off, his cloak trailing behind him.
He decided to go through the woods as a short cut. Caesar was a black stallion and the opera's most prized horse. He was indeed faster than any of the others. Erik had ridden him a few times when he ventured out into the night. He galloped over the fallen trees splashed through the puddles kicked up the mud behind him but never lost pace.
The Cemetery was about a ten minute journey away. He came to a halt outside the gates. He jumped off of Caesar, tied his bridle to the fence of the cemetery and went in through the gates. The cemetery was big with cold statues of angels, headstones with worn away lettering, and dull colours of grey surrounding him.
He continued to wander through the maze of stone statues, memorials, crypts and gravestones. He noticed black clouds looming overhead. It began to rain lightly, making the whole scene seem even gloomier than before.
Erik stopped suddenly. He heard a faint voice and cautiously he made his way towards it. He looked around one of the statues and saw a figure wearing a long cloak to protect against the cold, long tight curls of a rich brown colour hanging down her back. She was kneeling on the ground looking up at a crypt that lay before her. Daae was carved into the stone in large letters.
He walked closer and heard her singing a soft tune. As he approached her he could hear the words clearly.
No more memories…
No more silent tears…
No more gazing back over the wasted years…
Help me to say goodbye.
She looked up again and cried out "Father!" Before dissolving into tears and burying her head in her hands.
Erik walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, kneeling down beside her. Christine snapped her head up in surprise before realising who it was. She leaned into his chest and cried hard, the tears rolling down her cheeks staining her face. "Erik." She whispered. He held her close, and stroked her hair with his gloved hand.
"It's alright Christine. I'm here for you." He said softly.
Christine looked deeply into his blue eyes. "Oh Erik, I just miss him so much. I have never got over the fact that he isn't in my life any more." She looked down again, not wanting him to see her like this.
"It's alright to miss your father. He was a good man." He replied.
"Yes he was." She said in agreement. "I wish you could have met him. You would have got on so well."
"Maybe so." He said softly. "Why didn't you tell anyone you were coming here?"
"I didn't want people to fuss, with the usual 'are you alright Christine?' I just wanted to be alone. But I'm glad you are here." She told him.
She placed her head down on his shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around him. He clung onto her for comfort. They sat there for several long minutes enjoying each other's company and the silence.
Erik tilted her head up to meet his gaze. He stared into her bright emerald eyes and she stared back into his. Each of them was smiling. "I love you. And I will always be there for you. I promise."
He stood up took her hands in his and pulled her up after him.
I'm here nothing can harm you…
My words will warm and calm you…
He began to lead her back through the cemetery towards the entrance, his gaze never leaving hers.
To guard you and to guide you…
She smiled at him, feeling very comforted by his words.
Promise me that all you say is true.
Erik, that's all I ask of you.
They walked in silence throughout the journey to the entrance. Erik felt Christine hesitate. He turned to see if anything was wrong but she was just smiling at him. "Erik, I love you too. And I know you will always be there for me and you know that I will be there for you too."
"I will keep it in mind. Come on lets go back." He replied.
"How did you know I was here?" She asked.
"Your father's memorial down in the chapel." He answered simply.
"You saw the date?"
"Yes."
"Erik, please don't make me go to the afternoon rehearsals. I want to stay in the chapel, with you."
"Very well, but you must go to the one tonight. I will be watching all of it."
"Alright." She said quietly.
They walked out of the gates and walked towards the horse. "You bought Caesar?" She chuckled. "He has always been my favourite. I used to bring him apples and sugar cubes."
"He is a good horse isn't he?" Erik said patting the horse's neck. "Well come on. Let's go home."
Erik helped Christine up on the horse, and then got up himself. Christine placed a hand on Erik's shoulder. "Please walk Caesar home. I'm not all that comfortable with galloping."
Erik squeezed the horse's sides and Caesar started walking in the direction of the woods. The sun broke through the clouds and brightened the sky.
"You know this is the first time I have ventured outside in daylight. I never really realised that the outside was quite like this." He said.
"You have lived in a world of night. Maybe you should try to like the light." Christine replied.
"Light has always been cruel to me. It was used to show my face. In darkness I felt comfort that no one could see me, my hideousness, when I was younger."
"You know you don't need to hide your face from me Erik, I love you for who you are, it doesn't matter what you look like."
Erik smiled. "I wish I could feel the same. It is me who hates my own face. The mask makes me bearable to look at. But even then, they wonder what is behind it."
"Why does it matter? You are talented and gifted with music. That matters most to you."
"You are the most important person in my life. My music and the night are important to me and are a huge part of my life. I don't know what I would do without you, Christine."
"I don't know what I would do without you either. Without you I would still be a ballet student. You have given me the audiences, my voice and made me realise how much I really do love you."
Christine wrapped her arms round Erik's waist as the horse carried them through the woods and fields. As they approached the stables Erik stopped the horse and turned his face toward Christine's.
"Did anyone see you leave?"
"No, I walked to the cemetery."
"Alright, you will have to take Caesar back in. If anyone asks then you took him to the cemetery while everyone was at lunch. Ok?" He told her.
"Yes." She replied.
Erik slid off the horses back. "I will go and tell Antoinette of your absence and that you will not be in the afternoon rehearsal. I will meet you in the Chapel if you like?"
"Yes, thank you Erik."
He tapped the horse's side and Caesar walked off into the stables with Christine on his back. With that, Erik disappeared.
"Miss Daae?" One of the young stable boys asked.
"I'm sorry. I took Caesar to the Cemetery, and you were all at lunch." She replied.
"Oh very well, here let me help you." He helped Christine get off the horse's back.
He led Caesar away and Christine returned the cloak to the cloak room and walked into the Opera Populaire.
"Christine!" Meg's voice rang out. "Come we must go to rehearsal."
"No Meg, I will be at the final one tonight but please, I just wish to be left in peace." She replied tiredly.
"Oh I'm sorry; it's your father's…" She began apologetically.
"Death anniversary, I know Meg." She cut in.
"Ok, well I'll see you tonight; I told Byron I wouldn't be long." She said, walking off.
Christine hurried down to the chapel, pleased to get away from the eyes that looked at her as she walked past people.
Her mouth fell open as she saw another lit candle and Erik standing there waiting for her. "I have told Antoinette. She says it is fine to go to the evening rehearsal and she sends her deepest sympathies."
"Did you light a candle for my father?" She asked in a whisper.
"Yes" He answered softly. "I wanted to pay my respects."
Tears formed in Christine's eyes. "Thank you." She wept.
Erik walked over and used a gloved thumb to wipe away the falling tears. He cupped her cheek looking deep into her eyes and began to sing to her softly.
Say
you'll share with me one love, one lifetime . . .
Say the word and
I will follow you . . .
Share
each day with me, each night, each morning . . .
Christine answered and sang with him. Even though she knew the answer; she sang.
Say you love me . . .
Erik answered exactly as Christine knew he would.
You know I do . . .
They pulled each other in a close embrace, and shared a passionate kiss. Breaking away they both sang in perfect harmony.
Love me - that's all I ask of you . . .
They hugged each other for several moments. Christine spoke, in a hoarse whisper.
"Thank you, for staying with me. I'm sorry you have to deal with this." She said apologetically.
"You don't need to apologise, there is no reason to." He told her. "You should rest for the afternoon. You will need your strength and no doubt you are emotionally drained."
"Erik, may we stay here? I would prefer it, and no one comes down here anyway so we have no chance of being disturbed." She asked.
"Of course, if that is what you want." He answered.
They both sat down, Christine leaning against Erik. She closed her eyes and began to sleep. Erik sat with her, feeling his eyes droop as well. Eventually they both drifted off, leaving the candles to burn out taking the light they gave out away from the room.
