A SLIGHTLY MODERNIZED TALE OF UNCERTAINTY.

This may look almost exactly like Miss Christine Daae's Uncertainty. That's because, I'M HER ALTER EGO. Or in otherwords, I forgot my password. Anyways. This be a compilation of the first 3 chapters.

Her Torment and her Tears/Default Chapter 1

Christine grabbed her cloak and looked back at Raoul. He would wake later and find himself alone. Christine loved him... But not the way he loved her. By being with him she was just holding onto the past. Onto her father. He looked so peaceful just lying there. She hated to do this to him, but she couldn't live a lie any longer. Christine's eyes brimmed with tears as she shut the door, and hurried down the hallway quietly. She descended the twisting marble staircase with grace. Christine opened the huge wooden oak front door, and gave one last look back at her former home. She turned away from it, as it was giving her much emotional pain. She darted onto the landscape and took a moment's pause to compose herself. The attempt failed quite miserably.

Tears ran like streams out of her eyes. Her expression was devastated, and she was shaking all over. Her thoughts raced to her father, then the Victome, and she only cried more. Sure, she loved the Victome, but like guidance, as a friend or brother. Not as a lover. That would be- No. She wouldn't think of him.

She ran to the stables, and harnessed her horse. Red, she had named him, short for Red Death, but to everyone else but her, he was Deea (Dee-uh). His name was Red Death because of Erik. Erik had come to the Masquerade ball as the Red Death. Oh, how she longed to see him! But she couldn't give in to the darkness. Or to her desires. No, she'd be strong. For her own sake. She would return, yes, but not right away. First, there was something she needed to do. Somewhere she needed to go, rather. Red cooperated, standing still as she hopped onto his back. He gave her a look of pity, and obeyed her command to go.

"Oh, Red, if you only knew..." she said, sorrowfully and quietly, on the brink of tears. She was in no fit state to ride, or steer, but Red knew the way. They were going to the graveyard. Never a day had she dreamed of leaving Raoul, but there was that horrid nightmare. And that wretched song that kept playing in her head!

In her dream she was wandering through the labyrinth for her scarf. The one Raoul had saved those many years ago. He materialized out of thin air, and gave it to her. But he quickly turned into the Phantom, who sang that WRECHED song, over and over again. It haunted her even while she was awake. He then led her to his lair where he again showed her the manikin of herself in a wedding dress. She fainted, and he carried her to his bed, where he sat her down carefully. The bed was huge, like the one she and Raoul shared. But At the Chagny manor, the bed was uncomfortable, and she felt that everything was troublesome. But there, in her dream, it was if she was floating on a cloud, leaving all her troubles behind.

Oh! And that song! That song was the most beautiful thing she'd ever heard. But only if HE sang it. It wasn't the song that haunted her... No, it was Erik's voice.

She gripped her legs tighter against Red, grabbed handfuls of mane, and closed her eyes. When she closed her eyes, she could feel him, almost HEAR him. She wished, she longed...but she held back. Something kept her from breaking in to the Opera, and descending to his lair. Perhaps it was common sense? Or the fact that she had given up hope that he still loved her. What if, after all these years, he had forgotten about her? It pained her to think about it.

It was time for a visit to Mme. Giry, but after the graveyard, and just at dawns break. She needed to see her before Raoul ((THE FOP! he he... cant put it in the story, so humor goes in parentheses)) did.
When they finally reached the graveyard, she dismounted, and tied Red loosely to a tree, with a quick release knot, not knowing or caring that he could run. He wouldn't, not with her like this. She walked up to her fathers grave and automatically said, in a barely audible whisper, "Help me say goodbye... Father, I've left Raoul." she cowered on the steps of the grave, fighting back silent tears. But they weren't tears for her father; they were tears for her angel.

"Chrissy, is that you?" said a quiet voice, with a very thick French accent, " What's wrong? Chrissy?" She then started... But suddenly she thought, no one had called her Chrissy since...

An Old Friend/Chapter 2

"Cara?" she replied weakly.

"Yes, yes, it's me. Shush now," she said quietly, comforting Christine. The two friends hugged, and then Christine's tears came, hard and long.

"Please, Cair, take me away from here. It's destroying me."

"Oh, I will, don't worry." Cara Alouetta replied calmly, with a hint of concern. Somehow, she managed to get Christine into the carriage, and harness Deea. Christine Daae and Cara Alouetta went way back. Back to the cottage by the sea, and their early dancing days. Cara knew Raoul.

Once they got back to Cara's, Christine started to explain to Cara about her troubles. While listening to the trembling Christine, Cara made her a warm cup of tea, and draped a woolly blanket over her. Cara listened intently to Christine's wavering voice. She told her the story, from the Cannibal rehearsal, to that day. After confiding in her friend, the distraught Christine wasn't crying, but was still a mess. Her eyes and cheeks were red and puffy from crying, her hair looked like it hadn't been combed in weeks, and she was shivering. Cara would be surprised if she didn't catch a cold from it. She was pale and gaunt, her brown eyes that Cara remembered to be so full of happiness, energy, and life, were now dull and sad. The black dress she wore was wet from the snow, and her shoes were too. Cara led her to the bathroom, which was connected to her room.

"Wash up. Let me know when you are finished, okay?" Christine nodded. After Cara left the room, Christine pulled of her wet dress and slung it to the floor. The hot bath felt good against her skin, as she slipped into it. The water helped to soothe her, and clear her mind, as did the rose scent that the soap gave off. Christine washed herself, and then her hair. Getting out of the bath, she dried her hair then wrapped a towel around her. Walking into the small bedroom, she gave a weak smile. Cara had left a nightgown laying on the small quilted bed for her. As she put it on, she noticed that it was a bit too big for her, but it would do for the night. She then found her way into the kitchen.

"Cara?" she asked.

"Yes?" she replied, turning around from the window.

" I wish to visit Madame Giry tomorrow," she said, "but please, I need to see her before Raoul."

"Very well, I will wake you at dawn, no later," she replied, smiling. Christine turned to leave, but stopped at the doorway, and turned around.

"One more thing . . . " she whispered.

"And what would that be?"

"Thank you," she said, turning to go to her bedroom. Once she was in, she shut the door, prayed for dreamless sleep, and got beneath the quilt and sheets.

Dawn came almost instantly. Luckily, Christine's haunting dreams hadn't consumed her that night. But that voice had haunted her during her sleep. But yet, it was comforting.

"Rise and shine!" Cara said brightly at the early hour of 6:00 A.M.

"Oh Cair, stop being so grumpy!" Christine said sarcastically. Cara laughed.

"Only if you stop being so enthusiastic!" They then heard a knock at the door. Cara frowned. Who would be calling for her at this hour?

"CARA? ARE YOU THERE?" yelled the knocker. The color drained out of Christine's face. It was Raoul.

Chapter Three/Raoul's Visit

"Stay here and be quiet! If you make noise, he'll suspect something!" she whispered, and walked out of the room, shutting the door. Christine's eyes were wide with fear.

"CARA?" he yelled again.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Don't break the door down!" she said in exasperation. She opened the door and curtsied, trying to be innocent. "Now what's all the ruckus for? Can I get you something to drink? Water, Tea?"

"Tea would be nice . . . very strong please" Cara nodded and walked into the kitchen. She took the hot water off the stove and poured it into the cup. Then she checked to make sure Raoul wasn't looking, and put crushed sleeping pills into it. Before their visit was over, he would collapse. She would leave a note for him. It would tell him that he had fainted, and she had gone for food.

"Here you are dear," she said quietly and politely. She could play dumb so easily." Drink up"

"Thank you . . . Now, as for my visit. Christine's missing." He paused as she grimly turned the corners of her mouth. " I'm worried. I've looked all over. I was wondering if maybe you had . . . "

"No, Raoul. Although I keep in touch with you regularly, I have not spoken to Christine in a month or so. Surely she is well though?" Cara said, lying through her teeth. She talked to Christine more than she kept in touch with Raoul. He gave a weak smile.

"That's just it though. I don't know. I can't be sure either." Cara looked at him, trying to be of some comfort.

Seeing his worried look she said, "Don't fret. I'm sure she's fine. I'll let you know if I see her okay?" She looked at him and searched his eyes. She could practically see through his soul. It was better that he would be staying here. If he went out on the streets, he'd probably be robbed in this state. She felt bad for the two of them. They were in a downright horrid state. Christine was dull, gloomy, and almost lifeless. Raoul was nervous; love struck, and worried sick. It pained Cara to be doing this, but Chrissy needed it. Raoul's gaze turned from one of sadness, to one of hatred and anger.

"I bet it was that wretched monster, Erik. This seems just the sort of thing he'd do...Yes, I bet she's with him...He took her away stealthily in the night against her will..." he then trailed off on his own thoughts leaving Cara to herself. She sighed. If he only knew.

"Raoul, dear, you should get some sleep." Cara said pitifully. Raoul's eyes were drooping, and he started to talk slurred.

"Yes, yes...search later...she's probably okay" he managed to splutter out as Cara led him to her room, and shut the door. Cara turned and opened the door to her distraught friend's room. When she opened the door, she couldn't believe her eyes. The amazing woman that had been was no more. Her friend had changed. Cara suddenly bitterly hated Erik for making Christine like this. Nothing good could come of that.

Well, there goes absolutely nothing. Read & Review please?

-Almighty Authoress
Emily
Lady P
Miss Christine Daae
Or whatever else you call me.