Rekindling the Music of the Night
By: K.C. Vaillancourt
Disclaimer - You know the drill…I do not own anything associated with The Phantom of the Opera or lyrics of any songs I use.
Just as a quick warning I do edit all my work before I post and have people read my work but there still may be some grammar mistakes. I apologize for them in advance.
Author Note – Thank you to those who take the time to review, follow, or favorite my Phanfic. Your support keeps the momentum going.
Their Journey Begins
Christine and Erik became more comfortable being together over the next two days. They were like any other couple in love. Christine flinched less at Erik's touch but still was plagued by nightmares so Erik spent the nights in her room to help her sleep. During the day Erik was busy making arrangements for their travel. Christine tried to help but he insisted on taking care of everything so she didn't have to worry about anything. She spent her time riding Arturo, reading, or exploring the forest around the cabin. Erik had taken the time to show her the traps he had positioned around his home so that she would be careful to avoid them. She and Meg rode together a couple times. When they did Christine tried to convince her that it would be safer if her and her mother left when they did but Meg insisted it was better they stay behind.
She got the same answer when she spoke with Madame Giry. Christine didn't see her often since she spent most of her time with Erik or was riding into town running errands. Erik still insisted on wearing his mask even when they were alone. Christine wished he was comfortable enough to remove it but understood his hesitation after the way she had reacted when she first saw his face.
At first Erik found Christine a bit hard to get used to. He was used to the shy naïve girl from the opera house. In the years they were apart she had grown to become an assertive independent woman. He silently thanked Meg for Christine's new wardrobe choices. Not that she wasn't a beauty in dresses but what she wore now seemed to suite her better. Although he did find her a bit distracting and she made his mind wander to unseemly places when he was trying to concentrate on their travel arrangements. He wasn't surprised when Christine had told him about Raoul's indiscretions. He had beat her why not pour salt in the wounds by bedding other women.
Madame Giry was able to secure them a few suitcases for their journey. She had also gotten them an enclosed carriage with window coverings so they could travel as inconspicuously as possible.
In the stables Madame Giry was helping Erik get Cesar and Arturo hooked up to the carriage. "Where will you travel to first?" She asked.
Erik had hoped to avoid this particular conversation. "Christine asked that we go to her father's grave before we…"
"You didn't agree did you?" She took his silence to mean he had. "You're trying to avoid the Vicomte and the first place you are going is a Paris cemetery? It will be like walking into one of your own traps. If he thinks for a moment that you may leave France…"
"I know." Erik interrupted angrily but quickly calmed down. "I tried to tell her that but she is determined. If I had said no you know she would have found a way to go without me. At least if I am there I know she'll be safe. Besides it has been two days and no one has shown up here. Perhaps it's a sign your friends value you more than money."
"Perhaps." Madame Giry said in a near whisper and glanced over at her horse. "Are you alright to finish this on your own? I just remembered I have an errand to run for Meg before she departs."
"I'll be fine." Madame Giry mounted her chestnut mare. "Wait." Erik said before she rode off. He reached into his pocket and handed her a folded piece of paper. "This is a list of people that we may be seeking out along our way. When you and Meg decide to leave if you visit any of them leave notes so that we know you're safe. We will do the same."
"Thank you." Madame Giry said. "If I am not back before you go. Please be safe and do not worry about Meg and me. We will be fine."
"Thank you for all you have done. None of this would be possible without you or Meg." He wanted to give her a hug but settled on a handshake.
Madame Giry nodded and rode out of the stables. Erik continued to hook up the carriage. He stopped when he felt a woman's soft hands cover his eyes. "Guess who?" She whispered.
Erik smiled thinking for a moment. "La Carlotta?" He laughed as Christine removed her hands from his eyes and slapped him playfully on the back. Erik spun around and noticed a mock frown on her face. He took her in his arms and gave her a kiss which immediately erased the frown from her lips. "I guess I was wrong." He whispered.
"You most certainly were." She whispered back. "I doubt that toad has ever set foot in a stable." A thought came to her. "How did you do that to her?"
"Do what?" Erik asked trying not to laugh as he pictured the once famous diva mucking out a horse stall.
"Make her croak and lose her voice the night of Il Muto."
"Ah, ma Cherie. The phantom never reveals his secrets." He declared.
"Not even to me?" She asked her playful frown and puppy dog eyes returning.
Erik sighed. "That is dirty pool my love. You know I can never say no to that face. If you remember Carlotta used throat spray constantly before she went on stage."
"You switched it with something else." Christine immediately realized.
"They were given fair warning that a disaster beyond their imagination would occur if they ignored my demands. What could be worse than their leading soprano losing her voice in the middle of a sold out performance?"
At the time Christine had thought Buquet's death was the disaster he had threatened. The more time she spent with Erik the more she saw how much she had misjudged him. "It was fun to see her run out in tears and the managers trying to figure out what to do next."
"Those two fools had no business running my opera house." Erik said as he shook his head.
"All they wanted was to watch pretty women dancing. When they first arrived I heard them commenting about Meg and me…"
"I heard them too." Erik revealed.
"You were there?" Christine asked and raised an eyebrow. "Was there anything that went on at the opera house you were unaware of?"
"Not much. I was always watching from somewhere. That day I was on the catwalks." He was about to say something else when they heard someone clear their throat behind them. They turned around to see Meg coming into the stables.
"Sorry to interrupt…" She began.
"You didn't." Christine told her. "We were just, reminiscing."
"I only came in to see if you knew where my mother was?" Meg asked trying to hold back a wide grin at seeing them together.
"She left just before Christine came in." Erik informed her. "She said she had an errand to run for you before you left."
"Oh." Meg thought her mother had gotten everything she needed when she was out yesterday. "I was going to leave soon but I'll wait until she gets back."
"Meg…" Christine began but Meg cut her off.
"For the tenth time Christine I'm going back to Paris and Maman is going to stay here. That's not going to change and don't even try your little sad puppy dog routine." She said with her hands on her hips. "It may work on him but I am impervious."
"I had to try one more time before we left." Christine turned back to Erik. "When are we leaving?"
"I'm almost done hooking up the horses. Then all we have to do is pack our things and we will be on our way." He paused. "Have you told her?" He asked nodding his head toward Meg.
"Told me what?" Meg asked with obvious concern in her voice.
"We are going to visit my father's grave before we begin our journey to Calais." Christine told her and braced herself for Meg's reaction.
Meg was silent for a moment then yelled so loudly it made the horses jump. "Are you crazy!?"
"Meg…"
"No Christine. Raoul knows you and will calculate that you are going to try to leave France. Don't you think he is going to put it together that you would go there before you left?"
Christine saw Meg glance at Erik and spoke before she could. "We know it is a possibility. Erik and I have already discussed this. I have to tell him good-bye and he agreed we would go. I can't convince you and your mother to seek safety away from here, you are not going to convince us not to go and say good-bye to my father."
Meg sighed. She saw the determination in Christine's eyes and knew she was right. If Erik couldn't convince her this was a bad idea no one could. "I am going to go finish packing. Please stop at the house before you go so I can say good-bye."
"Of course." Christine said and Meg left the stables. Erik returned to working on the carriage. Christine was able to help by putting the reins on the horses. When she finished she sighed.
"What's wrong?" She heard Erik ask.
"I was just wishing they would stop being so stubborn." Christine said. "No one has come here yet. They could slip away and be in London before Raoul knew what happened. Instead they are intent on taking unnecessary…what?" She asked noticing Erik had stopped what he was doing and was staring at her.
"They're not the only ones taking an unnecessary risk."
"Going to my father's grave is completely different."
"How?" Erik challenged.
"It…It just is." She knew that was a childish answer. "I know you're right. It is a risk to go there but I told you why I need to."
"They've told you why they need to do this." Erik pointed out. "Nothing is going to stop you from going to the cemetery and nothing is going to stop them from doing what they feel needs to be done to keep us safe."
"I know." Christine said defeated but then smiled. "I don't know how you put up with the stubbornness of the three of us."
Erik walked over placing a hand to her cheek and smiled. "I have learned to pick my battles." He gave her a peck on the cheek.
She laid her head against his chest as he stroked her hair. "I hate the idea of them being in danger because of us."
"So do I." Erik admitted. "But I have learned to trust Madame Giry's judgment. If she thinks she and Meg will be safe then they will be. The carriage is ready, all we have to do is pack our luggage."
They led the horses and carriage to the cabin and began to pack. They took mostly clothes and things neither wanted to part with. Christine insisted they take his music and the music box on the mantel. She wanted him to take his journals as well but he was adamant to leave them behind. Christine had very little to repack but looked through her room one more time to make sure she had everything while Erik packed the carriage.
When she came out of her room she saw Erik standing in the doorway of his room starring down at something. She noticed he was dressed in a full suit like when she had first seen him. She walked up behind him and he jumped when she laced her arms around his waist. "I never thought I would ever be able to startle you."
Erik quickly placed the diamond cluster ring he was staring at in his pocket. He had to remember to place it in a safe part of one of his suitcases before they left. "What were you thinking about?" He heard Christine ask.
"I was thinking about this room, this place. I can't remember the last time I lived in a normal home since I was a child." Erik whispered.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Christine asked.
Erik turned in her arms and moved a strand of her hair out of her face. "Of course I'm sure."
"I still hate that you all have to uproot yourselves for me." Then a thought came to her. "Maybe I should go back to Raoul. Try to make him see reason and end our marriage. Then we could be together and no one would have to go anywhere."
"No." Erik said shaking his head. "We are already going to the cemetery which is dangerous enough. After what he has put you through can you stand here and tell me he would do that."
Christine sighed. "If I go back to him he would never let me go. He'd disappear with me, beat me to within an inch of my life and we would never see each other again."
"I promise you that will not happen." He swore and placed his hands on her cheeks. "I never thought I would have this."
"Have what?" Christine asked.
"An ordinary life."
Christine stifled a laugh. "This is ordinary?"
"For me it is." He said as he moved his hands from her cheeks to around her waist. "I thought I would spend the rest of my days alone never knowing what it would feel like to be loved or..."
Christine put a finger to his lips. "From today forward you will never have to have that fear again. I love you and I promise you, you won't be alone."
"I love you as well. There are still times I wonder why I deserve…" He once again felt Christine's finger on his lips.
"Everyone deserves to know what it feels like to be loved. You weren't born wanting to do some of the things you did. If anyone deserves love and an ordinary life it's you." Christine said. She leaned up to kiss him tenderly.
As she once again laid her head on his chest Erik glanced down at her hair. "We should have thought to redye your hair before we left. It's growing out quite quick."
Christine looked up at him and shook her head. "Meg may have been happy to keep dying her hair but as I said it's not me. Besides if Raoul saw Meg he knows what we did. He'll have people looking for a blonde. If anything we should have taken the time to dye it back. The quicker this is gone the better."
Erik removed his arms from Christine's waist and they walked to the front door. Erik helped Christine with her cloak and then put on his own. "Ready?" She nodded and followed him to the carriage. She joined him in the driver's seat and felt her excitement build at the journey they were about to begin.
"Why aren't we going anywhere?" Christine asked looking over at Erik.
"Won't it be a bit obvious with you sitting up here with me?"
"You said we are taking as many back pathways as possible to avoid towns and people. Anyone who does see us together won't see us long enough to know we are who Raoul is looking for."
"True." Erik agreed and whipped the reins. They stopped at the Giry house to say good-bye and were surprised to see that Madame Giry had not returned yet. Meg figured she saw some friends and got to chatting. They said their good-byes with Christine insisting that Meg stay safe and away from the opera house no matter what. She agreed and after one last hug that left both women teary eyed they were off.
Erik and Christine were both silent for a while as they listened to the various squeaks of the carriage wheels or the sounds of hooves on the ground. Christine thought back to the conversation they were having earlier about Carlotta and began to wonder about something else. "Did you ever watch a performance from Box 5?"
"Hmmm." Erik said being pulled out of his own thoughts.
"You always insisted box 5 was to be kept empty. Did you ever use it?"
Erik laughed. "I watched performances from many different views in the opera house but never from there. I think the Vicomte was the first to watch a performance from box five in ten years."
"Then why insist it be kept empty?" Christine wondered.
"It was a test of the managers and patron." Erik explained. "If they kept it empty I knew they would do as I wanted. The last managers were the first to think they could best me."
"Well they were shown that no one bests the opera ghost." Christine said as she gently nudged him not noticing him tense a bit at the mention of the old managers. "As far as I know M. Firmin still lives in Paris but I am not sure what he does now. No one knows what happened to M. Andre. The rumor is that he went insane and was put into a hospital."
Erik began to tense up a bit more at the mention of M. Andre. He knew what happened to the second manager but couldn't force himself to tell Christine. Not yet. He decided to quickly change the subject before she noticed his tension. "How did you know I wasn't caught and hanged for my crimes?"
"If that had happened Raoul would have thrown a bigger gala than our wedding." Christine said with a laugh but immediately regretted it. "I'm sorry. That was…"
"It's alright." Erik assured her. "You're probably right." They continued riding in comfortable silence stopping to give the horses a rest and eat some of the food they had brought. As the sun began to set Erik lit the lanterns on the carriage so they could see as they continued their journey.
After she had left Erik in the stables Madame Giry rode through the dense forest. She smiled when she saw someone approaching her. She stopped her horse and dismounted as the other did the same. Madame Giry smiled as a tall bury slightly balding man approached her. "Hello, Bernard. I am glad Sidney was able to get my message to you."
"What can I do for you Madame Giry?" Bernard asked.
"First, did you do as I asked?"
"People all over Paris are talking about the horrid way Gustave Daae's daughter was treated at the hands of the Vicomte De Chagny." There was obvious disgust in his voice at how Christine was treated. He remembered her from the opera house and unlike most of the vial men that were there he came to think of her as a sister. To hear that the she had been beaten like a disobedient animal angered him and he was more than happy to air this information to whoever would listen to stop him from finding her.
Madame Giry smiled. "Surely you have heard of the reward that the Vicomte is offering for my location."
"Of course, all of Paris is a buzz about it, but you know none of us would ever…"
"I want you to." Madame Giry told him.
"What? Are you certain?" Bernard asked with obvious concern.
"We have no choice. I can't go into the specifics as to why but I need you to go to him and give him the information he wants."
Bernard gave her a concerned look. "What happens when he shows up at your door?"
"Let me worry about what comes next." Madame Giry said a bit sternly.
"Of course Madame." Bernard said. "If I do this you must do something for me. If the Vicomte takes my information seriously you and your daughter must not be here."
Madame Giry pulled Bernard into a hug. "You have my word. Now go. There is not much time and thank you."
Bernard nodded and mounted his horse. He turned him around and disappeared into the forest. Madame Giry watched as he rode off as fast as he could and hoped this would drive the Vicomte with his men away from Paris. She mounted her horse and began her journey back home. When she walked in the front door she was relieved to see Meg was still home.
"Maman, where have you been?" Meg asked putting the book she was reading down.
"Do you remember Bernard from the Opera house?" Meg answered with a nod. "I went to meet with him to have him come forward and tell the Vicomte where we are."
"Maman are you insane?" Meg nearly yelled.
"I saw the carriage tracks on my way in. Erik and Christine are on their way to the cemetery, are they not?"
"You know Erik." Meg told her. "He will keep her…"
"I also know the Vicomte." Madame Giry said. "As do you. They left us with no choice. I did what I thought needed to be done to keep them safe."
"Then so will I." Meg told her mother. "I was waiting for you to get back so I could say good bye."
"Do you have everything you need?"
"Maman…" Meg stopped. She had expected her mother to tell her not to go to Paris. "Wait, you still want me to go?"
"We need to know if the Vicomte takes Bernard's information seriously. I promised him that if he does we will leave. You will have to ride as fast as you can if you are going to get there in time then back."
Meg put on her cloak and gave her mother a quick kiss good bye before going to the stables to get Cecile.
Raoul stood knocking on the wooden door for the second time and waited impatiently tapping his foot for the owner to answer. He thought back to the day before and couldn't help but smile. La Carlotta was surprised to see him at her door. She was still the same diva he remembered. He got no useful information out of her except that she had been right all along about that Daae woman and if she knew where she was she would have told him in an instant. Then the smile left his face, he was still waiting outside. He pounded on the door for the third time wondering what was taking his old friend so long.
Inside M. Firmin was quickly tidying up his home hiding the empty bottles of brandy he had strewn around his sitting room. When he heard the visitor at his door knock for the third time he scanned the room satisfied that it was tidy enough. He gasped when he opened the door. "M. Vicomte. I am sorry for keeping you waiting. Do come in." Raoul walked in and M. Firmin led him to the siting room. "Brandy?" He asked as he poured himself a glass.
"Please." Raoul took the glass nodding his thanks. "I am sure you know why I'm here."
"I have not seen the Vicomtess if that is what you've come here to find out." M. Firmin told him taking a sip of his brandy.
Raoul looked M. Firmin directly in the eyes. "I know she would never come to you. I want to know if you have seen, him" He noticed M. Firmin's hand began to tremble at the mere mention of the phantom.
"I have not seen that monster since the night he destroyed the opera house."
"He seems to have left a last impression." Raoul said. "Are you sure you haven't had contact with him?"
"If I had don't you think I would have told the Surete?" M. Firmin nearly yelled.
"Watch, your, tone." Raoul said putting his glass down.
"I apologize M. Vicomte but that freak ruined my reputation and caused my partner to fall into madness. I want…" He was going to say revenge but decided against it. "…justice for what he did and if I knew where he or the Giry's were I would tell you."
"If you do hear anything." Raoul said suggestively.
"You will be the first to know." M. Firmin agreed and showed the Vicomte to the door wishing him well. He walked back into his sitting room and with a trembling hand opened a drawer to his desk. He pulled out an envelope and turned it over. On the back was a broken seal of a wax red skull. He opened the letter and once again felt his whole body trembling as he saw the black writing of the phantom.
M. Firmin,
Contrary to what you may believe your old friend has not been hospitalized for madness. I have known for some time that you and he are aware of where Madame Giry has gone. If anyone should ever come looking for her you will tell them nothing. It would be tragic if you were to face the same fate as your former partner by not doing as I ask. If my demand is ignored your partner will not be the only one to see the end of a lasso.
As always your obedient servant,
OG
M. Firmin put the letter he received a few years ago away and finished his brandy in one gulp. He turned suddenly letting his glass fall to the floor with a crash when he heard his floor boards creak. After checking his entire home and cleaning up the broken glass. M. Firmin sat down with another brandy starring at the fire he had started. He could swear as he listened to fire crackle that in the flames he saw the shape of the mask of red death.
Raoul walked into his study and felt his spirits lift when he saw Anton sitting in a chair waiting for him. He poured him and himself a whisky then sat down next to him. "Is there news?" He could tell by Anton's continued silence that he had not come with information. He began to angrily tap his fingers on his thigh. "My former associates of the opera house were no help either. Fifty to One Hundred thousand francs at stake and no one has come forward with anything."
"You know just as I do that the rumors making their way around Paris have not helped matters."
"That must have been Marie." Raoul sneered. "I knew I should have done more than fire her."
"Wishing we had dispensed with your ex maid is not going to help us now."
Raoul began to pace. "All men put their wives in their place from time to time."
"That's true." Anton agreed. "But not all wives are the daughter Gustave Daae. He was loved by many in this city and the people are taking offense to what you supposedly did to his daughter."
"Anyone can be bought." Raoul whispered and looked at Anton. Before he could speak again there was a knock on the door. "Come in."
Gerald entered the study and bowed his head. "I beg your pardon for the interruption but there is a man at the door claiming to have information on the whereabouts of Madame Giry."
"Show him in." Raoul said. Gerald nodded and left for a moment reappearing with Bernard at his side. "Leave us." Raoul ordered as he took in the man's appearance and waited to speak until Gerald closed the door. "Who are you?"
"My name is Bernard M. Vicomte. I used to work at the Opera Populaire."
"Gerald said you have information for me."
"I do." Bernard said with a grin.
Raoul expected him to continue, but he didn't. "Well?"
Bernard grunted. "I know what you rich types are like. Before I give you what you want there is something I want first."
"What might that be?" Raoul asked trying to keep his temper in check. He noticed Anton about to stand to "take care of" this insolent commoner but he shook his head at him.
"After I tell you what I know I want half of the reward money upfront."
Raoul walked behind his desk and opened a safe. He took out the needed Francs and walked back up to Bernard. "Tell me what you know and this is yours."
"I was one of the men who helped Madame Giry move her things out of the opera house. She is living in a country home in Gisors." As he was speaking Bernard got an idea. "It is a tricky road. If you want to see her I would need to lead you there."
Raoul stood thinking it over for a moment before he handed Bernard the money. "Do you have a horse?"
"Waiting outside M. Vicomte."
"Go outside and wait with your horse. After I talk with my man we will travel to have a talk with Madame Giry."
Bernard nodded his head and left the room. Gerald showed him out. As he was waiting he noticed someone approaching him out of the corner of his eye. As the person got closer he recognized her immediately. "Mademoiselle Giry! You shouldn't be here."
"Mother sent me." Meg whispered petting his horse and acting as if she was making idle conversation in case someone was watching. It took some doing but once again she pushed Cecile as hard as she could and was able to make it to her destination. "Did it work?"
"Yes. He told me to wait outside and when he comes out we will be heading off to your home."
"We?" Meg asked. "You're going with them?"
"Yes. I can lead them in the wrong direction a few times giving you the time you need to get back home. I was not introduced to the Vicomte's man in there but I know it is Anton Boucher. A few of my friends have had the unfortunate luck of crossing him."
"What happened to them?" Meg asked thinking back to the man she met in the alley.
"They were lucky to survive after the torture he put them through. Here." He handed her half of the Francs he received. "Off with you quickly. When get home you and your mother pack your things. Then get as far away from there as you can. I would hate to see you or your mother harmed."
Meg gave Bernard a quick hug and ran off around the corner out of sight. Bernard heard the distant sound of horse hooves galloping away and hoped Meg had taken him seriously. He knew the Giry women were stubborn but now they were quite simply playing with fire. He couldn't help but wonder if there was far more to the story than keeping the Vicomtess safe.
Back inside the mansion while Meg was with Bernard Raoul turned to Anton. "What do you think?"
"He sounded creditable enough but the timing." Anton said standing up.
Raoul nodded. "My thoughts exactly. Nothing in days and now suddenly someone comes forward. There is more to this." Raoul laughed as the answer dawned on him. He noticed Anton looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "Don't worry my friend. I'm not going mad. In fact I have been so blinded by my anger I missed what was right in front of me."
"What do you mean?" Anton asked relieved that Raoul finally seemed to be coming back to his senses.
"If Christine is with the phantom they both are aware he is still a wanted man. As much as I loathe him he is a genius and master strategist. He was always one step ahead at the opera house. It will be obvious to him that they can't stay in France. If that is the case there is one place Christine will have to go before they leave."
"Where?"
"Let me worry about that. You go with this Bernard fellow and be sure to take a few men with you. If he is lying to us in order to aid them I want you to slit his throat." Anton nodded. "I will take a few men of my own to see if my hunch is correct."
"I'll return as soon as I can." Anton said. "If this man does lead us to the Giry's what shall I do with them?"
"What you do best." Raoul said with a smile.
Anton smiled back and left the study. He saw Bernard still waiting outside. "Follow me to the stables so I can get my horse. We are going to round up a few men and then we will go."
"Will the Vicomte be joining us?" Bernard asked.
"He has other matters to attend to. Now, follow me."
Bernard did as Anton requested and soon he with four others were on their way to the Giry's home. He didn't want to take them once he knew the Vicomte wasn't coming but knew he had to play his part or he was a dead man. His only hope was that Meg would make it home in time and when they got there they would be gone.
Erik and Christine had to travel a bit slower than they wanted since it was night and the only light they had to ride by was the lanterns on the carriage. Christine had done most of the talking telling Erik stories about how her father used to take her to different fairs so he could play for people. He was so good his name became known and finally when they came to Paris he worked at the opera house. After finishing her last story Christine could hold back her curiosity about him no more. "Erik, I know this is a hard subject for you and I understand if you don't want to talk about it but, how is it that you came to be with a band of gypsies?"
Erik stared straight ahead. He knew when Christine told him that Meg had divulged what she knew about his past she would have more questions. She was right he didn't want to talk about it but she had told him so much about her own past he decided she should know his as well. No matter how unpleasant it was. "My mother sold me to them."
Christine's eyes widened. "How could a mother do such a thing?"
"She hated me since the day I was born." Erik told her. "Because of my, deformity. Like most people I don't remember much about my early years but I remember the mask. She was the one who insisted I wear it and told me my mask was the first scrap of clothing I ever had. She used to drill into me that the world would never accept a monster like me."
"What about your father?" Christine asked.
"I never knew him. We weren't a rich family and my mother earned her money by, loaning herself out to any man that would have her. I assume one of them is my father but I doubt they knew it at the time." Erik sighed. "When my mother would come home and look at me." He was quiet for a moment remembering the disgust his own mother used to look at him with. "I used to hear her asking god why he would burden her with the child of the devil."
"Oh, Erik." Christine said placing her hand on his arm letting a few tears fall. "That's awful. I couldn't imagine treating a child like that."
Erik looked at her for a moment giving her a half smile. "That's because you're an uncommonly kind and beautiful woman Christine." He looked away from her. "You have a way of seeing the good in others, even, when that person can't see it in themselves."
Christine moved closer to him wrapping her arm around his and laying her head on his shoulder. "My father always told me that god created everyone in his own image even if they weren't perfect."
"My mother never felt that way." Erik whispered. "One day when I was around 6 or 7, I don't quite remember, a band of gypsies came to town. I still don't know why my mother took me to see them. Perhaps she was having a rare moment of generosity. While we were there a curious child no more than four ran up to me and without a word pulled off my mask. I tried to cover my face but it was too late. The child along with others screamed and my mother was mortified. She had me put my mask back on and as we were trying to leave the leader of the gypsy tribe approached her. He took her into a tent but made me wait outside. They thought I couldn't hear them but I heard every word." Erik took a breath as he felt tears welling up in his eyes. "He told her he had seen what happened and how nicely he thought I would fit into their community. People would pay good money to see the devil's child. My mother didn't hesitate naming her price which the man was more than happy to pay. She left the tent without looking back and I was taken by the gypsies."
Christine wiped away her tears as she listened. "That's awful." Christine whispered not understanding how a mother could leave her own child. She knew no matter what her own children looked like she would love them with all she had. "Meg said they kept you in a cage."
"Not at first." Erik told her. "The gypsy leader tried to take me under his wing and taught me skills that helped me in the future, for example illusion, magic and ventriloquism. Then came the day they first used me as an attraction and wanted me to remove my mask. I refused and fought them. That's when they first…I am sure Meg told you the rest."
"When did you find your voice and love of music?" Christine wondered aloud.
"Not until I came to the opera house. I would listen to the musicals above singing with them and the music made me feel at peace. The opera house became my playground. I would take old prop pieces and other objects that were thrown away creating things for my home out of them. I'm certain I am the only one that knows all the secrets that lie below that opera house. It's where I found I had a gift for composing and architecture, among other things. Madame Giry would visit me when she could so I wasn't completely alone."
"When you left did you look for your mother?" Christine wondered.
"No." Erik said. "I had no desire to see her." He felt Christine lift her head as he slowed the carriage down to a stop. "We're here."
