Chapter 4: Advantage
Erik sighed exhaustedly as he built a fire to keep himself and Hope warm,
"We need to find somewhere safe to live" he said and Hope nodded in agreement,
'Where?' she signed, watching as the masked gentleman held a look of thought before looking at her with a cunning smile,
"You can see the future. Surely you can see the place where we shall find sanctuary" he proposed but watched he hold an expression of uncertainty,
'I don't know, Erik. I've never enjoyed using my gift... To me it is more like a curse. Every time I have a vision, it's like a fire that ignites in my stomach... It hurts' she signed sadly and Erik sighed before placing a gentle hand on her shoulder,
"I am sorry that Javert forced you to use your gift. I would never force you to use your gift but I humbly ask you to use it just this once" he said gently, watching as Hope gave a silent sigh,
'Just This Once?... And I'll never have to use this... Curse again?' she asked and Erik held her hand within his own,
"You have my word" he swore before reaching in his satchel and pulled out an old sketch pad with an encouraging smile which Hope returned softly as she accepted it before retrieving a piece of charcoal from her pocket and Erik watched in amazement as Hope took a deep breath and he saw her eyes glow for a moment before her hand moved quickly across the parchment, scratching the charcoal in various places.
It was a whole five minuets before she finally stopped with a wince and Erik looked at her drawing,
"Where is that place?... Is that a castle?" Erik asked curiously but Hope shook her head,
'No, It's an opera house that is located within the heart of Paris... The Opera Populaire' she signed,
"They'd never let us live within a place so grand" he said but Hope smiled,
'Not in it... But under it. The place is like a labyrinth and we will be safe there' she assured.
Erik had been unsure about the opera house at first but he soon found piece within his and Hope's new underground home when he discovered that the melody from the rehearsals soon drifted down into the catacombs,
"Safe... And peaceful. Thank you" he said, smiling at Hope who returned it softly,
'That you for freeing me from ever having to use my curse again. Knowing the future can be a terrible burden' she signed and Erik smiled, taking her hand within his own,
"The only future you need concern yourself with is your own" he assured gently causing a soft blush to appear on her cheeks.
Erik built himself and Hope a suitable home on the shore of the underground lake beneath the opera house and Hope has been stunned that he had designed an entire cavern to look like the inside of a royal bedchamber,
'Thank you' she signed with a bright smile and Erik chuckled,
"Well this is our kingdom so... That makes you the princess" he teased with a wink before going back to building his organ.
Erik and Hope lived a wonderful and peaceful 5 years underneath the opera house and one night when Hope had been sleeping peacefully but was suddenly startled awake,
"Hope?... Hope, wake up" Erik said as he shook her shoulder and she looked upon him with tired confusion as she sat up, rubbing her eyes,
"I need you to look into my memories and tell me who someone is that I saw tonight" he said as Hope looked at him confused,
'What?... Why?' she sighed,
"We may be in danger. I fear she knows were we live and that she will tell the authorities of us" he explained and Hope nodded gently,
'Yes, of course' she signed before taking his hand in her own and she winced as her eyes glowed before pulling away after a moment,
'Her name is Christine Daae. She is a chorus girl here at the opera, training as a ballerina under the teachings of Madame Giry' she explained and Erik smiled brightly,
"Thank you" he bid before going to leave but Hope grasped his hand gently,
'Why did you think her a threat?... You only heard her sing within the memory I saw... She didn't see you' she signed and saw how Erik frowned causing her to release his hand slowly,
"I am sorry" Erik murmured,
'You didn't think her a threat at all... You simply wanted to know her name because you liked her singing voice' she signed sadly, standing as she turned away from him,
"I thought you would not help me unless it was absolutely necessary" he murmured and Hope turned back to him quickly,
'So you take advantage and lie to me instead?!' she signed in anger, shaking her head in disbelief,
'You swore to me that I would never have to use this curse again. You gave me your word' she reminded him as a tear fell down her cheek,
'You knew it would cause me pain... And you didn't care' she signed before moving past him,
"Hope?" he called after her in vain as she fled to the surface.
Hope slept on the steps of the opera house and stirred as sunlight filled the sky,
"Are you alright?" a young girl with blond hair asked her she she began climbing the steps,
'I am fine, thank you' she signed politely but the young girl looked confused,
"Mama?! I think this poor woman is hurt" she called to a regal looking woman wearing a black mourning dress with a walking stick in hand and she approached curiously,
"Do you need help, my dear?" she asked and Hope smiled gently before pointing to her throat and shook her head,
"Ahhhhhh... You can't speak. Come inside, we'll get you warmed up, fed and we'll find you some work" she said with a kind smile and Hope smiled gently,
'Thank you' she bid and the lady smiled brightly,
"You are fortunate I know sign language. I am Madame Giry. Who are you?" she asked,
'I am Hope' she told her hearing Madame Giry chuckled,
"Well with La Carlotta rehearsing today. Hope is exactly what we all need" she teased as the the three of them made their way inside the opera house.
Will Hope forgive Erik? You'll have to review if you want to find out!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996