Chapter 8: Christine's worries

By: PittsBurghFuzz

The morning after the masked ball, Christine lay sleeping next to Raoul, having unsettling dreams.

Christine found herself at the Opera House, but without a soul standing. Then, something dangling came from behind.

Christine screamed. It was Raoul's dead corpse, hung by the Punjab Lasso. Out of the darkness, stood Erik, with a look of triumph upon his face. Then, from Erik's body, sprouted another Erik, then another, and another, until there were a hundred Eriks on the grand staircase. Then, Christine saw Paulette laughing manically at her.

Christine woke up from her nightmare and uttered, "Why didn't I let Raoul kill him?"

Paulette stayed at "Michael's" mansion that evening. Erik had even prepared a pretty little room for Paulette to sleep in. After Paulette washed herself, she walked into Erik's study; the pinnacle of his entire home. In the center there was a giant pipe organ, surrounded by several candelabras.

"Good morning." Erik greeted Paulette.

"Good morning Erik," Paulette replied, "what are you composing?"

"Nothing special, just an opera based off of "Frankenstein"."

"Must you always write something sad?" Paulette asked.

Erik laughed. "God knows I can't write comedy."

"Well, I have a perfect idea for a comedy." Paulette said, smiling.

"You do eh?" Erik sounded interested.

"A parody of what happened that night."

Erik grew silent.

"I thought you said you were over Christine?"

"I was, but its too sensitive a topic."

"Oh come on Erik! Its the perfect way to get over her!"

"Perhaps you are right. I'll think about it."

Paulette smiled. "I'm sure you will."

Paulette walked towards Erik and kissed him on the masked cheek. Erik's entire face was covered by his mask.

Paulette sighed. "When will I ever see your face?"

"When the time is right."

"But I want to know the face of my ex-earl."

"But for now, this is his face. You will see the face of Erik someday Paulette, that I promise you."

"Alright."

Paulette looked outside and saw Raoul's carriage.

"Oh my..." Erik said to himself.

"Damit." Paulette yelled.

Raoul knocked on the door. Erik dismounted from his organ, and answered the door.

"Good morning Vicomte." Erik said in his English accent.

"Good morning Crawford. I presume my sister is here?" Raoul asked.

"Indeed she is." Paulette told Raoul.

"Well then Crawford, I hope to see you in the near future."

"Same to you, de Chagny, and you, mademoiselle." Erik took Paulette's hand and pressed his mask's lips onto her hand. Not esthetically pleasing for both of them.

Erik ascended his staircase after Paulette and her brother left. Erik locked his private chamber, in order to secure complete privacy. As Erik sat down in front of the mirror and took off his mask.

"I can't live like this forever," Erik said to himself, "I have to show Paulette eventually."

After dinner at the de Chagny residence, Paulette asked Christine, "What does the Phantom's face look like?"

Christine took a deep breath and told Paulette, "His face is all of the wrong in the world in one, sad, pathetic, and tragic glance. Why do you want to know?"

"Just wondering, that's all."

"I hope you don't try to meet him."

"It would be better than marrying Cocteau."