"Excuse me ... pardon me," Aimee uttered as she jostled her way onto the train and stored her suitcase away.
Finally sitting by a window, the dark haired woman tried to relax and watch the scenery go by. But it was difficult when such a weight was hanging by a thread over her head. At the moment, Aimee was mostly concerned about her meeting with the Vicomte and Christine. The two would probably pass her off as some crazy lady. How could she convince them that she may be the Opera Ghost's sister? How would she even persuade them to let her into their house? Aimee sighed as she slumped in her seat.
Before she knew it Aimee was in the Paris station. Quickly, she left the bustling place and first went to find a inn to stay at. Once finding a reasonably priced one, she settled in her room, plopping her suitcase on the single bed. Opening the curtains on her window Aimee had to smile at the view of the colorful Paris. It was only an hour or so after noon, so Aimee decided it was now or never.
At the front desk Aimee finally received the attention of the balding inn keeper.
"Pardon me sir, but could you tell me where the Vicomte is living?" she asked politely, the older gentleman pondered for a moment before slowly saying.
"Right now he lives on Avenue de Villiers, but there are rumors that he will be leaving. Though these rumors are rather uncertain ones," he pointed out.
"Thank you, could you point me in the right direction please?"
The keeper nodded leading her outside and giving her further directions.
By the time Aimee found the grand house it was later in the day but the sun did not set. She stared at the proud home for a moment already intimidated. Swallowing hard, she told herself she had to do this, that there was no turning back. As she finally mustered up her courage and started through the gate and down the short path, she noticed not too many windows were lit up, and the place seemed rather deserted. Maybe they weren't home, Aimee thought fearfully, but she had already knocked on the door.
An older maid had opened the door giving Aimee a suspicious look.
"What do you want?" she asked not very politely.
"Please, I wish to speak with the Victome and Ms. Daae - "
"Sorry no reporters! They've had their fill of your kind!" she suddenly injected.
"Oh! I - I am not a reporter - " Aimee tried to explain.
"Don't lie to me girl! What you people do to get a stroy makes me sick!" she interupted again, beginning to close the door.
"No! Wait! You don't understand!"
"Penelope? What's wrong?" came a soft, kind voice from a staricase behind the maid.
"Nothing Ms. Daae, just another annoying reporter," the maid glared at Aimee.
"No! Please! I'm not a reporter I swear! Ms. Daae I wish the speak with you about something very important to me and most likely to you too!" Aimee desperately tried to explain.
Christine finally showed herself at the door, dismissing the maid. Aimee was slightly taken aback by her warm beauty, she could tell that she was a caring person unlike Jacqueline's cold beauty.
"And what is the important matter?" she asked patiently.
"The ... the Opera Ghost," she was greeted with a dark, sad stare, "but ... but it's not what you think! I want to know everything about him because ... because he ... may be my brother."
Christine's eyes went wide with shock as Aimee's statement sunk in. She stood there unmoving her mouth opening and closing as she tried to reply.
"No, this cannot be true!" she finally said firmly.
Aimee then looked into her chocolate-brown eyes with her large bluegreen ones. Christine's face softened and she stared into them as if in a trance.
"His eyes ... " she whispered.
"Please Ms. Daae, I must know, for his sake."
Christine swallowed and blinked a few times trying to decide what to do.
"Very well come in," she finally said after a long moment. Aimee soon introduced herself as they walked through the grand house. She couldn't keep from gapping at its massiveness and splendor. Aimee felt like a lowly peasant in a king's castle.
Once they were seated in the parlor, an awkward silence filled the room.
"Why do you think the Phantom is your brother?" Christine broke the silence.
"My aunt told me we share the same mother. From the description of the baby boy my mother had had before me - a boy with only half a face - well ... who else could it be? But while I was kept in the the family, he was given away to gypsies," she explained.
"Gypsies? I do not think I know that story."
"Neither do I really. But those questions can wait. Now I must ask ... what is the Phantom like?" she suddenly noticed that is seemed no one knew his real name, if he even had one.
"He's complicated ... " Christine answered after a pause, "From what I saw and heard to those he loves he cares for deeply and would never hurt, so long as the person doesn't betray him," she suddenly seemed to go somewhere else though she continued, "To those who betray him they will pay a terrible price. He trusts almost no one and hates the world that showed him no compassion," a small tear suddenly escaped from her eyes.
"Would you ... " she was almost afraid to ask, "would you label him as insane?"
There was a long pause, Christine was never truly asled such a question. It had always been there at the back of her mind, but she never had the time to answer it. Now was the time.
"N-no, not insane ... its just ... his whole life has been one large nightmare. He's been starved of the simple joys of life. True friends, laughter, love, compassion, and ... family."
It was Aimee's turn to shed a tear as she said.
"That's why I must find him. I don't want him to be alone anymore. But I must ask what did he do to you? Did you love him?"
"Love? No, I only loved the dreams he gave me. I fell in love with his voice but not him. He was obessed with me and stalked me everywhere I went. He probably knew how many hairs are on my head. And even though he said he loved me, I knew he didn't either. He loved my talent, my singing and this love grew in a fixation that turned into a game for my heart.
"I think what happened was, he had finally surfaced and wanted to make sure no one challenged him, that no one stepped in his way. So he scared people, even murdered to show that he was at the top, to show that he wasn't afraid or vulnerable though I feel he was. Unfortunately, Raoul stepped in his way and won my heart, the Phantom had lost his game.
"In the end when he gave me the choice of either life with him or Raoul's death I realized a few things. I realized that it was Raoul who truly loved me, he would give his life for me. I realized that this was the only way that the Phantom knew how to get what he wanted- through threats and deception - he had never been taught otherwise. And both of us realized, when we kissed, that I could never love him the way he wanted me too. He wanted true love, not love by force.
"He has a loving, softer side, but he doesn't know how to completely bring it out. Mostly he does not want to bring it out because he knows he'll only get hurt. I know I hurt him, and it pains me now to think of him alone in some dark place," she paused, "In fact I don't think he even knows what love means."
"Who doesn't know what love means? Surely not me darling?" a sudden voice interupted, followed by the appearence of the handsome Vicomte with a questioning look on his face as he kissed his fiancee's cheek, "Who is this?" he asked glancing at Aimee.
"This is Aimee she - " Christine suddenly stopped looking back at Aimee asking with her eyes if she should tell Raoul. Aimee gave a slight nod and Christine continued, "She came looking for some answers about the Phantom - "
"The Phantom!" Raoul cried angrily.
"Please sir!" Aimee quickly explained, "He ... he's my brother. I only want to find him."
Raoul was taken aback, unsure how to respond to such news. As he stared into the woman's face he could see the identical feature of determination as he'd seen in the Phantom's face.
"Why would you want to find a madman? He would more likely kill you then accept you as his sister."
Obviously the Victome had a different opinion of the Opera Ghost then Christine. This was quite understandable when all Raoul saw of the man was his murdering, kidnapping, and terrorizing. Unlike Christine who witnessed his "softer side."
"Perhaps, but perhaps not. Maybe I'm what he really needs right now, someone who will stay by him no matter what."
"I just don't want to see another innocent person become injured Ms. Aimee," Raoul said with concern.
"I-I don't think the Phantom will harm Aimee. She has an aura of kindness," Christine smiled and Aimee smiled right back, "Can you sing Aimee?"
"I haven't for a long time but, yes I've been told my singing is lovely."
"That may help you as well if and when you find him."
"Would either of you know where I may find him, or where I should start looking?"
The pair exchanged glances then Raoul finally answered.
"We are not sure where he fled, but Madame Giry the ballet instructor from the Opera House may be able to help you more than either of us can."
Aimee nodded, "Where can I find her?"
"She now lives in a small home on the other side of Paris," Aimee's heart sank and she siged tiredly until Raoul contined, "I can take you there is you wish."
"That would be most generous of you! Thank you so very much! How can I repay you for all you've done?" Aimee said excitedly.
"No recompense is in order Ms. Aimee. Just find him and care for him."
"I will."