Chapter 7

Coming out of a near trance the voice put her in, Christine gasped in shock. Lights out and a voice? It's like some sort of horror film!

His command definitely worked, though. She wasn't crying anymore. Now, she was extremely confused and a little nervous. "Who's there?"

She didn't receive an answer to her question.

"Who's there?" Christine tried again, louder than before. "Look, I can't see in the dark so can you please turn on the lights?" It's got to be a student playing a joke on me.

Still nothing.

"Well, fine!" she shouted. "I'll get out of here without your help." She began to move in the direction of the door but kept bumping into chairs. Just great, I'm so clumsy…

Erik shook his head, suppressing a sigh. He had always possessed keen night vision and was glad to have it at that particular moment. He stood on stage looking out at Christine who was trying to feel her way to an exit. My poor girl. She is lost. She needs guidance...

Just when Christine began to think she'd never get out, a voice that seemed to come from right behind her whispered, "Stop, Christine..." The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and a shiver ran down her spine. Turning towards where the hypnotic voice was coming from, she asked, "Wh- who are you?"

Erik didn't answer. He couldn't. After all, he had never been faced with such a challenge. Pretend to be an angel? It was foreign and even laughable to him.

He obviously couldn't give into her wishes. I am Erik, the 'ghost' who lives in this music building. I am in the process of making you believe I am an angel, although, really, that is the last thing I would ever be referred as. Oh, and to top things off, I am 'Phantom', the one you have been communicating with Online.

There was no way he could tell her any of that. Erik was quite glad he wasn't actually behind her at that moment, for he was currently in a perplexed state. Ventriloquist skills really were quite useful.

Christine was frustrated, tired, and really sick of this. She sighed. "If you attend Ballad and are just playing around, would you please give it up already? I've had a really bad night and I just want to go back to my dorm room."

"You do not wish to stay?" He hadn't really meant to blurt that out, but he also didn't want her to leave.

She reached out trying to find the man who seemed to be so close. "Who in the heck are you?"

"You really do not know?" A small smile came to his masked face. This game was fun.

He was teasing her! "Just turn on the lights," she moaned. "Please?"

Erik had trouble denying her, which was a slightly fearful observation. Nevertheless, he went backstage, out of Christine's view, and turned the recital hall's lights back on.

She squinted adjusting to the sudden light before immediately searching for the creep. "Where are you?" Maybe he's had his fun for the night and has left..

Well, she certainly had no reason to stay either. Christine sprinted to the door of the recital hall but, to her surprise, it was locked. What the heck?

She banged on it desperately hoping someone would unlock it, but no one came. Finally, she turned around and cursed under her breath. Nothing greeted her eyes but emptiness. "What did I do to deserve this?"

A most obvious thought came to her then and she slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. "Cell phone!" Quickly reaching for her purse, she eagerly grabbed it.

Her eagerness quickly faded, though... No reception. "Damn it!" she yelled, throwing the useless phone back in her purse.

Meanwhile, while Christine was getting more and more angry and disheartened, Erik rushed down to his basement lair in order to obtain his precious violin. I shall play for her! His excitement at being given such an opportunitywas enormous.

He hurried back to the recital hall and carried his violin up to the rafters above the stage. She was furious, Erik could tell, so he began playing a peaceful, relaxing piece.

Christine closed her eyes wishing this whole situation was just a dream.

And that's when the sound of a violin reached her ears.

Her eyes opened wide and she collapsed into the nearest chair. It was the most beautiful sound... Being a huge fan of violins, thanks to her father, she knew what professional talent sounded like. It sounded like this. It sounded exactly like what she was hearing.

She listened in fascination savoring the sound and falling into a relaxed state, just as the song suggested.

All too soon, however, the music came to an end. Christine slowly came back to reality. Shaking, she stood and asked yet again, "Who are you?" This time, though, she asked the question breathlessly.

"An angel," he calmly replied from the rafters.

His voice seemed to come from.. well, everywhere, and she turned in a complete circle trying to find it. "Huh?"

"An angel," he patiently repeated. Erik had all the time in the world to make her understand.

Ok, now Christine knew this guy was toying with her. "Stop playing around! I want you to identify yourself right now! Who are you? What's your name?"

"Erik." Angels can have names, right? This was definitely foreign territory for him.

"Erik? Great. Now, Erik, come out of your hiding place!"

"I can't do that, Christine."

"And why the hell not?"

"I am an angel." He could not help but feel completely ridiculous saying the word, 'angel'.

He didn't answer her question, he just repeated his ridiculous statement. It was infuriating. "Please be honest! I'm not in the mood for any of this!"

The girl was seething, and Erik found it to be strangely appealing. "I was sent to you."

"Oh yeah? By who?" she snapped.

There was a pause before he decided to reply, "Your mother."

Christine gasped, completely not expecting that. How cruel… How cruel to even say such a thing! Angry, hurt, surprised tears came unwillingly. "D- don't mention her. That's really mean to bring her up when she's not even here anymore.."

"I know that."

She didn't want to take anymore of this. Whoever this was, well, he was committing keeping her here against her will! Wasn't that a crime? "Let me out of here!" She ran to the door again and helplessly banged on it.

Such strong will from such a grieving soul… "Silence, Christine." His tone was powerful and demanding. "I will not let you leave, not until I have had my say."

She turned back around with her hands on her hips. "It's not like 'your say' will help, but go ahead. Speak!"

"Please grasp what I am saying. I am an angel, my name is Erik, and your mother sent me to you. I can help you, Christine. You have an enchanting voice. I can mold it to perfection."

Christine blinked, letting that sink in. Then, to Erik's surprise, she began laughing. "Wait a second.. You're trying to tell me that you're the Angel of Music?" She laughed some more before asking, "Do you think I'm stupid? I'm eighteen and trust me, I stopped believing in angels a long time ago."

"How, then, could I have known about the Angel of Music? How could I know about the stories you were told as a child?"

Christine wasn't going to fall for that either. "Because I talked about it like fifteen minutes ago. I unintentionally told you about it." She crossed her arms proud of herself for outsmarting him.

"You do not believe in me, yet.. you believe in ghosts." That would surprise her, he was sure. Thanks to Antoinette's talkative daughter and her gossiping, he was able to overhear her telling some friends that she had convinced Christine to believe in the 'ghost'.

Ok, that was a little surprising. How could he know that? She rolled her eyes after a second. "No, I don't," she lied.

"Oh, but you do. Meg Giry convinced you. Do not deny it."

Christine never was a very good liar. She didn't know what to say.

Getting right down to business, he continued, "Now, you must believe in me before I can help you. It would be wise for you to comply. The sooner we begin, the sooner your horrible voice teacher, Dr. Gratsia, will come to realize your greatness."

And he knew about Dr. Gratsia? What is with this guy? He really expects me to start believing he's an angel.. Well, I guess he really is putting on a good show. "How can I believe you're an angel? You aren't doing anything too amazing. There are plenty of ways you could have gotten your information."

Erik sighed. How would he convince her? Quite frankly, he had thought she would possess a weak spirit and give in easily, but that wasn't the case. True, it was nice to view her confident side... But it was also frustrating.

"Christine, dear child, you are such a tragedy. Do not take my words as condemnation. It is quite remarkable how well you hide your pain. But, we both know the truth. You hide your true feelings from the world. You put on a cheerful facade when, really, you are still grieving. It shows most when you sing. Although you have gorgeous tonality and ability, it lacks feeling. You do not give yourself to the music. It is not that you lack capability. It's that you long for your mother. You have not gotten past her tragic death. You feel lost and confused. You feel trapped in your grief. But, Christine, I can help you. I will teach you to welcome the music, yearn for it, live and breathe it. Christine, you will be the music with my guidance."

His words were moving. They made Christine feel a hopefulness that she rarely ever felt anymore. Maybe he really is an angel? She pondered her inner thoughts. Whatever he is, whoever he is, I long for what he is saying. I feel like... I could trust him. I could trust this...

Tentatively, she asked, "So, you really are an a-angel?"

"Yes, Christine. I really am." To say he was relieved by her words was an understatement.

"And you really want to help me? Y- you won't .. leave me?" This had to be one of the most awkward moments of her life. Such nonsense was actually starting to make sense..

"I will not leave unless you wish it, or unless you are not obedient." Erik focused his complete attention on her waiting for a reaction.

"Obedient?"

"Yes. Receiving help from an angel requires devoting your life and soul to music. You can only thrive with my guidance. Do you understand?"

She stood very still while considering such strict discipline. Complete devotion to her voice? Well, music was her passion. Guidance and improvement were the only things she wanted in life. Plus, an instructor who wasn't Dr. Gratsia would be a nice change.

From what I can tell, it seems like a fully positive thing. It seems like nothing can go wrong. Christine could only hope... Is this right, though? ... Yes. I think this is the right thing to do. Yes. "Ok. I can do that." There was a pause before she tentatively asked, "So, you're my voice teacher?"

Such hopefulness, such need.. Erik was experiencing the same feelings as she. And he was all too willing to fill the gap in her life. "Yes, dear child. I will be your instructor and companion. Your voice will soon cause even the angels to weep."

She smiled, apparently liking the sound of that.

"Here are your beginning instructions. You will go to practice room number 7 each night at precisely nine o'clock. I will be there ready to teach. I demand concentration, obedience, and an open mind each and every night. Christine, there will not be time for.. pleasurable experiences while training is in progress. Your pleasure will come through singing. Is that clear?"

She had a feeling he was referring to Raoul. "Yeah, it's clear." There wasn't a doubt in her mind now. This was what she had always dreamt of, and now it was reality. She silently thanked her mother for such a gift.

"Your first lesson will begin tonight, right now. Are you ready to move to the practice room?"

"Yes. I'm ready, Angel."

Never had three words touched him so. 'I'm ready, Angel.' Really, he was not the angel.. she was.

Christine walked towards the door a third time, nearly expecting it to still be locked. But it wasn't. Her angel had unlocked it.

She headed towards practice room number 7, her angel the only thing on her mind.