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CHAPTER THREE- 'PLUMMETING'

Erik gazed at Christine through the mirror as she was practicing her singing to one of the arias from the upcoming production to him for the fourth time. As always, her notes were clear and concise, and she hit the notes so exquisitely that everyone who listened to her would no doubt think she was anything less than marvelous, mesmerizing. Yet her voice no longer held the same quality that it use to hold when she use to sing to him. She seemed like a drone, hitting the notes perfectly, yet the song was devoid of feeling. Erik could tell something was bothering her; more so than before she was petulant and was prone to dark moods, occasionally snapping at him when her moods were the worst. Erik could tell her heart wasn't really in this as it used to be and he was afraid he was losing her.

"Christine you sing beautifully as always. But once more you are missing the true essence of the song, my love. This piece symbolizes love and joy. I cannot hear any joy in your voice. To be honest, I hear the opposite" Erik stated, trying to be gentle as to not discourage her. "I sense there is a reason for this. Please tell me what ails you" Erik asked gently.

Christine gazed at the mirror briefly, before looking away with an angry look and remaining silent. Erik was shocked and hurt. She had never out rightly ignored him like this before. "Christine…" he tried, voice pained and full of concern.

Christine suddenly stood up and dusted herself off, before turning to give the mirror a hard stare. "Practice session is over for today angel!" she snapped finally, before turning again and stalking out the door. Erik stood there, stunned eyes following after her.

Erik knelt on the floor in grief, his hand placed over his forehead, at a loss of what to do. Twelve days ago, she had resumed practice sessions with him and she had told him that she had loved him all along, and apologized because she had made a terrible mistake by courting the viscount. Yet, every time he wanted to see her, she would use her career excuses to avoid him, or say to him that she needed more time to get over the viscount before starting a courtship again.

He had been overjoyed when she had told him that she finally loved and wanted him, and he was under the impression that she had seriously meant it. At first he understood why she still might need space, but as time went on, he began to doubt her affections for him as sincere.

Raoul was walking along the main theatre of the Opera house, rehearsal had just finished and he was in a fantastic mood. It had been twelve days since Raoul had last spoken to Erik on the rooftop. At the thought of Erik, a grin etched itself onto his features. He had of course kept to his word and spoken to the managers about giving the Opera Ghost his salary every month. At first, they had looked at him stunned, as if he had grown another to heads. Then they had nearly fainted, as he had added that they should keep box five empty during every production.

He remembered he had actually laughed at their expressions, and he told them very simply that his reasons were justified as it would keep 'peace' within the opera house. After five minutes of arguing with him, and each other, they had reluctantly come to a deal. Box five would be kept empty during every production, and the ghost would be paid his salary at the end of this month that had just passed, and each consecutive month after. He had received a 'thank you' note in reply from Erik this morning, and Raoul knew that this had been a good step.

Life was finally good once more, he began to delve into his duties with a joy and lightness he had never felt before, and since the stress of Christine and the Opera ghost had been relieved, he took great joy and care in his work. People around the opera house noticed and praised him for his effort and skill. Of those people were Madame Giry, and one Meg Giry who had taken quite a knack to making his life a bit more 'animated'.

"Bonjour Raoul!" Meg chirped happily, as she joined in step as he walked. Raoul turned, and gave her a wide smile. "Bonjour Meg! You danced beautifully this morning!" he praised kindly. Meg grinned back, her grin lighting up her entire face, which made her look like an angel. "Thank you." She replied graciously. "Mama and I think you are doing a wonderful job with all the planning you've been doing Raoul. It's due to your help that the production is going so well. The managers think that this production is going to make record sales!" Meg explained elatedly.

Raoul could tell she was very happy. The occupants of the Opera house hadn't had a production like this one in years. "Ah Meg, you give me too much credit. If everyone was trying so hard, it wouldn't be as great as it is!".

Meg nodded in agreement. "True, but we owe a lot to our patron." Meg said truthfully, gazing at Raoul warmly. Raoul nodded. "Thank you Meg". He responded. Meg then looked away, hesitated for a moment, before looking at him with worry shining in her eyes. "Though, something has been worrying me. It's-". "Christine. I know." He finished for her.

Meg nodded. "Yes. Her singing is of course exquisite, but her voice is just missing an element that she used to have. People who are close to her can just tell that her heart isn't in it. No matter how good of an actress she is" She confided.

"Yes, I've noticed." Raoul said quietly, something tugged at his heart painfully. "She seems so gloomy these days too. Mama and I have tried to talk to her, but she insists she's fine. Mama and I thought that she might have made a mistake by breaking off the engagement, but she doesn't want to speak of it" Meg said hopelessly, not knowing how to help her friend.

Raoul didn't want to hear this. His life had been good without her, yet she was still his friend and he still loved her. He could not avoid her any longer, he had to see her. He would do so tonight. "Don't worry Meg. I will speak to her tonight" he replied reassuringly. Meg gazed at him for a few seconds, her garnet eyes watery, before nodding and giving him a grateful hug before she left to go find her mother.

Meg seemed quite down, and it wasn't like her. Over the last couple of weeks, they had become quite good friends and Raoul was use to her cheerful and witty personality. But Christine's behavior was starting to affect everyone close to her, as she was becoming more moody and angry. However, how much he avoided her, her moods affected him still, as he found that he could not stop caring, no matter how hard he tried to forget her. Raoul knew that the person who would be most affected was Erik, and he suddenly wondered if he was faring well.

He felt a small amount of resentment towards Christine. She had made her choice quite clearly to him, yet she still continued to ruin her friends' joy with her negative moods. He would speak to her tonight, and sought this out once and for all.

Raoul approached Christine's room around seven o'clock, and knocked. No response was heard. He knocked three more times, yet he was meted by the same silence. Fumbling with his keys, he unlocked the door and entered the room. "Christine?" he called in the darkness, as he walked around her room, trying to catch any hint of movement.

He suddenly caught a black figure standing in the corner and approached slowly. It was too dark and he couldn't make it out. "Christine?" he asked uncertainly. The figure shifted. "She's gone." Erik's rich voice fell over him in waves, and it took Raoul a moment to register what he said.

"WHAT! No…it can't be…" he trailed, his voice full of pure astonishment. "It can and it is, Viscount. Here!" he spoke bluntly, before something was shoved in his hand, and the man moved away like a flash, as quick as he had that night on the rooftop. Raoul clutched it tightly, before swaying to follow Erik's movement.

He couldn't find him. So he felt is way over to Christine's draw for some matches and lit a candle before lighting all the candelabras in the room. He swept the room with his gaze again, and found that no one was here. Both Erik and Christine were gone.

He then remembered that he was holding something, so he looked down to find it was a letter. He opened it quickly, before starting to read:

To my darling Raoul,

I am sorry that my last words had to reach you in this way, but it is the only option I had. I wish to tell you the true reason I broke off the engagement and believe me when I say that I did not want to, for I did love you with all my heart, my love. I couldn't marry you Raoul because I would have had to forget my music, my career, my dreams, and I couldn't bear the thought of being the wife of a man whose family wouldn't allow me to be myself. I am destined for greater things Raoul. My father said he would send me the Angel of Music and that I would one day become a star. I still believe this! This is my dream Raoul! For so many years I felt my voice develop into something grand, and my theatrical skills sharpen, But I then realized that my dream couldn't be fulfilled here, in the Paris Opera House, when I found out I was under the tutelage of a monster. This thing, this monster, is not the Angel of Music my father promised me! He said he had loved me, yet he deceived me. I hate him Raoul and I do not understand how he could have ever thought that I could love him, him being what he is. He is a monster who will forever continue to try control my life and cause me misery. I had to leave the Paris Opera House because while I was there, I was limited. My abilities cannot reach their full potential .I have left to find my dream! I hope you understand Raoul. You will always be my dearest friend.

Love forever,

Christine.

The hand holding the letter shook, and the piece of parchment fell to the floor. Tears streamed down Raoul's face and his body trembled slightly from the impact of the emotion he was feeling. All of it was for nothing. In the end, she had just been selfish. She had betrayed them both, and everyone who cared about and supported her. He found it hard to believe that she ever really loved him at all. After all Erik and Raoul had done for her, she had thrown it back in their face, like it meant nothing. Even Madame Giry's kindness for taking her in and Meg's friendship had been wasted on her. In the end, she was just a selfish fickle, bitch.

Raoul's despair was then replaced by intense, fervid anger and he suddenly remembered that Erik had read the letter and what he must be feeling right now. He hoped that he wouldn't do anything stupid. Shit!

Raoul raced to the mirror and pulled it open. The darkness that greeted him was daunting, yet Raoul flung through, making his way through the tunnel hurriedly, his hands feeling the walls for guidance. In about five minutes, he came to a lake and that's when he heard sobbing. Erik's cries. Even when he sobbed, he still sounded beautiful, but the pain behind them was so intense that it hurt Raoul to listen. He could see no way to get across, and the boat was on the other side. So he waded through, and swam to the other side as quickly as he could.

Once up a few stairs, he was standing outside a room, the cries resonating loudly from within. Raoul hesitated and reconsidered if he should disturb him or not. His instinct kicked it, and Raoul suddenly felt that this was dangerous. He heard something smash from within the room, and Raoul hesitated once more, before opening the door and flying into the room.

Erik looked up quickly, his eyes meeting Raoul's with a wild look. Raoul caught a glimpse of Erik's hand and saw that blood was dripping from it. His eyes then gazed at the mirror behind him which had been shattered into pieces.

Raoul then met Erik's gaze again and took a step forward. "What are you doing here!" Erik snarled hatefully, moving slightly to the side in a circular motion. Raoul winced at the hatred he heard from that voice. It seemed that they had gone back several steps and all the progress they had made was erased. "I-" Raoul stammered, he was suddenly at a loss for words. He knew why he was here, but why couldn't he say it.

"You what Viscount!" he spat disgustedly, his eyes still glaring at him. So they were back to this again. "Erik I-" he began, but couldn't finish as he felt something connect with his face. His head threw to the side with a crack and he fell, his arm breaking his fall beneath him.

Momentarily dizzy, Raoul stood up and it took a second to register what had happened. Erik had hit him. His cheek felt like it was on fire and suddenly felt too large for his head. He, however ignored the pain and gazed at Erik once more, whose eyes still glaring heatedly at him. "Look I-" he was cut off again, as Erik roared at him and sent another fist flying at him, one which Raoul sidestepped just in time. Erik turned quick on his feet and aimed another which Raoul blocked with his hand. Erik then threw another punch with his other hand which Raoul blocked it with his other arm. Erik then jumped away and Raoul moved backwards. The two began circling each other. Erik's eyes now held a bloodlust that frightened Raoul. The look hurt more than it should have. He wants to kill me. Raoul suddenly thought disturbed.

As quick as lightning, Erik charged at him and Raoul unable to block due to his quick speed, found hands wound around his throat. The hands squeezed tightly, and Raoul shut his eyes in pain. He then found Erik's right foot and wound his leg around it, and tugged. Erik let go and with a gasp fell backwards, Raoul falling on top of him.

Raoul was breathing heavily, gasping for much needed oxygen. When Raoul met Erik's eyes he found that they were now staring up at him with an entirely changed expression. His eyes were wide and his lips were parted. Raoul became aware of their position and found that certain body parts were entwined and pressing together. Heat flushed through his body and he found himself leaning forward to get a better view of those parted lips.

Suddenly something dropped off the nearest table, smashing onto the floor, and reality came flooding back. With a horrified gasp he pulled back, his eyes as wide like a deer being caught in headlights, and his face flushed from both the contact and embarrassment. Erik sat up and stared at him.

Raoul met his eyes fearfully, and just as he had been standing there, the next second he was gone.