Thank you for all the reviews! I decided to post this chapter before I returned to school. Shudders I must acknowledge several people:
LittleLottexoxEriksTrueAngel- This chapter is dedicated to you, seeing you were my first review!! Thank you!
Lady Wen: Thank you for adding me to story alert. And I must say I agree with you. Why go with Raoul when the phantom is much hotter and sings better too! I'm glad you think my story is intriguing.
Phanphicphansastic: You're right the book is much sadder!
Truth Questor: Yes, i realized that. It's proabably because most of the writers can sympathize with Erik-unrequited love hurts. A lot. But thank you for reviewing! Just a fair warning, I'm on the phantom's side!
Chapter 2: Searching
Christine gasped for air. After looking for several hours around the old opera house and catacombs, it was clear that the phantom or Erik as she began to think of, was not here. Placing the lantern next to her, she sat on the phantom's bed. It had made sense that the phantom was not here, yet she had dared hope. Having made sure that the only door was locked; Christine laid in his bed, inhaling his scent. Lying in bed, Christine recalled the events that led her to this place.
Beginning of flashback
Having packed some of her clothes, jewelry, and food, Christine sneaked downstairs, praying with all her might that she would not be found. She would rather be miles away when Raoul found the letter. She didn't want to face him and explain why she was leaving him. Once outside, she ran as fast as she could to the stables. Then her plan nearly fell apart. The stable master, Edward was sleeping in front of her horse's stall. Christine tried not to scream as she panicked. What was she going to do? Then to make things worse, Edward woke up.
" Miss Daae, what are you doing her, at this time of night? Were you going for a midnight ride?" His voice died when he saw the saddlebags.
"You're leaving us. Why?"
"Mr. Edward, I've made a stupid mistake. I need to see if I can fix it." Mr. Edward was gong to argue with her, but he had never seen someone so desperate or sad.
"But why are you leaving? I thought you love the viscount."
"So did I," she whispered, remembering the way Erik's mouth tasted.
"Lady, I will go sleep in the loft. I never saw you. However, I hope that you do not regret this, and you find what you seek." Having saddled her horse, Christine turned around.
"Why are you letting me go like that, without a protest?" The old man did not respond he was looking for something. Having found it, he walked over and checked her saddle.
"Get on." Once on top, Christine tried to get use to the sensation. She had always ridden astride. Once making sure she would not fall, the old man presented her with what he had searched for- a sword.
"You still haven't answered my question."
"Whenever you came here, I could see your heart change its mind. Moreover, knowing Erik, I had a feeling you would never forget him. "
"You knew Erik! Is that his real name?"
"Good luck lady and send him my regards" And he slapped the horse's side, preventing Christine from asking any further questions.
End of flashback
'I wonder how that man knew Erik,' was the last through that ran through her head.
Day 1
Christine sat outside of a café, sipping tea. She had disguised herself as a male, one, which she miraculously pulled off. And although it made her search easier, it was not very successful. First, she had to explain why she was asking for a weird person. She had just raised her cup when she saw a black cloak out of the corner of her eye. Tossing some coins on the table, she quickly grabbed her cloak and began to run after it.
' Please let it be him.' she thought repeatedly, as if the person would turn into Erik.
"Erik, wait for me," she yelled as she finally caught up to the person, grabbing on to the cloak. The figure began to slowly turn around and Christine dared to hope her search was over. But when she saw the person, her heart sank.
"I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else."
"No trouble at all monsieur. Who are you looking for?"
"His name is Eric…"
"Family name?" (A/N: or in other words, last name)
"I don't know."
"I'm sorry, I can't help you. However I heard that an Erik lived near Champs-Elyseé."
" Lived?" Fear crept into her voice. 'Is Erik dead?' ran though her mind.
"Yes, he moved away. I do not know where. Au revoir."
'I wonder if that Erik is the same Erik I know,' Christine mussed over as she headed back to the café.
The next few days found Christine searching like a madman. Like the first day, she would often get hints as to where Erik resided. However, they all proved to be false. She also had to constantly check over her shoulder. Sometimes she felt Raoul close to her, as if she was being followed. Little by little, despair began to overcome her.
Day 10 (morning)
Christine sighed as she got up. She tried to fight back the tears that threatened to spill.
"I have no more food, I'm down to my last two francs, and I have still not found Erik! What if he's dead!" The thought of Erik all alone, dead saddened Christine so much; she could not hold the tears back.
"Erik! I'm so sorry! Please come back!" Erik's face, covered in tears for her sake-and the last time she saw him went through her head.
"I have to find him so I can tell him my feelings and my apology. He deserves it for the suffering I made him endure." Motivated by this she wiped the tears away as she headed out the door, pausing only to grab her hat before she stepped into the dark opera house.
Evening
Christine was sitting on the sidewalk, thinking of everything when someone tapped her in the shoulder.
"Excuse me madam, you are looking for Erik right? He has no last name, or one that you do not know."
"Yes!" Christine could not believe her luck. Was she going to find Erik at last?
"Then please follow me." Quickly getting up, Christine soon found herself walking through a part of Paris that she had never seen before.
"Is it much further?"
"We're almost here." Christine stared at the back of her mysterious helper. Was it her imagination or did he suddenly sound dangerous?
"We're here." Christine was confused. They were at the end of an alley, and Erik was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Erik?" But the stranger walked past her, without answering her question, only to be joined by a group of men.
What are you going to do? Don't get any closer, I have a weapon," she said as she pulled her sword from it's scabbard.
"You see we actually know Erik. However, you're so pretty, what a waste it would be if we handed you over to him."
"You don't know him, this is a trap and I can't believe I was stupid enough to fall for it."
"Isn't that just our luck!" However, Christine did not hear him, she could have sworn she just hear Erik singing.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime."
"Erik is that you? Please come help me!"
"Get her!"
"Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me, each night each morning. Say you'll love me."
"You know I do." Was that Christine's mind playing tricks on her or was that actually Erik?
"Anywhere you go let me go too. Love me, that's all I ask of you!"
"You're wasting your time he won't come out," the stranger said as he began to walk closer towards her.
"Stop right there!" Christine said as she pointed her sword at him. But to her horror, the stranger simply swatted away her sword. Next thing she knew, she was on the ground, the man over her.
"Erik, I love you!" Christine looked away. She could not bear to see the man's face, as he got closer. Then to her surprise, the man fell dead on top of her. While trying to get the man off, she heard the screams of the rest of the men as they died. Suddenly the heavy weight was taken off. Christine sighed in relief, only to find herself looking up to a stranger with a bloody sword standing over her.
So what do you, my readers think? More reviewsfaster update. Because you know you want to know who her mysterious savior is right?! Thanks for reading again, Lady moon dragon
