Chapter 2

A Ghost's Recall

Erik sat there in his enormous, throne-like chair. He traced the different patterns in it with his finger and sat there, perplexed. How can I win her over? He thought, tapping his temple with his finger with his other hand. How could such a wonderful creature love such a horrendous looking one as I? His green eyes scanned the room, looking for an answer in the back of his mind. He sighed when he could think of nothing and slumped into his chair with a huff of frustration and sadness.

After a moment, he rose to his feet and strode over to his organ. He stared at it for a brief moment, allowing his fingers to brush the keys of it lightly and then erecting a note from it. He finally allowed himself to sit at the grand instrument and allow his soul to pour out of him the only way he seemed to know how: Through his music.

How could someone like me ever be able to even approach her? She'd never look at me with loving eyes. But oh how I would love her to take away my pain. There must be a way. He thought as he continued to tap away at the keys.

The very few candles that were left were flickering slightly, about to go out themselves. Erik was at his desk now, writing. Crumpled up sheets of paper lay in various positions around the room, soon to be joined by yet another.

He growled in frustration and discarded the paper he was scrawling on. Erik then rose from his chair and paced, his hands clasped together behind his back as he did so. Why can't I think? Is my mind so enthralled by her that it can't even concentrate on something else for five minutes! He let out yet another shaky breath. He recalled the first time he had almost been caught by his angel.

Christine was playing hide-and-go-seek with Meg and some of the other young girls around the Opera house. She had wandered away from the rest, hiding in what she presumed to be one of the darkest and best hiding places she could ever hope to find.

After what seemed to be forever, Christine came out of her hiding place and looked around. She couldn't't remember exactly which way she had come from! She looked this way and that and walked on for some time. She then heard something... footsteps? She listened hard and tried to figure out which way they had come from. She ran towards them and then found herself turning a dark corner and bumping into someone! She fell with a thud, as did the other she ran into. She looked up to find the person crawling away into an even darker corner.

"Please wait!" The older boy stopped and looked at her through the darkness. She tried to peer at him, but couldn't get a good look. "I seem to have lost my way monsieur. Do you think you could tell me how to get back to my friends?" The boy looked at her, obviously dumbfounded, but pointed to her left. "That way then?" She asked, trying to coax at least one word out of him. There was silence for a moment. "Oui." It was a simple answer, and probably the only words she would hear from him, but she tried nonetheless. "What is your name?"

She was interrupted when she heard someone calling her name, obviously searching for her. Her head turned at the sound and then back again only to see that the boy had disappeared. She sat there for a moment, confused, looking into the now black obis where the boy was only a few moments ago. Her friend, Meg, touching her on her shoulder, once again, interrupted her thoughts. "There you are Christine. Everyone has been looking for you! You had a most excellent hiding place indeed!" Christine was silent for a moment before looking up at her dear friend and smiling. "Oui... I suppose I did." With that being said, Christine got up and walked with her friend down the corridor back to the others. She turned back once, only for an instant, meeting eyes with him without knowing.

Erik smiled at the thought for a moment. He HAD had some contact with her, brief as it was, in these past fifteen years. And she didn't stray from him then, did she? "Ah, but she did not see your face then." The voice in his head chimed nonchalantly. He sighed. She hadn't, had she? There seemed to be no hope. There was always something that was keeping him from her, and she from him. But wasn't there some event coming up? One that could allow him to see her, to talk with her, without anyone ever finding out who he was? "The Masquerade!'" He said, hope dripping from his voice as he said it aloud. He had heard the ballet rats going on and on about it for weeks! This would be his chance.
Sigh Bit disappointed I haven't had any reviews, but I do see that people have been reading it AND one person already faved it, so I guess I'm a bit grateful for that. Next chapter will be up soon too. I have a ton already done, but I'm reviewing and also doing a bunch of college stuff, so bare with me, please?