Chapter 9: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
James was handsome, but not the brightest light in the house. He was not as empty headed as Vincent, but not as smart as Change. He had no idea that Erika had fallen for him (Stupid, I know). So the day after the masquerade ball he came to call on the Viscount's family one again. Ida answered the door, and brought him inside.
He sat in the drawing room along with Raoul and Christine. "Where is the rest of your charming family Monsieur Viscount?" ask James good naturedly.
"Would you like some tea monsieur?" asked Ida.
"Yes, that would be lovely, go get some." Snapped Raoul, "Now where was I? Oh, right. Vincent is out this morning with friends, and Change is reading in his room."
"Where is Miss Daae this morning?"
"I believe she is in her room. She hasn't come down yet today." Replied Christine.
At that moment Ida walked through the door with a tray. The tray held tea and cups. She had heard this last remark, and knew it not to be true. "No, mademoiselle, she left this morning."
"Oh. Where did she go?"
"To her brother's grave. I'm sorry madam, she told me to give you this and I completely forgot!" Ida held out an envelope addressed to her mother.
"Thank you Ida." She opened the note, and upon reading it was first puzzled, than shocked.
"What is it, dear?" asked Raoul, though he didn't really care. But Christine couldn't speak. She was to frightened by whatever she had seen. "Christine? Christine!" Raoul finally took an interest when she turned pale. The note fell from her hand and James picked it up while Raoul tried to calm her.
Dearest mother,
I go to my brother's grave. I do know when or if I shall return. I must say my last goodbyes to the only person who understood me, so please understand why I was not able to give you my farewell in person. Au revoir.
"What?"
"You must go!" The only thing Christine would say was to James. "Save her from him! She is innocent and he will take her!"
Without thinking, James ran out the door and to his stables to get a horse.
Erika was already at the Graveyard. She was depressed. How could she continue on? The only man she loved was infatuated with another woman. She had the knife she planned to stab through her own heart tucked away at her waist. One last song, for her brother as she made her way to his grave.
E: "You were once
my one companion.
You were all
that mattered.
You were once
a friend and brother -
then my world
was shattered.
Wishing you were
somehow here again.
Wishing you were
somehow near.
Sometimes it seemed
if I just dreamed,
somehow you would
be here.
Wishing I could
hear your voice again
knowing that I
never would.
Dreaming of you
won't help me to do
all that you dreamed
I could.
Passing bells
and sculpted angels,
cold and monumental,
seem, for you,
the wrong companions -
you were warm and gentle.
Too many years
fighting back tears
why can't the past
just die?
Wishing you were
somehow here again!
Knowing we must
say goodbye.
Try to forgive,
teach me to live
give me the strength
to try!
No more memories,
no more silent tears!
No more gazing across
the wasted years!
Help me say
goodbye.
She had reached her brother's grave. It stood left of a large mausoleum for someone else's family. She sat heavily in front of the gravestone. It was a grey marble, inscribed with CHRISTON DAAE, and 1870-1884. She started to cry.
P: "Wandering child
so lost,
so helpless,
Yearning for my
Guidance.
Erika stopped crying and listened. She picked up her head and searched for the voice. From what she could tell, it was coming from the nearby mausoleum.
E: "Angel and father,
Friend and Phantom?
Is it you there staring? Angel, oh speak!
P: Have you forgotten your Angel?
E: What endless longings
Echo in this whisper!
P: Too long you've wandered in winter, far from my fathering gaze.
E: Wildly my mind beats to join you and the soul obeys!
P: You agree and your soul obeys!
B: Angel of Music!
P: You denied me turning from true beauty!
E: I denied you turning from true beauty!
B: Angel of Music!
P: Do not shun me Come to your strange angel!
E: My protector, Come to me strange angel!"
P: I am your angel of music!
Come to me angel of music!"
Just then James appeared, running past the graves. "No, Erika! Wait!" but she did not listen.
P: "I am your angel of music!
Come to me angel of music!"
But Erika's attention had finally been pulled by James. He raced up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Whatever you believe, this man, this thing, is no good father!" Her father who was no good leaped out from his hiding spot, grabbed his sword and lunged. But James had brought his as well, thinking he might just need it. He blocked.
The fighting went on for a long time. Because the phantom was older and out of practice, James finally got the upper hand. Erika watched with horror as James knocked her father to the ground. He raised his sword above his head, preparing to deliver the final blow that would surely kill him. Erika was no longer indecisive about who she should help. She pulled the knife out from where she was concealing it with a practiced hand.
The knife flew and landed on James' shirt sleeve, holding it to the stone side of the mausoleum. He was so shocked that he dropped his sword. Erika ran over, picked up the sword and in one sweeping movement brought it o his throat. "How could you? My father!" she snarled.
"He's no good for you Erika," he replied, eyes wide and staring at the saber in her hands. "He'll take you forever, your mother knows."
"So? What do you care? You have Justine." He said nothing in reply and avoided eye contact. Just then, another person rushed into the graveyard. Erika looked over, a sinister smile crossing her face. "Speak of the devil…"
Justine rushed into the graveyard, and was stupid enough to run right up to Erika, who decided to turn the sword on her. Her father took her place, holding the saber against James' throat while Erika grabbed Justine around the neck from behind. James cried out. "No! Erika, don't!"
"Who's to stop me?" She scoffed.
"Please!"
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. Father, id you would be so kind." Reluctantly he stepped back. Erika ripped the knife from the wall. James immediately took advantage of this, grabbing Justine and running as fast as he could with her out of the cemetery. Erika narrowed her eyes as she watched him leave. "So, let it be war upon you both."