Note: For part of this chapter, it will be in 3rd person. Which means Emily will not be narrating. But I will switch back to Emily's narration in a certain part(s).I will also use references from the movie to help explain things. These references will be used in parentheses.
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Chapter Nine
People rushed around preparing for the masquerade ball. They had all been so busy that most hadn't noticed Emily Durand had been missing for two days. Jude, Madame Giry, Meg Giry and Aurora had been the only ones to notice.
"But where could she be, Madame Giry?" Aurora questioned.
"I do not know, Mademoiselle Demeen," the elderly woman replied. She had become quite annoyed by Aurora's frequent questions. "Monsieur DeLouis please take your fiancé. Meg and I can handle the situation, alone."
"Yes, Madame," Jude replied. He turned to Aurora and whispered, "We should leave."
"But we need to find Emily! The wedding is in five days!" Aurora whined.
"Come, Aurora. They will find Emily. Madame Giry and Meg know her better than even I do."
Aurora sighed and nodded.
Jude kissed her cheek and they walked away, hand-in-hand.
"Is she below, Mother?" Meg asked once Jude and Aurora were out of earshot.
"I can't think of any other place, child."
"We must go get her!" Meg began to rush off, but Madame Giry grabbed her daughter's arm.
"No, Meg. He will only hold her longer if we do so. We must wait for him to give us the chance to retrieve her."
Meg sighed. "I suppose your right. But how long will that be?"
"I cannot tell, but with the masquerade ball coming up, I believe he will be there," Madame Giry pointed out.
Meg nodded. "I hope she's alright."
"He would not harm her, Meg. She's fine."
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I sat on the swan bed, thinking. This time Erik hadn't left the cave. He thought I would try and escape again… I wouldn't. I won't be taking any more chances.
I stood up and stared out at Erik at his organ. He didn't play. It made me a bit sad. His music was always so beautiful. My heart beat for his music, but I couldn't help but loathe the man that played it.
I sighed and sat back down on the bed. I could only imagine what was going on in the opera house. Were people looking for me? Were they even worried? These were questions I could not answer- alone, at least.
I waited to hear Erik's voice. I waited for his music. I waited for his face. I dare not go to him, still afraid. He had said I was the only one to listen and that is the reason he chose me, but… Oh, I didn't know that seeking revenge for my parents' deaths would cause this.
"Gently he carried my soul into song… Singing the darkness of love; Gently he taught me to love and to sing… I heard his voice in my heart..." I whispered. The same words I had sung when Erik approached me by the piano two days ago. I thought about the words I had just said. They were all true. He took my soul and taught me music; he had sung so beautifully to me, but I never realized it was because…he loved me; he taught me to love through singing; I always heard his voice in my head and my heart. He sang to me and he prowled through my thoughts, not giving up. Erik wouldn't rest until he had my soul, my mind and my heart.
I tucked hair behind my ear and unclipped the necklace from around my neck. I sighed and laid it on the bed.
I promised myself I would remain strong and that I wouldn't show any signs of cowardice. I thought about Jude and Aurora. Jude is probably worried sick… I thought. Madame Giry and Meg too.
Just then…music. Erik had repeated the melody I had sung minutes earlier. I stood again and stared out at him. He began to add more and more to the song.
I listened and he sung a few words softly. "Gently, she listened…for my music of night… Her soul was to be mine for all time… Slowly she sung…for my darkening heart… Her heart was then ripped from my grasp…"
I just broke my promise. Tears fell from the corners of my eyes. This man…he… His heart was so black yet bruised so easily. I immediately felt guilty. I had almost killed his music. But that didn't change anything in my heart. He still killed my parents and he still deserved punishment.
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"Mother we must go down!" Meg begged.
"No, Meg! We cannot," Madame Giry retorted.
"But what about Emily?"
"She is fine, I promise."
Meg sighed and grumbled something incoherently.
"Get ready for the masquerade ball," her mother instructed.
Meg nodded reluctantly and did so.
Madame Giry secretly hoped herself that Emily was alright.
She walked into the foyer and saw guests already arriving. She sighed and waited for it to start.
Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre approached Madame Giry and smiled nervously.
"Mademoiselle Durand is still missing?" Monsieur Andre asked.
"Yes. I do believe, though, that she will be here tonight for the ball," she replied.
"What makes you think that-" Monsieur Firmin stopped himself, realizing what she meant. "Oh…"
"Right, monsieur."
"What shall we do, then?" Monsieur Andre questioned.
"Nothing. We shall just wait for him and hope that he brings Mademoiselle Durand," Madame Giry replied.
"But why not arrest him?" Monsieur Firmin was obviously appalled at the idea of letting Erik get away.
"Because he wouldn't let that happen," she said. "Now, messieurs, the ball is beginning."
They noticed that and rushed off.
Madame Giry raised her eyebrows, watching them.
Meg walked up beside her mother. She wore a white and gold dress, with her hair pulled back. She carried a gold mask in her hand. "What was that about?" she asked.
"Nothing, Meg."
Meg nodded. A young man soon asked Meg to dance and she looked at her Mother, but her Mother only gave her a look that said she had to. Meg nodded to the man reluctantly.
Madame Giry found Messieurs Andre and Firmin accompanied by two of her dancers. She scolded them in her mind.
"Madame Giry! When do you think he will be, er, arriving?" Monsieur Andre asked, quickly.
"I cannot say, Monsieur. I do not know his exact whereabouts!" she snapped.
They looked a bit taken aback.
The two dancers giggled and the managers walked off with them.
People danced energetically all around as Madame Giry kept her eye out for Erik and Emily.
Suddenly Erik was at the top of the staircase. He stared down at the crowd, with a glare of anger and power (he wore his "Red Death" costume). Emily stood by him, struggling with her hands. They were bound together and they irritated her wrists. She wore a deep scarlet and black dress (like Christine's during "Past the Point of No Return" with different colors).
"Erik, let me go," Emily said.
Erik didn't say anything, but took her hands and began to drag her down the staircase. "Good evening, messieurs."
No one said anything.
Point Of View Change
I looked at everyone, then back to Erik.
He smirked. "You are all so…quiet," he pointed out. "Why is this?"
I was still trying to get out of the bonds that held my hands. "Erik. Untie me," I demanded quietly.
He looked at me, eyes narrowed underneath his skull-like mask. "Now why would I do that? So you could escape again?" He lifted my chin so I looked at him. "You…promised me."
I turned my head away and saw Jude and Aurora watching in horror. I also saw Meg. She was a bit fidgety.
People began to mutter and whisper among themselves.
I stared down at the floor as Erik still led- well dragged- me down the stairs.
"You all know Mademoiselle Emily Durand, correct?" Erik said. "Daughter of the singer Collette Durand?"
"Let her go, you fiend!" Jude yelled, walking towards Erik.
I could see Aurora begging him not to, but he obviously ignored her.
"You do know her," Erik replied. "Well… Come get her."
Jude narrowed his eyes suspiciously and progressed towards us.
When he was close enough, Erik took out a sword and pointed it at Jude's throat.
"Jude," I begged. "Leave. He will kill you."
Jude ignored me as well and licked his lips. He was a bit nervous, as sweat began to bead his forehead. "Coward…" he muttered towards Erik. He took out his own sword and challenged Erik.
"Foolish boy," Erik said. He let go of my hands harshly and I tumbled down the stairs.
I groaned in pain quietly on the floor. Meg rushed over and unbound my hands, helping me up.
"Emily! Are you alright?" she asked.
I coughed and said hoarsely, "I'm fine."
There was a yell of pain and Erik clutched his side. Jude stood before him, eyes narrowed angrily.
The crowd watched in horror as Erik ran and took my wrist once more. Meg reached out to me, but we disappeared in a cloud of fire and smoke before she could get to me.
Point Of View Change
Jude ran towards the fire, but it faded and they were gone. "Emily," he whispered.
Aurora ran to him. "Jude! Are you hurt?"
Jude shook his head. "No."
Madame Giry walked to Jude. "Monsieur, never do that," she scolded.
"But why not? He had Emily! I could have saved her!" he argued.
"But you didn't. There are other ways to save Emily."
"What ways?"
"I do not have to share that with you because you might not even save her. The Opera Ghost might kill you before you get the chance," Madame Giry said. Her voice had a ring of humor to it, yet it was wise.
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Erik dragged me out of the boat. He winced and let go of my wrist. He began to undress to examine the wound. His white shirt was soaked in the scarlet liquid.
I gasped and walked towards him. "Erik…" I began.
He breathed heavily and looked at me. "You've done enough."
I didn't move. "You're hurt. I can help you."
"You…have done…enough," he repeated. He took his hand away from his side. Blood stained his hand. He winced again.
I touched my hand to his side and he had to clench his teeth together to keep from crying out. The wound was deep. Jude was a skilled with a sword, so I wasn't too surprised. "Erik, let me help."
He looked at me sternly, but his gaze softened soon. He took rather quick, deep breaths and his chest rose and fell quickly.
I looked at him and placed a hand on his cheek, asking him to calm down and take slower breaths.
Once the wound was cleaned and bandaged he thanked me. "This act of charity will not allow you to leave," he said.
I didn't say anything. I just walked away, leaving him alone with his music. I walked to the swan bed.
I replayed those moments in my mind. There was something in Jude's eyes that truly alarmed me. They seemed more frightened than they ever had before. He had been very…worried for me.
"Emily…" Erik called softly.
I brushed hair out of my face and went to him. I licked my lips.
"Emily…" Erik whispered again, when I was near him. He stood up from his organ and reached his hand out to touch my cheek. He stared at me calmly and lovingly. His pale green eyes were mesmerizing as he stared at me.
I began to see tears well up in his eyes. I looked at the ground. And before I knew it, he walked away from me. I watched him walk to the edge of the lake underneath the Opera Populair. He just stood there… He seemed to be waiting for something- something that would never come.
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"Jude calm down. Please," Aurora said. She walked Jude to his room. "It's alright. Emily will return. I know it."
"I'll kill him. He has no right to take her away like that," Jude muttered out and hatred.
"Judas!" Aurora scolded. "Calm down! She will return."
"She told me to leave her… And let him take her? I think not… I'll find him," Jude said, ignoring his fiancé.
"You can talk to Madame Giry, then," Aurora said. She walked out of the room.
Within minutes, Aurora returned with Madame Giry, though she stayed out of the room.
Madame Giry looked down at Jude. "Aurora is right. Emily will return. The Opera Ghost won't hurt her."
Jude looked up. "He still shouldn't have taken her. Why did he?"
"I do not know, Monsieur. No one does."
Jude sighed. "You know where he is- don't you?"
"Oh, no, Monsieur DeLouis," Madame Giry lied. "I do not."
"Well, if you ever learn where he is…tell me. I will hunt him down." Jude was very protective of Emily, since he was like her older brother. He hated to see her hurt or scared.
Aurora walked in when Madame Giry left. "Jude. Rest, please. You've had a long day. You need to rest," she said.
Jude sat down on his bed. "Aurora. What if Emily's hurt?"
"She's not. I trust Madame Giry's word when she says that the Opera Ghost won't and hasn't hurt her," she said, calmingly. She kissed him on the cheek and left.
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Author's Note: Chapter Nine everybody! I had some thinking time while at my grandparents' house for Christmas and this is what I came up with. The main idea that I really liked was the masquerade ball scene. I liked that Erik didn't win, because if he did that's just a bit too cliché. So I had Jude win that. But the thing about Erik getting hurt is it causes Emily to care for him more. Will she stay? Or will she try to escape again?
This chapter isn't as good or as long as some others, but I'm rather happy with it. What about you guys? Did you like it? And I gave Erik a softer character after Emily helped him. Did that ruin him or am I keeping his character right? Please tell me when you review!
Also, I have another announcement. I have now decided that I will be answering any questions you have about me or the story. You can message me or ask through your review and I will answer as soon as possible and I will try to answer your question(s) if possible.
-O.G. Knights