Chapter 8

It was extremely early in the morning, and for whatever reason I was awake. I liked waking up early, because it didn't allow the chance of a long nightmare. Whenever I'd lie awake by myself I would start to think about things for a long period of time. That particular morning called for feelings of curiosity that filled my head and since Erik was sleeping in, which was unusual, I decided I wanted to venture above the lair into the opera house. I had to do it quick and on the spur of the moment, because if I waited too long he would surely wake up. Slightly nervous, I got up and snuck around to the boat being as quiet as I could, and made sure no water would splash around as I rowed the boat away. I knew I would regret leaving Erik later because anytime I was out of his site he would slightly lose it. As I rowed away I started to think about all the confusing trap doors and openings I would have to go through by myself. It didn't matter, I had to know what was going on, what was being said, and if Meg had done anything at all after she discovered us. It seemed odd to me that there wasn't another search party or mob looking for us. It was all too eerie, and I would go up just this one time to see what was going on. Perhaps that was the reason I woke up so early, the strange thought had finally hit me.

The boat hit the other side and a long flight of stairs stood infront of me. I walked up them, and then walked through many other hallways and doors. Even though I was a good distance away from Erik now, I was still quiet as the dead. Every now and then I would stop and listen to see if I was being followed, but once I heard nothing I continued on. Soon I was there and stepped into an old dressing room, and didn't see anyone. Keeping a low profile I made my way into the hall next to the large stairwells. I stopped dead in my tracks however, when I saw a group of men talking. I hid behind a large gold statue near the stairwell, listening to their conversation. They were speaking of another formal ball, which would be held on the twenty fifth. How I missed such occasions, I always loved to dress up in beautiful Victorian gowns for balls.

Suddenly I felt my arm being grasped and I was yanked backward, which almost threw my balance off. I gasped and covered my eyes, filled with fear because I was certain it was Erik. I felt the person remove my hands from my face and I looked up to find it was Madam Giry. She pulled me aside, away from the group of men.

Her voice was a very loud raspy whisper, and she didn't seem as shocked to see me as I thought.

"Christine Daae! What on earth are you doing?"

I opened my mouth to talk but she didn't give me the chance and grabbed hold of me.

"Do you have any idea what would happen if you were seen here?!"

I stood there, dumbfounded. I had no clue what was going on, and I wanted to ask her a million questions at once. For some reason, I could hardly speak a whole sentence.

"Madam Giry, your daughter, meg – she -"

"I know you are down there Christine, with him."

I started to tremble nervously.

"And – who else knows?"

"No one."

As confused as I was, I was slightly relieved.

"Madam, what has happened since I have been absent?" I stuttered.

She let go of me and looked out toward the hall. Her grey hair now had streaks of white in it, and her captivating wise eyes showed distress and worry.

"When the Vicomte met up with the mob, after that night you disappeared with the opera ghost - he told everyone that Erik fled the opera Populair and he took you with him."

I stepped back, and questioned her with my eyes.

"Fled? But Meg sai-"

"He didn't' seem too involved anymore, though, more heart sick than anything else."

"The next day I told them that I found you both dead a few miles away from the opera house."

I blinked, and shook my head a little in shock. She continued.

"You might ask how I knew you were down there with Erik, and my answer is very simple. The only way the Vicomte, who loves you very much and cares for you like no other, would ever leave you down there and just leave like that is if you solely chose to stay with Erik."

"I knew they would continue to look for you, so the only way I could stop such a desperate mad search was to tell them you were both dead."

She then looked up at me, with eyes that intimidated me a little.

"I don't know why, Christine, you would choose such a fate – when the love of your life was right there infront of you."

I hung my head in slight shame, and felt myself wanting to cry. But she continued on.

"I'm coming to the conclusion that you, miss, don't really know what you want – or don't know if what you wanted was good enough."

I didn't entirely understand what she meant by that, but the tone of her voice made me want to explain myself, though, I didn't know how to go on doing so.

"The things I want aren't always the things I need, Madam Giry."

Madam Giry shook her head in disapproval as if I was just spewing out a bunch of phrases from and old poetry book.

"Don't play with words and mock my understandings of life child," she warned.

I don't know if she was trying to get through to me or belittle me, either way it was making me angry.

"Do you know what your problem is? You don't know who you are, Christine, you don't know what you want or what you need. You're just a child drifting through life blind to what is being offered to you."

"A life living as a countess is something I can't do right now!" I finally said.

"And why not, Christine?"

"I would never feel like I belonged, Madam."

I felt tears stream down my face, as I looked deeply into the eyes of Madam Giry. Her expression softened a little as she looked back at me. I cried very softly, and spoke slowly in a solemn tone.

"My soul, you must understand it is still weak – I have not spread my wings and learned to fly yet. Raoul loved me, madam, and oh I love him still! But he saw me as someone I haven't become yet, and I had to slow down – and I had to let him go."

I paused only for a moment and wiped away the tears on my face.

"Erik, he sees who I am – and he gives me time. He allows me to grow, to understand things…and at the very same time he allows me to find out who he really is. He has always been there, and because of him I feel like I have a chance to bloom into something beautiful…on the inside and out."

Madam's eyes showed a little understanding but I could still tell she did not agree with my decision, but I didn't expect her or anyone else to understand.

"This isn't about love, it isn't about freedom, it is about becoming whole again, madam, Erik and I are ones that desire to be whole and find true happiness within ourselves."

Suddenly I had realized what I had just done. I had found the true meaning of why I stayed with Erik. What I wanted was a wonderful life, and what I needed was a way to build my character in order to have one. Leaving with Raoul for any other woman would surely be the way to a wonderful life, but I didn't have the tools and the mind frame to take advantage of that. I didn't want to stay with Erik, because I thought living with Raoul was the only way to happiness. But my moral compass pointed to Erik because I knew he needed me and in a way I needed him. I was angry at the time because what I wanted, I thought, I had passed up. But in reality, Erik – was my key to happiness.

"Erik is my key to happiness," I whispered to myself right in the middle of my breakthrough.

"What?" Madam Giry interrupted, a little thrown off.

I looked up at her and she just shook her head a little.

"Christine, I can only hope you know what you are doing. I wish the best for you, and I will protect you as best I can. But you know Raoul will always be there waiting for you if you ever decide to return to him."

Suddenly a man called out Madam Giry's name in a loud voice.

"GIRY? Who is there?"

Alarmed and wide eyed, Madam Giry shooed me away and I ran off and found a trap door and hid in it. I peeked through a small crack and saw her face to face with a tall slender but tough looking man.

"You WILL tell me who was just here with you Giry and why she just disappeared and ran off like that."

I held my breath. I saw her lying to him, though she spoke too quietly and I couldn't hear what she said.

Then I heard my name come from his mouth.

I didn't want to waste any more time. I wanted to start making my way back into the lair, and as I ran through the dark pathway, I ran right into Erik. I fell backwards, and landed on the floor. He had followed me, and because it was so dark I couldn't see if he was angry or not. I could still hear the man talking, so I knew we were still close to the door. Erik bent down and pulled me up.

"Why do you flee from me like this Christine, why?"

He said this very loudly and I could feel my heart beating, knowing we could possibly be heard.

"Erik, please don't be angry with me-"

He walked towards me and soon I found we were right against the door, the light from the hall shining through the cracks.

"I am not angry Christine, I am upset you do this to me when you know how much I worry sick when you disappear."

I tried to hush him but he wasn't getting the hint. My heart sunk however, when I heard the man stop talking abruptly. Erik continued on.

"What is it you are doing up here that you feel so desperate to leave early in the morning for?"

I heard the man's footsteps coming closer to the door. I started to panic and felt tears coming on.

"Erik," I pleaded in a whisper.

But the man was up to the door, trying to open it. Just as the door flew open I was grabbed and jerked up around a tight separate section slightly above the door. I grabbed and held on to Erik, as he held on to a wooden post with one arm and held me in his other arm. The tall man just stood in the doorway, looking in.

"What does this lead to?"

I head Madam Giry speak in a calm collected tone.

"The furnace room, monsieur," she responded.

The man just huffed a little.

"We really need to take care of the rat problem we have," he said, and shut the door.

Pale as ever, I climbed back down and Erik was right behind me. I turned to say something to him, but couldn't say anything at all. That's when I fainted in his arms.

To readers: Just wanted to say how much I appreciated the kind reviews some of you took the time to send for the story. I am glad you all are enjoying it. Thanks again.