The poll is CLOSED and the results are in!!!!
This is a short filler chappie that I wrote to set the stage for what's to come... Enjoy!
Every single day during the first few months I wrote Erik a letter. I informed him about the success of the operas, the dancers' antics, and how his messages were being received. By the time one year had passed, I had only received four letters.
"Christine, he's probably just busy. Nothing more," Madame Giry would say as soothingly as she could. "Now come and finish your supper."
For ages, no more letters arrived.
I will always remember the day that the last letter came. It was a Thursday in the summer, well over a year and a half since my love's departure.
"my Darling,
i apologise for such a late response- it has been quite busy here. Only your Notes Telling me Rightly what Events are taking Place in my much Loved home keep my happy. Yours is a True and Outstanding loyalty, and i am Touched immensely by this. my Heart Is with yours, Sweetheart. Nothing can ever change that. Open This everytime you feel Sad And you will hopefully Feel better knowing that i am yours for Eternity. Be Absolutely Cordial and Kind to our new patrons. they Show promise as well as Outstanding and Open funds. Nothing is As important as So to delight everyone. I hope you Can Abide by this Needed advice. I LOVE YOU, my angel. I MISS YOU TERRIBLY.
truly yours,
ERIK.
P.S. THE FIRST LETTERS HOLD TRUTH."
I read it over and over again, clutching the parchment to my chest. I scanned all the way down to the last few sentences, and to the p.s. The first letters hold the truth?... I scrambled to find the notes he had written me before. There were only vague descriptions of his travels, brief instructions about the operas, and many words of love and devotion. Perhaps he was reminding me of his detication to our relationship?... But something told me that that wasn't correct.
Then I noticed the strange way Erik had written the letter. Some were capitalized that shouldn't be. I took those letters out and penned them on a spare sheet of parchment, praying that this was the meaning of Erik's cryptic message.
DONTREPLYTOTHISNOT SAFEBACKASSOONASICANILOVEYOUIMISSYOUTERRIBLY
And then it was clear. Don't reply to this. Not safe. Back as soon as I can. I love you. I miss you terribly. Erik.
I slumped in my seat. Erik's in trouble, I thought. Then I leaned over and put my head in my hands. Oh dear God, pleae let him be all right.
The plot thickens... R&R please!!!!!