Chapter 9

True to my word, I was ready to take my Christine away from that disgusting opera house. The next night, I sunk into the ballerina dormitories and made my way straight to Christine's bed. Not wanting to wake her, or anyone else for that matter, I quietly and quickly packed up Christine's belongings into her trunk. Thankfully, Christine was a tidy little girl and most of her things were already put away. After I was finished, I gently nudged Christine.

I could tell that she was about to scream, as any person would if a black figure was hovering over your bed in the middle of the night, so I quickly put my hand over her mouth to muffle the scream.

"Hush, Christine." I whispered into her ear. "It's me. Erik. I'm going to remove my hand from your mouth and you will remain silent, understand?"

Christine nodded, her eyes still wide in either fear or shock. I removed my hand from her mouth: she remained quiet like the good girl she was.

"We're leaving here." I told her, my voice quiet. "I promised your father I would take care of you: I intend to keep that promise. Now be silent until I tell you you can talk."

I scooped up by little angel in one arm and carried her belongings in the other. I then opened up the passageway and guided us through the corridors and out of the opera house.

I walked a little ways away from the opera house before hailing a carriage.

"Rather late, don't you think?" The driver said. "It's past midnight. Kinda strange to be out this late with your daughter."

"We were at the opera." I said, not truly lying. "It went a little late. Now if you don't mind, my little girl is tired and your chatter will keep her up. Just take us to LeAnge Roux 618. Get us there within the hour and I will pay you double."

That kept the driver quiet. Christine soon fell asleep as we traveled by moonlight. The open carriage did nothing to protect us from the outside elements. However, it was a warm summer's night so there was no worry of catching a cold.

I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to take a carriage ride with my Christine in a few years. It would be rather romantic: stars shining brightly above our heads, the street lamps' candles lit, the moon reflecting on the lake.

But for now, I was just her guardian.

I would be patient.

The driver stopped at the little flat I had bought with my now successful factory. I paid the driver well and told him to remain silent about the whole thing.

I then carried my little Christine inside.

The house was larger than most. It had one floor and a basement. I had chosen the house because of its seclusion and isolation from the rest of the city. It had a decent sized yard in the front and back. I had plans to construct a magnificent garden, but currently it was filled with lifeless plants.

I carried Christine through the house and up to her room.

"Is this my room?" Christine asked timidly.

"Yes, little Christine." I said. "It's all yours."

"It looks like it belongs to a princess." Christine said, dreamily happy.

I did not see what Christine saw. The room was very boring and, in my opinion, not fit a princess let alone my Christine. But it was the best I could offer her...at the moment. The walls were colorless, not knowing what color she would want her wallpaper to be. The dresser was pristine white with new dresses and other articles of clothing neatly folded within it. The vanity table had a new hair brush and several different colored ribbons with a large mirror attached to the back. There was a decent sized closet but it was currently bare. The room had no decorations yet. I had every intent of waiting for Christine to pick out some items to be placed in her room.

There was, however, on very important item placed on her desk.

"My papa's violin." She whispered. "How...how did you find it?"

"I had to track down those gypsies." I said it as if it was no trouble at all. "Anything that belonged to your father is now in your possession. You'll find everything of his in a crate in your closet. I encourage you to look through all of it tomorrow if that is what you wish, but for now, you must go back to sleep."

Christine gave me a hug around my legs as a final thank you before heading off into her new bed. She quickly fell asleep in the soft sheets and fluffy pillows. I watched as she peacefully slept for a few moments before blowing out the single candle in the room and leaving her to enjoy her childish dreams.

…

"You must have heard of what the Phantom of the Opera did?" Nicolette asked one late summer's day.

"No, I have not." I said, wishing that the woman would just go throw herself in the river. "I don't listen to idle gossip."

"It's not gossip." She assured. "A little girl has gone missing in the dormitories."

"A little girl?" I questioned, already knowing the full story having lived it.

"Yes." She said, frightened a bit. "She went missing a few weeks ago. The police can't find her anywhere. It has to be the Phantom. You believe me, don't you?"

"I hardly believe in ghosts." I said. "While it is tragic that the girl went missing, I believe it would be better for people to focus on trying to find her among the living and not with some sort of specter."

"I guess so...but this isn't the first time it has happened."

"Do children often go missing in the Opera House?"

"No, no." Nicolette laughed a bit though I saw nothing funny at the idea of a kidnapped child. "The Phantom often terrorizes the performers and workers. Some people even claim to have seen him."

My eyes were still on my Christine who was playing with Nicolette's little brother, Ren. I despised both of them. Ren because he dared to come close to my Christine. Nicolette for her prying.

"You really love her, don't you, Erik." Nicolette said, referring to Christine.

"Of course. Who doesn't love an angel?"

"So you believe in angels but not ghosts?"

"The difference between my angel and your ghost is that I can see my angel where as your Phantom seems to like to hide."

"It's rather sweet that you refer to Christine as your angel." She said, changing the subject from Phantom's again. "The girl must love you as well."

"Love is a strong feeling: a feeling that is so rare in children." I said. "I know that she loved her father. As for me, I feel as if she could learn to love me as a guardian."

"Maybe she would love you more if you resembled a more home like environment." Nicolette suggested. "Perhaps the girl needs another female in her life. A mother figure."

"Woman, are you suggesting what I think you are I swear…"

"I am sorry if it to forward to say, but I am in love with you, Erik." Nicolette said, her cheeks blushing. "You are such a kind and protective man. You would make a great husband. I absolutely adore Christine and her to me. Don't you think she deserves a mother?"

"Nicolette, I will never marry you." I put bluntly, having no guilt of my words. "I find you annoying really. Besides, I am in love with another."

"You can't mean that." Nicolette said, aghast. "We talk every day. I felt us getting closer. I thought you felt it too."

"I felt you coming closer, I assure you." I said, a bit annoyed. "You have no sense of personal boundaries, do you, woman? I have no need of a wife at the moment and while Christine would be better off with a mother I can assure you that she will be much better off if the slot was empty than for you filling it in. Good day, Madame."

I left her, jaw dropped as if she was trying to hit a high G, and went to go fetch Christine.

I never knew what became of Nicolette. I would assume that she hated me and I hoped that she did. I honestly could care less about what happened to the wretch. Offering herself to be my wife...the nerve. I would rather be lonely for a few years and marry my Christine than marry that brat.

I can gladly say that I never saw Nicolette or Ren for most of my days. We did run into each other several years later but that is a story for another time.