Erik's POV
If there was one thing I was worried about, it was meeting Raoul for lunch. I didn't want to accompany Christine, but for her, I would do simply anything. She begged it of me...Begged me to accomapny her to meet the boy, my sworn enemy! Oh, how I loved this woman with all that I was and I would do anything for her. Today would be it, today, she and I would finally be together. In the morning, Gustave complained about how he wished to go play on the island. I wasn't fond of letting my ten year old son romp off and get into mischief, but I warned him to stay close by my home. If there was one thing I didn't want, it was to have to bring him along to lunch.
"Thank you for going with me, Erik." Christine said as we walked towards the pizza parlor where we were supposed to be meeting Raoul. I knew she was worried about how things would go, but I would protect her, always have and always would.
"Anything for you, Christine." I said, squeezing her hand. "I promise you that everything will be all right today. Let's just get this over with and then, you and I can go on living."
When we arrived, I held the door open for her, like the gentleman that I was. We both looked around the small facility, finding Raoul sitting at a small booth on the other end of the restaurant. I escorted Christine there, Raoul turning with a look of pure evil displayed across his flawless face. It was apparent that he didn't like that I had come along with Christine. One thing was for certain though, my leg was really bothering me today. Not only my leg, but my backside as well. I should have stayed in bed longer than I had after being released from the hospital, but I hated laying down.
"You know, Christine." Raoul sneered. "When I asked you to lunch, I asked you to come alone."
"Raoul," I could hint a bit of nervousness in Christine's voice, and I knew exactly why. But he would not sit here and taunt my angel today, not while I was here.
"No, Christine." He growled. "I wanted to speak with you alone."
"Whatever you have to say to Christine," I interrupted. "You can say in front of me. Besides, it was Christine, who asked me to come along with her."
"Is that so?" he raised his brow at Christine, obviously displeased with her actions.
"Raoul, I know you thought I was coming here today to try and work things out with you, but the truth of it all is that I'm not going to continue working things with you… I can never forgive you for what you've done. I'm staying with Erik on the island…"
The table fell silent, Raoul's jaw slightly dropping as he stared at my angel. And then, in a flash, his hand flew across the table and grabbed hold of her wrist violently. Oh, how my hand grasped around his own, prying his perfect little fingers away from her before he could cause my angel's flesh any bruising.
"Don't you touch her!" I growled. "You have no right to touch Christine ever again. She deserves to be away from you, deserves to be with me!"
Raoul obviously felt brave enough to fly across the table and snatch my mask, prying it away from my flesh with a violent tug. My hand flew to my scars, covering it from anyone else that was sitting in the parlor.
"Right." He snapped. "Look at yourself! Do you believe Christine wants to be with the likes of you?"
"Raoul," Christine reached across the table for my mask, tearing it from his grasp. "Erik is a kind and loving man. His face does not bring me a single ounce of fear, not anymore."
"He's damaged goods, Christine!" his foot hit my metal leg from beneath the table, causing a loud clank to occur. "Metal leg, one kidney…disgusting face! You'll come crawling back to me in no time, Christine."
"That's not true!" she cried. "Our marriage is over, Raoul. Erik is going to get me the papers to annul it. Please, obey my wishes and go back to Paris, live your life and leave me be."
With that, Christine sympathetically handed me back my mask, helping me place the garment back over my sore flesh.
"There you are," she cooed, helping me to my feet. After standing up, I took my first step, tripping over something and falling flat on my face. Only when I turned did I realize that what I had tripped over was actually Raoul's foot. He laughed evilly as Christine helped me up.
"This isn't over, Christine!" he growled. "You can't just walk away from me! That monster will never win you, I will see to that!"
Oh, how I wanted to turn and strangle that fool, but the thought of being thrown in jail over something such as that would hurt my family. No, I had a son and a soon to be bride to think about. And so, like that man that I was, I let it go…
Raoul's POV
Oh, how my blood was boiling! How could Christine bring that monster to lunch and say those words! Annul? She wanted to annul our marriage? Oh, it would be a cold day in hell before I would ever annul our marriage. I needed to do something, I needed to get rid of that monster for good! If I got rid of him, then Christine would have no other choice but to come crawling back to me. I wanted to destroy every ounce of life he had within his revolting body, and I would do just that. When Christine left hand in hand with that monster, I shot to my feet and stormed into the demon's park in search of my accomplice. It didn't take long to find her sitting in the Phantasma café sipping on a cup of tea. I had not spoken to her since we had caused the accident that cost monsieur Phantom his leg, but I had a new plan, one that would cost him his life.
"Meg, we need to talk."
Meg looked up from her tea, a look of worriment displayed across her face. I sat down in the booth beside her, ready to deal out my next idea.
"The plan didn't work." I began. "I thought Christine would tire of the monster's ill temper, but this afternoon, she came to me and confessed that she would be staying with him forever. We need to rid of him, Meg, rid of that monster for good."
"No…" Meg shook her head. "No more, no more."
"What? What are you talking about?" I growled. "I thought you and I were partners."
"We were, monsieur." She cried. "But I can't do this any longer. It was one thing when we wanted to teach him a lesson, but…but I am no murderer."
"Christine will take all your roles next summer." I warned, trying to get my way with her. "No one will ever care about the Ohlala girl ever again… You'll go hungry, no job to earn money at, no life… The crowds will cheer for Christine and Christine only."
"No!" she slammed her hands down on the table before burying her head into her hands. "I won't do it, monsieur. Jail is no place for a woman of my age. I will not be known as Mister Y's murderer. He lost his leg because of us, isn't that enough torture for one life time? All I wanted to do was teach him a lesson for all the pain that he has caused me. I never wanted to go to that extreme. I won't help you…" Meg stood up from where she was sitting, and headed to the door. "You're on your own, monsieur…Leave me alone."
She was right. I was now on my own, but I would not let this pass. That demon would pay, and with every ounce of blood within his body. I would therefore resort to plan B…and oh, it would not fail. I would have Christine back in my arms one way or another…With or without Meg Giry's help.
Christine's POV
After returning from our horrible lunch outing, Erik had pleaded with me to let him nap. I could tell that he was in discomfort from all that has happened to him over the past few weeks so, I didn't argue with him. Though, I would have loved to have actually gone somewhere to eat, for we hadn't done so at the pizza parlor. While my angel rested, I spent that time doing laundry in the basement, laundry that I had neglected over the past few days. It was hard trying to finish daily chores when Gustave was around, for he always made the task ten times harder. After hanging up our wet clothes on the line he had extending from wall to wall, I walked back upstairs to find Erik sitting up in bed writing on some parchment.
"What are you doing?" I curiously asked.
"I have forms and bills that I must go into the city to hand in tomorrow morning."
"The city?" I questioned.
He nodded. "I make the trip every year, Christine. Property taxes and forms for the government must be handed in at the end of every season. Usually, I hand them in early, but because of my recent health problems, I haven't been able to make the trip. Tomorrow is the final day I can hand them in."
"All right then." I said. "I'll go along with you."
"No." he firmly stated. "The city is no place for a woman. Besides, I have to meet up with the office managers and you know how such places loath women…"
"But Erik…"
"No buts, Christine. I shall be gone before you wake and will return as soon as possible."
"Then can I go?"
We both looked up, noticing Gustave coming through the door and awaiting Erik's answer. I wasn't sure what the child had been doing, for he was covered in mud from head to toe.
"Gustave, look at you." I replied, approaching his muddy body. "What have you been doing all day?"
"Dr. Gangle's son and I went to the baseball." He exclaimed. "We peeked in through the fence to watch the game…it was really muddy where we were."
"That's too far!" Erik growled. "I told you to stay close to home. The baseball is nearly on the other end of town."
"I…I wasn't alone, Mister Y."
"It doesn't matter, Gustave. Something could have happened to you. When I say to stay close to home, that means no farther than the Phantasma playground. Do you understand me?"
Gustave sheepishly nodded, knowing that he had done wrong. After a moment of silence, he looked up again, still obviously wanting an answer out of Erik.
"…So, could I go?"
"Go where?" Erik asked.
"To the city with you tomorrow?"
"You should stay with your mother." He stated.
But I knew Erik should have someone with him at all times. It would be best seeing that he had trouble walking on his own. If he fell somewhere I would never forgive myself. I would feel much better knowing that he had someone to look after him.
"I have plenty of chores to do." I said. "Gustave would be bored out of his mind sitting here watching me clean all day. You two should go on and have some fun…Spend some quality time together."
"Are you sure Christine?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yes, I shall be all right alone. And, I'll even make a special dinner tomorrow. I'm sure walking around all day will surely stir up your appetites."
And with that, it was agreed.
"Oh, it's going to be so much fun, Mister Y!" my son exclaimed. "We'll see the statue, the island! Everything…"
"Yes, yes…" Erik stated. "Now go get washed up before you dirty the rest of my home up with your mud."
"And wash your hair, Gustave!" I called out as the bathroom door slammed shut. When we were alone again, I couldn't help but notice Erik placing a stack of papers into a large envelope.
"What is that?" I questioned.
A small smile escaped from his lips. "The story of our life, Christine. I'm going to drop it off to the press tomorrow so these infernal rumors about you and I stop."
"Oh, could I see?" I excitedly asked. But Erik shook his head.
"No, you shall read it in the newspaper soon enough. Besides, you know the truth… This story is nothing less than a fabrication to keep the police and people wondering about the infamous Phantom…No, in this story I am a handsome music teacher who fell in love with his student and befell a tragic accident that scarred him for life."
"I like our story much better…"
"Well, Christine." Erik sealed the envelope. "Sometimes, it is best to hide the truth."
Gustave's POV
I was so excited about going to the city with Mister Y, that I hardly slept a wink that night. I kept checking Mister Y's grandfather clock every chance I got to see if the time got any closer to being day again. I had never been to the city before, and I knew Mister Y would make it a memorable experience. Finally, when the clock struck four, I jumped up from my makeshift bed and scurried to his own. I crawled up onto the mattress and began shaking him.
"Mister Y…" I whispered as to not wake my mother. "Mister Y, wake up, wake up…"
He stirred within his sleep, eventually sitting up and reaching blindly for his pocket watch.
"Boy, what in the world are you doing?"
"It's day, Mister Y…We need to get going…"
When he opened his watch and noticed the time, he groaned and plopped back down into his covers.
"Gustave, it's only four in the morning."
"The early bird catches the worm, Mister Y. We should get going…"
"I wasn't planning on rising until at least five," he began. "But, now that I'm up thanks to you, I guess we'll leave a little early. Now get dressed and do it quietly so you don't wake up your mother."
I wanted to scream out in excitement, but I did as he told me to do and hurried to dress myself. Afterwards, I sat down and waited for Mister Y to prepare himself as well. After he buttoned up his waistcoat, he reached out for his black, leather satchel and placed it over his shoulder. He then grabbed his walking stick and limped to my mother's bedside, leaning down to press a kiss to her cheek.
"All right, Gustave, let's go." He exhaustedly murmured, opening the door and waiting for me to exit. After locking the door behind him, he and I walked past Phantasma. I wasn't sure where we were headed but I was too excited to care.
"Where are we going, Mister Y?"
"To the train station." He replied. "We need to board the train that will take us to the city."
"A train?" my eyes widened in excitement. "I've never ridden on a train before."
He smiled. "Well then, you're in for a treat…"
Christine's POV
Being home alone wasn't as fun as it was when Erik and Gustave were here. Though, I was glad that Erik had him accompanying him to the city. After waking up, I started my day by going down to the basement to collect our dry clothes, placing them into a basket and carrying them up the stairs in order to fold and place into Erik's wardrobe. I hummed as I worked, hoping that it would make time move faster. I knew the harder I worked, the faster the day would fly by. Deciding to dust off Erik's desk and piano, I got out the needed supplies from the closet, choosing to take a break before attempting such a task. It was nearly the afternoon now, causing my mind to float to dinner. Oh, what would I be making anyway? I wasn't sure, but since the weather was becoming colder, I decided upon vegetable stew. Therefore, I hurried to the kitchen and pulled out a large pot and began heating up some water. I knew if I made everything now, I could just let it heat up and continue cleaning while dinner cooked itself. I wasn't even halfway into slicing up carrots, when I heard a loud smash occur from in the other room. It sounded as if something had fallen. I had been a clumsy cleaner in the past, and therefore, I placed down my knife and turned around the corner.
My heart stopped within my chest, as I gazed upon the kicked in door, and three thugs entering. I gasped and backed up into the kitchen, ready to grab hold of my knife, when one snatched my hand out of thin air it seemed.
"Well, well, well…" the hideous man with a beard snarled. "What do we have here?"
"Where is Mister Y, Lassie?" Another thug with a thin build snapped.
I was too afraid to answer, so afraid that I just whimpered. But this didn't cause any of them to release me. No, instead, I was slammed harder against the counter.
"Where! Where is he!" the last thug with a beer belly demanded. "Tell us!"
"I…I don't know…" I squealed.
All three thugs looked at one another before throwing me to the floor.
"Well, in that case, I have a better idea…" Were the horrible words that I heard before I felt hands grabbing hold of my legs and realized that my body was being dragged across the kitchen. I grabbed onto cabinets, countertops, anything I could get a hold of to stop the torture that was most likely to come, but even a cabinet door wasn't strong enough to hold me back from the strength of three strange men…
Sorry for the cliff hanger...Stay tuned! Happy Easter!