Chapter Two - Bird With Broken Wings

Gustave!

Christine's body froze with fear. In all the excitement of the performance and Raoul's sudden departure, she had completely forgotten about her son. Erik's expression had turned from serious to silent horror. Knowing full well that the boy was wasn't just Christine's son anymore, but his son too.

"Where is he?" Erik asked the dwarf women urgently.

"In the stage-left wing, come." Miss Fleck replied and instantly she hurried away. Erik strode after her and Christine picked up her skirt and followed quick behind them. Her heart ponded with wild anxiety for her son's safety and prayed again and again that he was ok.

When they arrived in the wing, they found a terrible sight. Mr Squelch was holding a deranged looking Meg Giry in front of him by her arms. A few feet away, Doctor Gangle stood restraining Madame Giry who looked quite furious. Gustave was sitting on the ground against the curtain holding his knees to his chest making him look smaller than he was. And he looked as though he was recovering from some kind of shock. Miss Fleck hurried straight to him and gently touched his shoulder. He lifted his head and the moment he caught sight of Christine and Erik he jumped to his feet looking like he was on the brink of tears.

"Mother!" He cried and ran straight into her arms.

Christine was so relieved that her son was safe, but she was so confused. What had happened to cause all this. What was wrong with Meg? And why was Madame Giry so angry?

Erik stood close to Christine, checking to see that Gustave was alright and mercifully the boy appeared unharmed. He turned back round to the others. "What happened?"

"I demand you order your circus ghouls to unhand my daughter this instant!" Madame Giry barked angrily struggling against Dr. Gangle's hold, but she was no match for the taller man.

Christine flinched and Gustave's arms tightened round her waist holding on as though fearing he would be pulled away.

"Silence Madame!" Erik retorted. "I wasn't talking to you." But his sharp tone didn't seem to have had any effect on her evident fury.

"During Miss Daae's performance Sir, we heard a cry for help backstage." Dr. Gangle said.

"We went to investigate and we discovered Miss Giry here was trying to forcibly manhandle the boy from the building against his will." Mr Squelch said nodding down to Meg who hadn't looked up at all during all of this.

"What?!" Madame Girly exclaimed stopping in her struggles. Obviously, this was not something she had expected to hear.

"Dr. Gangle blocked the door and Mr Squelch restrained her while I led the boy away to a safe distance." Miss Fleck piped up. "But then Madame Giry arrived and began demanding loudly for us to release Meg. But we feared for the boy's safety so Dr. Gangle restrained Madame Giry and I came looking for you."

Christine was shocked. What they had just said made no sense. That didn't sound like Meg, to forcibly manhandle a child as young and as small as Gustave. In their youth at the opera, Meg had always been kind and gentle with kids Gustave's age and even younger ones too.

"Meg…why?" Christine gasped.

"Is this true Meg?" Madame Giry's voice was no longer angry now, as she now looked at her daughter.

"Yes! I did!" Meg blurted out after a breath of silence she looked almost insane, but still not meeting anyone's eyes.

Looking harder at her Christine now noticed that her friend's eye makeup was smudged and strands of her blonde hair had come loose from her hair bun. What had happened to her?

"That is not all sir." Said Mr Squelch sounding grave. "While Miss Fleck had gone to get you, I found this tucked in Miss Giry's skirt when she made an attempt to fight free." He reached under his tunic and brought out a gun.

The sight of it caused a wave of shock to hit everyone like a tonne of bricks. Erik instantly backed closer to Christine and Gustave in a protective stance. Madame Giry cried out in horror and almost fell against Doctor Gangle who steadied her. Miss Fleck's hands flew to her mouth as she gasped and Christine felt as though she may faint as she hugged her son to her. This could not possibly be true. Why would Meg do this? What had happened to her sweet best friend?

Erik got over his shock quicker than the rest of them and his fury was beginning to resurface as he glared at Meg who was still restrained by Mr Squelch. When he spoke his voice sounded dangerous. "Explain yourself Meg! Did you intended to harm this innocent boy?" When he received no response, he abruptly advanced on her "Answer me girl!" his voice cracking like a sharp whip making everyone jump.

At the same moment, Meg instantly stood up straight, looking furiously up at his form which towered over her. Mr Squelch's hands remained holding her arms tight. "Not another step! Not another word!" she shouted back. "Always wondered how to make you watch. Well, watch me now!"

Erik froze where he was just inches away from Meg's personal space but his fury did not waver at her furious retort.

Meg then spoke with her eyes averting around the room as though she saw no longer saw them.

I took a little trip to Coney Island
I took a little trip because of you
I did as Mother said, and followed where you led
And tried to do what little I could do

Well, here's the way it works on Coney Island
They make you pay for every little crumb!
I gave what they would take
I gave it for your sake!
Now, look at me, and see what I've become

Bathing beauty, on the beach
Bathing beauty in her dressing room
Bathing beauty, in the dark
On their laps
In their arms
In their beds!

"Oh Meg, my little Meg!" Madame Giry gasped, sounding mournful.

"What are you saying?" Erik asked, his anger ebbing away.

Meg continued on still not meeting anyone's eyes as though she were confessing to the wall.

Who helped you raise the money?
Who helped the permits come through?
Who greased the wheels of your high-flying deals?
Bought you time when the bills came due?

Who swayed the local bosses?
Curried favour with the press?
No, not her

She seemed to snap out of her trance-like song and glanced towards Christine looking devastated. She finally turned to Erik, her face expression filled with betrayal and distraught.

And who kept singing?
Desperate for your favour?
Who kept dancing?
Hoping you would save her?
Who kept dying?
And this is what you gave her!

Without another word Meg's legs collapsed under her and Erik caught her before she hit the ground. The next second she broke down into heartbroken sobs. Gangle released Madame Giry who ran to her daughter who was still being held in Erik's arms.

Christine was crying now as well as she watched her old friend break down before her. It was horrifying to hear what Meg had just confessed. To have put herself through something like that, it was so vivid the more she thought about it. Imagining how sweet Meg Giry had given her body out to hungry strangers, all for the sake of earning money for Erik and to earn his favour and achieve his success.

She had to fix all this and make things right. Turning to Gangle Squelch and Fleck she said "Please, could you take Gustave back to my dressing room and stay with him until I come for him."

"Do not fear, Miss Daae" Gangle assured her kindly.

"We won't let anything happen to him." Miss Fleck promised.

"No Mother!" Gustave cried. "Please don't leave me! I'm scared."

Christine knelt down to his level and hugged him close kissing his head. "Don't be scared darling. You're not in any more danger, they will keep you safe until I come for you. I promise you I won't be too long. Just be a good boy and wait for me. Then when I come, we will head off to bed, ok?"

He seemed unsure but then he nodded. Christine gave him another kiss then then Miss Fleck took Gustave's hand and led him from the wing with Gangle and Squelch following close behind them.

Turning back, she approached Erik who was still holding a sobbing Meg, Madame Giry was tenderly rubbing her back.

"Let's go to my office and talk properly there." Erik said as he stood up and lifted Meg into the cradle of his arms. By now she looked drained and inconsolable.

They all walked in silence through backstage and up until they came to a pair of double doors which Madame Giry opened. They entered a room which was just as large as the manager's office had been at the Paris Opera House. Christine looked around taking in its large size before she saw a massive organ off to the right against the wall, a grand piano in the centre of the room with papers all over it and to the left was a large desk which was also piled with papers of written scores. Erik went to neither of these things, he walked over to a large sofa which was against the wall right ahead of them beside a balcony door. Gently he placed Meg down onto it and Madame Giry sat beside her and took her weeping daughter in her arms.

Turning away, he slowly approached Christine. With a hand on her back he led her back towards the door. Taking her hands in his he spoke in a soft whisper. "Christine, it might be best if you retire for the night with Gustave. I shall take care of things here then I shall come to you both tomorrow at the hotel."

Christine didn't want to leave Erik's side so soon and was still worried about poor Meg who was in pain. However she realized that this was probably a good idea. Meg had clearly been through a lot and it would be best not to crowd her at this present moment in time. Besides, Christine herself was exhausted after all the events of the night, and all she wanted right now was to lie down and let her stress fly away as she slept in a warm comfortable bed.

"Alright Erik, come around late morning after breakfast. It's going to be a lot for Gustave to take in when I tell him what happened and the truth itself…"

Erik's eyes became anxious "Christine….no"

"I know I promised. But I don't want there to be any more secrets. And if we don't tell him the truth soon, he may end up hating us if he were to find it out himself. Besides he needs his real father. I know you may not have had much practice at that, but with time I believe it will work out. You were there for me all those years ago, now you can do the same for Gustave too. He is so much like you in many ways."

Erik lifted her hands to his lips and kissed her fingers. A small smile was forming at the corner of her mouth she slowly leaned forward to rest her forehead against Erik's shoulder, desperate for more of his warm comfort. He embraced her and held her close for bit and then they stood back and she kissed his unmasked cheek.

"Sleep well, love" he whispered.

She leaned in again and whispered in his ear "You too, my Angel of Music."

The smile he now gave her was filled with silent joy and she smiled back warmly before turning and leaving the room.

As she walked toward the dressing room she could feel herself becoming slightly nervous, her dress's bodice feeling tighter than it did before. She didn't know how Gustave was going to react when she broke it to him. But she knew it had to be done, it would be cruel to keep her son in the dark. She also wished Erik could have remained with her for the night. It felt wrong to leave his side so soon, but she reassured herself that she had Erik's' promise that he would come to her in the morning.

Once she reached the door she opened it and walked in.

"Mother."

Gustave stood up from the dressing table from which he had been seated at and hurried over to her. She hugged him close and looked up at Gangle, Squelch and Miss Fleck who were all looking up at her their faces all asking about what was happening.

"There's nothing to worry about. He's taking care of things right now as we speak." Christine assured them.

"Where is he?" Doctor Gangle asked.

"In his office with Meg and Madame Giry. Me and Gustave are heading back to the hotel now, so you can all leave now. And thanks for looking after Gustave."

"It was nothing Miss Daae. We also don't want any harm to ever come to the boy." Said Miss Fleck kindly.

"If you wish Miss Daae, I shall take you both back to the hotel in the carriage if you would like?" Gangle offered.

Christine smiled. "Yes that would be very helpful. I don't feel like walking much tonight anyway. I'll just change and we'll meet you outside."

Gangle gave her a bow and left the room with the other two closing the door behind them.

Christine led Gustave back over to the seat of the dressing table. "You sit there while I get changed, ok darling." He nodded and Christine went behind the screen on the far side of the room where her own dress was still hung up. Luckily the purple dress was easy to unclasp and get out of on her own, so it took no time at all for her to change and get her own dress back on. Once she stepped out she hung up the peacock dress on the edge of the screen and slipped into her shoes.

"Mother?" Gustave's small voice caught her attention.

"Yes dear?"

"Where's father? Why isn't he here?"

The mention of Raoul made her heart pound with the anticipation of the truth revel to come. But she didn't want to get into it all of that tonight. She was too tied for any detailed explanations right now.

Walking over to Gustave she said "Darling a lot of things have happened tonight. Things which will probably take a while to explain. But I'm afraid that I can't explain it right now because I'm feeling quite exhausted. So we're going to go back to the hotel and get some sleep. But I promise you that tomorrow morning after breakfast I will explain everything to you, alright?

He considered her words for a while then he nodded "Ok, Mother."

Smiling, she kissed his forehead and took his hand in hers. Together they left the dressing room and they were met by Doctor Gangle who had also changed from his circus costume into the same dark clothes and top hat he had been wearing when they'd first met at the dock.

He led them from the building and out into the dark night which had a nippy chill now. Coney Island was bright with all the colourful lights and the cries of excitement echoing all over the park. Christine paid no attention to what was around them and just kept her eyes forward and never letting go of her son's hand. After exiting through the gates, Christine saw the horseless carriage waiting for them. Gangle opened the door and lifted Gustave up into it and held Christine's hand as she went up the steps.

Once they were both seated inside Doctor Gangle closed the door and went up to the coachman's seat. Soon they were moving away, both resting back on the comfy seats. Christine kind of wished she could fall asleep right now in this carriage, but she knew they would be much better off sleeping in their soft beds at the hotel. Gustave seemed to be feeling the same because he had rested his head against her shoulder and appeared to be dozing off. Smiling to herself Christine wrapped her arm around him.

The journey wasn't too long and in no time at all they were stopping outside the hotel. "Gustave." She whispered. "Come on now, we're here." He yawned but didn't protest as she helped him up. Gangle opened the door and helped them both down onto the pavement.

"Thanks for the ride." Christine thanked him.

"As we said before, it was nothing, Prima Donna." Said Gangle.

After bidding him goodnight, Christine and Gustave entered the hotel and a thought occurred. Would Raoul be up there? As they passed the concierge she asked if their room was still open.

"Yes of course, when your husband checked out earlier he said that you and the boy would still be using the room. And when you do check out, the bill will be in his name and already paid."

Christine was partially relieved that she wouldn't have to confront Raoul, but another part of her was still going miss him and the man he used to be. She looked down at Gustave but he appeared to be half asleep and probably hadn't been paying any attention to the concierge's words which was a relief.

They returned up to the room which appeared the same as it was earlier except that Raoul's hat and coat were not hanging on the hooks next to the door. She took Gustave to his room and helped him get ready for bed and kissed him goodnight after tucking him in. He appeared to drop off instantly, so she put the lights out and pulled his door to. As she crossed past the piano she noticed the drinks globe which Raoul had frequently used. Curiously she lifted the lid and it came as no surprise that she found the glass decanter empty. Sighing she closed it and distinguished the lights before retiring to the master bedroom. Her stuff was all still here right where she had left it all. But, of course, Raoul's luggage was all gone.

Not dwelling on this, Christine changed into her nightdress and slipped between the sheets of the large bed. For a while she lay there in the dark and wondered what the morning would bring. But soon she gave into her exhaustion and fell asleep.

Author's Notes
Hello there my readers! Hope you are all well.

I managed to finish this new chapter quicker than expected and so I decided to Post it sooner rather than later. I will admit I was surprised that no reviews came through for the first chapter. But then again, I'm just guessing you need to know more of what was happening. So I made this chapter a bit longer than the last one. I hope you will like it and send reviews on what you think.

Kind regards to you all.

LouisaJane007