I don't own anything or anyone from the Phantom of the opera.

Chapter 14

It was a really cloudy day. The sun didn't want to make his appearance. Nadir thought that the weather was extremely cold for almost the end of October. He was sure that snow would fall soon instead of rain. He wondered what was happening to Paris this moment. Erik's letter had worried him. Worried him to death. Nadir was very nervous and he couldn't hide it. Who could he talk to? No one could help him. No one knew the truth. He was so happy four days ago when his assistant, Antoine, informed him that he had a letter from Monsieur Destler. Nadir got into his office, took off his jacket and took the envelope in his hands immediately. But the first words didn't presage anything good.

Nadir,

Please help me. Christine is here. Do you understand me? SHE IS HERE! Why? Why Nadir? Why should I have to come here? My life has turned upside down with this decision. I don't know what to do. We came face to face Nadir, can't you believe it? I almost fainted. I couldn't say a word. I am sure that she would turn me to police sooner or later. Antoinette believes the opposite. She thinks that Christine would never do that to me but I believe otherwise. She told me that we could talk to each other so I can see that she will not do such a thing. I don't want to, Nadir. I don't want to face my past again. You know that it took me a long time to be a normal man again and put her out of my mind. I can't go back to the same situation again. Please Nadir, help me. Tell me what to do. I will wait for your response. Hurry up. I need your help.

Erik

How worried Nadir was. Erik was so desperate for help. How on earth this girl was to Paris again and, even worse, into the Opera House? He knew his friend. When Erik was saying that he almost fainted, he meant it. He would be so shocked. Nadir decided that the best way to help him was to go to Paris himself. But first he would respond to his friend's letter and he'd let him know that he would be in Paris as soon as possible.

It was cold. The dark room and his thoughts couldn't allow him to rest for a while. He was turning around on the bed for one more night. Nightmares haunted him with her face. It was always her. She was the protagonist in his dreams and, years ago, in his life. But not anymore. The morning found him lying on his back without the covers over him. The blankets were tossed on the floor. Sleep had taken him only two hours ago. Suddenly he opened his eyes. He tried to find his watch instinctively. It was 9.30 AM already. He had to get up to go to the Opera House but he didn't want to. He wished he could stay in the hotel like that day, four days ago. He couldn't sleep at all that night, habit which continued the next nights. He still wondered how he managed to go to his job the next day. He had his eyes everywhere. But, fortunately, she didn't appear again. He also made the final auditions and hired a young girl, named Isabelle Bernard for the lead female role. She could sing a little better than anyone else he had seen, so he chose her. That day he went to the Opera with the same caution. Every day he was sure that the police officers would wait for him in his office but every time he was proved wrong. The same feeling snuggled in his heart that day. He went towards his office and, fortunately, it was empty. Pulling the chair out of the desk he let his body fell on it. He couldn't do this anymore. This nervousness had appeared again in his life and the only thing that Erik wanted to do was to banish it once and for all. A knock upon the door brought him back to reality.

"Come in, please", he told to the person behind the door.

A female figure came into the view and Madame Giry entered the room.

"Good morning Erik", she said with a smile.

"Good morning Madame. I am glad that it's you. I thought that it was someone else for a moment", he responded apparently relieved. "Have a seat please".

Madame Giry nodded and sat on the chair Erik offered her.

"I know what you mean but I am telling you that this will never happen Erik. Especially from Christine".

"I wish I had your optimism".

"Why don't you abandon this idea? It has been four days when you saw each other. If she wanted to turn you in the police, she would do it by now. Trust me".

Erik considered her words. Maybe she was right. He decided to relax and focus entirely on his job. He went to the auditorium because he had to rehearse the opera's introduction with the orchestra. The result was not so encouraging at first. Some of the instruments were out of tune and the dynamics were all wrong. Erik had to explain a few times how he wanted to be heard. In the beginning, the sound had to be low enough and the notes had to be played softly. After that, there was switching between crescendo, fortissimo and piano and the introduction was finished with three forte. At the end of rehearsal, Erik was not disappointed. The musicians had to work harder but he was sure that they would give their best self.

He could face difficulties in his job and give solutions but the main problem remained. It was not so easy for him to have to deal with Christine almost every day. They met a few times at the hallway and sometimes he saw her talk with Antoinette's daughter in the stairs. They never talked to each other. Actually, Erik was tempted to talk to her but he had no idea what he wanted to tell her. So, he didn't say a word. Returning to his office that day, he found a letter on his desk. He recognized his partner's handwriting immediately. He opened the envelope and read the letter.

Dear Erik,

You have worried me with your letter. I know that this was an unexpected meeting, I can't believe it myself. She was supposed to be in her husband's estate luxury, not there. Nevertheless, I don't think that she would turn you to the officers. Even if her husband knows about you and tries to do something like that, I am sure that she will prevent him to do so. In any case, you should have your eyes open. As for my help, the only thing I can do is to come there. If you are agreed, please mail me as soon as possible.

Nadir

Erik folded the letter and sighed. He really wanted Nadir to be there to tell him what to do but deep inside he knew that the old man and Antoinette were right. Christine wouldn't turn him to the police. If she wanted to do it, he would be in jail by now. No. Besides, he remembered her face. Maybe she was not as shocked as he was but she couldn't look at him. She wanted to run away as well. And the Vicomte? He was nowhere to be seen. Christine was alone the entire time. If Raoul knew, he was sure that he had already made his appearance. No, he was sure now. He grabbed the pen and the ink and wrote to Nadir that his presence was not necessary for now. He could manage by himself.

The following days were a routine. Erik was so absorbed in his work that he forgot everything about Christine. He didn't see her very often lately and fortunately, Madame Giry's rehearsals with the ballet rats were a different time, so he did not see her in the auditorium either. On the other hand, Christine was working so hard that she forgot the Phantom's presence in the Opera House. She saw him, only once, through rehearsals, talking with Madame Giry for two minutes and after that, he vanished. She couldn't believe that he was in Paris again. She though him dead, as everyone else. But deep inside her, she knew that maybe, there was a tiny possibility that he could be alive. He was the Phantom after all. That day, she took Rosalie outside for a walk. The young girl was healthy again and the doctor had allowed Christine to take her out for small walks. As they walked, Rosalie started yelling and raised her hands to the sky, trying to catch something…. invisible. Then Christine realized that her little angel was trying to catch tiny snowflakes. The little girl was so happy that she started to laugh.

"Look, Mama, I almost touched them".

"Bravo, my girl".

Christine was so happy that her daughter was healthy again that she didn't care for anything else. Her daughter was her life. In a few minutes, the snowflakes were thicker so Christine and Rosalie decided to return to the Opera House. The next days were colder and whiter as the snow was falling. The ground was almost covered. Christine was looking outside the window. Rosalie had asked her to take her out to play with the snow but her mother didn't allow it. The little girl was ready to cry and Christine promised her that as soon as the weather would be a little warmer, they would go outside together. Her thoughts were interrupted by Meg who entered the room.

"Hey, Christine, are you ready for the rehearsals?"

"I think so even if I am tired enough but what I can do?"

"I know, I am tired too but think that tomorrow is Saturday and we will be free", Meg said tying her shoes.

Christine nodded and followed her friend to the auditorium.

"No, no, please stop", Erik yelled. "Miss Bernard, not so loud. It's a song that your character sings about her lover. You can't wait to see him. You love him so much that you want everyone to listen to your song. From the beginning, please".

Erik had interrupted Isabelle ten times that day. She couldn't control her voice. The song was sweet and tender. It was something like a love confession. But Isabelle wasn't singing. She was screaming so Erik had to correct it. After two unsuccessful efforts, she managed to get closer to what the composer wanted and with that the rehearsals were over. The orchestra took a break before continuing with dancer's rehearsals. Madame Giry, who let the girls get ready, approached her friend.

"So, how were the rehearsals?".

"Good. But I have a problem with Miss Bernard. She can't understand how to sing. Her song has to be sweet, a hymn to love. But she screams, she can't find the right emotion, you know?"

Antoinette, watching him gathers his notes, said:

"I am sure that with your guidance she will be amazing".

"I am not so sure Madame. Sometimes I think…. from the day I saw…. maybe I could….. Damn it!", he said, hitting his fists on a table. "Forget it".

Madame Giry smiled.

"You want to tell me that, from the moment you saw Christine again, you think that maybe, there is a little tiny possibility to want her to sing to your opera?"

Erik, still bending over the table, looked the woman beside him. His eyes confirmed her suspicions.

"I see", Antoinette responded. "My question is why? What's wrong with Mlle Bernard? Is she so bad?"

Erik sighed. "It's not that. Her voice is really good but sometimes it has a lack of emotions. She will be a sublime singer one day I am sure for that, but…"

"…but you don't want to concern yourself with her when you know that Christine has everything you want in her voice", Madame Giry finished his sentence.

Erik didn't answer. Madame Giry was right. That was exactly his thought.

"It's not that I don't want to guide Isabelle or something", he said walking to the exit of the auditorium. "She is smart and obedient but she can't control the range of her voice. She screams most of the time. And yes, Christine has everything I want in a voice. You know what? It was just a silly thought. I am affected by her presence here, that's all. I will keep working with Isabelle and Robert and I am sure that they will justify me".

Madame Giry stayed behind to look at him as he walked away. 'I hope you know what to do Erik', she thought.

"Come on Christine, let's go", Meg shouted to her friend.

"I think it's not a good idea Meg. It's too cold and it is snowing all day. I am scared about Rosalie".

"Oh, don't worry so much. It's not so cold outside and Rosalie will be fine. We will be back inside in an hour, I promise. Besides, it's not snowing too much now".

"Yes but…", Christine tried to say but Meg didn't listen to anything.

"Let's have some fun, Christine. We haven't seen so much snow for ages".

Christine considered Meg's suggestion. She was right. It was snowing unstoppable the last days and it was freezing cold outside but that day it was their chance to have some fun. Rosalie wanted so desperately to make a snowman. The truth was that, for the first days of November, that was something new. Usually, the thick snow was falling after the middle of the month. Christine didn't think about it more.

"Alright you can go but I will come in a minute. I have to take my coat first".

Meg nodded and took Rosalie outside. The little girl squealed happily when she was showered from the white snowflakes. Christine smiled and walked away. She was almost outside of her room when someone called her.

"Christine".

She turned around and her eyes went wide open.

"You", she whispered.

Erik was pacing in his office. This thought was in his mind the last days. Christine was the perfect person for the lead role. The former Phantom was resisting the temptation to tell her to sing again for him. Besides he knew the answer. No, of course. So he abandoned the idea. But something was pulling him to her again. "No Erik, you don't need troubles. Your life is peaceful at last, you don't want to ruin it", he said to himself. He gathered his notes and exited his office. As he walked to the auditorium, he heard voices outside of the window. He looked out and saw Meg with a little girl make a snowman. The girl was so happy that she was running around with her hands outstretched to the sky, trying to catch the snowflakes. Erik stood there for a few seconds and then he walked away. He was approaching the staircase when something caught his attention. A man was standing out of the dormitories. Erik decided to ask him what he wanted and started to walk to him. Something was really familiar with this stranger. He kept walking but suddenly he stopped. Yes, he knew that man and very well indeed. Erik tried to walk away without the stranger will see him but it was too late. The man had turned his gaze on him.

"YOU", Raoul screamed. "YOU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?".

Erik tried to run but Raoul was faster. He grabbed him from his shirt and stuck him on the wall. The Phantom couldn't say a word. He was looking at the Vicomte with wide eyes and his mind had stopped. Erik was sure that the entire Opera House would be there in no time because of Raoul's loud voice. Fortunately, he realized what was happening and returned to reality. With a quick movement, he caught Vicomte's hands and tried to pull them away from him.

"I asked you something Phantom", Raoul said looking Erik straight in his eyes.

"The right question is what are you and your wife doing here Vicomte?"

Both men were furious. They had gritted their teeth, their eyes were full of rage. A rage that was able to tear apart the whole world. They were ready to attack each other like two wild animals. With a fast movement, Erik's hands were around Vicomte's neck.

"I thought you dead but as it seems I was wrong", Raoul said with weak voice. "Why don't you go back to your cave? You will not terrorize my wife again. If you touch her, you are dead."

"I had no idea that she was here. I had a peaceful life until I saw you both again. And don't worry, the last thing I want is to be in trouble again. I will disappear with pleasure and I wish never to see you again".

Erik's back was still on the wall. Raoul was pushing him with all his strength but soon, he felt that he couldn't breathe. Phantom was strangling him. Even trapped, the masked man was stronger than him. Suddenly Erik let Raoul's neck and grabbed his shirt. He also pushed him to the opposite wall with so much strength that Raoul yelled with pain.

"LET ME GO FREAK. WHEN I WILL GO OUT, I WILL INFORM THE POLICE, BE SURE OF THAT".

"You will do nothing young man because you won't make it. I let you go once but trust me that will not happen again", Erik whispered. He had the advantage now but he wouldn't touch him. The only thing he wanted was to scare him. Besides the Vicomte had started it. Erik himself was ready to run away. Raoul was fighting his rival and was trying to be free from Phantom's grip when suddenly he stopped. His gaze was stuck in Phantom's gaze and Erik was trying to understand what was happening. The boy wouldn't stop fighting him. It was impossible. Maybe it was a trick? No, it wasn't. Suddenly Erik understood. With the corner of his eye, he saw a figure not far away from them. Someone was watching them. Erik felt cold sweat run down his face. With slow motions and holding each other tightly, both men turned their heads to the direction of the intruder. They froze when they saw her. Because, yes, it was a woman. A woman with brown curly hair, with hands crossed on her chest, her foot was hitting the ground rhythmically and a gaze that froze the blood in two men's veins. Her glance was as sharp as glass and anyone could see that she was really, really angry. Suddenly, she rushed on the two men. Christine grabbed with her right hand Erik's ear and with her left hand Raoul's ear.

"Ouch, ouch….", Erik said trying to take away her hand but she was tightening her grip.

"Ouch Christine, please, ouch, let me go", Raoul said tried to free himself.

"No, no, no", Christine replied. "Now listen you two", she said again with an angry, dangerous tone in her voice. "Both of you scream for five minutes now and for what? For nothing. Do you want to come here the entire Opera House? Do you want to be in trouble again Monsieur Phantom? Because I am sure that this time you will not escape again", the young woman warned the masked man. "As for you Monsieur Vicomte I want to ask you one question: WHAT IF YOUR DAUGHTER WAS IN THAT ROOM AND WAS HEARING YOUR LITTLE CONVERSATION? WHAT WOULD I TELL HER THEN RAOUL? ANSWER ME". Christine was furious now. She was practically screaming and her grip was tightening on Raoul's ear.

"Christine, let me explain, please. I…. I didn't…. ouch….I didn't know that he was here…. I saw him by mistake… ouch… , please….. And when I saw him I couldn't let him go. I thought that he was after you again and he wanted to hurt our daughter too. I blurred", Raoul said trying to convince her ex-wife. Christine knew that he loved their child and he would make anything to protect them both.

"I believe you", the woman told him. Raoul smiled thinking that she would let him free but he was wrong.

"Now", she continued squeezing Vicomte's ear, "you will go outside to see your daughter and I will come in few minutes and you", she resumed squeezing Phantom's ear, "you will stay here and wait for me. And if you have the desire to rush again to each other you will think about it twice. Did I make myself clear?"

The two men nodded and Christine let them go. After a few glances of hate that they exchanged, Raoul walked away and Erik stayed behind to rub his sore ear. But as Christine went to her room and he was alone, he decided to leave. He made a few steps when he heard Christine call him and run behind him. She caught up with him and blocked his way.

"Where do you think you are going?, she demanded. "I asked you something Monsieur", she carried on and she looked straight into his eyes.

"It's not your business Madame but if you insisting on asking me I want to inform you that I am leaving. I have enough of all of you", Erik answered and passed her, keep going his way.

Christine stayed behind and looked at his back as he walked away. But she denied let him go so easily. She wanted to know the truth and he would tell her. She followed him and saw him to enter his office. He slammed the door behind him but she didn't back off. Christine stormed inside the office opening the door widely.

"LEAVING? LEAVING? WHAT DO YOU MEAN? YOU WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE BEFORE YOU ANSWER ME".

"WHAT DO YOU WANT, STUBBORN WOMAN? WHAT? WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO? STAY HERE AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO, I AM SURE OF THAT, YOUR DEAR RAOUL WILL HAVE INFORMED BY NOW? NO, I DON'T THINK SO. AND DON'T YOU DARE TO STOP ME", Erik said pointed his finger to her with a dangerous look into his eyes. He gathered his things and stormed out of the room leaving a dumbfounded Christine behind. He went towards the stables and of course, she followed him again.

"Wait, you can't leave like this. You have work to do. There are so many people here who need you. You can't give up. Besides Raoul will not go to the police without tell me first". Christine was trying to make him listen to her but in vain. He didn't listen. The only thing he did, was to walk really fast. Christine stopped run behind him when they arrived at the stables. She took some deep breaths and watched him saddle a horse. He was so absorbed in the horse that he didn't see her standing near him.

"That's it? You are really leaving?", she asked again. This time Erik turned to her.

"You know what Madame? I don't care about you or the other people inside the Opera House. And yes, I quit. So you can be happy again and inform your precious Vicomte that I am not a threat to your family. Not now, not ever. I should never have come here in the first place. It was a huge mistake", he said as he rode the horse.

"Where are you going? The weather is terrible. It's snowing too much now, it's dangerous", Christine said wanted to convince him but he didn't listen.

"Wherever is better than here", Erik said and galloped away.

"YOU STUBBORN MAN!". Christine shouted and watched him until she couldn't see him anymore. She couldn't believe that they had a conversation. A real conversation. And now he was gone as fast as he had appeared again in her life. She stayed for a while to look the spot that he was a minute ago. The weather was awful indeed. The snow was thick and was falling with high speed now. She only hoped that he did the right thing.

He was running and running and running like there was no tomorrow. He had not any idea how many hours he was on the horse. The time had stopped. The cold was penetrating him. His vision was blurred and his hands were freezing but Erik kept pushing the horse to run faster. The poor animal, a beautiful male horse, was running without a breath. Around them, a white scenery with the snow falling unstoppable but his gaze was only in front of him. The Phantom was determined to reach Italy even with this way. Soon he couldn't see anything. The snowflakes were bigger and were dropping thicker and faster. The horse was keeping running forward but then it happened. His legs suddenly stumbled somewhere and the animal collapsed onto his side. With a quick move, he stood up again and started to neigh. The beautiful creature was so terrified that began running in the opposite direction. But without his rider, because he had been thrown some meters away. Erik was unmovable at the edge of the road, lye on his back.