They are back in the boat once more and he is standing again in the back rowing them forward. Everything else though couldn't be any more different than it was hours ago.
Had it really only been hours, or were it days? How long was it before she awoke? It is dark, utterly dark down here, like if sunlight never reached this place. All magic and enchantment has disappeared, and except for the sound of gentle waves on the murky water, its completely quiet. He doesn't say a word and she stays silent as well while sitting in the front, looking down at her hands, not daring a glance backward. She is silent when they stop and he helps her out, she is silent when walking while he leads the way. It must be another path then the one they first came down, this one has many turns and is so narrow that the shadow in front of her can barely pass without his shoulders brushing the cold walls. The single candle he's holding giving just enough light for her as to make out his silhouette in the passage.
Suddenly the ground under her feet changes, they are standing in front of a door and before she realised what was happening his glowed hand had gently knocked on it. Not a moment later it was like he had disappeared in thin air.
"Christine! Maman, it's Christine!" Only now did it dawn on her that it was Madam Girys door she had been left before. In a rush she is pulled inside by her best friend, worry clearly visible on Meg's face. There are no windows in Madam's private quarters and the only light source is an oil-lamp on the vanity. This room is so familiar to her, the early years she had slept here with Meg and Madam, yet it seems a lifetime since she first arrived. The firm grip of Madam is what shakes her out of these memories, the eyes of the her ward searching hers.
"Christine, did he hurt you?" The question comes out barely louder then a whisper and Christine nearly thinks she imagined it, but Madam is still looking at her, so, unable to move her lips she simply shakes her head in the negative. That seems to satisfy Madam, but leaves Christine with only more questions. What did Madam mean by this inquiry? By now she is lead by Meg to the old chaise, a shawl is placed around her shoulders. She is violently shaking but it's hard to tell if it's from the cold or not. Its all so much, too much!
"Christine, what happened? You're trembling all over." Meg is sitting by her side and she is happy for the warmth of her friend. She has to tell her, has to tell them everything! If she were only able to speak! But no sound leaves her lips, her voice all gone. There is some rattling to be heard as Madam looks for something in the small cabinet in the other corner of the room, but soon she is by their side, holding out a glass to her.
"Drink. It will calm you down and help you rest."
Sleep. Blessed sleep, how she longs for it! What will await her though in her dreams? Who will wait there for her, Angel or Phantom? Reluctantly she takes the glass and drinks what ever it is. Lying down she pulls the shawl even closer around herself, still not letting go of Meg's hand. Her head is swirling, the world seems to turn as fast as if she were on a carousel. Eventually her eyes fall close and she tumbles into deep restless sleep.