"L' Ange de la Musique"
Chapter 1
"Revelations"
A deep sigh escaped from Christine's lips as the carriage that she rode advanced under the rain.
The tiny droplets fell heavily over the muddy road in a soft rhythm, while the thunders crashed above in a discordant way, illuminating everything as the thin rays of light soared through the night sky.
"Where are you headed, mademoiselle?" asked the coach driver through the little window, the heavy rain splashing on his face and cloak.
"The Chagny Mansion, please." She said unemotionally, turning her head away to see out the window. The coach driver nodded and urged his horses to go faster.
The hooves splashed noisily on the mud as the horses began trotting faster.
Christine watched the tiny drops of rain slide down the window. The wind outside blew strongly, making the trees sway, their lifeless, leafless branches creaking noisily in a menacing way.
The wind bellowed ghostily, sending chills down Christine's spine. She rubbed her arms to keep herself warm. The coat she had over her dress was not enough to protect her from the chilly air of the crude winter that had fallen over Paris. She wanted to get home as fast as possible.
Christine was in a one-week visit in the outskirts of Paris, visiting her dear Mama Valerius, but, due to the storm that had fallen over Paris, she had to return a day earlier than planned.
Christine thought of everything and nothing. She thought about Raoul, her husband.
She couldn't help but feel empty, even though she had everything; She was a Vicomte's wife, which made her countess, she had a wealthy mansion, she could go wherever she wanted, buy whatever she wanted, she had a loving husband and a family that loved her. But she couldn't help but feel something was missing.
"In sleep he sang to me… In dreams he came…" Christine sang softly, in a whisper that was barely audible, "…that voice which calls to me…. and speaks…. my name…" Her voice trailed off as her breath came out as steam against the cold environment.
Christine shuddered and hugged herself in an attempt to warm her body a bit.
"And…do...I dream…again…" she whispered silently, "…for now…I find…" her voice trailed off again as a little sob escaped her lips and a warm tear slid down her cheek.
Her heart ached, and she felt the emptiness in it more than ever. There was an empty space in her heart that Raoul had yet failed to fill. But he would never fill it, for that emptiness could only be filled by one person. Christine knew who this person was, but every time she thought about him, her stomach lurched and a lump formed in her throat.
Her Angel, her dear angel. Oh, how she missed him. How she missed his voice, his touch, and his soothing words. And yet, she had abandoned him- No, much worse, she had betrayed him.
Raoul loved her more than anything, she knew, but so did her Angel.
Christine had felt the difference between the both of them.
Raoul was kind and gentle, almost shy. But her Angel, he was passion and love combined, and he expressed that passion in his music. Christine had felt the love her Angel felt for her stronger when he sang 'All I ask of you' at the end of 'The Point of no Return'. It was then, that she realized that he'd do anything, even die, for her.
Christine closed her eyes, more tears falling down her cheeks.
"Forgive me…" she whispered, " …please forgive me Angel…I didn't even knew your name…"
3 years had passed since the accident in the Phantom's Lair, and she couldn't forget him yet. Had he forgotten her?
She couldn't forget that kiss. The kiss she had given him at that moment, a kiss full of passion. That kiss, which he had responded, making her feel truly loved.
She could still remember his lips; Soft yet strong, gentle yet passionate.
Another thing she couldn't forget about him, was his touch. His soft touch that made her feel like if she was in heaven. The gentle caresses he gave her as he sang softly in her ear. Those strong hands that slid down her arms and sent waves of warmth through all her body; And that embrace. Oh, that sweet embrace. The warm embrace, full of love, in which he held her on the bridge, in the Don Juan Triumphant opera. She had wished for it never to end, she had wished for him to hold her there forever, in his arms. She had felt safe, protected. Loved.
And yet, she had chosen Raoul.
The difference between the Phantom and Raoul is that Raoul treated her more like a girl, always spoiling her and 'watching out for her safety'. The Phantom, he made her feel like a woman, a real woman.
Sadness flooded her. Tears flowed like rivers down her cheeks now, as she sobbed.
She couldn't stop thinking about him. His eyes, his lips, his touch and his voice. These and more, were the things that had spellbound her about him.
The sound of hooves hitting solid rock brought her back to reality. They had reached the city.
The horses trotted through the streets of the city, the rain still falling merciless over them.
The buildings looked haunting under the stormy night, their shadows dancing like ghosts every time a bolt of lightning illuminated the frivolous city.
They passed several buildings, and then Christine's eyes fell on a rather familiar one.
It was big and majestic. The storm had not yet managed to cut out the building's sublime appearance.
The Opera Popullaire.
It had changed little over the past 3 years. She had not returned to that place since that day, down in the lair.
Christine quickly turned her gaze away from the window as sad memories came back to her.
As they were reaching the Chagny Mansion, Christine hastily dried her tears with the sleeve of her coat, trying to hide the sadness she felt at that moment.
The carriage ran into a halt outside the great Manor's gate.
"I'll get a bit closer Madam. So that you won't get wet." the coach driver announced.
"No, don't mind… It's okay… I can go from here..." Christine said as she opened the carriage's door.
"But Madam! You'll get a cold!" he said, alarmed.
"It's just a few yards away, don't worry…" she said calmly, sadness in her voice.
"But Countess-!"
"Please!" Christine said strongly, interrupting him.
The coach driver remained silent.
Christine stepped out and handed the driver some coins. " Thanks for your services..." she said as she walked away through the gates, towards the entrance.
The driver just watched as she walked, the rain falling heavily over her, drenching her coat and dress. He saw her shiver against the cold night's air as she reached the door.
"Poor girl…" the driver muttered as he urged his horses to resume their trotting. The carriage then disappeared into the horizon.
Christine shivered as she opened the door. Stepping inside, she found the Mansion dimly lit.
"Raoul?" Christine called, her dress and coat dripping, as she closed the door.
No response.
The Mansion was as silent as a tomb. The only sound was that of the wind blowing outside.
"Raoul?" Christine called again as she made her way up the dark staircase.
A sense of foreboding flooded her as she walked through the looming silence.
Christine reached the landing and walked down the hall towards Raoul's and her room, her steps so gracious that it seemed like if she was floating.
"Honey? I'm home…" she said as she reached the room and opened the door slowly, "I had to return earlier due to the-"
Christine stopped in her tracks at the sight before her. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
A shocked Raoul stared back at her from the bed. His hair was ruffled and he was not wearing any shirt. But worst of all, he was holding someone in his arms. A woman.
"Raoul…" Christine choked, "H-How…could you?" Tears began streaming down her eyes again.
"N-no..C-christine.." Raoul stuttered, his voice cracking, "I-It's not what it seems."
"Things are exactly what they seem!" Christine shouted, tears falling furiously.
"C-Christine.. y-you don't understand!" Raoul said. The woman beside him looked quite undisturbed.
"Is she your wife?" The blonde woman that lied beside him asked.
Raoul turned to look at her with pleading eyes.
"I thought you said she was not to be back till tomorrow." The whore said calmly.
Christine gasped.
"You…you.." Christine started, but she was so angry that she couldn't speak.
Raoul turned back to her with wide eyes.
"Please Christine…. L-let me explain!" Raoul said alarmed.
"There's nothing to explain!" Christine screamed as she stormed out from the room and ran down the hallway.
"Christine! WAIT!" Raoul shouted after her as he got out of bed and dressed up as fast as he could manage.
Christine ran down the stairs as fast as she could, Raoul screaming after her.
Christine reached the door just as Raoul reached the landing.
Christine opened the door with a bang, running out. Raoul chased after her, screaming at her to wait, but Christine didn't stop. Why would she come back to him after what he had done?
Christine opened the gates and ran through them, the rain still falling and the wind blowing strongly.
The rain hit her hard in the face, but she didn't stop. She didn't know where she was heading to, but she didn't want to go back.
"CHRISTINE!" Raoul called after her, still chasing her down the street, through the rain.
"Stay away from me!" Christine yelled back at him while running. "Leave me alone!"
"NO! Christine! Please wait!" Raoul yelled. But Christine kept on running down the street, past the buildings.
Raoul ran faster and managed to catch her. He wrapped his arms tightly around her upper body, restraining her arms forcefully, to keep her from fighting.
Christine fought, trying to get free, but Raoul was too strong for her.
"Let me go!" She screamed, but Raoul didn't budge.
"Listen to me!" Raoul yelled, "You don't understand!"
Christine hit him hard in the ribs with her elbow, which made Raoul let her go.
Raoul clutched his chest, as Christine turned around to face him, her eyes red from crying.
"WHAT IS IT THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND?" Christine yelled. "I understand quite perfectly what you did! Clearly I wasn't enough for you, was I?"
"NO, Christine, wait…let me explain!" Raoul tried to say, as he advanced slowly towards her.
"There's nothing to explain! I thought you loved me Raoul!… I thought you did…but it was all a lie… a filthy lie…" Christine said as she hung her head and backed away from Raoul.
"Christine, it's not what you think…" Raoul said, but Christine interrupted him.
"It's not what I think?" she said incredulously, " Then what was it Raoul? Was that woman just there chatting with you… I don't think so!"
"Christine…" he started, rather angrily.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME, YOU LUSTFUL BASTARD!-"
SMACK!
Raoul had slapped Christine across the face. Christine turned to look back at him with glassy, wide eyes, while she placed a hand over her cheek.
"How dare you…." Christine managed to say, rather shakily.
"Watch your mouth, Christine!" Raoul said menacingly.
"What Raoul?" Christine started, "You don't like people telling you what you are?"
Christine gasped. Raoul had lunged at her, taking her brusquely by the wrists.
"Stop…it.." Raoul said angrily, his teeth bared. "You will…return to me…and we'll talk.."
"No!" Christine shouted at him, struggling to get free from Raoul's grasp. "We will not talk! And I will not go with you!"
Suddenly, Raoul lost all self-control and grabbed her throat with his right hand, while holding both her wrists with his left with might.
Christine choked as she tried to get free.
"You forgot something my dear…" Raoul said with a demented grin, losing his sanity. "You belong to me!"
He took her right hand and pulled it brusquely up, so that Christine saw the gleaming, golden ring Raoul had given her.
"You're mine…" he finishedHe then tried to give Christine a kiss, but, since Raoul had freed her left hand, she slapped him across the face.
He stumbled backwards and fell to a puddle. Christine backed away, turned around, and began to run, her wrists and neck throbbing painfully.
"You won't escape from me!" Raoul shouted, he stood up and chased after her.
She turned on a corner and hid behind some dustbins in an abandoned alley between two buildings. She hid, waiting for Raoul to go away.
"Where are you Christine…" Raoul said in a manic tone. "Where are you? I'm going to find you little Lotte!"
Christine shrunk back, trying to hide as best as possible. But just then, a thunder fell and Christine managed to take a glimpse of Raoul's face.
He had a crazy grin on his face, his eyes searching every corner of the road.
Christine shuddered and hid back.
After some minutes that seemed an eternity to Christine, Raoul gave up and yelled to the stormy night, "I WILL FIND YOU CHRISTINE! NO MATTER WHERE YOU HIDE! NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO! I'LL FIND YOU! You have nowhere to go! You have to come back!", before turning to head home.
Christine started to cry again, not of sadness, but fear. What was this man capable of? Didn't he love her? Why did he did this to her? He had never behaved like this, what was wrong with him?
The rain fell harder than ever. Christine stood up and glanced sideways before coming out of her hideout.
She hugged herself to gain some warmth and walked down the road, not knowing where she was headed.
Suddenly, she heard splashing hooves behind her. She turned around. A white horse trotted towards her, and mounting the white horse…
"Raoul…" Christine said breathlessly. Raoul had not yet seen her, but she broke into a run, her coat starting to weight on her. She quickly took it off, threw it aside, and ran faster.
The chilly wind enveloped her. She only wore a short-sleeved, dark-blue dress, which helped her camouflage against the dark environment.
She began to feel weak by the moment. She stopped to take a breath of air.
She inhaled, the air entering and cutting her inside like a million needles. She gasped as the trotting behind her became stronger.
She looked around her and gaped at the building beside her. She stood in front of the Opera Popullaire.
She ran with the remaining strength she had towards the door. She opened the door and got inside. She closed it at the sound of the hooves approaching.
She waited in silence. Then, slowly, the trotting began to die away, until all that Christine heard, was the bellowing wind, the falling of the rain, and the crash of thunder.
She turned around gradually, facing the huge room before her. The room was dimly lit, just a few candles shone still.
She looked around the majestic room. Voices from the past whispered in her ears.
"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade, Masquerade! Hide you face so the world will never find you!"
Christine walked slowly in the room. She saw the giant staircase leading to the Top Boxes. The staircase…
"Why so silent good Monsieurs! Did you think that I had left you for good?"
The memory of that moment in the Bal Masque came back to her. She quickly shook it away, and continued to walk.
She walked through a door that led to the theater.
She walked inside, surveying each corner of the theater. The seats, the boxes, the golden statues, the giant, brand new chandelier, which hung ominously over her, and the stage…
She gazed at the stage. So many memories. But one in particular, came back to her.
"Past the point of no return… no backward glances. Our games of make believe are at an end. Beyond the point of no…re…turn….."
She looked away. She shuddered and wrapped her arms around her.
She walked down the aisles, toward the dressing rooms.
"Hello?" she called. No response. Maybe everyone was sleeping now.
She walked down the lonely hallway toward a room. Her room. Or what once was her room.
She opened the door; it creaked slowly in its hinges.
Christine found a gas-lamp and lit it. She looked around.
It was just as she had left it. Clearly the maid had continued her chores, for the room was impeccable.
She walked inside and looked around again.
As she scanned the room, her eyes instantly fell on the huge mirror that stood in one of the walls.
Christine couldn't stop the tears that now trickled down her cheeks at the memory of him.
I am your Angel of music… Come to me angel of music…
The voice echoed in her mind. Was he still here? Had he escaped the mob? Had he forgotten her?
And before Christine could stop herself, she called into the void. "Hello?"
Silence.
"Are you there?"
No response.
"Please… Answer me! Ghost, Phantom! …. Angel!" Christine's voice trailed off as she broke crying.
"Angel…angel…. come to me… Please… come to me..." Christine choked on the words, as she slowly fell on her knees and stayed there for a moment, waiting for a reply…
She stood there in silence, her sobbing the only thing that broke the quietness.
"I-I….I need…you…" she sobbed. She wrapped her hands around her and hung her head pitifully, sobbing uncontrollably. She shook as the coldness overtook her. She would never see him again. He had surely forgot her. Her heart broke in million pieces that night.
He heaved a great sigh. He could not sleep, no matter how hard he tried.
He paced around his lair, his cloak bellowing behind him as he went. His white porcelain mask, which covered the right side of his face, shone brightly under the candles' light.
He then approached his organ and sat on the bench.
He tried to play, but he gave up every time he tried to play a song.
He slammed his fingers on the keys angrily, their sound reverberating in the windpipes and across the room.
This had been happening for 3 years in a row, since she left him.
Ever since she left, he had been utterly miserable. He couldn't play any longer, he couldn't sing. His muse had fluttered away from him. The Music of the Night had died away; just a mere memory remained in his mind.
'Forget her!' he had said to himself countless times. But he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't forget her.
He sighed as he placed his forehead on his hands.
Her voice still rang in his ears. A melodious voice, that of an angel, his angel of music.
"Why..." he asked himself "Why must I dwell in the past?"
He gave an exasperated moan and stood up. He heard her voice again, in his mind: "It's in your soul, where the true distortion lies…"
He smashed a fist in the wall. A single tear trickled down his cheek.
"How could I ever thought…" He said to himself miserably, " that an angel like her would love a demon like me. How could she love a monster… a hideous beast…"
"Answer me! Ghost! Phantom! …Angel!"
This snapped Erik out of his thoughts. He turned to look up. It seemed to come from above. That voice. A voice he knew all so well. A voice he heard every time in his dreams. That angelic voice that haunted his existence.
Erik shook his head.
"You're imagining things again, my dear Erik..." he scolded himself as he made his way to his room.
Then, he heard sobbing, coming again from above. to me… "
Christine? He wondered.
"C-Christine… NO…it can't be." He said to himself again.
"Please… come to me..."
It was Christine! Or at least, that's what he thought. Finding out if he was imagining things or if this was real, hurt no one. So he had to find out, this would put his soul to rest.
He strolled to the shore. He got on his gondola hastily, rowing as fast as he could. He passed the Portcullis and rowed out into the darkness of the lake.
He reached Caesar. He quickly mounted him and urged him to climb up.
Cesar neighed as his trot turned into full gallop. Erik reached a landing and got off. He then ran up the stairs, ran through the hallway with the candelabra, and up a dark corridor that lead to the mirror.
He stopped dead at the sound of a sobbing.
Erik then approached the mirror cautiously, with the sound of the sobbing getting louder as he advanced.
"I-I….I need…you…"
He heard a young woman say. He looked through the mirror and saw a woman with curly brown hair, which, was soaked in water along with her garments. The woman was on her knees, hugging herself in a pitiful way while sobbing.
It couldn't be! Was she-? He had to know.
Christine continued sobbing in the spot, cold tears falling on her knees. She shivered from the cold and her face had become as pale as parchment.
Just then, she heard a voice.
"Christine?"
She jerked her head upward, and stared at the mirror.
The mirror then slid slowly, revealing a tall man in elegant black garments, and wearing a half white mask in the right side of his face.
Erik stared down at her with glassy eyes; he himself seemed close to tears for what lay before him.
"C-Christine?…"
Aaaah, first chapter ready!
Hope you like it so far! And please excuse my grammar mistakes! English is my second language, so don't expect great things from me, hehehe.. -shuts up-
Erik- -reads- Mmhhh.. I approve. Good job I suppose.
Feri- Hello, Erik
Erik- Oh, hello! Hey! You're the creepy, little girl that kidnapped me yesterday aren't you?
Feri- I love you too. ¬¬
Erik- I never said I loved you.
Feri- It's called 'sarcasm' .. just so you know.. ¬¬
Erik- You're so annoying…
Feri- Bleh- I know … But I really do love you..
Erik- Well, I suppose that's a relief..
Feri- Wait…was that-
Erik- Yeah, it was sarcasm…
Feri- …¬¬
Erik- So…
Feri- So… please click that little button down there and leave a review! PLEASE!
puppyeyes- Just look at these eyes! Please leave a review!
Erik- You're so pathetic…
Feri- Leave me alone, will ya? ¬¬
Feri-san