After The Opera Burned || Phantom Of The Opera

Chapter 2 - Bar Fights

"They bought it" she said, racing towards her mother like she was a young chorus girl all over again. "Mother they bought every word. They arrested that poor sap and now he is free!"

Meg was so excited that she was able to release Erik's name from the police's search list. It had come after lots of favors and tasks she had to complete but it was done and now she was too. Part of Erik being free was now Meg being free from doing favors.

"Mother? Did you hear me?" Meg's head tilted to the side as she observed her mother.

Madame Giry sat quietly in the old chair by the dinning table, gazing over the paper with the headline telling of Meg's success. Ever since the opera house burned, Madame Giry and Meg knew Erik did not perish but tried telling others he did, showing his mask as proof that he was no more. The angry mob did not buy it.

"He is still here! He has escaped! We must find him" The angry mob were no fools, not like they once were before when they believed the phantom simply didn't exist.  While they worked out all of their usual resources, the mob persisted.

Madame Giry just assumed he skipped town; he would be a fool if he didn't. "Yes my dear, I am reading the title." She placed the paper down on the newly polished table as she looked up at her daughter. A soft smile spread across her lips, "You did very well my dear."

Meg's eyes beamed with delight of approval from her mother, "Oh I am so glad! I hope he will be happy too..." her voice trailed off as she looked to the side, her petite frame turning slightly towards the window as her right arm cupped her face. Meg seemed to be thinking about the phantom that had haunted the opera for years. It was hard for her to understand why her mother protected him for so long, especially her. "Do you think he has read it?"

Madame Giry shrugged slightly, standing up from the wooden chair to walk towards her daughter, "Who knows. I am not even sure he is alive anymore. No word, no hint, no sign, nothing," She spat, a look of anger on her face as a hint of the betrayal she felt from someone she did so much for. She risked her life again and again because she felt sorry for him. And this is how he repaid her?  "He either has moved on or has perished. Hopefully he is at peace wherever he is."

Meg nodded, seeming to understand to not press the question further. Since the opera house burned, their home was also destroyed. The managers were distraught and decided to rejoin the junk/scrap metal business after the events that took place while Christine and Raoul ended up officially wedding and running off to the outskirts of France. Their wedding was big, beautiful, and odd. She didn't feel like she belonged there. After wishing them the best, she left. It had been months since she last saw Christine, a girl who she once called her daughter, and now she didn't know her anymore. Mme. Giry sighed, slowly moving Meg's wavy blonde hair from the side of her face to behind her ear as Meg turned around to look at her mother. She looked worried.

"Nothing to fret my dear, just... contemplating our next move."

Meg nodded again sadly, "So we are moving again?

Mme. Giry sighed once more, "I am afraid so my dear. Firmin and Andre hardly left us any money after everything we had been through with the opera. They collected the insurance and fled. Carlotta is still trying to get her share from them since Piangi is now deceased, though hard to do now that she's in Italy."

Meg smiled a bit, "Poor Italy."

Mme. Giry chuckled, "Yes, poor Italy indeed."

The room they had been staying in was not bad, in fact it had everything they needed since they found out they lost everything; Two twin beds, a small kitchen with basic necessities, running water, a bathroom, and a table with chairs. The walls were a soft pink color that had a royal floral pattern and the carpet was a soft pink color to match. This hotel wasn't rock bottom and this room was probably one of the best they had to offer. Alas the money was running out and she would rather not waste her savings on the room when they needed a more permanent location to stay. She probably should have come up with a plan sooner but time had escaped her due to her grieving.