The Angel Of Music(REWRITING)

Chapter 11

As we arrived back at the opera house Raoul turned to me a look of concern on his face.

"Christine, how could you think he was your Father?"

I shook my head rubbing my eyes, not feeling like being chastised right now.

"I-I had hoped it was my Angel, but it wasn't it was nothing more than a trick, a lie."

I felt him pull me into a hug and I rested my head against his shoulders, feeling so overwhelmingly tired and helpless.

"I hate seeing the pain he's causing you, I hope you know what we have to do to end all of this."

I did know, the Phantom had to be permanently gone otherwise there would be no hope of ever living a normal life, he would always be there and he would never let me go.

I took a shakey breath knowing what I needed to do, but wishing more than ever that I didn't have to.

The next day was rehearsals for Don Juan Triumphant and I could hear the screech of protest coming from Carlotta as I arrived.

"I have been set to play a bit part, I don't even have any lines at all, this is outrageous!"

My head started to pound as I arrived, my emotions were already twisting in my stomach my head swimming with thoughts of fear and panic.

Firmin's eyes landed on me as I appeared, seeming somewhat relieved at my presence.

"Ah, Miss Daeé, quite the lady of the hour, you have secured the biggest role in this Don Juan,"

Carlotta let out a sharp breath her hands at her hips as she looked from me then at the managers.

"Don't you see, are you all blind, she's the one behind all of this!"

I could feel the anger and frustration at such an accusation fill my chest and I felt my fists clench at my sides.

"How dare you?" I shouted.

She turned to me sharply.

"I am no fool, Christine, I see right through you!"

"If you saw right through me, Carlotta, you would see just how much I don't want any part in this, you would see the fear that clings to my heart, the sea of emotions that are constantly fighting inside of me if you saw even an inch through me you would not make such accusations, you vile women!" I yelled furiously.

"What's going on?"

Raoul appeared between us, glancing between Carlotta and then at me.

Before either of us could respond Madame Giry walked onto the stage with a folded-up piece of paper held in her hands.

"Excuse me, but it appears that the Opera Ghost has left another note," She said as she approached the managers.

André took the note from her hands, letting out a breath as he opened it.

"Fondest greetings to you all, a few instructions just before rehearsal starts, Carlotta must be taught to act, not her normal trick of strutting around the stage, our Don Juan must lose some weight, it's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age and my managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts, as for Miss Christine Daae, no doubt she'll do her best, it's true, her voice is good, she knows, though should she wish to excel she has much still to learn if pride will let her return to me, her teacher. Your obedient friend and angel."

I could feel someone watching me and I looked up quickly at the Fly Tower seeing the ropes swinging as I have seen many times before.

The fear crept up my throat and I began to back away from everyone, quickly rushing away.

I heard Raoul pursue me as I descended down the steps to the chapel, feeling like it was getting harder to breathe as panic continued to creep up my throat.

"Christine?" He said as I stared up at the roof of the small chapel.

I could feel myself begin to shake as I turned to him.

"Raoul, I'm so frightened, he scares me, please don't make me do this, he'll take me I know he will, we'll be parted forever, and he'll forever be there singing songs in my head, it won't ever end if he finds me."

He gently placed his hand against my cheek, softly rubbing his thumb against it.

"Christine, you said yourself he was nothing more than a man, and while he lives he will haunt us till we're dead."

I know Raoul was right but I found the sea of anxieties and fears twisting my stomach, filling my thoughts.

"What answer can I give, I really have to risk my life just to earn the chance to live, can I possibly betray the man who once inspired my voice, to become his prey, what choice do I even have?"

I took a shaky breath, letting all of my thoughts of worries and fright spill over.

"He kills without a thought, he murders all that's good, I know I can't refuse, and yet I wish I could, oh God if I agree what horrors wait for me in this the Phantom's opera?"

Raoul looked me in the eyes, tucking my hair behind my ears.

"Christine, don't think that I don't care but every hope and every prayer rests on you now, you have to find the strength to do this, you can do this and I promise I won't let him separate us, this is my vow to you if it is to be war between us and our clever friend, this time the disaster will be on his side, he will lose."

I wrapped my arms tightly around him, trusting his promise, and trusting that all his words ringed with truth.

It had to for our sakes.