An Opera in Chaos

Chapter 4

     Apparently with her acceptance of Erik's proposal, training started that moment. The next morning, Christine awoke to the sound of a music box playing. She was stiff and sore...and not in her own bed. She instantly sat up and took in her surroundings. Rock walls, no windows, Persian rugs, bows and arrows on a deadly display. She was still in Erik's lair. But where was Erik?

Almost as if on cue, she heard him playing on his pipe organ. She had never heard the piece he was playing before, but it was beautiful. She walked over to him to ask him about it, but then started to think. He hadn't noticed her approach him; he was too absorbed in his music. What else would he not notice?

She walked up right behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. No response.

She tickled the back of his neck. Nothing.

She even went so far as to kiss his cheek, but he still showed no sign of recognizing she was even in the same world as he was.

Hmm... she thought. Maybe I'll have to do something extreme. Then her eyes landed on his mask.

Her hand automatically reached out to take it from his face, but she hesitated. What if he gets mad at me? She thought. There must be a reason for him to wear it. It wouldn't be right for me to invade his privacy like that.

Just as she pulled her hand back to her side, Erik turned to her. "Ah, I see you're awake. Come, we have much to do."

As he stood from the bench, Christine blurted, "Why do you wear a mask?"

He stiffened at her sudden question. "I would appreciate it if we could put this matter to rest without outburst or explanation."

Christine shrank back at his menacing tone. "I'm sorry. I won't bring it up again."

"See to it that you do not." After seeing the hurt in Christine's eyes, Erik went on. "Curiosity is viewed as a weakness. My advice is take action first, ask questions later."

Christine took this advice to heart as she reached out and ripped the mask from his face.

Erik roared out in anger. "I didn't mean right this minute! Curse you!"

"Well, if you didn't want me to, you shouldn't have given me such advice!" Christine argued. "Besides, what's the big deal, anyways? It's not like your face is scary or anything."

"Yes, it is. It is also a secret. To ensure that this secret is kept from the world, you shall never be free! No one who sees the Phantom's face lives to tell the tale."

Christine was truly scared now. "You aren't going to kill me, are you?"

Erik scoffed. "Of course not. That would be a waste of talent, and I do not waste such things. No, you shall stay here forever."

"Really?" Christine asked, not sure how to count this: a curse or a blessing.