Jeu D'esprit || Phantom of the Opera

Prologue

9 years ago...

Christine and her father were out shopping. It was her eighth birthday. A year after mother died. She was waiting in the car for her father when she saw a group of older boys chasing a another boy. She watched worriedly as they chased him down an alley. She jumped out of the car and ran down the alley. She always had a heart of kindness, she didn't let anything slide. She slowed her run when she got closer. Everyone loved Christine for many reasons. Her looks, her heart, and many more. And she often used that gift against bullies.

"Hey!" She called in a calm manner. As they turned around she could see a couple of the boys looked to be her age or a little older. One of the older boys had a woven potato sack in his hands.

"What do you want kid?" The tallest boy asked.

Christine twirled a lock of her hair in her fingers (that's her tell) and came up with a lie, "I was just going to warn you, someone called the police and they're on their way. Seems you guys have a bad rep."

They boys exchanged glances and ran like a herd of wild horses being chased by a predator. Christine didn't know it, but they all became scared and skittish when it came to police.

Once they were gone she rushed to the boy's side. "Are you alright?!"

The boy looked at her funny. She wasn't screaming or running away. Who is she? An angel, perhaps? Who else wouldn't run away? "Can you here me?" The girl asked again.

The older boy realized he probably looked like a fool and quickly nodded his head.

"Where do you live?" 

The boy looked down at the ground, "Nowhere."

"Nowhere?" Christine exclaimed, "Now, that can't be true. Where are your parents?"

"They don't want me." he murmured.

Christine thought, "So your an orphan?"

"No. I escaped from a traveling fair. My mother sold me."

Christine's faced showed shear horror at the thought. "That's terrible!"

He didn't know why he just shared his life story but the girl was so intriguing. He raised his eyebrows and looked away. "My name's Christine by the way." She said. "What's yours?"

"E-Erik," he said still confused.

"Well, Erik," Christine started. Erik suddenly gasped at the sound of her saying his name with such adoration. "If you want there's a hotel up the block maybe you could get in. You looked to be old enough. Here's some money." Christine handed the poor boy enough money for a night at the hotel she was speaking about.

But Erik protested, "No. I don't want t your money."

Christine looked at him with compassion, something he wasn't used to be seeing in his direction. "It's fine. Besides, it'll be better than staying in this alley."

Erik still refused. He didn't take the money. Christine shrugged her shoulders and realized she should probably get back. "How old are you?" Erik suddenly asked.

"Today is my eighth birthday."

Erik smiled probably for the first time in his life, "Happy Birthday."

Christine returned the smile, "Thank you." She jumped up and helped Erik to his feet. She hugged him in order to put the money she knew he'd need in his pocket. Erik was to astonished to hug back he just stared at the brunette. He didn't even notice the money that was being placed in his pocket. And nothing goes unnoticed by Erik.

"I'd better get going. Goodbye, Erik," Christine ran back to her car.

"Goodbye, Christine," Erik whispered. That girl was going to change his life, he knew it. So, he followed her out of the alley.
***
"Christine Daae," her father scolded, "Where have you been?!"

"I was helping somebody. I didn't mean to scare you." She replied honestly and innocently.

Her father rubbed his temple, "Oh, Christine what am I going to do with you?"

Christine smiled and they drove toward home. Little did they know, they were being followed.