Twisted Every Way(Phantom Of The Opera Fic)

Chapter 34: Run

Gustave ran as fast as he could out those doors. In his horror he had dropped his wine glass, it shattered to pieces as Erik's mirror had all those years ago.

 He clawed like an animal out, waiting for no one as he pushed and forged his way ahead. He had to escape- he had to runaway from that past that hurt him oh too much. 

"Excuse me," Raoul laughed tipping a hat to the crowd and taking off after the boy. 

Raoul was fast, still young and well built. He soon overtook the young man.

"Let me go!" Gustave yelled struggling for his freedom. 

"Now wait a minute kid!" Raoul yelled, "Wait a minute!"

Gustave stopped struggling and Raoul let go. Gustave brushed himself off, on the outside he was calm and collected but on the inside, have no doubt, he was screaming.

"Listen, just because you break a glass its no reason to be embarrassed." Raoul laughed. "I've broken many a glass in my younger days."

Gustave stared at him confused. Why didn't Raoul yell and hit and rage against him? He almost seemed decent and friendly.

"What's your name kid?" Raoul said with a smile.

Gustave shifted uncomfortably, Raoul wasn't supposed to be like this. Everything in his mind told him Raoul was cruel and drunk and evil. 

This man actually seemed like someone his mother would have loved. 

Gustave began to think, he was almost someone Gustave would have liked to grown up knowing...

"My names Gustave." he said voice trembling. 

Raoul suddenly looked melancholy and filled with remorse.

"I had a son named that. He's..." Raoul stifled and smiled. "No matter, I uh...I best be heading back. I just wanted to let you know that it wasn't your fault for dropping that glass. Many a man has committed worse sin. Hold to your mistakes, they make or break you."

He turned to walk away when Gustave stopped him.

"And it's not your fault that Christine left." Gustave spit out as quickly as he could.

Raoul stopped and turned around. "what did you just say?"

"You were upset and you had just found out about my dad and you thought if you hadn't agreed she would have sung and come home with you. And everything would have been fine. I just wanted you to know sir that your son never blamed you, he thought he did, but it was himself he blamed. All himself. But he turned out alright sir. I can say he is well. " Gustave said, his voice barley above whisper, "Just thought you might want to know."

He turned to walk away but Raoul grabbed his arm, "How did you?! It isn't possible.How do you know such things about my son?"

"I know him well sir," Gustave sighed and pulled away, "Because I'm him."

Raoul stared paralyzed with shock. 

"I didn't even, you can't be him, it's not possible. He would have..."

Gustave frowned, "You were so wrong in so many ways. My father loved me and raised me perfectly in every way. I do not regret one moment I have spent with him. He would never harm me, never in a million years. He has taught me the secrets of the world that I would have never dreamed of learning."

"You are not Gustave, you are-," Raoul exclaimed.

Gustave smiled, "So be it." 

With that, he stomped twice on the floor and disappeared in a blaze of fire. 

Raoul watched terrified, it was Gustave. His long lost Gustave. 

He hadn't seen the child since he fell ill since he was nothing more than a boy. What strong-minded handsome young man now stood before him. He was convinced now Only Erik could have taught someone to do that. His mind flooded with questions. He hadn't even recognized Gustave, but on reflection, he looked so much like Erik. 

That was the reason he had stared in the first place. Perhaps his subconsciousness thought the boy to be Erik returned just to haunt him. Eyes and regret always seemed to follow him at that old Opera house. 

Gustave ran to find his father. He wanted to tell him before he found out for himself. 

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Autumn looked around frantically. Where had Gustave gone?Had she really upset him so?

"Autumn? What's wrong?" Fredrick asked worriedly searching her eyes for reassurance. 

"I'm sorry, your so wonderful you truly are but..." She sighed and held his hand tightly.

"But what?" Fredrick laughed.

"I can't marry you I'm sorry." she cried pressing his hand and with that, she ran off to find Gustave.

Fredrick stood alone, her glove in his shaking hands, desperately watching as the girl rushed away. 

"Uncle!" he shouted as the man returned to the room, "What has happened? Who was that man?"

"There was no man," Raoul laughed teary-eyed, "Was the Opera Ghost nothing more Fredrick. Return to the dinner, forget her."

"But why?" Fredrick gaped in indignity. 

"That was a ghost ten times the man you'll ever be boy. No back lip, to supper you go. And you forget that poor child of a girl. Bad enough she had to deal with your insufferbility on her mothers behalf."

Fredrick stared in shock, his mouth gaping open and eyes seeking some answers, none of which Raoul provided. 

"Go, Boy!" Raoul ordered. 

Fredrick took off running back to his dinner. Rather cross and confused. 

Raoul only gave a small sigh and smiled, his eyes seeking familiar faces in the murals on the ceiling. 

"Gustave," he whispered to himself with a chuckle, "You are your father's son."