Wanted

Chapter 5

Erik wrote a letter to the managers of the Opera Populaire telling them that he was interested in buying the building. They scheduled him an interview that Nadir would go to in his place for obvious reasons. He had put his name down as Nadir Kahn but he would later switch that to Erik Destler once the building was his.

"You must make them like you. I'm counting on you, Daroga." Erik said as Nadir got ready to go to the meeting.

Nadir left and Erik paced around. This was it. He had to get this building. Christine sighed when she noticed him pacing. She didn't like it when he paced. She walked over to him and stopped him with a hand to his chest.

"Calm down, Erik." She said soothingly and Erik sighed. They sat on the couch together until Nadir returned.

"Well? How did it go?" Erik asked and Nadir smiled.

"I present these keys to the new owner of the Opera Populaire." Nadir said and Erik smiled. Christine wrapped her arms tight around him and he buried his face in her shoulder.

Nadir set a contract, that Erik had to sign, on the table before dismissing himself. Christine placed a hand on his deformed cheek and smiled at him. "Monsieur Destler, you are no longer the opera ghost." Christine said and Erik sighed.

"Old habits die hard." Was all Erik said before signing the contract. He placed it in a drawer and dangled the ring of keys. He slipped them in his pocket and grabbed Christine's hand. "Let's go visit Madame Giry." He said and Christine nodded.

Christine clung to Erik's arm as they made their way down the streets of Paris. Erik's cloak was pulled over his head so that nobody would recognize him. He never dared to venture outside of the Opera Populaire, but he was married now. Sometimes he had to do things he didn't want to do.

"Christine?" A familiar voice called. Christine turned around to come face to face with Raoul. Raoul walked in front of Erik and pulled his cloak from his face. Raoul gasped when he realized who it was. "Christine, please tell me you're not in a relationship with him?"

"He's my husband, Raoul."

"He's a monster. A hell spawn demon for that matter." Raoul said and Erik looked ashamed. Christine looked over at her dear Erik and frowned. She didn't want him to feel ashamed, because Christine wasn't ashamed of being married to him.

"He's not a monster! He's sweet and kind!" Christine said and Raoul laughed as he pulled out a gun. Christine gasped as he pressed the weapon against Erik's temple. Erik didn't flinch, he stayed completely still and waited for the bullet to slip into his head. He waited for his slow death.

Christine cried as Raoul put his finger on the trigger. She was momentarily surprised, however, when Raoul moved the gun from his head. That is, until he aimed it at his chest. "You'll regret that, Raoul." Christine said as calmly as she could.

"I won't regret anything. I'll have you back and this demon will be dead."

Christine slowly moved from Erik's side. She stood behind Raoul as she pushed him to the ground. The gun flew out of his hands and Erik grabbed it. He put the gun in his coat pocket and grabbed Christine's hand. He pulled her into an alley that led to the opera house.

When they arrived on the front step they both sighed. Erik ran a hand through his hair as he grabbed the mail from the front step. The first thing he noticed was a personal letter addressed to him.

Christine followed him to the catacombs of the opera. Erik put the gun in a locked drawer. Christine handed him a letter opener and he slowly opened the letter.

Dear Erik,
       You're probably wondering why I'm sending this letter. I'm sorry, Erik. I should've been a better father. You didn't deserve to be sent to that freak show. I should have saved you. I hope you're living the happy life you deserve. You don't have to forgive me, but could you at least give me a second chance? I hope to see you soon.
            
                                ~James Destler

Erik dropped the letter and stood there shocked. Christine picked up the letter and read over it. She looked up at Erik and smiled. "Erik, you have to write back!" Christine exclaimed handing him a pen. He set it down and looked up at her.

"I just need to rest. I almost got shot and now this. I'm going to bed." He said.

Christine now felt bad. She had completely ignored the fact that he was just almost shot because she didn't want to bring it up. She couldn't have that image in her head any longer. She slowly opened the door to their bedroom and sighed. Erik was laying on the bed staring at the ceiling.

Christine changed into into a nightgown before getting in beside him. She lifted his mask from his face and set it on the bed side table.

"You saved my life today." Erik whispered.

"I had to, it's my job, as your wife, to protect you."