My Angel of Music

Love From Afar

When the next few hours were over, I ran as fast as I could down the dark hall, and into Erik's room.  The whole time, I had heard him screaming my name, and knocking the bed frame against the wall.  I flung the door open, and stumbled into the dark room.  Erik was still thrashing and howling my name like an animal.  I rushed to his side, blind in the dark.  I fumbled with the ties on his hands and feet, and finally set him free.  "Christine."  he groaned as he grabbed my waist and pulled me to him.  I was dizzy, and weak from the emotions running through me.  

I stood, limp as he held my waist and rested his head on my hips.  My mind was whirling, and gasps caught in my throat.  "Christine.  Christine, why?"  He sobbed.  Tears refused to form in my eyes, though my mind was in shatters.  Before I could answer, a wave of dizziness came over me, and I went limp.  Erik's arms caught me, and he pulled me into his chest like a child.  And then, darkness surrounded me.

***

I woke to a dim light streaming through the window.  my eyes fluttered open unwillingly.  I didn't want to remember the events of the night before, I wanted to stay in the shelter of my dreams.  But, all too soon, I was ripped from darkness's warm grasp, and wrenched into light's cold surface.  Immediatley I began to shake and whimper.  Strong arms held me closer and a soft voice muttered my name longingly.  I cried out and buried my face in the warm chest.  He held my head and stroked my wild hair.  "Oh, Christine.  My Christine."  He whsipered.  Tears sprung to my eyes, and sobs racked my body at the memories of last night.  

"I'm going to kill him."  Erik growled to himself.  I suddenly pulled my face away and glared at him.  I was going to scold him, but then I realized that I wanted him to.  I wanted him to kill the doctor, and I wanted to watch.  To see his red noose wrap around his thin neck, and his breath cease until the light faded from his eyes.  I stared into Erik's red eyes.  He saw the change of my expression, and realized what I wanted.  

He sat up and began to get up, but I quickly pulled him back down.  "No, Erik, don't."  I muttered.  No matter how much I wanted it, I knew it wouldn't do anything for Erik's mind.  He might feel guilty afterwards, like he did about Piangi and Buqet.  Sometimes I would wake to him screaming at night.  I knewhe was ridden with guilt, and I didn't want to put him through that again.  He sighed and laid back down, pulling me back to his chest.  "Ma Cherie, just rest."  He soothed.  I shook my head.  "I cannot."  I whispered.  

"Just take me home."  I whimpered.  Erik nodded.  "Okay, Okay, Angel."  He soothed.  "Once the children wake up, we can get out of here."  He whispered.  I held back tears as I nodded.  A few moments of silenced passed between us, which made thoughts creep into my mind.  Images and feelings that I didn't want to see.  I cried out as the images overwhelmed me.  Erik grabbed the back of my head and pressed it into his shoulder.  I felt the warmth of his skin, and it comforted me.

"No more talk of darkness.  Forget these wide-eyed fears.  I'm here, nothing can harm you.  My words will warm and calm you."  he sang softly.  I lifted my head and gazed into his glowing green eyes.  Before he could sing another word, I cut him off by forcefully crashing my lips into his.  He was surprised, but soon grabbed my waist and hoisted me onto his lap.  I grabbed his shoulders and pulled away.

"Say you'll love me every waking moment."  I whisper-sang.  He sighed longingly, but before I could kiss him again, the door flung open.  I was expecting the children,  or even the doctor, but unfortunatley, it was neither.  Four men, all clad in navy blue uniforms stood in the doorway.  Once I realized who they were, I grasped onto Erik's shoulders, and held myself to him.  "Monsier!  Please, rise and hold out your hands!"  The Chief of police barked.  I yelped and clung to Erik's neck.  

Erik composed himself, and gently pulled my shoulders away from himself.  "Christine, let go."  He whispered.  The men stood, waiting impatiently.  I shook my head and let a sob escape my throat.  "Erik, no.  Don't leave."  I cried softly.  Erik quickly placed a kiss on my forehead and sat up then pried me off of him.  Suddenly, just as I was away from Erik, a policeman grabbed his shoulders roughly, and threw him to the ground.  I cried out and jumped from the bed to the wall.  I clutched the wall for support as the men kicked my angel like a dog.  

"Oh, Monsieur Phantom, does that hurt?"  One man mocked.  "The Phantom of the Opera isn't a phantom after all!"  Another shouted.  "Opera Ghost!"  I gasped for breath as I watched in horror.  Finally, I couldn't take it anymore.  "Stop, please!"  I shouted.  They all looked up, but continued kicking and hitting the broken angel on the ground.  One man hesitantly stopped attacking my husband and walked towards me.  I raised my hands in defense.  "Please, get away."  I whimpered.  He raised his hands in surrender and slowly approached me.  

"There's been a mistake, you have the wrong man."  I said, trying to act calm.  "Are you Miss Daae?"  The police asked.  I glanced around, as if the room held the answers.  "Miss Daae?"  He asked gently.  I swallowed and finally looked into the man's eyes.  Tears flowed down my cheeks, and I held back sobs.  The answer must have been in my eyes, for he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close.  "It's alright, Miss Daae, you are okay, now.  The monster that has kept you captive will be gone soon."  He soothed.  I wiggled against his grip and finally tugged free.   I took several steps away and raised my hands.  

"You've got it all wrong!  He hasn't been keeping me captive!  I've been willingly with him!"  I shouted.  The man nodded and tried to approach me again, but I kept stepping back.  "It's alright.  We know that he can keep you under his power with his witchcraft.  You will be free soon."  He said again.  I shook my head.  "No!"  I yelled before running away from the man and towards the crowd of men and my husband.  "Let him go!  Stop hurting him!'"  I cried.  Finally, they stopped the torment, and raised the bleeding and bruised Erik.  his nose bled and purple bruises were blotted across his already scarred face.  I cried out and rushed to him.  

"Angel, forgive me!"  I sobbed as he looked upon me sadly.  They started to pull him out of the door, but I followed him.  "Wait!  Let me say goodbye!"  I shrieked.  They unwillingly stopped, and let him go, though they hovered over him like vultures.  I quickly wrapped my arms around his torso and buried my face in his chest.  "I love you, Angel."  I sobbed.  He held me tightly, one hand on my back and the other stroking my curls.  A policeman cleared his throat and he pulled me away.  I gazed into his battered face, and he gently wiped a stray tear from my cheek.  "Christine, I love you."  He sang softly.  When he sang these words, a large sob escaped my throat.  I gritted my teeth and let the tears flow from my eyes.

Before we could do anything else, I was wrenched from the arms of my Angel and tossed to the floor.  I cried out and yelled Erik's name.  "Christine!"  I heard him call.  I quickly jumped up and rushed to the children's room.  They were still asleep, with the nanny napping in the chair peacefully.  I called out her name, and she jumped up.  "Madame?"  She asked.  I hurridley stumbled to her side and clutched her shoulders.  She looked at me, confused.  "Take a carriage to Paris and stay in a hotel near the Paris Opera House.  I will find you in a few days.  Please, tell the children I love them and I will see them soon."  

Before she could protest, I ran from her side and out of the door, intent on following Erik.  The police carriage was still there, to my relief.  And when I ran outside, I saw a police man handing a bag of money to Dr. Huntsley.  After what I had done, he still called the police?  As soon as the police walked away, I approached him.  Before he could react, I slapped him across his smug face.  "I hope you rot in hell."  I hissed. I then knocked the bag of money from his hand and it fell to the cold ground.  

I then rushed to the stable and stole one of his horses in order to follow my angel.