My Angel of Music

Trial

I had one day to convince the judge to let Erik go free. One day.  I choked back a sob as I got ready for the trial.  I wore a simple black dress that reminded me of Madame Giry.  The thought of her only made me want to cry harder.  I wore my hair in a bun in an attempt to make myself look older and honest.  Annabel tugged at my skirt, shaking me from my thoughts.  "What is it, Annabel?"  I snapped, a little too harshly.  She frowned, but quickly shook it off.  "Mama, must you go today?"  She asked.  I sighed and stooped to her level, taking her cheek in my hand.  "I'm afraid I must, little one.  if  don't go Papa will be in danger."  I answered sadly.

Her eyes lit up at the word Papa, but they soon dimmed when she realized what I was saying.  I took her hand and led her back to her room where she would stay while I was gone.  I had already fed them breakfast, so I left a few sandwhiches, some soup, and a pitcher of water for them.  I set Annabel in the chair and kissed the top of her head.  Her little hand held me back as I tried to walk away, so I wheeled around to face her.  "Make sure Papa is safe, Mama."  She whispered, her big eyes wide.  I nodded, tears forming in my eyes.

***

As I sat in the pews of the court house, I saw Erik shuffle through the doors, escorted by two large guards, one being Monsieur House.  I smiled sadly at Erik as he passed me.  He smiled reassuringly, his eyes dim with hopelessness.  I glanced around the room.  There was hardly anyone there yet, including the judge.  I figured it wouldn't do any harm if I just said a few words to Erik before the trial began.  I quickly stood from my pew and shuffled gracefully to where Erik now sat, staring into space.

I came up behind him and placed my hands on his shoulders.  One of the guards saw me, and was about to shoo me away but Monsieur House stopped him with a look.  Erik turned around, and his face lit up when he saw me.  I smiled and kissed his cheek.  "Angel, are you alright?"  I asked, worried about his hopeless eyes.  "I heard you have to testify." He said stiffly.  I swallowed and nodded.  "Yes, but it's fine.  It's going to be okay."  i promised.  He frowned.  "I'm so sorry that I put you through this, Christine."  He whispered, his tone still stiff and tense.  

I shook my head.  "No, no, Erik.  I do not want you to think like that.  I would do anything for you, and you would do anything for me.  I just want you to focus on looking nice.  Don't sit here and brood like you normally do, okay?"  I joked, though there was truth in my advice.  He didn't smile, but he relaxed a little, which was all I could ask for. 

"After this is over we can go to America, and live in a mansion with lots of cats and we can eat corn dogs until we puke."  I joked, knowing he hated corn dogs.  Finally, his lips turned up slightly.  I giggled and stroked his bare cheek.  "I love you."  I whispered, knowing I had to go back now.  Before I could walk away he called my name.  I took a step towards him.  "You'll do fine up there.  Just pretend like you're singing."  he whispered reassuringly.  I smiled sadly and turned around. 

"Oh, and Christine?"  He stopped me again.  I looked back around.  He was smiling sadly.  "I love you."  He whispered.  I nodded, a sad smiled playing on my lips.  Why did this have to happen to him?

Finally, the trial started.  They stated the crimes against Erik, murder, and fraud.  I gulped.  Two very serious crimes.  They called Firmin up first, and he shakily walked up the stairs and to the stand.  They asked him easy questions at first, like 'Why did you come into possession of the Opera Populaire', or 'Did you ever see the Phantom of the Opera?'

But soon, he started to sweat under the pressure of the questions.  They started throwing questions like 'Was Christine Daae helping the Opera Ghost?', and 'Why did you not call the police sooner?' into the mix.  I gulped.  I hoped their questions would not be so hard for me.  I watched Erik the whole time, holding onto his face for support.  He looked pale, and at some points his brows would furrow in anger, but most of the time he was neutral.