Through Music We Love

I - Cecilia

It's been ten years. Ten long, painful, years without my love. After Raoul kidnapped me, they took me to a doctor and had me 'checked out'. I played along, pretending to get 'better' so I could get away from them to look for Erik.

Yet, Christine wouldn't let me go. I was metaphorically chained to her. She forced me to go with her to every performance she had and watch her child, Gustave. He was a sweet kid that won my heart over time, I taught him a bit of the piano when his father wasn't around.

Raoul started out fine -- a good husband, a good father -- but he slowly worked himself into debt and used the money Christine earned to gamble and lose everything. The money would never last, he would get a big win then claim that he would get more only to lose it all. I never liked him but after everything he's done I've come to hate him beyond reconciliation.

My only happiness as of late has been teaching Gustave piano. "Alright, Gustave, let's play Guessy." I suggest, tapping A flat.

"Okay!" He chirps and begins to play a scale.

I hum, feigning ignorance before exclaiming, "G-minor!" Causing a groan to escape Gustave's mouth.

"You always win!" He laughs. "Are you sure you can't see my fingers?"

It was my turn to laugh. "I've been blind forever and you know it. I smashed my hip just last week when the cart hit me." I say.

"The maid shoved it into you, I swe-"

I hear a huff and a creak from the door. Heavy footsteps stomped into the room, signaling Raoul's arrival. "Cecilia," He spat. "Christine asked for you. We are going to America."

At his announcement I stood and made my way towards the door, leaving Gustave alone with his father, a sense of foreboding slithered across my skin. I shook off the feeling and continued down the hall without fear of falling into traps or running into anyone unknown. It made my heart ache once more for my love.

I hadn't played cello since the fire. Christine had one in the music room and urged me to play it but I couldn't bare to pick up any other bow. It felt so wrong. I wanted the bow Erik made for me.

I sighed and pushed open the door to Christine's room. "What do you want?" I ask tiredly. I hear her shuffling around in her powder and perfume smelling abode.

"I was wondering if you would be staying with us in the american hotel." She said it as if I had a choice. "You can have a different room if you like but I think Gustave would like to have you around."

I sighed. "I will stay with the young vicomt." I utter in a servant's tone. She huffed daintily at my tone.

"Cecilia, why do you insist on being so stubborn? It's terribly rude and makes my heart ache!" Christine says, her voice sounding strained.

"If you hadn't told your fop of a husband to take me away from my love I wouldn't have such anger towards you!" I argued.

She sighs and was silent for a moment, gathering herself once more. "I was just looking out for you. He was a monster, Cecilia. He killed people!" She shouts.

We had this argument often. It had become a standard daily routine. "People made him that way! It is not his fault people are cruel!" I shout right back, glaring the best I can in her direction.

She slams her trunk and moves across the room, muttering incoherently. Christine was a friend once, nearly a sister, but now... She was just another enemy. Another obstacle between me and everything I cared about.

I thought of Erik's warmth, his deep voice, and his strength. He and Gustave were all that mattered to me. I sighed turning on my heel leaving the room to go back to little Gustave.

I pushed open the door and heard the creak of the piano bench. "Gustave, are you still in here?" I ask, trying to hide my previous anger.

"I sent him to his room." Raoul's voice echoed. "He doesn't need to be playing this foul thing." I assumed he was talking about the piano.

"Playing an instrument can be a great way to calm a person down, or to simply vent certain emotions." I thought of the cello that sat in the corner of the music room. Christine said that it was one of the finest on the market. I didn't care.

"You have such a way with words, Miss Cecilia." He mused. I heard him stand and his overpowering cologne get closer, nearly suffocating my senses. I jerked away when I felt a deft hand slide up my arm.

"I will be taking my leave, Vicomt. I must help Gustave prepare for the trip." I shook, stepping back further.

He hummed, irritated. "I suppose. Go along then, I have some business to attend to."

As I left, I felt his eyes drilling holes into my quickly retreating form and the sense of foreboding increased to a resounding fear.