The Phantom's Guardian (the Phantom of the Opera fan fiction)

Part 31 - Wrong turn (or right turn?)

"Absolutely not!!"

Clara's exclamation rang out in the tiny living room. Desiree winced.

"Clara, you need to understand, he has changed, he is no longer the old Phantom. He won't harm anyone. "

"Oh please, Desiree. How can you possibly believe that? I thought Madame Giry was taking a huge chance on you by letting you convince him not to hurt anyone, but this is pure lunacy. Christine does not love him. She is afraid of him. Are you trying to drive her to madness?"

"He really loves her. I know that, and I just want him to have a chance to show her in a proper way."

"But she is engaged to the Vicomte!! A love confession at this time, no matter how genuine, would not benefit anyone! You are doing the wrong thing by encouraging him."

Desiree's eyes glazed over at Clara's words. She gazed unseeingly into the fireplace,

"Wrong things... there are a lot of wrongs that I did to him... I need to correct those wrongs, Clara, no matter the price is.." she whispered.

"I am still sceptical. Know that I do not condone your plan, Desiree. I won't let anyone else get hurt by his madness."

"He won't misbehave. I am sure of it."

Clara looked at her as if she had lost her mind, shook her head, and stormed out of the room. Desiree was left alone and she whispered to no one in particular...

"I WILL make sure of it."

*********

Desiree exhaled deeply for the hundredth time. The Box 5 was silent except for her breathing and occasional shuffle of her clothing. She had been sitting inside the box since the end of evening shift and with each passing minute, she grew hungrier and more impatient.

Since the day of their almost-kiss on the catwalk, she had not seen or heard any indication of Erik around the theatre. Even the staff and managers are starting to get unsettled, not because of his threats, but rather the lack of his usual threats like "fire that chorus girl, make sure the conductor is qualified" or the all-time favourite, "Leave box 5 empty". Madame Giry, on the other hand, had been pleased with recent developments, and even gave Desiree an imperceptible nod today, as if to say "Good job for managing the Opera Ghost!".

Only Desiree knew how badly she performed in that department. She grimaced again, thinking that all her plans to ensure a happing ending for him might be foiled now. How will she convince him, when he would not even see her? She had left a note for him in the usual spot saying that she will be waiting for him in the box 5 but it was almost dinnertime, and there was no sign of Erik. No whooshing shadows, no extinguished candles, no strange drafts and no smell of candles and leather. Despite her hunger, Desiree's mind began to bubble with various thoughts. Was he avoiding her? Is he feeling well? Has he not been eating enough? What if he fell ill?

Sharon whispered in her mind.. ('Maybe he's already dead? Hmm.. good for him, it beats his tragic life in the lair.."

Desiree stood up abruptly.

"Dammit! I need to look for him!"

**********

The underground corridor was silent. Desiree edged along the wall, an impromptu lamp in her hand. It seemed like ages ago that she followed Erik into the lair after meeting him for the first time. She remembered being so clumsy back then, so much so that ....

"Ouch!!!" Desiree cried out. She held the side of her face hit by a candleholder protruding from the wall. "That's gonna leave a goose egg right there..." she moaned. It seemed that after months of loitering around those underground halls, she was still as clumsy as ever. She thought that she heard quiet footfalls in the distance, but not sure of her ears, which were still ringing from the impact.