Her Innocence || Phantom of the Opera

Chapter Thirteen

Christine POV:

"Erik?" I whispered. The man's back stiffened under the cloak. I watched carefully as the hidden face was slowly revealed as his long fingers drew away the guised hood. Underneath, as I had predicted, was the phantom himself.

"What are you doing here!?" I asked in astonishment. If anyone had seen him...

He didn't respond, nor look at me. We sat quietly for a long while. Finally one of the black horses neighed, snapping me out of the silence. "Erik," I started, "why are you here? How did you know I was here? What if someone had recognized you?" Erik sighed from his seat.

"I had to see you, Christine. I hoped that you had wanted to see me-" he stopped short, realising what he was saying. I glanced around the openness of outside, making sure no one had recognized us. The only person I saw was an older man, and though a far block away, he made me unsure.

"Let's go inside," I suggested. Erik simply nodded, jumping from the carriage in one quick movement. I descended gradually, with the help of his hand, and slowly followed him up the front steps of the Opera Populaire. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large, rusted key which he used to unlock the wooden doors. Looking behind me, I snuck into the darkened entrance and Erik shut the doors behind us.

A few lights had been lit, so I could make out most of the shadowed wall decors and outlined statues. I stopped in the middle of the grand entrance and turned to look at Erik who was still at the doors.

"I've been wondering, Erik," I softened my voice at his name, "when you plan on making me sing?" His brows scrunched together.

"Didn't you get the invite?" My eyes widened. Of course! He was the one who planned my night at the Palais Garnier, he was behind it all. Somehow, I felt a little depressed; the managers hadn't willingly chose me to be an act on the opening night-- they had been influenced by the phantom.

Suddenly, a sharp pain encircled me and I bent over in agony. I quietly gasped, and fell to my knees. Erik was by my side in an instant, asking what was wrong. I tried to speak, but because of the unbearable throbbing near my waist, my words only came out in teeth clenching moans. I placed my hands on the cool marble ground under me, balancing myself so I didn't fall backwards. Erik, obviously concerned, grabbed one of my shoulders. "The child," he whispered, not a question.

A tear slid down my cheek as I answered to the best of my ability, "You know?" He only looked down on me.

Again, I cried out in pain. I tried to scuffle my sobs into my dress, but the large room only illuminated my cries. Erik kneeled next to me, now holding both shoulders in comfort. I needed help, and soon.

"Get Raoul," I sobbed out before blackness enclosed all around.