Captive Angel

12. Raoul De Chagney

I wake up on couch in Nadir’s living room. Everything in my life has gone wrong. Everything. My parents are dead-or that’s what they say about my dad. I was kidnapped. Now having to hide in a stranger’s apartment. What next?

Tears fall down my eyes. I don’t know what to do. My life is so-so messed up. Perhaps I just need some fresh air. I up from the couch, and get my boots on, since I slept in my clothes from the day before, there’s no use changing. I quietly tiptoe to the door. It creaks when I open it.

I walk down the hall on the second floor. Thankfully there are only four apartment rooms on each five floors of the building. I sit on one of the steps outside. The rising sun gives me some hope for a new day. The view is amazing. Orange, pink, yellow all in one part of the sky.

“Christine?” Turning towards the voice, Raoul De Chagney stands there in his running clothes. “Is it really you?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” I say, standing up. He looks tall and, well, very lean. 

“Where have you been? I mean, your father’s dead-”

“Dad’s not dead.” I angrily interrupt him. How can he think my father’s dead? There’s hope that he’s alive.

“I-I’m sorry for making you angry. Anyway changing the subject, how are you doing?”

I sigh, “I’m fine, Raoul. I’m staying here with my dad’s friend.” A poster hangs on a telephone pole that catches my eye. I walk a few feet to it.

                Soprano Auditions for the Opera Populaire 

 

“Sopranos needed, I suppose.” I say, after reading the poster.

“Are you going to do it?”

“Do what?” I question Raoul.

“Tryout, of course.” He answers. I give him a blank look. “Well, I come see you sometime tonight here. See ya!”

                                     ~~~~~

I told Nadir a few hours later that an “old friend” is coming. Of course Nadir asks:

“Who’s picking you up?”

“Raoul De Chagney.” I tell him.

“Well, have fun.” He gives a smile. Nadir’s more like a grandfather “Be careful. If Erik were here, he’d kill the boy by now.”

“Well, we’ll just have to hide Raoul when we find Erik.” I leave Nadir’s apartment with overwhelming happiness. Finally, a childhood friend I feel at home with. No more being captive to Erik. No marriage for me. Life’s been good to me for the last day.

“Hey, I thought you might like going to the Opera House  after supper.” Raoul says getting out of his car when I walk out of the apartment. The opera house doesn’t sound like a bad idea so I agree.

“Did you know Meg has been in the hospital?” Raoul asks driving.

“Uh-Yeah.” Because he asked my answer sounds uncertain. Like I know something he doesn’t. I hope he didn’t notice.

“Well, I heard her mother had taken a job at the Opera House as the head ballet mistress.” He adds. “I suppose she can’t afford the bills for Meg’s injury.”

“Don’t say anything bad about Mrs. Giry.” I tell him.

“Fine.”

We get to the Opera House after a French candlelight dinner for Faust. I had never heard such music in my life. The orchestra sounded marvelous! Then it hit me… a feeling that I only felt when Erik was by my side. He would’ve loved this place.

“Christine?”

“What?” I say when Raoul whispers.

“You seemed to have had a turn.”

“Oh, sorry, I was just thinking about the past.” I say.