The Phantom's Daughter (Book 2)

Back Together Again

When Elise arrived at the rehearsal space, she found Meg and her back up dancers practicing the number they would be performing the following night, while Madame Giry watched on.
Once the choreographer allowed Meg to take a break, Elise prepared to come down from her hiding place on the rails by the ceiling, to warn her about Christine's arrival.
But she was too late, because a few moments later Christine entered the room with her son at her side. Elise thought they were alone, but it wasn't long before they were joined by Raoul.
She knew that Raoul had spent most of the following day in the bar, which explained his disheveled appearance.
Christine made her way over to Meg, and neither of them recognised each other at first. But it wasn't long before each of them realised who stood in front of them.

"Meg, is that really you?" Questioned Christine.
"It is. Oh Christine, I can't believe you're here. You look so beautiful and regal" complimented Meg.
Elise couldn't disagree with Meg, as although Meg was very pretty, Christine was on another level.
"And you as well, I could hardly tell that it was you" admitted Christine.
"It's so good to see you after all these years... You're a mother and a wife now" replied Meg.
"I am. And you're a star. I saw the posters all over the island, but I didn't realise it was you"
"I guess you're here to see the sights. I can't believe Phantasma has brought you all the way here from Paris"
"I'm not just here to see the sights, I'm here to sing tomorrow night. But it is also a treat for my son. Gustave, come and meet my old friend Meg".
Christine ushered her son towards her and began introducing him to Meg.

Elise had noticed Meg's face drop when Christine revealed that she was here to sing. Meg thought she was the star, and she now realised that Christine had come to steal her thunder.
Because she felt sorry for Meg, Elise felt unable to eavesdrop on her and Christine any longer. So Elise turned her attention to Madame Giry and Raoul, who was also getting re-acquainted.
"What are you doing here?" Demanded Madame Giry, who Elise could tell didn't want Christine to outshine Meg.
"Christine is set to perform here tomorrow night. She was requested by this illusive Mr Y. The contract is right here" revealed Raoul as he brought out a document from his pocket.
"Oh my God. The price" gasped Madame Giry, when she read the contract.
Elise bit her lip, as she knew that her father had promised Christine a very large sum of money, in order to get her to come to Coney Island.

"Yes, it is rather high. But inform your boss, that unless he doubles the price, the three of us will leave" announced Raoul.
"I'm sure there is no price that the boss won't pay to keep you here" replied Madame Giry coldy.
"Oh yes, and who is this mysterious boss of yours, who've I've yet to meet?" Asked Raoul.
"It's him".
Elise's jaw dropped, as Madame Giry revealed the secret she had kept for the past 10 years.
"Him?" Questioned Raoul.
"That's what I said" answered Madame Giry.
"You work for him?"
"Yes, and now, so do you"
"I don't believe this... Is Elise here too?"
"Yes. They both live here".

Raoul looked over at Christine, "What will I tell my poor wife. We both thought that they were dead. This news will destroy her".
"Unless she already knew that they were here" suggested Madame Giry.
Raoul frowned and marched over to Christine, grabbing hold of her arm.
"Darling, please, not so tight" begged Christine.
Elise stiffened, angry at the way Raoul was treating Christine.
In the corner of her eye she saw her father's trio arrive, and escourt Gustave from the room.
"Don't play games with me. Who was the creator of the stupid song you are supposed to sing tomorrow? Who dragged us both here? What is the real reason you insisted that we came?" Demanded Raoul.
"I don't know what you're talking about" mumbled Christine unconvincingly.

"I don't believe you!" Spat Raoul.
"Look, sweetheart, why don't we go back to the room and discuss this there" suggested Christine.
"Fine"
"Gustave, let's go- Gustave. Gustave! Where is he?"
"Must we always be chasing after the boy. I promise you that when I find him-"
"No! I'll look for him. Why don't you go and wait for us in the room?"
"I'm going to get a drink. Come and find me, once you've caught him".
Raoul marched out the room, and Christine and Meg headed off in the other direction to search for Gustave.
Since Elise had seen Gustave being taken, she had a pretty good idea of where he was headed.
Elise knew all the secret passages around Phantasma, so she knew she could get to her father's office before anyone else.

After fading into the darkness like a shadow, Elise made her way to Erik's office.
"Why have you summoned Christine's son to you?" She questioned.
"Nice to see you too" replied Erik.
"Well? Christine is worried about him, so why have you kidnapped him" Demanded Elise.
"I haven't kidnapped anyone. I met the boy last night, and he expressed an interest in seeing the island. And since I am the mastermind behind this place, I thought I would take it upon myself to show him around"
"That's very generous of you"
"Feel free to stay and meet him if you like"
"Oh, I will".

Gustave was brought in moments later, by the circus crew, who exited the room, leaving them alone.
"It is good to see you again" admitted Erik.
"You too" replied Gustave politely.
"Forgive me, this is my daughter; Miss Y" introduced Erik.
"But most people just call me Elise. I'm an old friend of your mother's" revealed Elise.
"I am Gustave, it's very nice to meet you" announced Gustave.
"Yes, I know who you are. And it's nice to see you as well" replied Elise.
Gustave turned back to Erik, "Are you going to show me the island?".
"Yes. But just give me one minute to finish my paperwork" replied Erik, as he pointed to the papers on his desk.

Gustave wandered over to Erik's grand piano in the centre of the room, and placed his fingers on the ivory keys.
"May I?" He asked.
"Does the young Vicomte play?" Questioned Erik curiously.
Eager to impress, Gustave sat down on the stall and began to play.
Elise frowned and Erik got up from his seat, when they recognised the song Gustave was playing.
It was not a real song, as it had never been performed before, so they were both confused as to where he had heard it from.
It was a simple melody that floated around Elise's head, and she knew her father could hear it too, as he often played it, and she frequently found herself humming the tune.
Gustave was playing it so perfectly, that Elise assumed he must be some kind of child prodigy.

"What is that you're playing?  Enquired Erik.
"It's just a song in my head. I don't know where it comes from" revealed Gustave.
Erik frowned and ran his fingers through the hair on his wig.
"How- how old are you boy?" He asked.
"I'm 10" announced Gustave.
Erik gasped and stepped back from the piano in fear.
Elise too, was beginning to put the pieces together. But when she reached the conclusion, she couldn't quite believe it.
Erik and Christine had spent one night together, 10 years earlier. So Elise was thinking that there was a possibility that Gustave could have come from that event, and not be Raoul's son at all.