Your Voice

Chapter 15

Hey guys! Thanks for 700 reads! Sorry I haven't been updating recently. Enjoy!

Christine

"Dear, I'm going to be next door with Gustave," I whisper, stepping into slippers. In reply, a sleepy Erik nods with his eyes closed. The hallway is dimmed and quiet, except for the muffled chit chat and clinking of glasses farther down. Quietly, I open the door and peer in.

Instead of finding him in his bed - which I find untouched - he is sitting beside the window, where the moonlight is pouring in.

"Gustave, darling, is everything alright?" I start towards him.

"Oh, hello, mother. I'll go to bed now," Sensing he is supposed to be asleep, he gets up.

"No, no, Gustave, it's alright. What's wrong?" He sits back down and continues peering out of the window.

"Mummy, what's Monsieur de Chagny doing here?" In my mind, I had imagined that Erik would be beside me when I had to explain everything fully.

"Darling," I go on my knees, "you can call him Raoul. He's here because he is- he is running from the police."

"So we're doing something illegal?" I bite my lip.

"Yes, Gustave. But." I grab a chair and sit facing him. "Let me tell you something." I take his hands and a deep breath. "When we were children, Raoul and I were very close. He took care of me when my father died. In return, I saved him from being hanged. Because of that, we now have to run to London. Gustave, this is what love can do. I don't love him as I love your father, but I still care for him. Do you understand?" Gustave nods slowly.

"But why was he my papa before and not now? How is it that you two were married and he is not my real father?" Bursting into tears, Gustave embraces me.

"I'm so sorry," I caress him. Being so caught up with theatre business and other things has really drawn my attention from my son's well being. Not only is he forced to leave his home and friends because of us, he is left in the dark, he can't understand the mess he's caught up in.

Wandering child

So lost, so helpless

Yearning for my guidance

A gentle voice sings from the door. Erik stands, a ghostly shadow in the doorway.

"What's going on?" he asks groggily.

"Nothing, dear," I look at Gustave. "We'll have a chat soon, alright?" He nods, rubbing his eyes. I kiss his forehead and tuck him into bed. "I love you," I whisper. He rolls over and I start towards the door.

"Why was he up?" Erik inquires after I shut the door behind me. Remaining silent, we go into our room. I take in a heavy breath in as I sit on the bed.

"He's confused, he's only a boy, he has no idea what's going on." Like a dead corpse, he remains stiff and quiet. "Erik," I take his hand, "I know how new this parenting thing must be to you, but don't worry, I'm here," I stand up on my tiptoes, looking into his eyes, "we'll talk to him together, okay?" Slowly, he begins to loosen up. "Okay."

Erik

"Hurry, Raoul," I growl at the hobbling cloaked figure as I pick up the suitcases and rush off the boat, pulling Christine and Gustave behind me. We are a few of the last to get off the ship, so we managed to exit without having to squeeze through the crowd, most of who were already rushing off to greet waving people in the distance. The sky is gray - a light drizzle falls on the city - and an icy breeze runs through me. Pulling my cloak closer around me, I lead my family (and Raoul) through a maze of bustling people to an area where carriages were waiting.