Love will still remain

Chapter 9

Erik's POV

It's now morning and we still haven't found Gwen. I have people searching all over Coney Island for both Gwen and meg, who disappeared. I had a strange feeling that the two might be together, but something was telling me that wasn't the case. I also sent men to New York City to search there. It made me feel weak even thinking that she might not be on Coney any more, although when we checked the hotel room all her stuff was gone. Curiously Christine's stuff was packed as well. Lal of this was just to much. I was wandering around the theater, praying that she'll just come running through the door and into my arms. I just want my wandering child back under my protective gaze. I can't bear to lose her, not after losing my angel. I choked on tears as one of my assistants burst into the theater.

"Monsieur! A letter from Paris just arrived for you! It's urgent!" In a matter of seconds I had bounded to my assistant and grabbed the letter tearing it open.

Erik,
Unfortunately Gwen witnessed her mothers passing last night and was so scared she stowed away on the ferry back to Paris. She is safe at home with me, however there is a detail to the murder she has wrong. Please come as soon as possible so we can sort this out. I'm concerned about gwen, she hasn't moved or eaten. I'll inform you more when you come.

Raoul the vicomte de Changny

I breathe a sigh of relief. Gwen isn't in danger, but she's still hurt. I run to get my cloak then tell my assistant I am going to Paris. I grab my bag then sprint to the dock.

It's evening by the time I reach Paris and I take a moment to look around and take it all in. I then quickly board a carriage and head through the streets of Paris to get my Gwen. All the while one thought spins through my head. What detail did Gwen get wrong about the murder? I'm sure it can't be to bad....

Gwen's POV

Once Raoul brought me home I cried into my pillow most the night. Raoul stayed with me for most of the ordeal, trying to get me to talk to him. I just shut him out. The one person who accepted me and understands me is dead. She was killed by my fathers hand. Mother was the only thing that kept me going. The only person who would tell me I'm beautiful when the world shunned me. Strangers always thought I was beautiful on the outside, until they saw my scars or listened to what I had to say. I didn't understand why people shunned me, and I didn't care as long as I had mother. But now I'm all alone. No one would understand me now. I know Raoul has changed, I can see it in his eyes. He loves me, and he will take care of me. This is why I told him about Erik killing mother. He seemed dazed when I said that and then went to his office to write a letter.

What about my real father? Will he come after me and kill me like he did mother? I shudder at the thought. I glance out my window to see that the sun has set, meaning I haven't moved for a day. I just sit staring at my ceiling trying to grasp onto one of the thoughts whizzing through my mind. I hear a knock at the door.

"Gwen? Sweetie please you have to come eat something." Raoul says sweetly.

"I'm not hungry." I mumble. I her him sigh.

"Can I come in?" He asks. I clear my throat and stand. I walk to The door and open it. He looks relived to see me up. I go stand at my window. "You know you can talk to me, right Gwen? I know I haven't been the best father but I do love you, and I want to help you." I just nod my head. I honestly didn't want to talk to him. He never understood me, and he probably never will. As I'm staring out the window a carriage reaches the house. I look to see who is coming to the house, and my eyes widen in fear. It's Erik. He looks so panicked as he quickly walks to the door. Oh god, has he come to kill me?! A maid comes to the door and whispers something to Raoul. He glances at me then leaves. As soon as the door is shut I raced to get my cloak. I silently open my door and creep down the stairs. Erik and Raoul are talking to one another in the den in hushed tones. What is going on?! Erik looked up and I quickly darted to the side. He could've seen me! Adrenaline set in as I raced to the back door and threw it open heading full speed to the stables where a horse was waiting. As I ran across the yard the back door slammed shut. Moments later both Erik and Raoul where sprinting towards me shouting my name. It was to late. I was already mounted and about to take off. I took one last look to find Erik right behind me reaching for the reins. I rode full speed ahead into the night. I knew exactly where I needed to go.

Erik's POV

I briskly walk to the door of the Vicomte's manor and am ushered inside by a maid. Raoul comes into the den with a stressed out look on his face.

"How is she?" I ask shakily.

"She finally got up, but is only staring out the window. I'm sure she's just mourning." He says reassuringly. "However there is just one problem." I looked up and raised my eyebrows in a questioning manor. he took a shaky breath. "Well, Gwen didn't exactly see who shot Christine. All she saw was you standing over her dying mother with a gun shot wound." He said slowly.

"What are you saying..." I ask carefully.

"Gwen thinks that you murdered Christine." He says and my heart sinks to the floor and shatters. My own daughter believes that I am the one who killed the love of my life. I stare at the floor, but I thought I heard something. Like the sound of someone trying to sneak away from trouble. I look up to see part of a blue cloak that quickly disappears from view. I brush it off until I hear a door slam. Raoul and I both look at each other before sprinting out to the back door, only to find Gwen mounting a horse. We both shout her name and beg her to stop, all the while I ran as fast and hard as I can towards her. I'm almost to her, the reins are so close, but before I can get control of the horse she breaks into a full on run, her cloak swirling behind her.

I scream her name again as I jump bear back on to the nearest horse. "Stay here in case she comes back." I command Raoul before going full speed ahead to find my daughter. I lost her for a minute, but after thinking about it, I knew exactly where she was headed. I turned my horse down an ally way and my destination came into view. I never thought I would come back here. I was at home, the opera Populaire.