Deception

Chapter Three-Forwardto Time Past

Erik was overjoyed to finally be alone with his angel. Christine was unaware of him driving the carriage hat would soon deposit her at the gate of the small graveyard in which her father was buried. She ad been meaning to retreat from the opera for some time now, and Erik swore to the demonic soul that inhabited his body that he would not leave her to her precint, Raoul. Oh just to think his name sent a surge of rage and hae through his limbs. His charming smile, that perfec face, and of all things, his boish character. That in itself was enough to send Raoul to his place below ground, in a six by ten ox that would rot within the decade. Oh how e longed just to feel Raoul squirm as he choed the life out of him.. Oh how he longed for that. Just as he longed for other things...like his mother's loving embrace.

'No, I won't be brought back to that horrific nightmare that was my lonely childhood. That won't enter mthe darkest most vulnerable corner of my mind!' is inner voice screamed at him through the images f dark night closing in on him, the rope hanging from his neck, and he cold voice of the gypsy as he shrieked "Come, Come inside. Come and see the Devil's Child!"

Before he knew what was happening, Christine had already slipped coins ino his sack that was used for payment, and disappeared behind the silver wrought iron gates of the cemetery. Her sweet voice filled the air as she began singing to her father, hoping beyond hope that hr words would break the barrier between heaven and earth just so e would know she was there…It was beautiful, all of it. He let himself be known after her song was through.

Wandering child,
So lost, so helpless
Yearning for my guidance

Angel or father?
Friend or phantom?
Who is it there, staring?

Have you forgotten your Angel?

Angel, oh, speak
What endless longings
Echo in this whisper!

Too long you've wandered in winter
Far from my fathering gaze...

Wildly my mind beats against you...

You resist...

Yet your/the soul obeys...

Angel of Music,
You/I denied me/you!
Turning from true beauty!
Angel of Music!
Do not shun me/My protecter!
Come to your/me strange Angel...

I am your Angel of Music...
Come to me; Angel of Music...

No, Christine, wait!
Wait!

Raoul!

Whatever you may(Draws sword) believe,
this man - this thing - is not your father!

As te swordfight began, Christine was keeping a safe distance from the two men who now ought over her. 'What a silly thing love, men can lose from it, and men can gain from it. What will be the outcome?'

Raoul was stabbed as Erik lunged forward, but in the end, the swod landed on him…

"No Raoul, not like this…" He quickly sheathed his sword, took hold of Christine's arm, and led her tohis horse. As a ast warning to them both, Erik rose onto his knees then to full height, and very softly growled "Now, let it be war upon you both!"

Back at the opera house, Firmin was scurrying around searching for the ballet mistress. "Andre, have you seen her? She disappears just about as frequently as that blasted daae girl!"

"To be honest, I haven't heard or seen her in the past dy or so. Ever since her daughter was attacked, she's kept herself hidden. Honestly Firmin, she seems more mysterious than the opera ghost himself!" He was silenced by a raging Monsieur Reyer. "Where is she! Even Carlotta showed upon time, and now Antoinette is late? What is going on! Openingg night for Don Juan Triumphant isn't thatfar away! Where-"

"Oh do shut up, you ld fool!" Firmin had had enouth mysterious isappearances for one season, or rather one lifetime. "We don't know where the blasted woman is, and nor do I want to know wher Daae is either!"

The noise traveled to the farthest corners of the opera, whereas half of the usual managers' squabbles were kept quiet. In her chambers, Antoinette awoke to blurred vision, and was lying on a bed rather than he awkward position Erik had left her in two days prior.

"re you alright?" A voice from far off asked. "Wh-Who are you, Monsieur?" Her attempt to sit up was denied as a hand reached her shoulder and eased her back down. "You had a nervous breakdown. I am sorry for what he did to you…" This time, the voice was filled with sorrow and regret. "Yu know him then? Erik, I mean?" The answer was just a light nod This man was apparently someone from Erik's past..Who else would know about him, and how did he know about her attack?

"I know the question that lingers on your mind, Madame. I should have introduced myself properly. My apologies, I am Erik's brother Gabriel."