| ~ Chapter 4 ~ |
| As the weeks passed by, Nadir did his best to comfort his old friend. He saw to Erik�s basic needs, making sure that the former Phantom ate and slept. He also desperately tried to engage him in minor activities such as a game of chess or a philosophical chat, but Erik kept to himself, hardly uttering a word and refusing to partake in any pleasantries. As a last resort, Nadir began to read aloud the Parisian paper, L�Epoque, each evening. He even made ridiculous attempts to act out the various bits of gossip found in the society columns. But Erik gave no hint of being affected by any of the sensational news of the times. He merely stared out Nadir�s little window and absently petted Ayesha, who attended him constantly. Nadir was at his wit�s end as he watched Erik wither away before his eyes. It unnerved him to think that so magnificent a man should perish because of the fickle fancies of a foolish young woman, and he tried in vain to turn Erik from his malaise. But the Phantom would not respond to his angry outbursts or heartrending supplications, so Nadir decided that he would have to take matters into his own hands. He would find out where Christine had flown to, and he would prove to Erik that she had moved on with her life and so should he. Perhaps it was cruel, but anything was better than the pain of watching Erik deteriorate further each day, lost in the gloom of not knowing why Christine had gone away. It was a pleasant afternoon, another day in which Erik had refused to interact with him, when the Daroga left his flat and moved purposefully in the direction of the Paris Opera House. A sign was posted over the door, �Closed for Renovation,� but Nadir could hear the sounds of a rehearsal from within. He cautiously opened the door and followed the music. He did not know with whom he should speak, but he did hope that he would find someone who could give him some answers. As he moved through the Opera House, Nadir found that the music was guiding him to the theatre itself. He removed his hat and tentatively pressed on. He entered the darkened theatre and walked down to the dimly lit stage. A tiny woman dressed all in black was leading a dance rehearsal. Her young charges skittered about her, doing their best to learn their steps and meet her expectations. They all noted Nadir when he came into the theatre, and Madame Giry turned to eye him warily. She waved a hand to the pianist to continue with the rehearsal, then she moved down the stage to meet with the Daroga. She gave him a skeptical look that nearly froze him in his tracks, but he knew that in order to save Erik, he had to speak with her. �Madame Giry,� he said with a bow. �Monsieur,� she responded with a brief curtsey. An uncomfortable silence lapsed between them as Nadir struggled to find a proper way to inquire about Christine. �I have seen you at the Opera before,� Madame Giry remarked, giving Nadir a perfect opening. �Ah, yes,� Nadir stammered. �I come to the theatre when I can.� He wondered suddenly if she had ever seen him skulking about backstage when he had first come to the Opera House, looking for Erik. Was it possible she knew more of his bumbling investigations than he dared to admit? Nadir sighed uncomfortably and wiped a hand across his brow, wondering how he managed to find himself in such odd situations. �I am here on behalf of a friend,� he said carefully, �an admirer�of the diva, Christine Daae.� �Indeed?� the ballet mistress said thoughtfully, which Nadir took to be an inclination that he might press on. �Have you had any word from her?� he asked. �That is, do you think she will be performing again?� At this, a young lady from the line of dancers stepped forward. Her golden locks were coiffed in curls down her back, and Nadir could see that she resembled the elder Giry in face and form. �I�ve had word of Christine!� she said excitedly. �Meg!� Madame Giry scolded. �We do not want to encourage gossip.� �But the letter said that Christine and the Vicomte were going to attend our opening night!� the young girl protested with a pout. �Is this true?� Nadir asked hastily. Madame Giry looked ruffled, but she nodded her head. �We�ve received word from the Vicomte de Chagny. He and Mlle. Daae will be in attendance the opening night of Faust.� �Ooh!� the young dancer squealed. �Maybe Christine will ask me to be in the wedding!� �Meg!� the elder woman chided. �Enough of this nonsense! Go back to your rehearsal!� �Yes, Mama,� Meg said, her eyes downcast. She looked up to regard Nadir with a smile and performed a quick curtsey before flying back into the line of dancers. �Is it true that the Vicomte and Miss Daae are to be wed?� Nadir asked politely. �So it would seem,� Madame Giry sighed. �However, one can�t always believe what ones reads in L�Epoque.� Nadir suddenly froze. �Do you mean their nuptials have been posted in the paper?� �Yes,� the woman said, and her eyes held a strange sadness with this proclamation. A sense of dread swept over Nadir as he envisioned Erik reading the evening paper. �Merci beaucoup, Madame,� he said with a quick bow. �Please excuse me, but I must take my leave.� �Of course,� Madame Giry replied, and she gave the Daroga a deep curtsey. Nadir hurried home like a man on fire. He whispered prayers to Allah that Erik would still be listlessly looking out the window, that he wouldn�t think to show any interest in the evening paper. Nadir fumbled with his keys as he approached his flat, and quickly opened the door. As he had hoped, Erik sat quietly in front of the window, his back to the door. Nadir sighed with relief and approached his friend with a gentle step. As he drew closer, though, he could see L�Epoque folded on the table beside the Phantom. There in bold letters, marked the forthcoming marriage of Christine Daae and the Vicomte de Chagny. �Erik�� Nadir sighed uneasily. He moved about the chair to face his friend, but Erik seemed as still as a statue. �Why would she flaunt this before me?� the Phantom said at last, his voice strained with grief. �I can�t imagine,� Nadir answered earnestly. �Does she wish to kill me?� Erik asked miserably. He stood up and began to pace, hoping to rid himself of his mounting anxiety. It was the first sign of passion that Nadir had seen his friend express since Christine�s departure, and he worried that Erik might do himself harm. Nadir cautiously moved to the small table that held his favorite bottle of spirits, and poured them both a glass of brandy. �Why doesn�t she simply marry him and be done with it?� the Phantom cried in frustration. The Daroga shook his head and silently offered his friend a glass of brandy. Erik downed the liquor with a swift motion then continued to pace about Nadir�s flat like a caged beast. �It doesn�t make sense!� he raged. �Why would she run off with him only to painfully extend the engagement even further? And to host the event at the Opera House � of all places! They�re practically flirting with disaster!� Nadir sighed in agreement and sank down onto the sofa. Erik took a deep breath and tried to organize his thoughts. This brash announcement did not seem like Christine at all. In fact, it was most likely the Vicomte�s doing. But why the big display? Erik shook his head � that was easily answerable. The rich were prone to such vulgar displays of their wealth and power. It also usually insinuated a lack of something, but what could the Vicomte possibly be missing? He had Christine.... or did he? Erik purposefully slowed his steps and held onto this new line of thinking. Was the Vicomte trying to force Christine into marrying him? But why would he need to do that if she had flown into his arms in the first place? There was something out of place, Erik decided, like a puzzle missing its most prominent piece. And that missing piece represented a myriad of possibilities. He had to fill the gap somehow. Suddenly, an idea took hold of him, a strange, almost insane plan that he could not shake from his mind. He turned and moved towards Nadir so quickly that the Daroga nearly jumped with surprise. �Nadir, I want you to do something for me,� he said. �Anything,� the Persian agreed, then he silently cursed himself for answering too quickly. Nadir was afraid of what favor the Phantom might ask of him, yet he could not deny that he was relieved to see Erik up and about again. �I know you have done so much for me already, but I have one last request to make of you.� Erik moved to the Daroga�s desk and began to rifle through some papers, looking for a clean sheet. At last he found what he sought, and he bent over the paper, scribbling down three simple words. When he was finished, he blew on the paper and handed it to his friend. Nadir gulped, fearful that he was getting more than he bargained for. He cautiously looked at the note and read the Phantom�s words. There in bold letters was written, �Erik is dead.� �This is preposterous!� Nadir sputtered. �What are trying to do � kill me?� �No, no,� Erik sighed. �I simply need to resolve this chapter of my life, Nadir. Consider it a test, if you will.� �A test?� Nadir nearly shrieked. �If you post this message in L�Epoque, Christine will read it,� the Phantom reasoned. �And when she comes to the Opera to announce her engagement, I will know from her demeanor if she cared for me at all.� Nadir shook his head in disbelief. He simply could not believe Erik�s line of thinking! �I don't see how this can help matters,� he groaned. �How could you�..why would you want to see her when she has treated you so cruelly?� �I don�t know,� Erik said softly. �I suppose if she comes the Opera with a smile on her lips, then I will know she was toying with me. I will know her heart has been cold to me the entire time. Perhaps then I will be able to get on with my life.� Nadir sighed. It hurt him unbearably to watch Erik suffer at Christine�s hands. But perhaps the Phantom�s unusual ploy would free him from the bonds of a broken heart. It might also serve as a small amount of justice to the fickle Miss Daae. �I�m not sure this is a good idea at all,� the Daroga hedged. �But I will do it.� * * * * * Raoul de Chagny read the obituary notice with great satisfaction. �The Opera Ghost is finally dead,� he smirked. He folded the paper and laid it on his nightstand. He simply could not keep the smile from his face. Christine and he had suffered so much violence because of the Phantom. Now they were finally free of him! Impulsively, the Vicomte pulled his robe about his shoulders and left his bedchamber, moving boldly in the direction of Christine�s room. He would not share this news with her now, but he felt so joyous that he merely wanted to bask in that feeling with her. When he reached her room, he found that she was asleep. She looked so beautiful that he wanted to wake her with a kiss, but something held him back. She had been so despondent for the past few weeks, so vague and withdrawn. At least she was no longer fighting the doctor and his method of treatment, but neither did she seem to be quite herself. The doctor had assured Raoul that this was a normal reaction to the �process,� and that she should be back to normal in a few more weeks. �Will she be well in time for the wedding?� Raoul had asked. �I believe so,� the doctor concurred. It was on this advice that Raoul had written to the managers of the Opera House, informing them that he intended to visit the Opera with Christine by his side. He wanted to arrange a surprise party for her and utilize the place to celebrate their forthcoming nuptials. The managers had readily agreed, especially when Raoul told them to spare no expense. He would take care of everything. Of course, he wondered if such a party would bring forth the Phantom of the Opera, but no one had seen or heard of the ghost in weeks. With L�Epoque marking his death, it seemed as if they were finally free of the fearsome specter. Christine stirred in her sleep, bringing Raoul back to the moment at hand. She looked so breathtakingly lovely. Could he be so bold as to steal a kiss? On impulse, he knelt down at her bedside and gently kissed her. Christine carefully opened her eyes and surveyed the man before her. At first she had thought it was Erik, waking her from the nightmare of her existence (lately, her dreams had been tempting her with such visions), but alas, it was Raoul. She sighed and tried to turn from him, feigning sleep. �Christine,� he whispered, he voice filled with longing. She fought hard to keep her breathing steady. It had taken her weeks to realize that she needed to play along with their dreadful game until she could escape. She had only just been released from her restraints, as she had finally pleased the doctor with her �progress.� If she could keep up the ruse a bit longer, she might be able to find an opportunity to get away. With this thought in mind, she turned back to Raoul and opened her eyes. It was so hard to look at him without condemning him for what he had done to her, but she managed to maintain her fa�ade. �Mon ami,� she breathed. �Christine!� he cried, snatching her hand in his own. �How are you feeling?� �Better,� she lied. �I have been so worried about you!� he nearly sobbed. �You cannot imagine how good it is to hear your sweet voice once again!� Christine looked at him and screamed inwardly, �Did you not hear my pleas and protestations?� But of course, she knew that Raoul had never really listened to her. He would only hear what he wanted to hear. �I fear my voice is thick with the taste of laudanum,� she said weakly. �I know, my sweet,� he said, kissing he hand, �but the doctor said it was a necessary element to your treatment.� �I know,� she responded, trying to look meek. �I realize that I have been quite hysterical.� Raoul smiled, so pleased to hear that she had recognized her outlandish behavior. �But you have been making progress, Christine. Dr. Ratierre said you should be good as new in a few weeks.� �I hope he is right,� Christine said with a sigh. �I�m sure he is, darling!� Raoul exclaimed. �Why, look at you now!� �Do you really think me well?� Christine asked. �I don�t want to be a disappointment.� �Oh, Christine,� Raoul was overcome. �You have made me so very happy!� Impulsively, he took her in his arms and kissed her. Christine fought the revulsion that rose in her throat and tried to respond with a demure kiss. Raoul tried to press her further, but she shyly turned her cheek and hugged him about the waist, burying her face in his shoulder. She felt him tense for a moment, then relax a bit, as he began to caress her lustrous curls. �It�s all right,� he said, drinking in the scent of her. �You have come back to me.� ~ Chapter 5 ~ Back |