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Forget Me Not	By : spikesbint Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > AU/AR Views: 12354 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Indiscretions

Chapter 13

Erik returned sometime later, giving Christine plenty of time to get her own plans in order. After asking his housekeeper as to Christine’s whereabouts, he found her in his private sitting room. It gave him pleasure to think that she had possibly chosen the room as a way of being close to him while he had been away.

Although she had had little time to explore the large house, his sitting room was the one room in which she felt most comfortable. It was filled with little snippets of a life well lived. Half-finished scores and sketches lay scattered across the top of the piano. The room had the feel of many contented hours spent within. Earlier she had traced her fingers over the ivory keys as she had imagined his skilful hands drawing music out of the fine instrument. He seemed to demand the best from whatever he invested himself.

Most of the books that lined the shelves were in French. Although she had noticed some English ones, but she had skimmed over those. While she had been waiting for his return she had been tempted by a slim volume of quotes by Voltaire. She was soon laughing quietly under her breath. When he entered the room, she looked up from the book with a welcoming smile.

Erik’s eyes went to the book she was reading. He smiled in understanding.

“I see you found the Voltaire and the French version. I have I not told you…the only way you are going to learn proper English is to read it as well as speak it,” he reprimanded her gently.

“Voltaire was fond of the English,” She stated.

“And so you will learn to be,”

“Spoken like a true Frenchman!” she returned. “Oh I like him…listen to this….All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.”

Erik arched an eyebrow at her. “That is a matter of opinion,” he said, trying to keep his face straight at her look of outrage. He took the book from her resisting fingers. “If you want to read Voltaire, there is a perfectly good copy of the same book, in English,”

“You are mean,” she pouted.

Erik took her hand and pulled her up out of the armchair she was sitting in. He pulled her against him. “I could punish you for going against my instructions…. however Voltaire also said it is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce…”

His eyes lit up with playful sensuality and Christine felt her mouth go dry. However, she was frustrated, when he walked past her and sat down in the chair from which he had just removed her.

“By the way, you were sitting in my chair,”

“Oh, how ungallant of you!” She cried.

Erik just smiled and pulled her down to sit on his lap. “Have I ever claimed to be otherwise Christine? Besides the chair is big enough for two…”

He leaned in closer to kiss her. His breath, sweet and warm as his lips touched hers in the lightest of kisses. They were both surprised as they were suddenly aware that they were no longer alone. Christine pulled away from him, bright colour staining her cheeks. She turned around to see Patty watching them with a slight look of disapproval on her face, her thick arms folded over her ample bosom.

“I did knock, but I would say that no one was in a mind to listen,” She rolled her eyes.

Christine tried to struggle free from Erik’s grasp, but the more she did so, the tighter he held her. She noticed with irritation the smile that was growing at the corners of Patty’s mouth as she watched them both.

“What is it Patty?” asked Erik.

“Dinner is ready. It has been for some time and unless you want the inconvenience of hiring another cook…I suggest you both come to the dining room,”

She huffed out of the door, leaving Christine to look back at him. A big smile spread across her face.

“Well that told you. Someone needs to!” She smirked, as he finally released her. Christine cried out in surprise as he slapped her rear, before she got out of his reach.

“One of these days woman, I will put you over my knee and give you the spanking you deserve,” he growled as he followed her out of the room.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Night fell and dusk turned into evening. After dinner, they had returned to the sitting room and had sat together in comfortable companionship. The room was softly lit from the gas lamps on the walls and the fire in the hearth, gave the room a feeling of warm intimacy. Erik had insisted that she read to him in English. It had not been easy, but she had managed to stumble over most of the words and Erik had rewarded her with a thorough kissing. Her hair had all, but escaped its pins, but the benefits had been worth it.

When the clock struck ten, Christine got up from his lap. She stretched and feigned a yawn.

“I am so tired and I can feel a slight headache coming on. Would you forgive me for retiring early?”

Erik was a little surprised. He had thought she might want to be there to see him off with Tom. He hid his disappointment well. He got up from the chair and kissed her hand.

“Very well, you get some rest. I promise you that in the morning when you awake, Meg will be there in the next room,”

He knew it was a bold promise, but he would move heaven and earth, or even five points to achieve it. Angelique was the closest thing he had ever had to family. He was not about to allow her daughter to come to serious harm. If the unthinkable had happened…well he did not want to think about the unthinkable, then those responsible would pay with their lives. He had not killed since the night of his opera, but he was sure that given the right motivation he could do so again.

“Thank you,” she replied. “Erik, please be careful. If anything happened to you, I could not bear it. I already lost you once,” she replied.

“I know how that feels,” he said too softly to be heard. “Besides you did not lose me. To do so would have been a matter of great carelessness on your part,” he teased.

Christine knew he was trying to make light of the situation to soothe her troubled mind, but she was having none of it.

“Please….this is no laughing matter! Meg’s life is a stake as well as your own,”

“This is why I can rest easy, knowing you are safe back here at the house. I have to get changed, but I will call on you before I leave,”

Christine kissed him before she left the room. She closed the glass doors, and rested against them for a moment.

“Forgive me Erik, but as the bible says…where ever thou goest I goest, or something to that degree,” She whispered to herself, before continuing on her way.

Erik however, could not shake off the feeling that she was up to something. She had purposely avoided his gaze as they had said their goodbyes. Deciding he was suffering from an overactive imagination, he shook his head in self-derision as he too exited the room and set off to find Tom.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Once alone in her room, Christine quickly undressed, folding her clothes on the chair as she stripped to her undergarments. She turned up the gas lamp to study her pale face in the mirror. The fear in her eyes was mirrored in the glassy surface of the looking glass. She could quit this madness now and tuck herself up safely in her warm bed, but she was sick of playing it safe while others risked themselves. Was all Raoul’s training to come to naught? Surely, an occasion such as this would test those skills and maybe aid the recovery of her friend. She could not imagine Meg just sitting at home and waiting for news if the tables were turned!

Instead of brushing out her hair as she usually did before she retired, she attempted to muss it up. Satisfied that she looked like she had not seen a brush in at least a week, Christine went about retrieving the dress from under the bed.

Luckily the dress had few buttons, most of them having been lost. She glanced down to see that she was showing an almost indecent amount of bosom. Oh well there was nothing to be done about it now. She decided.

The clock on the mantle struck the half hour. Erik would be here at any moment. Christine quickly pulled the sleeping cap over her hair to hide it, turned down the gas lamp and hastily climbed into bed. She could hear the sounds of approaching footsteps outside her door. She buried herself deeper into the covers. There was a light knock on the door, before it opened.

When Erik opened the door, Christine had to suppress her gasp of surprise at his changed appearance. Gone were the elegant clothes that he normally wore. In their place was a dull mud coloured suit, which looked like it had seen better days. By the cut of it, she would say at a guess the previous owner had been a couple of inches shorter than he was. He wore a black domino mask like the one he had worn on stage before she had so cruelly ripped it off. She flushed with shame at the memory, glad that the dimness of the room hid the tide of colour, which she was sure, stained her cheeks.

Erik walked over to the bed and took her hand in his.

“How are you feeling? Any better?” he asked in concern.

She glanced away, unable to meet his eyes.

“A little, yes thank you,”

Erik noted the few stray strands of her tousled hair poking out from beneath her sleeping cap. He frowned. Normally she would comb it until it shone before retiring for the night. Something wasn’t right here. He moved to turn up the gas lamp and Christine felt the panic rising in her.

“Oh, no please do not turn the lights up. My eyes still hurt…”

Erik looked back at her. “Very well,” He glanced at the clock on the mantle. “I must go now. Tom is waiting for me downstairs.” He leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “Rest well; I will look in on you as soon as I return,”

“I love you,” she sighed as she watched him leave.

“I love you too,” he smiled, at her before he closed the door.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The moment the door was closed, Christine threw back the covers. There was little time to lose. She could already hear his fading footsteps. With a pistol tucked into the garter of her stocking and the other in her purse, she left the room and walked swiftly down the hall. Erik rarely missed anything, so she was glad she had donned her satin slippers, as they afforded her the silence she needed. The rich delicate slippers were hardly in keeping with the rest of her attire, but she prayed that no one would be looking at her feet.

Christine stopped on the last flight of steps. She could hear muted voices, recognising Erik and Tom in deep conversation. If she made a sound, they would be wise to her immediately, which was something she did most definitely not want! She leant over the banister of the iron railing and listened to their exchange.

She could see their heads bowed as she strained her ears. Christine saw Tom hand Erik two revolvers and then check his own weapons. Christine sagged in relief to know he would not be unarmed. She was not so naïve that she was unaware that he could kill just as effectively with his hands. Memories of Buquet hanging from a noose came to mind.

She felt the cold rush of air as the backdoor was opened and closed behind them. Christine ran down the remainder of the stairs and opened the door carefully, but she need not have worried as they were already striding down the road. Christine watched them until they turned the corner before following. It was easy to keep to the shadows of the poorly lit streets as she kept a reasonable distance. She did not even want to think of the consequences if she were to lose sight of them. A young woman, with only very Basic English could get herself into a lot of trouble in a big place like this.

Once or twice, Christine froze as Erik stopped and glanced behind him. As she hid, she was afraid he could see her, but the rest of her journey passed without incidence and she started to relax a little.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As Erik and Tom neared the area that five points was situated in, the adjoining neighbourhood streets were noticeably empty, as if an unspoken curfew had settled on the place. More as a means of self-preservation for the inhabitants, that lived on the outskirts than anything. The young officer of the previous day was hanging on the corner of Orange Street as arranged. He nodded to them in welcome.

“Any news?” asked Tom

“She is being held in brothel as we suspected. I got confirmation from a very reliable source. It is run by a couple who go by the names Frank and Josie McKinley. The woman is the real brains behind the operation and Frank is the muscle. That saying, they are feared around these parts and have a number of employees working for them,” The officer looked at the two men and smiled. “Don’t look so grim gentlemen. I come with plenty of reinforcements. There are at least ten armed plain clothed officers planted around the place,”

“Are we likely to meet with any resistance from the populace if things get nasty?” asked Erik.

Tom looked at Erik. “You are in my neighbourhood now, no one cares if the other lives or dies in this place,”

“Good, it simplifies things,” Erik replied coldly.

Christine heard the words Erik had spoken before they moved on. It was a side of him she had not seen in a long while. When he was like this, he frightened her. However, she loved him entire, for his darkness and his past. They made up the whole of the man she had fallen in love with. Besides, if they had harmed Meg in anyway she was not sure she would feel so charitable towards her aggressors. The three men moved on and turned the corner and Christine followed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Meg rubbed at the tender points of her newly freed wrists. She eyed Frank suspiciously, from where she sat on the floor. He passed her a bowl of foul looking stew. However she was so hungry, she had had nothing but water for almost three days. She was sure it had been done to weaken her spirit. Meg spooned the hot stew into her mouth, almost retching at the taste of rotten meat. She spat it out and threw the food at Frank.

He dodged the bowl easily and laughed at her. She clenched her fists in impotent rage.

“There, there missy. If you are nice to me, I might find it in my heart to bring you something a little more edible.” He leered.

“I would rather starve thank you,” she scorned.

The ugly smile left his face and he slapped her hard across the cheek. “They all say that at first, but pride is nothing to the ache of an empty belly,” He strode over to the wardrobe and took out a filmy white nightgown. He threw it at her. “Put that on, you are to make your debut tonight,”

“And if I refuse?” she asked.

“Then I hope you can swim,” he replied with relish.

“What do you mean?”

“If you don’t want to find out first hand, then get dressed! You won’t be wearing it long once the customers start arriving,” he laughed, leaving the room.

Meg slumped back on the floor in despair. She eyed the indecent garment she was expected to wear. She struggled to stand in the shabby room as she slowly unbuttoned her blue travelling dress, which was badly torn and filthy from lying on the floor. Was this to be her life now, for however long it was granted? She thought of suicide, but it went against everything of her Catholic upbringing, she would be damned to an eternal hell that would far outlive this one on earth.

There had to be something she could find to defend herself. She searched the sparsely furnished room. She sighed in defeat, as she could find nothing, almost tripping as she made her way over to the washstand. She looked down to see a nail protruding from one of the floorboards. It was still shiny and out of place among the others. Meg knelt on the floor, trying to claw it out of the plank. After several minutes and bleeding fingertips, she held it in her hand. Now at least not entirely defenceless, she felt some of her old spirit return.

Meg left her clothing where it fell and walked over to the chipped basin, filled with cold water. She slowly rinsed off the filth. The carbolic soap was harsh on her skin, but she welcomed it. Anything to escape the situation she was in now. With a grim determination, she decided that she would not give in without out a fight. As soon as their backs were turned, she would escape this place one way or another, or die trying. No matter how long it took.

Meg let her long blonde hair spill over her shoulders and hang loose. Little did she know what an enchanting picture she made, clothed in white. All she could see in the mirror was the indecency of the gown she wore. It was almost pointless in wearing anything at all. Far from being a prude, even she felt shame as she looked at her reflection. It had not been made to conceal but to show the observer exactly what he was getting for his money.

Well, whoever walked in that door expecting to take her body, would get a whole lot more than he bargained for.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Now this is how we are going to play this. Tom and I are your newfound friends. You are fresh off the boat from France. You can hardly speak a word of English. However, after a few whiskies, you admitted you were feeling a little homesick for the missus back in France. Therefore, we brought you here, as it is know for satisfying most men’s requirements. Josie has quite the ego on her, so she will be too full of herself to be suspicious of our request for someone French. We have wanted to get the McKinley’s for some time now, but have had little to go on. They chose the wrong victim this time,”

“How do we explain my mask?” asked Erik.

“You are shy?” chuckled Tom. He sobered up at Erik’s expression. “Your mask will be hardly remarkable! You wouldn’t exactly be the first patron unwilling to expose his identity,”

Erik looked at him sceptically before turning to the officer. “What about your other men?”

“They will be watching this place. If we are not out within half an hour, they are to come looking for us and use whatever means necessary. You go upstairs with the proprietor and do your bit to locate the girl. Tom and I will cause a diversion,”

“And what might that be?”

“You will know it when it happens,” smiled the officer.

Erik was briefly distracted as he caught the shape of a woman trying to conceal herself in the shadows. For an instant, she looked familiar, but he dismissed the thought. Christine was safe at home and in her bed, awaiting his return. She would not be so foolish.

“Good luck Gentlemen, look sharp and watch each others backs,” said the officer as they stepped forward and walked into the brothel.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

From the outside, the place had not looked like much and inside was only marginally better. The place had a gaudy décor and the air smelled of sweat and cheap perfume. There were many women standing, leaning on walls. Some of them were barely clothed and by the looks of their vacant expressions, Erik would guess that most of them were opium addicts. Maybe that was how the owners kept them there. He could not save them all, not tonight at least. Meg was all that mattered now.

They were barely in the door, when a sour faced woman greeted them. She pasted on a sly smile as she weighed them up with a sweeping glance.

“Good evening gentlemen. The name’s Josie and I am your hostess. What is your pleasure? I have girls of all ages…and experience. All I ask is that you pay up front,”

“Not a problem, what’s the going rate.” replied Tom. “My new friend Erik, here is feeling a little lonely. He is French, cannot speak much English though. The wife is all the way back in Paris. Do you have anything that could cheer him up? You know make him feel a little less homesick?”

She eyed them suspiciously for a moment and then it passed. Josie wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve, considering their request. All that was going through her head was the chance to milk these strangers for a few extra dollars.

“Well I do have this new girl. She needs to be broken in. Right little hell cat too. Do you think your friend is man enough to take her on? It’ll cost you extra though,”

“Believe me, from what I have seen, my friend will have no trouble with violence,” Smirked Tom.

“But no bruising the goods,”

He turned to Erik and made some lewd gestures. A leer spread across Erik’s face on cue, it helped to disguise the inner loathing he was feeling towards the woman in front of him. He could only hope she meant that Meg had not been molested thus far. Josie drew back a little at the coldness she saw in his eyes.

Erik took out ten dollars and handed it to her. She smiled greedily. He obviously had not yet grasped the worth of the bank notes. She was not going to complain at his mistake. She tucked the money down the front of her dress, as she motioned for Erik to follow her.

“We’ll just amuse ourselves down here while we wait for you then,” Tom called up the stairs to Erik before he turned the corner and was lost to sight.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Erik followed Josie up the grubby looking hallway. The place did not have the luxury of gas lighting, just a few kerosene lamps dotted here and there to break the darkness. She did not bother speaking to the client as she led him up the corridor, as she believed him unable to understand. They stopped outside a room, room 5. From the groans of pleasure that could be heard from the adjoining rooms, this seemed to be the only vacant one left.

Josie opened the door onto the room. It was bereft of any human comforts, with only a washstand and a bed. His sharp eyes scanned the room, seeing a solitary figure hunched up in the corner. Meg’s pinched white face looked up at him. Her eyes widened as she saw him. Erik raised a finger to his lips and she took his meaning.

Josie turned around to look at Erik “You like?” she asked loudly, obviously thinking if she talked louder, he would somehow understand her.

He nodded and looked at Meg.

“Good, you get half an hour. Anymore is extra,” she shouted at him.

She closed the door on them and Meg got up from the floor and ran into Erik’s arms. He was surprised by her gesture. She was shaking, as she sobbed against his chest.

“We had best speak in French at least they will not understand us. Tom is downstairs with a police officer. There are several stationed outside. Tom and the officer are going to cause a diversion. That is when we are going to make our move,”

“The woman…Josie she will be watching us to see if I am behaving myself. There is a hole in the wall behind us. They think I don’t know about it,”

Erik sighed and looked at her. He was afraid it might have to come to this. He just hoped that Christine would forgive him, and understand.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

She hardly knew him, and certainly not like Christine, but she trusted him. It was enough for her. “Yes,” she replied.

Erik glanced briefly at the wall. “Good because our audience has arrived. Just follow my lead,”

Meg gasped in shock as he roughly pushed her onto the bed and covered her body with his own. Erik pinned her wrists over her head as he pretended to kiss her neck. Meg struggled against him, completing the illusion.

This was killing him, even if it was just a big act. All he could see was Christine’s sweet face in his mind as his hands roamed over Meg’s body. Meg’s struggles lessened as she played her part. It was strange, she had often fantasised how it would feel to be in Erik’s arms, to understand Christine’s attraction for him, but the reality was nothing like her imaginings. His feigned caresses, for the most part left her cold.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Christine looked at the exterior of the building. How was she ever going to get in there? She looked around for a side alley. Finding only a darkened gap between the house and the next, she took it. She had not gone five paces, when she felt the presence of someone else close behind her. His breathing, heavy and laden with whiskey, wheezed in her ears.

She turned around to see an unshaven middle-aged man, look at her hopefully. Christine swallowed down the bile that rose to her throat as he started to undo his trousers.

“Come on love, how much for a go?”

Christine opened her purse, took out her pistol, and aimed it at his chest. He held up his hands and backed away slowly.

“Just asking,” he mumbled before he ran off into the night.

She edged further along the narrow passageway until she came to a door. It was broken in several places and she could see inside the house. The room that it led on to seemed to be deserted. Taking a deep breath, she turned the handle, surprised to find that it opened. The stench of the place caught her off guard for a moment, as she pressed a handkerchief to her face.

The sound of approaching voices caused her to crouch down in a corner until they had faded. Knowing she could not stay there all night, she took her chances and walked out into the dim hallway. If she could just make it to the stairway without being seen then she stood a chance. Most of the inhabitants of this nightmare were too busy in one way or another to notice, as she placed her foot on the first step and took a breath….

Frank McKinley watched the strange girl’s progress with interest. He was unused to seeing girls trying to get into this place, usually quite the opposite. She was undoubtedly up to no good. His eyes fell on the white satin slippers she wore on her feet. It would take a month laying on her back to pay for those. She was no whore.

He waited until she was almost at the topmost stair before following her.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Christine made her way gingerly along the hallway. How would she know what room to find Meg in? On closer inspection, she saw with relief that each door had a keyhole. No doubt to keep the girls in…She knelt down and looked in the first keyhole, gasping and quickly moving on to the next one. She had almost run out of doors to look through until she came to the last door. Christine had almost given up hope, when she squatted down and looked through the last keyhole.

Meg was lying on a bed. A man was on top of her, running his hands up and down her barely dressed form. Christine reared back in shock and fell on the floor as she caught the unmistakable glimpse of a black mask.

TBC
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