Author's Note: This story is very much Leroux Based.
The rain splashed down onto the cobblestoned streets, swishing and sloshing under the wheels of the carriage. Two figures lay cuddled inside of it, one a noble, and one a commoner. They are from completely different worlds, and yet, there was something that bonded them together, something strong. No, not strong, something unbreakable that existed between them, something that drove them to carry out their relationship in even the most dangerous of circumstances. That something was complete and utter devotion - love.
Christine lay cuddled into Raoul's side, her head rested in the crook of his neck, her wild curls tickling his skin. He had his arms wrapped around her, holding her tight. Not daring to let go for even one minute, not now, not when they had been nearly separated forever.
Casting a wary glance to the shadows outside of his window, Raoul held her tighter, almost crushing her within his hold. Christine stirred in his arms, shifting uncomfortably – She was still wearing her Marguerite costume from that evening's performance of Faust, one that Raoul had not been advising her not to attend. She could have only wished she would have listened to him sooner, that could've saved them all this heartache.
She shifted again; she desperately wished to be rid of this costume. Not only was it uncomfortable to wear physically, but also it connected her to the character of Marguerite, the woman who was the obsession of a crazy man who sold his soul to the devil in an attempt to win love – rather like her own life she thought bitterly.
She felt her eyes droop once again; she had been incredibly tired this whole evening, letting herself slip in and out of dreamless rest, Raoul had always been there to protect her though… It felt like he never left her side ever since they were reunited after all the dreadful events of this evening.
"Raoul?" She whispered, resting her head against his chest. But Raoul was silent; he just pressed a kiss to her head and relaxed beneath her.
"Do you think we'll ever see him again?" She felt Raoul tense at the name, but she kept explaining her query, "He… He seems to be everywhere… In the shadows, in the walls… He's everywhere, darling! I just feel as though I can sense him…"
"He's not here anymore, Christine. He's dead," Raoul said gently, "He's no longer here to harm you… He'll never bother us again." Christine sighed, tilted her head up and kissed him. Softly sighing into his mouth.
This is too good to be true! Christine thought, No more heartache… No more pain… Just endless bliss… A beautiful new life with her beloved all laid out to her on a silver platter!
"He's no longer here to harm you, darling! He'll never bother us again!"
Christine narrowed her eyes in confusion at the repeated line. That was odd… It seemed as though Raoul's mouth never moved as he said it… It was as though it didn't even come from him… It felt as though it came from… Above.
Oh no…
"Raoul?" She asked desperately as she opened her eyes, she blinked at the change of lighting.
Erik blinked too.