AN: This will be a dark story, filled with abuse, attempts at suicide, murder, and rape. Please, if any of this will offend you, disturb you, or offend you (yes, I know I already said that) then DO NOT READ THIS. Again, this is a dark phic. Now for some other warnings...

1. Raoul is very 'evil' in this phic. He is abusive, and... well... you'll see. Thus, THIS IS NOT A STORY FOR RAOUL LOVERS.

2. This is an E/C phiction.

3. Christine may be a little OOC... okay, WAY OOC.

SUMMARY

This story takes place after the end of the 2004 movie. Christine never wanted to leave, but Raoul forced her away and took her to a house he owned in London. There, he broke her soul. Finally, she escapes, with the help of a servant friend. These two travel back to Paris, where they flee to the Opera House. However, Raoul is hunting them down so they must hide. Christine decides to live in Erik's previous abode, setting new traps and adding new trap doors and such. Erik comes back, only to find Christine living in his home. Will Erik find out where the scars came from? Will Christine finally tell Erik she loves him? Will there be love?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Phantom of the Opera or any of its characters.

I'm sorry if you don't like it when Raoul is turned into the bad guy. This is going to be an angst phic & this is just the way I am making Raoul in this story. Making Raoul this 'evil' will happen quite often with me. Don't ask why, I'm the writer who will write those 'abusive Raoul' stories that seem to be frowned upon. I am truly sorry if any of this shall offend you. Please, if you don't like it, don't flame- at least not as a review. You can just PM me with your flame. I really just hate to see wasted space on the review boards. Thanks.

L'ange de Ruine

Haunted

Chapter 1

The Escape

Christine ran farther and farther, never looking back, eyes set on the woman in front of her. The woman who helped her win her freedom from him. He, who promised to nurture and care for her, the bastard.

Desperate to get far away, the duo ran faster and faster into the dark night. Their shadows almost non-existent is the inky blackness that surrounded them. Their panting broke the serene silence, and then, a grunt- followed by the sound of someone falling. The woman leading the other stopped immediately and turned to Christine who had fallen.

"Milady, let me help you!" She cried out, taking Christine's arm and putting it around her shoulders. How frail she is, the woman thought.

"T-Thank you Adeline" Christine managed to choke out through the hazy pain that seemed to constrict her. Christine let out a sharp hiss as the backing of her dress rubbed uncomfortably on her back when Adeline lifted her up. It seems that the broken bottle left more than just little scratches. Dieu… I hope I am not getting blood on my dress.

"Hurry, we must make haste for that man may already be searching for you." Adeline rushed out, pulling Christine up with her. Like a hollow shell, Christine let Adeline pull her this way and that, while tears formed in her eyes as memories cam flooding back to her, faster than ever.

"Let me go back! No! Let me GO!" shouted Christine, as Raoul dragged her away from the opera house. Raoul just snarled and pushed her into the carriage which had been waiting. Christine cried out as her head hit the opposite window. Her vision swam in front of her as Raoul slammed the door shut and climbed into the front.

"Just shut up already Christine! You are mine now.. Mine and no one else's. Now say goodbye to your precious opera house!" Raoul screamed maliciously, cracking the reigns and speeding off. Christine quickly sat up and looked out the window with fresh tears in her eyes. The opera house was fading into the night, with only the flames which licked at its brilliant surface visible.

"No!" She screamed desperately, "ERIK!"

"Here is where you will stay." said Raoul coldly as he shoved Christine into a small room with nothing lining the walls. He quickly shut the door and Christine looked around frantically, trying to find a way out. There wasn't even a window! Christine let out a sob and collapsed onto the floor.

"I HATE YOU RAOUL!" she screamed into the night, though there was surely no one to hear her.

Christine let out a strangled cry as Raoul threw down a Newspaper at her feet, the words 'Erik is Dead' staring cruelly at her.

"You're mine Christine.. Mine.. Erik is dead, there is no Erik. He left you, you are alone with no one..." Raoul sneered, turning and walking out the door, leaving Christine to weep for her fallen angel.

Christine let out a sob and collapsed onto the ground, pulling Adeline down with her- her wounds, both mental and physical, throbbing and crying out for release.

"Milady! Please, don't give up!" Adeline shouted with fresh tears in her eyes.

Raoul was right Christine thought. There is nothing for me... so why do I still run to nothing?

Christine suddenly felt very heavy and everything seemed to start to fade. Adeline's worried figure was starting to become just a blur and colors splashed and danced together. What's wrong with me? She wondered.

Christine vaguely felt Adeline tugging her upwards, yelling that they must move on. Shakily standing up, Christine trudged onwards with Adeline by her side. Soon faded lights came into sight and she heard Adeline sigh in relief. Christine had no clue where they were and started to panic. Her eyes darted around feverishly and her heart sped up. Christine felt her whole body heat up and pulse and she could literally feel her heart beating in her toes. Figures started to make their way into her vision- carts, handsomes, and people walking slowly towards a building in the distance.

"Wh- where are we Adeline? Are we near the Opera House?" Christine asked hopefully. She knew she must be close! She just knew! They were definitely in Paris. She could see the whores selling their flesh to hungry men.

"Oh Milady, we are no where near it. We are in London, not Paris. We are about to enter a village where I know the lodge keeper well. She will help us." Adeline tried to explain through fresh tears. However, while Adeline saw the village, Christine saw an entirely different image. A beautiful, to a point where it was almost vulgar looking, building stood grandly in the distance. The soft music of Gounod's Faust drifted from it and to Christine's ears.

"But I see it yonder! Right there!" Christine protested childishly, lifting her hand to point at a cluster of trees in the distance. She felt Adeline let out a shaky sigh.

"No Christine, we are in London. The Opera House is in Paris." Adeline tried to explain as she pulled Christine closer to the village. My God, she is delusional. This is not good...

Christine tried to ignore the new pain growing in her chest, but she could not stop the onslaught of tears.

"Adeline... It's right there! Erik! Erik," She called, "I need you! Please, come to me angel... please." She managed to choke out through her tears. Christine thought she saw a black figure coming towards her, but she realized it was only Adeline, turning to get a better view of her face. Christine felt betrayed somehow and started to get angry. She knew that she was being irrational, but she just had this immediate urge to yell and scream.

"Then... take me to the Opera House!" She shouted. Adeline shifted under Christine's arm and gently nudged her forward.

"N-not tonight, you need your rest and I need to clean those wounds. I feel that we are far enough from that place to allow you one night of peaceful rest. The dose of sleeping medicine I gave him was very strong. I just said he was coming soon to you before because I did not want you to give up. There is still hope Christine!" She said quickly, seeing the doubt etch its way onto Christine's face. "There is! Now come, and I will clean you up once we lodge."

By this time, Adeline and Christine were in front of the small inn. There was a soft light coming from it and Christine felt a strange comfort begin to wash over her- the kind she had been so brutally denied.

Adeline let out a relieved sigh, glad to have finally made it, Christine did as well for she felt as if she were about to pass out at any second.

"Come, we shall get ourselves situated" Adeline said as she led the poor girl into the lodge.

Estler Periot sighed as she glanced forlornly at the door. Tonight was one of her worse nights yet at the Tristan Lodge, and was about to get worse.

Estler had no idea what she was doing when she had replied to that letter. If she was caught doing this, she could be killed! But no, her loyalty to her friend, Adeline Counoit, had come before hand. Plus, she owed it to her.

In fact... it had been on a night just like this when she received the dreadful letter.

It was a slow night and many of the patrons were already asleep. Estler let out a yawn and leaned against the counter with her head in her hands. Softly she began to hum to herself, closing her eyes and getting lost in the melody.

"Excuse me, Estler Periot?" She heard a female voice call out softly. Estler looked up and saw a short figure in a black cloak standing in front of the counter.

"Yes, that is I. What may I do for you this fine evening?" Estler asked kindly.

The figure either did not hear her, or ignored her, for all she did was place a letter on the counter and turn around swiftly, walking out the door and into the night.

Confused, Estler leaned over the counter to look after the figure. Shrugging, she picked up the letter and read its contents.

My Dear Friend,

I am in need of your assistance. As you know, the Vicomte has recently gotten married. However, it is with regret that I tell you things have not... been right here at the house. The wife, Christine Daae, has been subjected to his... behaviors. You know of what I speak, and you know that Mademoiselle (or rather Madame) Daae is in need of help. On the next full moon, I shall bring Mademoiselle Daae to the lodge, where you shall have 'the room' set up. That night I shall give him that so the search won't start till late. Remember, you still owe me. Don't forget that.

A.C.

Estler gasped and dropped the letter. Yes, she did owe her friend, but she knew this was too dangerous. However, she did know that she would be in even far more danger if she did not comply with Adeline's wishes. Adeline wasn't the person you would want to deal with when provoked. Years of being a gypsy help in her favor. And after all... she saved her sister from that man, if only for a little while...

"Estler, dear, when will they be here?" Harold, her husband, asked from the top of the stair way, shaking Estler out of the flashback.

"Soon. Is everything prepared?" She shakily managed to ask. Her nerves were absolutely on edge.

Harold walked down the stairs and made his way quickly over to his wife. He put an arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder- waiting for the moment to happen.

"Here they are!" She whispered quickly to her Harold as she saw two huddled figures, one limping horribly; make their way to the entrance. She rushed over and opened the door grabbing the limping woman's other arm and helping her inside.

Once inside the husband took over carrying the girl, lifting her up bridal style and guiding her through the halls and to a dead end.

Estler quickly pushed ahead of her husband, sliding her hands along the wall, pressing on a certain spot, making the wall slightly lift than pivot around. A pivoting trap door!

"I see the door still works," said Adeline from the back. It was a grave mood and she hopelessly tried to lighten it.

Harold took the girl inside and placed her down on a soft bed lined with comfortable sheets. Next to the bed was a hand table with a wash dish, bandages and various other medical supplies.

"Adeline, where are her major wounds?" Asked Estler as she began to undress Christine, who had either fallen asleep or passed out. She was not sure...

"On her back..." She said looking at Estler straight in the eyes. An uneasy feeling of tension hung in the room as Harold gently turned Christine onto her stomach to have her back facing upward. He slowly backed away, letting Adeline and his wife see what he just saw. Blood- a lot of it had dried and pooled around three areas of her dress.

"Well, if you need me, I shall be in the bedroom keeping watch. Goodnight." he said leaving quickly. As soon as he left the room Adeline slowly started to unhook the back of the dress, taking her time as to not hurt Christine. She then noticed that Christine was not wearing a corset.

Strange Estler thought. Most women of high society wear the restricting nuscinces...

Quickly withdrawing from her thoughts, Estler removed the garment completely and they looked down onto the back of the young maiden, expecting the worst from all that blood.Estler abruptly broke down into horrible sobs.

"Oh Adeline! Her back! Look what he did... this poor woman!" Estler half shouted half whispered angrily, taking care as to not wake the sleeping woman.

Three long gashes, more like rips into the flesh, adored Christine's back. It looked as though it was a dull knife was dragged harshly across the skin. Looking at her back further, Estler noticed that the skin around the wounds was red and angry.

"It's an infection." Estler said more to herself than anyone else, but Adeline heard and gasped. She quickly rushed over and examined Christine's back.

"No wonder she was hallucinating before… We need to take care of this quickly for it can become deadly," Adeline said staring intently at the gashes.

"I know how to make a remedy for this kind of infection, and old gypsy taught me once and I have not forgotten her lessons."

"Good then hurry." Estler said with a curt nod. Suddenly Adeline cried out and hugged Estler tightly.

"I don't want her to die! She doesn't deserve it!" She sobbed, pushing her face into Estler's stomach.

"Then hurry and start the medicine! We have no time to waste being sad and sorry! You just said we must hurry!" Estler firmly said, taking Adeline and placing her on her feet. Adeline quickly wiped her eyes and nodded.

"Do you have Gihgar Root, Cafel Daught, Haregh Grass, and Ruff Spince?" (A.N. Made those up so bear with me) Adeline asked while getting out a crushing bowl and stone. Estler replied with a 'yes' and quickly got up and walked over to a set of cabinets. She pulled out the four ingredients and set them next to Adeline. Adeline grabbed the root and started to crush it.

"Clean the wound as best as possible. The area needs to be clean." Adeline quickly said grabbing the spince and mixing it with the root. Estler nodded and grabbed a cloth and a bowl of water.

Estler was just about done cleaning the wounds when Adeline came over with the paste.

"Good, now please move so I can apply the medicine." She said, applying the think substance.

Adeline remembered when she brought Estler's sister to the same room... only that time she had watched the poor woman slip into the next world. They had tried everything to save her too, but the blood loss was too much.

"Adeline... I will not let this woman die like my sister. Not here, not now." Estler said determinedly as she picked up supplies and started to clean the other various wounds Christine had. Adeline helped Estler and soon the young woman was fully dressed. (A.N. In bandages and in a nightgown)

"Well... it is not a bad as some of the other times." Adeline whispered as she sat down in a near by chair, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Did... did he beat her as badly as... my sister?" Estler asked, wringing her hands together nervously. Adeline sighed and sunk down into the chair.

"You're sister fought to the last breath because she had you to live for- something to live for. This girl had nothing. has absolutely nothing. She gave up easily, so Raoul... did not abuse her as harshly as he did with Amelia. You're sister was a strong woman. I am sorry that she had to pass." Adeline said as a slow tear made its way down her cheek.

"Oh Adeline.. it's all my fault. If I hadn't suggested to Amelia to get a job at the de Changy manor... if I hadn't pressured her into doing it for extra money... if I only saw the signs. It's my fault. It's all my fault..." Estler said wiping away a tear that gathered in her eye. Shesniffed rather loudlythen collected herself well."I still owe you for at least bringing her here to die in peace. I will not let it happen to Christine though. I just can't."

"Neither can I Estler... neither can I..."

Hello,

I am sorry if this chapter seemed short, but I had to move it along and just... well just end it. This chapter basically gives you a feel of what is happening right now and also a little background on Estler and Adeline. Now some notes you MUST READ.

1. Amelia (the sister) is not a major character that will play any major roles beyond this point in time.

2. Harold is not a major character and will not be in the story again probably. (Unless I decide to resurrect him... probably not though)

3. Estler will be in the next chapter, but only briefly. After that, she is gone. (Again... unless she is resurrected)

Also: Please leave me some reviews. I have to know if this story is worth pursuing and I would also like you to tell me if my chapter length is good. I don't want my chapters to be too short or too long. If it's at a good length now, just say so! Thanks.

Next chapter: It's been a week and Christine and Adeline finally decide it's time to board the train to Paris. However, something occurs that doesn't allow them to make it there that easily. They arrive in Paris and go to the opera house. How will Madame Giry react to Christine's arrival? How will Christine react when she finds that Erik isn't there? And how will Raoul react when he finds out Christine is gone? The answers may shock you.

L'ange de Ruine