Chapter I
Erik stumbled and fell into the icy cold water. He tried to rise from the sodden ground, but found that he no longer had the strength. He no longer had the desire to live.
Erik had been running for three days now, through the labyrinth lying beneath the streets of Paris. He'd been running for his life, although, he didn't know why. He felt he had no reason to live anymore. Not since Christine….
Erik had emerged from the cold, dark, damp underground early that morning, just on the outskirts of Paris. He had been stumbling and falling since then, attempting to make his way to a forest. Evening was fast approaching when he came across the road leading through the forest. It was on this road where he fell.
He once again contemplated trying to drag his broken body from the ground. He dismissed the thought almost immediately. He heard the thunder sounding overhead and groaned. Rain again! Erik was so thoroughly sick of being wet! The rain would only hinder him more.
The rain started to fall on his burning cheeks, bringing some relief to the raging fever within him. The edges of his mind where starting to darken slightly. In one last clear thought, he knew he would lose consciousness soon.
Through his growing state of confusion, he faintly heard the noise of horses traveling along the road. But why would there be horses in this lair? And why was he so wet, the air around him so cold? And why was he so hungry? When had he eaten last? All these questions Erik asked of himself. He no longer remembered the events of the past three days.
The horses where drawing closer and the rain was coming down hard now. The twilight had fallen, as had the temperature. Erik was suddenly freezing cold and his confused mind couldn't understand why. Just then, the horses stopped.
"Oh my…! Jeremy! Come, come quickly!"
Erik heard someone sliding down from their horse and quickly make their way to him. He felt a warm, gentle hand feel his cheek.
"He's burning up. Help me get him onto my horse. We will take home with us…. Help me! Quickly!"
"But my lady…he is… uh….We do not know who--"
"Help me!"
"Yes, my lady."
He once again felt those gentle hands pull him up. Erik tried to pull away and fight, but he had not the strength to do it. He was lifted up onto a horse and was quickly joined by another.
"Here, lean against me," whispered the voice of the woman, pulling him close. He did not resist. They started to move at a gentle trot. He relaxed even further. After that, Erik's world went black...