A/N: The idea for this, my newest fanfic just came to me the other night. I sat down and began to write and this is what I came up with. I do hope that you will enjoy this and let me know what you think. It is rated for future chapters. So buckle up and get ready for quite an interesting ride.
I remain your most humble authoress, JLB
A Light in the Dark
Erik Deveroux paced the floor of his study, occasionally glancing at the clock which rested upon the mantle of the fire place. Four hours, four hours and still no word. Four hours had gone by and still he had not received word on whether or not he would have to plan the funeral for his friend as well as his wife while planning a future for their only, beloved child.
The very thought made Erik slam his fists against his desk and gaze longingly at a bottle of whiskey which sat across the room on a small cart...No, he wouldn't allow himself to drink. That wouldn't solve anything and when word did arrive he wanted to be in his right mind.
Tiring of his restless pacing he sat down before his desk, allowing himself to think back to the earlier that evening.
Gustave frantically threw items into a trunk, muttering incoherently. Though Erik would sometimes catch "Christine" or "Elizabeth" escaping his friends lips. He had been tempted to shake the man, to bring him back to his senses. But he knew if he was placed in his friends shoes, he would be just as anxious. Not for himself of course, but for the safety of his wife and daughter. In other circumstances the thought would have been amusing, for who could love him enough to marry him and give him a beautiful child?
And Gustave's daughter was indeed beautiful. With her large blue eyes, and her chocolate brown curls which tumbled down her back she was a sight to behold. Christine was the pride and joy of her fathers life, every time she entered the room Gustave's face would light up.
Erik had first met the girl when Christine was ten. She would come into the room and wrap her little arms around her fathers neck and plant a kiss on his rosy cheek before prancing out of the room.
The girl would often get in trouble for she had a talent for upsetting the chickens they kept outside in their small yard. Christine would smile innocently while her father scolded her and her mother would fight to suppress the giggles that the small child easily brought on.
Though Christine would sometimes do foolish things, she was also a good child and would often help the maids clean while singing to keep them all entertained. No one could stay angry at the girl for long. For her girlish charm and sweet little voice easily enchanted those who knew her.
Gustave had given Christine a love for music at a very young age, before she could even talk she could be heard humming along to her fathers violin. Something which had fascinated her father. He had big dreams for his daughter, many of which consisted of her pursuing a musical career. Erik had to admit, Christine did indeed have a talent for music and envied her father for being able to hear the girl sing for him at all times of the day.
Erik had watched the girl grow from a playful child to a beautiful young woman. Once mischievous, the girl was now shy and polite. Erik couldn't help but find the girl attractive. But his friendship with Gustave prevented him from developing any sort of attachment to Christine. But he still couldn't help his heart from racing any time he caught sight of the girl or heard her sweet little voice raised in song.
Now Gustave was trusting him, with the safety of his only child, the light of his life. Gustave and Elizabeth would flee, while leaving Christine behind, in Erik's care. Once they were safe they would send for their daughter. Erik wasn't sure he could handle the responsibility of caring for the girl. But he was determined not to let his friend down.
He helped his friends pack their belongings into a dark carriage, watching as tears silently poured down Christine's face. Once everything was ready to go Gustave embraced his daughter.
"Listen to everything Monsieur Deveroux tells you. Be good to him, as I am sure he will be to you." Gustave said soothingly, while Christine cried into his shoulder. "Your mother and I will try and start over...we will send for you once we are safe. Do not despair child, things will be all right." But even he couldn't keep from choking on the emotion that he kept hidden inside.
"I love you papa." Christine whispered, kissing his round cheek.
"I love you Christine." He kissed her smooth brow and allowed her mother to take her into a warm embrace.
"Christine, the lord will be watching over us all. I know you will be safe and that gives me the greatest peace of all. Be a good girl and know how much I love you." Elizabeth whispered, holding her daughter tightly in her arms not wanting to let go. But she did, and walked Christine over to another carriage. She helped Christine in and kissed the girls pale hand.
"I love you." They both whispered before Gustave came to lead Elizabeth to their own carriage. Erik helped them get settled inside and gave the driver orders.
"Be careful, I shall do whatever I can to keep you all out of harms way. I promise to take care of Christine till you're reunited, so do not fear for her." Erik vowed, grasping their hands a rare gesture of compassion from this dark man.
"I've no doubt of it Monsieur Deveroux." Elizabeth said kindly while Gustave nodded his agreement. "Well then, till we meet again 'goodbye' my friends." Erik said, and shut the carriage door.
The driver took that as a sign to leave and the carriage suddenly lurched forward and began rolling away. But before it could round the corner a figure ran past and after the carriage. Erik ran after the figure, quickly catching up.
"Mama! Papa! Please don't leave me!" Christine yelled, as Erik caught the girl in his arms. She put up a fight but the carriage was already gone and soon her struggle ended. Sobs shook her body and Erik did his best to comfort the girl, softly touching her curls and gently rocking the girl in his arms.
"No..." She whispered, her plea breaking Erik's heart. "Please..." But she had exhausted herself and fell limp in Erik's arms. He carried her to the carriage and gently placed her inside, before seating himself across from her. He rapped on the roof and the carriage set off into the dark night.
