SWEPT FROM DARKNES
BY SHAINE
There was something different about tonight, something that didn't seem quite right, the air had a feeling of electricity in it. Two years had passed since that night at the opera house and Raoul stood at the parlor door looking in at Christine, who now lay sleeping on the sofa. Once again he had given her a bit of laudanum to make her sleep. He couldn't stand the dreams she had. They came more and more frequently. She would talk in her sleep about the monster that he loathed. He vowed to himself..
" I will make sure he never finds you Christine. If I had to put you out of your misery myself I will keep your soul safe."
Raoul's twisted thinking, made him turn quickly towards the door and out into the night he went...
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Erik sneered as the Vicmonte exited the mansion. He knew all about Christine's dreams, but he also knew that the laudanum was only making them worse. You can't escaped from nightmares simply by drugging them; they need to be faced and conquered on their own grounds. Erik knew that Christine had the strength inside herself to win over these nightmares, but the Vicmonte did not believe in her as Erik did.
The Vicmonte disappeared into the night, and Erik slipped into the mansion through an obliging window. He made his way silently through the darkened house, fading into shadows as servants passed unawares, until he finally stood just inside the parlor door.
There she was, peaceful and as beautiful as ever, an sleeping angel. Erik could take her away right now and noone would be the wiser. He could lift her limp, sleeping form and take her away to a place where he could protect her and care for her.
Erik started as he realized that he had moved from the doorway and was running his fingers gently across Christine's face. He drew back and forced himself to stay away this time. He did not have the right to take her, to kidnap her again. She was to precious to hurt like that again, and she had made her choice two years previously. She no longer belonged to him.
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The dreams in Christine's mind swept fast. Tender, and peaceful. He was calling to her once again and she did not fear. The melody transfixed her mind, closing her eyes, and feeling the darkness with only her heart. He called, louder, but not angry. Brightness astounded her, she had reached his home, his layer of darkness, where he was shunned into solitude. "No one would listen, no one but her..." She heard his angelic voice fly, "I hear you Erik, I am here with you now." "Yes, you are." He touched her ivory cheek softly, and the touch seemed more real than ever to the little lotte.
