Phantom Resurrected

By J. Jackson (Punjabchild)

Prologue

"In time take time while doth last, for time is no time when time is past" -Anonymous

Christine sat on the cold seat of the toilet, holding the pregnancy test stick in her hand. "I'm not going to cry." she told herself, even though the test seemed to be taking an eternity.

How could this have happened? Only weeks ago, she had been plunged back into her past life, tossed about in events she had no clue were about. In Victorian London, as an opera singer caught in a web of lies, corruption, murder and obsession. But more frightened and confusing of all was discovering she was the center of affection of a love she could not return. Erik Destler, the composer, the killer, her teacher who had wanted to be her lover, who had tricked her into becoming his wife, his bride of music. He had killed everyone who had gotten between them. But even in that final moment, when his lair was being engulfed by flames, when he was wounded partly because of her, the way he fought to keep her, his strength she certainly admired him for. Perhaps loved him for.

But that was short lived. When she returned to the present, he was there, still alive still searching for her. He was disguised as a producer, giving her the lead of his show, only later to reveal himself for who he truly was. While the offer of an immortal love and a lifetime career of success and music were indeed tempting, she did not trust him. Erik would never change and as long as he was with her, she was in danger. Possessed by instincts, she attacked him and destroyed his music. His Don Juan had been so beautiful. It had touched her soul, but was necessary only to destroy his power over her. And even that didn't seem to work, when she heard him playing on the street corner to her. She knew as long as he was alive, she would never be free of the spell he had her under.

But how could she escape him? Outside of school, outside of New York she had no other life. Meg was her only friend and she had no place to go. But the worst news was yet to come. She had been late with her period and had been throwing up every morning. The tell tale signs she might be pregnant. This frightened her since the last time she had dated was back in high school. She barely had time for a boyfriend while she was at Julliard.

Could it be that Erik had found some way to impregnate her in her past life without her knowledge? Was there indeed some time they made love with out her recollection? She confessed her fears to Meg, minus the entire truth about Erik last week.

"So what's up?" Meg had asked, "You've been pretty quite these last few weeks, ever since the audition. You know the manager never got back to me about your contract. How bizarre is that?"

Christine pushed away her now cold coffee mug. "I think the producer backed out and the show went under."

"Really, the producer pulled out. Wasn't that the same guy who helped you after that moron almost killed you with that sandbag and gave you the lead? That guy? He was really cute, and I think I liked you. I could tell. You should have gone out with that guy." Meg interjected

Her friend was really chatty and Christine was glad she wasn't drinking anything, lest she should choke at Meg's suggestion. Christine rubbed her throbbing temples and sighed "I didn't ask you here to talk about that. I'm in serious trouble now."

"What then?"

"I think I'm pregnant, Meg"

Meg was silent for a moment, all her cheer and humor dropped from her face in disbelief. She tried to sound as causal as possible "Oh, and who is it? Do you know?"

"Yes, I have a very good idea. But he's a very dangerous person." She confessed.

"Do you love him?" Meg asked.

"That's not the point!" Christine slammed her mug down. "Didn't you hear me, he's dangerous. Who knows what he would do if he found me or the baby!"

"What kind of person is he? A gang member, a mobster?"

"Much worse." Christine leaned back in her chair, hoping no one else in the coffee shop noticed her outburst, or the tears treating her eyes. Meg would never under stand, and Christine could never find the courage to tell her. Meg would have her sent off to the loony bin if she told the real truth. This was her secret and no one else. But there was another option. "I was thinking about getting an..."

Meg cut her off. "Don't say abortion, Christine, don't you dare. You can't do that! You're not that kind of person. If you're that worried about who ever this is finding you and the baby, then why don't you give up the kid for adoption, just for your safety."

Meg's advice had a ring to truth to it.

"That sounds like a better idea." Christine admitted. At least she could keep the baby away safe somewhere else in case Erik would ever find her.

"And you should visit too. Don't let the kid grow up hating you."

"Again you're right."

Meg grabbed her coat. "Listen, I got to go to work, but you make certain this whole thing is for sure first so you don't get so worried, if you know what I mean"

And so now that's what she was doing. But still her worries were strong. What if Erik did find her, or the baby, or both? What would happen? What would he do to them? She got up and looked out the bathroom window. The adoption papers were on her desk, and now the future has in her hands. She stared down and sighed as the blue plus sign appeared on the test area.

It was true. Her worst fears realized. All she could do now was follow Meg's plan and hope for the best.

AN: Yes I have decided to go back, read over, revised and otherwise work out the kinks of Phantom Resurrected. I do have plans to countine the series. I hope replacing all my chapters in not against the rules here, but every author does have a write to go back and rewrite and chnage things if they want to. Plus now with all the upgrades of I can make it a better format So wheter this is your first read, or your reading it again for fun, enjoy -PC