Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the story in my head.

The characters are from the 2004 movie. Same time setting. If I make any mistakes, please forgive me!


When nothing is the same except for the soul, what if?

-

Erik stepped outside, lifted his face toward the bright sun, and sighed. Today was a day of hope. Erik began walking away from the house when he heard his name. He turned, "Yes?" Erik's father walked toward him and looked into his eyes.

"Blessings." He pulled Erik closer to him, and kissed both sides of his face.

"Thank you," Erik said quietly and then walked away.

-

Christine was tired. She'd had another dream. These dreams haunted and thrilled her. Most nights she would wake up crying. They were familiar and alarming. They were of her past and future. She needed peace, but as to where she could find it, no one knew. Christine walked around her room, pacing really, trying to think of something that might bring her rest. Thoughts still twirling around in her head, the door to her room opened and her mother's face appeared. Christine dropped her head and looked at the floor.

"You've had another dream, haven't you?" her mother asked.

"I did," she said meekly.

Her mother entered the room and said, "Come here, child." Christine's eyes never left the floor as she obeyed.

"Look at me," came the next command. Christine raised her head, but kept her eyes closed, sparing herself from her mother's judging eyes.

"You've been crying, too," the mother sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

Christine knew it was coming, she never knew when to expect it though. As if her mother knew her thoughts, she felt it. The sting of flesh against flesh made her want to throw up. Christine's expression was stone as a tear slid down her now red face, the left cheek pulsing in pain.

"I don't know how I'm ever going to marry you off. I've told you time and time again not to cry. Your face gets scrunched up. If you ruin the other side of your face, no man will ever have you."

Having felt that she had made her point, the mother turned and left. When Christine heard the door close, she opened her eyes and welcomed the solitude. She rushed to her dresser and sat down in front of it. Her deformed cheek was flaming red. She pressed a cool palm against her face to try to ease the pain and redness. As she took calming breaths, she began to remember.

Years ago, Christine had been playing tag with her cousins. She was running through the kitchen, looking over her right shoulder to see if she was safe or not. Somehow she lost her footing and fell, smacking the left side of her head onto a glowing red log that was in the fireplace. The burns weren't severe, but the burns left scars. The scars covered all of her temple, a little at the corner of her eye, the outer edge of her cheek bone, and stopped at her jaw bone. Her hair covered most of the damage, but a gust of wind could easily reveal what she was trying desperately to hide.

A soft knock at the door brought her back to the present.

"May I come in?" asked the kind voice.

"Please," was her soft reply. Raoul walked in, leaving the door open. He looked at Christine and his heart ached out of sympathy. He walked over and knelt by her chair. Christine buried her face in his shoulder and began to cry. Raoul wrapped his arms around her shaking frame.

"I am so sorry," he said trying to comfort her.

"I didn't mean to do that," she said pulling away. He smiled as he watched her wipe away her tears with the back of her hands.

"It's ok." He stood up and pulled a handkerchief out his pocket then handed it to her. Christine accepted it and dabbed at her eyes. When she looked up he was studying her. She gave him a shy smile then looked away. Raoul crouched back down, and very slowly put his hands on the sides of her face. Christine didn't wince even though it hurt – he didn't have soft hands. He was a worker, her father's hired help. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. His eyes roamed her face.

"You are a good friend," she said warmly.

"Christine, we've talked about this," he sighed. "I want to be more than your friend. We grew up together, played together, talked for many hours. You've cried on my shoulder countless times." She closed her eyes and turned her face.

Trying to convince her he said, "With the money I've been saving up, it won't be long before I can afford a life with you. You'll be able to leave this place." Christine finally looked into his eyes, her lips beginning to tremble.

"Raoul, I just don't know." He stood up disappointed, his arms now at his sides.

"Will you at least think about it?" Christine nodded. She hated looking into his eyes, but she knew that he wouldn't leave if she didn't. Raoul gave her a half-hearted smile and left.

Even though he was a comfort to Christine, she was glad that he left. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts and her dreams. Christine placed the forgotten handkerchief in her jewelry box, stood up, and walked to her desk. Last night she'd experienced a new dream. She took the piece of paper and pencil from her desk and sat down on her bed. Christine looked at the paper she held in her hands and almost expected the words that were floating in her head to appear on the sheet.

"God, help me," she murmured. It was not just a cry for remembrance. She wanted her desire for a better life to be fulfilled. She began to fidget as she focused on her dream.

Red. She remembered the color red.


Author's Note: This is my first phanphic, and I hope you enjoyed it! Please review. Chapter 2 will be here eventually.

Baruch Hashem Adonai