"You try my patience. Make your choice!" snarled the enigmatic figure, his half-deformed face drawn in an angry scowl. The young girl, almost a woman, looked up bravely and swallowed the sobs that threatened to escape from her throat. For Raoul… she thought. She dared not look upon her lover in fear that the sight of him bound by the mercy of the punjab lasso would again rouse her tears. Her eyes determinedly fixed on her captor's, she rose steadily and began to walk towards him.
Pitiful creature of darkness,
What kind of life have you known?
As she sang, the fear left her heart, and she confidently ventured on.
God gave me courage to show you
You are not alone.
At last within reach, she threw herself against him and kissed him fiercely. For Raoul… she told herself. I cannot let him die because of me… She pulled her face away and put her arms his shoulders. As she held him tightly, she gasped, for she felt the anguish that had so tormented her soul slowly melt away.
In her confusion, the girl quickly let go and searched her captor's partially disfigured face. Before she could process the overwhelming grief that could be found in his eyes, she felt her heart fill with undeniable love. Unable to resist the powerful urge that penetrated her soul, she leaned towards him, eyes closed, as her lips drew nearer his…
My eyes flew open as I wrenched forward, my breathing harsh and irregular. I looked about me and found in bed, my husband asleep next to me. It was only a dream, I told myself in attempt to calm my shattered nerves. None of it really happened. You're safe at home with Raoul, Christine. It was only a dream. None of it was real…