Christine sat in the prow of the boat and listened to the water slip past the sides. As Erik poled them toward his underground home, he thought of the first time he had brought her into his domain. It had been filled with music; he had been trying to keep her under his spell. Now there was just calm, companionable silence. The pole nudged something on the bottom.
"Erik, what is that?" Her voice trembled as she gazed down into the inky water. Large blue eyes were staring up at her. They reminded her in a twisted way of the sky on a bright autumn day, but they also seemed to put off their own light. She felt drawn into them, and started to lean over the side of the boat to get a better look.
"Christine, no!" Erik's hand shot forward and caught the bottom of her skirt. He just managed to pull her back. This landed her at his feet, if only he could take the moment to relish the contact. Her breaths came in short quick gasps as her lips worked to form words.
"I, I couldn't... It just seemed to pull me in..." But he Erik was paying Christine little heed now. He had turned to address the being in the lake.
"You, go back into the hole you came out of! I told you to leave he boat alone if I was in it!" Christine looked up, confused, but the creature seemed to understand. The blue eyes were gone in a moment with barely a ripple to the water. Christine tilted her head back to see Erik's face. He had begun poling them toward the shore again with a fiercely determined look in his eye.
"Erik?" He dropped his gaze onto her face, and gave a small half smile.
" And that, Christine, is why I told you to never attempt to cross the lake without me."
A/N Okay guys, I hope you like it. This was the very first Phantom piece I've actually gotten up the gall to post, so please be kind to it. If you could take a moment to poke the fabulous purple button there I would be so grateful. Reviews are what makes my world go round, no kidding.If you like it, if you hate it, if you see places where I could improve, let me know. Thanks in advance.