Chapter One: The Moon.

How long had it been?

As I stalked the lonely alley, I recollected our last parting. Tears were shed and promises made though none kept. She had promised to return to me with the ring, but no, she had yet to return. That wretched girl! Only could I die with her and her alone. I needed to see her again, those blue placid eyes filled with tranquil innocence. Only in those eyes could I feel peace. God, if you are there you truly have forsaken me! For only in her eyes could I find eternal rest! That ring, I feel she has thrown it in the gutter and gone off with her precious Comte. How it makes my blood boil! No, its had been months and still she hadn't returned to me. Months. I had expected to die within the week of our parting but from hatred a mustered strength. I could keep going till "time no longer" at this rate.

Silently, I made my way across a road, making sure my face was covered partially with the cloak. Of course, I had my mask on, though I was fairly tempted to leave it at home in the hopes a mob might just find me. That would be a painful death, enough for Christine to spend the rest of her miserable life weeping about. Ha. That would be justice on my part. Then again… revenge on Christine? Would I have the heart… of course I would! I told myself this over and over again till I came to a lonely alleyway. Standing in the darkness, fixing my felt hat I looked to the moon. It was not quite a full moon, but almost. I had always seen this as a sign of hope. The moon wanes and fades after the full moon, but with this moon there was still hope for better things and myself. Nonsense. There was no hope for "poor unhappy Erik".

I observed how empty the streets really were. It was dry, crisp and cloudy that night. Now and again I would hear a dog howling in the distance but besides that it was perfectly silent. The cobbles reflected the blue moon and small puddles seemed to reflect the rays. My golden eyes flickered now and again as I fought to keep my sanity. I have always had such problems. My mind now and again gets the better of me. Ha. To think I used to think myself as being in control. Now, all I could do was haunt Paris in a vain attempt to forget. Suddenly, I heard a scream. Another scream followed by a sound of a struggle. Unless my ears were lying to me, it sounded that of a young maiden. Erik was no hero, not like that silly Comte. Why risk my own neck? Yet, there was something very wrong about leaving without even investigating.

Indeed. There was something so familiar about the situation. Another cry, what was this…? Two males if I was correct in thinking so and one female. I could tell by the low grunt and laughs there were two men and the woman seemed to be crying aloud in some hope that someone might hear her pleas. Yes. Someone had heard.

I was as good as dead. I saw no reason why I shouldn't help this woman. I had always been disgusted by the treatment of woman by countless bastards. Abuse. Rape. Murder. They didn't deserve all that, only to suffer.

Silently, as quietly as possible, I ran down the alley and came to junction. Following the cries, I turned to the left and made my way down the dark alley, having only the moon as guidance. Coming to a clearing of sorts in the maze of lanes and alleys, I elegantly twirled by cloak and hid in the shadows as I watched the scene.

Two men, indeed I was correct, and one young woman. From the distance, I could only make out that she had fair-haired ringlets, now revealed as the taller and skinner of the two men ripped her bonnet off. The larger and stouter of the duo, took out a blade in a gleaming flash. The taller and younger man, grabbed the woman from behind and held her arms back, so she was in a lock, unable to escape.

"What we got here then?" said the larger man as he grinned.

"We got us a girl, we have!" said the younger one "Can I have her Jacque? Hmm?"

"Freddy, calm down, we can take turns. Yes mi boy, she certainly is a girl."

"A pretty one too!" cried the man known as "Freddy".

"She is, isn't she?"

The woman started to struggle but was abruptly stopped by the blade catching her throat. It lay lightly on her fair skin.

"Let me go." She hissed, there was something very familiar about that voice but I didn't prey on it.

"The mouse wants us to let go of her." Said the Jack.

"Well, she can't. She is too pretty to let go so easily."

"What will you do?" asked the girl. Bewildered eyes ready to learn her fate.

"Lets just say you'll be cold in the morning. We'll have our fun first."

The girl let out a sob as the Jack started to unbuckle his trousers. I was utterly revolted. I had to do something. The moon cast eerie blue light on the innocent child. She seemed almost ready for death, as if she had accepted her fate, but not quite.

There was suddenly a scream penetrated from Jack and a light whimper. There was a swish of metal tearing the air and a cry, the child was thrown across and hit her head off the wall, sliding down to a crumpled mess.

"That bitch bit me!" cried the grotesque man, buckling his trousers up as quickly as he had put them down. "She bit my hand!"

Wiping the blade on his trousers, he turned towards the woman; lying against the walls, fair ringlets were scattered, revealing her face. She seemed dead, yet in her blue eyes was a sparkle that seemed to slowly start to diminish. Yes I knew this woman. It was Christine.