I was sitting at the little desk in the family room, staring out the window; then he came to mind. I let my head fall onto my crossed arms and groaned.
Raoul looked up from his book and asked, "Are you all right, Christine?". I simply said, "Uh-huh" and went back to sulking. Why do I keep thinking about Erik? It's not like I love him or anything...I finally sat up and sighed. Raoul looked over at me with a puzzled look. I just smiled at him before I rushed to my room. I couldn't take it anymoe. I had to see him. Just one more time. I must have been in some other zone, because I had no idea that I wasn't alone anymore. I heard a voice say, "What are you doing?" It was Raoul. I gasped and said, "You could have knocked you know. Anyway,
I need to get away from this place for a while. I feel caged." Raoul was silent. "I just need a week or two to myself. That's all. I promise. Just give me a week or two." A sigh escaped from Raoul's lips. He looked at me with a look that seemed to say Please stay', but he said, "Fine. Take as long as you need, Christine." I nodded and hugged him.
Raoul grabbed my suitcase from the closet and set it on the bed. I began to back my things into it while he helped. He didn't seem to be too upset about this, but I had a feeling that something was bothering him. I stopped packing and asked, "What's wrong?". Raoul looked up and replied, "Nothing, love. Why ever do you ask?" I poked him and said, "Liar. C'mon, tell me what's wrong." He sighed, bowed his head and said, "I just get the feeling that you don't love me anymore. That you might love another man. The thought of losing you scares me." I blinked, "Now why would you think that?" Raoul shuffled his feet and said, "I don't really know, but...I've had the feeling since yesterday." I just stared at him. "Well, I don't love anyone else. So that should make you feel better." I said. He nodded and said, "It does." I went back to packing my things. Half an hour later I zipped up my suitcase, hugged and kissed Raoul, then got into a carriage headed for the Opera House.
When I got there, I noticed that no one had the nerve to re-build it after it burned down. I just sighed and found a way in, which wasn't easy. Once i was inside, I went to my old dressing room and walked over to the mirror. "sigh Well, this is it. C'mon feet." I slid the mirror open and started walking down the long, dark path to the catacombs below. Once I got to the lake, I looked around for the boat. When I couldn't find it, I muttered,
"Great...I'm gonna have to get wet..." So into the water I went. Halfway there, I tripped and got SOAKED! "Damn it!!" was all I could say.
I got up and kept on walking...er...treading. When I reached the gate thingy, I looked around for the switch. "Found it!" I whispered while I yanked it upward. The gate slowly rose up and I walked through. The water became deeper.."Now what...swim?" I thought. So, I put my suitcase on my back and started to swim until the water was shallow enough to walk again. When I finally got to my destination, I looked around. I couldn't see him.
"Erik?" I called out, "Where are you?" I probably stood there for about 5 mins before I heard foot steps on the concrete. "Thank God"
I whispered to myself. "Who's there?" asked a deep, soothing voice. "It's me! Christine!" I shouted and ran further into the room. "Christine?" said the voice. "Why are you here?" I sighed and replied, "To right my wrongs you silly goose." The foot steps now entered the water and I could finall see him.
He approached my slowly and cautiously, as if he thought it was a dream that would go away if he moved to quickly. I crossed my arms and waited.
When he finally reached me, he brought his hand to my face and said, "You haven't changed a bit. Still beautiful as ever." I gave a silent laugh. "And you haven't changed either. Whatever happened to that mask of yours? You're not wearing it..." He took his hand off my face and said, "It was burned in the fire...That was my only mask." "Oh..." was all I could say. Before I could say anything else, his arms were around me and he was sobbing.
"What's wrong?" I asked in a gentle voice. He inhaled to try and catch his breath. "I never thought I would see you again Christine.
I missed you so much." I hugged onto him and comforted him. Before I knew it, we were both on our knees. Erik pulled away and said, "You're soaked!" I laughed and said, "I had to swim here, of course I'm soaked." He let out a short laugh. "So, where can I put my things?" I asked.
Erik looked surprised for a moment. "Um...follow me." I did as I was told. He brought me to a small room thats doorway was hidden behind a mirror.
I looked around and put my suitcase where he pointed to. "I guess you're staying then?" he said. I nodded and replied, "Yes. For a while that is"
"Ok," he began, "Since your things are already in here, this will be your room." I nodded. "You must be tired. Rest for a bit. If you need anything, don't hesitate to tell me." he suggested. I simply yawned and said, "Okay." He hugged me again and left the room.
1 hour later
I couldn't seem to fall asleep. I felt so alone. I couldn't stand it much longer. I decided to go curl up in his bed, at least he would be in the same room as me. When I reached his bed, I saw him relaxing in it. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked. I shook my head. He patted the spot next to him and I happily obliged. I curled up next to him and put one arm over his mid-body. He had his arms wrapped around me also. Before I knew it, I fell asleep.
For once, in a long time, I had a dreamless, soundless, and calming night's sleep.
