I'm saying this now so I can get it over with: this is going to be one of my last updates before I leave the site....until September. Thats right! I only plan on having about 2 more updates after this one, but that doesn't mean I'm abandoning my work! Oh no, no, no, no! I'm going on a vacation, even though its still summer and school is a long ways off still, but I need a tiny break. I'll see if I can update my stories, but most likely I won't. So, on a much happier note, thankie for the reviews! I know I pushed the romance a little too fast with Erik, but I plan on.....I'm giving my plot away! Before I give anything else away, here is Chapter 8!

Memories

Christine sat quietly reading on the over stuffed chair beside the fire. The day of her Papa's death was coming to a close and she knew she'd have to give a good excuse to Monsieur Reyer and the managers why she wasn't at the opera house performing. They'll be furious at me tomorrow, but there was no way I could perform tonight. I probably ended up crying half way through the first act!

Sighing sadly, she shut her book and looked around her and Erik's small flat; it was cozy, with 2 bedrooms, a little kitchen, and a sitting room/music room. When they had first found the flat about 6 years ago, Erik insisted that they have some form of a music room.

"I wish to train your voice properly, my dear. Anyways, a piano is not that expensive, unless it is a grand one and I simply just need a small one."

Speaking of Erik, where was he? He never ran errands this late into the night and it worried her. What if he's hurt? What if someone saw his face....and-and...I can't think of it! Oh Erik, please hurry!

Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door. Erik knew that the door was open, so why was he knocking? Sighing once more, Christine reluctantly got out of her warm chair and made her way to the door.

"I'm coming! Honestly, Erik, you know I al-Raoul!" she gasped as she opened the door. He looked very dashing and a large boyish grin spread across his face.

"Christine! So this is where you live. I was wondering for sometime now where you were hiding from me. May I come in for a moment. I won't stay long, I have other business to attend to." he answered. As usual, Christine was beautiful, even in a simple green dress. Can't that freak at least buy her nice clothes? Or a larger flat?

"Of course, come in. I'm sorry about my outburst. For a minute I thought you were Erik and he forgot that the door was open." she giggled and led him into the living room.

Raoul, again looked around the simple room; there barely was anything in there besides a small couch, table, two chairs, and a baby grand piano that sat in the corner, stacks of music nearly as tall as it. So, the monster can buy a piano, but nothing decent for Christine?

Christine noticed Raoul looking at the small and simple room and almost felt angry. Was he making fun of the little flat? Was he thinking that they were so poor that this was all they could find? The only reason why they bought the flat was because it was close to the opera and, once Christine took a look on the inside, she fell in love with its coziness.

"Please, Raoul, sit. Let me go make some tea." she plastered on a fake smile, trying her best to push down the anger. Now she knew how Erik felt when people would whisper or stare at them as they walked down the street. God, Erik, how do you do it?

Raoul sat stiffly in on the couch, waiting for Christine to return. He knew this was the perfect oppurtunity to tell her about her "friend's" horrid past. When he first read it, he couldn't believe that one boy could do so much damage, but the more he read the more he felt that Christine was in danger. I should have known that a monster would do this. Luckily I came! God only knows what he could've done to her!

His thoughts stilled as Christine walked back into the room.

"The samovar is on so it shall only be a few minutes. I've been curious, why are you here so late? Its nearly midnight." she asked as she took her seat in her chair.

"Might I ask you the same? Why are you up so late, my friend?"

"I was waiting for Erik to come home. Oh Raoul, if anythings happened to him, it would be awful! His face. He's been nearly killed because of that dreadful deformity. That was when he got an awful fever because the wounds on his cheek became infected. I thought he was going to die just like Papa, but after 3 long, delirious weeks, he made it. I just hope that never happens again." she gushed. Christine wasn't sure why she was telling Raoul all of this, but she needed someone to talk to and pour out her worries.

Raoul sat and listened, cursing that the creature didn't die. He would practically be doing the world a favor! Turning his head to look at Christine, ready to pull out the documents that he kept in his jacket.

"Lotte, there is something I must tell you before I depart. I found some old, dusty papers while I was at the police station earlier today and I couldn't help but notice that your friend's name appeared several times. Do you wish to look at them?" he smirked, knowing that curiosity would get the best of her.

Slowly nodding her head, Christine watched as Raoul brought forth the papers he'd spoken of and placed them on the tables. She picked up one of them and burst into tears when she read the first line:

There have been 3 murders in 3 weeks and many believe it could be part of the Erik Destler killings.

"Erik?"

No! The paper had to be wrong! It had to! Erik wouldn't hurt anyone or anything! Christine cried the whole time she read each document, recording the murders and....the murderer and, even worse, a mug shot of....him. There he was, no older than 6 or 7, dirty, beaten, and his eyes held sadness and regret in the picture. Why would he do this? Erik is so gentle! He....he....

"Raoul, is all this true? Please tell me it isn't and that you're playing some sick joke on me." she whimpered and prayed to God that this was all just a joke and Erik would walk through the door, comforting her and telling her he never had done such evil things.

Raoul's smirk became a full fledged smile as he watched her tears flow harder and harder. How fun it was to destroy their relationship! His smile faded into a fake, sad frown and motioned for Christine to sit with him on the couch. Instantly, she had her arms wrapped around his waist and was crying harder at his unspoken answer. He had killed 3 people! The man she'd known all her life, the kind, loving, caring, gentle man, was all a lie. Just one big lie and she, and her Papa, were dumb enough to believe it.

"Christine, stop your tears. I'm here for you. I can take you away from here before he returns. Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me each night each morning. Love me, thats all I ask of you." Raoul softly sang into her ear. Christine pulled back from her childhood friend and stared at him in shock. He loved her? Really?

"Raoul, I'm sorry. I can't leave, as much as I want to. Erik still needs me and I need him. I-I...." she broke off, not knowing exactly what to say. Why was she defending a murderer? Was it because she still felt like she should stay? Because he'd always been there for her? Or was it....love?

Could she love a someone who killed people? Could Erik love her even if he killed people? He may have killed people in his past, but, according to the documents, he served his short time and was released and he's never harmed anyone since. Perhaps...living with Erik won't be terrifying.

Raoul stared at her in complete shock; she was staying! This was not part of his plan! His plan was to expose what an awful monster this man was and he would be the knight in shining armor and rescue his Christine and in a few months, they would be happily married and the beast would be gone forever.

"You can't be serious! He's a killer! What if he tries to kill you?" he exclaimed and jumped up from the couch.

Christine sat on the couch, shocked as well by his outburst. Anger then kicked in. How dare he shout at her like this? Crossing her arms and walking into the kitchen, she took the samovar off the stove and walked back into the living room. Calm down. That trip to the kitchen should have been enough time to drain your anger. Now, act somewhat your age and you might be able to defend Erik even more!

"Don't you think that if Erik wanted to kill me, don't you think he would have done it already? Besides-" Christine was cut off as Raoul's lips locked onto hers. It was an angry, demanding kiss that told her that if she didn't shut up, she'd regret it. Releasing her lips, Raoul laughed wickedly into her ear once more,

"You will be mine, Little Lotte. Even if I have to take you by force. Goodnight, Mademoiselle."

And without another word, Raoul gathered up the documents that lay on the table and walked out the door.

Christine was stunned by what had just happened. Too much was happening at once. The room started to spin and the last thing Christine remembered was a pair of strong arms cradling her before she hit the wooden table.

Sorry its so short, but here's your guys final update for a while! Hope you enjoy it and sorry theres no Erik, himself, in this chapter, but I ran out of time. My flight leaves in a few so I must say goodbye and God Bless and for all things that are pure and good, REVIEW!

^.^