Erik: Review

Natalie: You know this...


Chapter 9: Natalie

I awoke longing for cold unfeeling night. This change that came over me was sudden. A strange feeling was in the air. A feeling of dread and pain. I didn't like it at all. Sitting up I looked over at where I expected to see Erik all I saw was his mask. Stumbling to a standing position I headed towards his outer chamber. My feet slashed against something wet. Looking over I saw Meg limp as a doll. White paint made a mask on her face just like Eriks'.

Rushing forward I found Raoul had drowned. And Antoinette still and stone cold. I didn't have time to morn I had to find Erik to make sure he was alright. All that was anything was Erik. Going as fast as I could I found his leaning casually against the piano. With a sigh of relief I wrapped my arms around him. He was safe everything would be alright.

Pain surrounded my body the slice across my back happened again. Erik stood holding a knife a look of pleasure was on his face as he watched the blood. "Erik!"

"Why my pet you look rather pale. Let's add some more red." Slamming me up against a wall he…

"ERIK!" I burst awake breathing heavy. Jumping up he looked around. Tears instantly streamed down my face. "I'm not your pet. No, no, no, please…" I muttered over and over pulling my legs up to my chest. Eriks look of surprise had faded to worry and concern. "You promise not to hurt me right? Will you hurt me? I'm so scared. I hate this…" My muttering continued.

Erik wrapped his arms around me whispering comforts in my ear. He cared that was the truth, but I would lose him. Just like I lost Taylor. No I couldn't get over this. I could not lose him like I lost my sweet little Taylor.

Erik

"Can we go to the graveyard?" She asked it randomly and I was slightly taken back by the question.

"We?"

"I don't want to go alone and there is someone I'd like you to meet."

"If you want me to then alright."

"It's just I know with everything going on but it's…"

"We'll sneak out." She grinned at me then looked, no glared, at the wine coated dress. Laughing I took her hand and walked her into a backroom full of beautiful dresses. She gazed at them in awe. Looking back at me with uncertainty she asked for permission with her eyes, I nodded to her. She picked (.com/cgi/set?id=40904791&.msg= ) a black lace dress. With that some flats.

"Can we go back to my room before we leave?" She asked lightly. Grinning I wrapped my arms around her waist holding her for a moment.

Easily making it to her room undetected she walked towards her dresser. I had left a small note telling Madam Giry to tell the others to wait until we returned because I wanted to make a scene when they went back to the opera. Not feeling the need to add where we were going it was short and to the point. Opening the door she pulled out a few dresses and set them to the side. Picking up a small jewelry box she held it tightly in her grip. She smiled a small broken smile before turning towards me.

Wrapping an arm around her we snuck out and I borrowed a saddled horse. About to help her up she easily swung herself over with any help from me. "I used to watch Raoul out of my window. It's funny how much you can learn from observing."

Nodding I made the horse trot. This soon turned into an all-out run. We made it in record time. This time I made her let me help her off the horse. Shaking her head she walked through the gate seemingly to know exactly where to go. Letting her lead I stayed close she was shivering in the fall weather but refused to accept my cloak. We went far into the graveyard to the very back with the woods and fence. Under a beautiful old oak stood a love grave. It was a poor grave made of simple stone.

She walked towards it her hair blowing in the wind. Walking with a strange sort of grace Natalie stopped at the grave. Reaching her myself I looked down to see written in the stone:

Taylor

1825-1826

I will never forget…

Son of Natalie Taylor

It haunted her and it scared me. This boy was her son and he had died when he was a year old. I couldn't even begin to understand the pain she must have been hiding standing there. Now I understood why she wanted me to come. Taking her in my arms she began to weep. She from what I could only guess cried for this Taylor but it also seemed she cried for me…

Natalie

My Taylor was never coming back no matter how much I wished he was. It hurt more than anything that no matter what children were impossible for me now because of him. That damn bastard had taken everything. I squeezed Erik's arm as hard as I could, he made not a sound. I wanted Taylor back but was that what I truly wanted or was it revenge that I so desperately craved. I didn't know nor did I care. My world was being ripped around me tossing me in so many directions.

What path did I walk? Who really cared? Erik? Did my Erik care or was he just looking for a replacement. Looking up I saw it in his eyes. It was not pity like I expected it was something so much grander. Beautiful, perfect, wonderful. It was understanding. He understood me like no one had ever even tried to before.

My doubts were tossed away with that one look. And my angel took center stage. No more hiding. He was like me. Just like me. Broken and scarred and for once in my pitiful existence I felt a true need to survive. For him to be happy.

Stepping away from him I watched his face fall. It began to rain. A smile over my face as the cold pour doused me. Erik glared at the sky. Grabbing his hand I spun around taking him with me we began to dance. With love in our eyes we danced as thunder cracked in the sky. The fire in each other's eyes keeping us warm. Our spirits soared in the sky dancing with the wind.

This night was surrounded in silver perfection. Nothing could get better than this. With Erik my Hell turned to heaven.