Chapter 9
Christine's Car… July 25
The sky continued to get darker as I traveled through the city. Darkness did not matter to me, though. Plymouth was such a small place. Only corn fields lay to the left and right of my car, it seemed. But, even knowing the city so well, I still did not know it well enough to find particular roads at night.
But, I think I know where this road is. That thought kept creeping to the center of my mind.
So, with drive and ambition, I continued along my way.
I do wonder what my relatives are thinking… Although, I probably knew. They would see the letter, shrug, and continue with their perfect lives. But, then again, they may worry so much as to call cops. I shook my head in the negative. It didn't matter, anyway. I was now an adult. They held no power.
Johnson Street was the first my eyes came across. I took a right on it thinking I was doing the correct thing.
For some odd reason, I actually felt safe in the car. It was the weirdest thing. I had absolutely no reason to feel such security. My parents died in a car crash! But, still, I felt safe. I could not place why. I felt as if my kidnapper would never try to get me in a car.
Finally, just as I had hoped, a street called Caliber Drive came into view. "No way," I whispered. I didn't actually think I'd be right in knowing the street.
This was proving to be too easy.
And, just as I suspected, 75 Caliber Drive was at the end of the road… at the dead end. Although it was almost dark, I could tell it was a huge house. It was an old Victorian with three stories. At night, though, it looked like it could be haunted.
I decided to park on the side of the road a few houses down from it. When the car stopped, my fear came back ten-fold. It was as if the engine gave me life but, without it, I was as weak as ever.
Oh god, what am I doing? I can't do this! What was I thinking? What am I to do? Just knock on the front door? I don't think so!
I made sure the doors were locked before lowering my head to the steering wheel dejectedly. I needed to think. It was either: One, go back to Aunt Giry's, or two, do what I intended and get to the bottom of this entire ordeal.
Of course, now, after everything that'd happened, I just wanted to do what was easiest, which definitely didn't include going anywhere near my could-be kidnapper. But, before two weeks ago, I'd been a somewhat brave girl. I used logic whenever possible (which was all the time due to Meg's carelessness), and I had guts.
I suppose the 'old me' came out and encouraged me to do what I was doing. I was both grateful and terrified.
The worst that could happen would be death, and I thought I already knew what that felt like as I was being raped. The best would be to find out that Erik was not the kidnapper. Wait! What am I thinking? Why must I want him to be innocent? What did he do to gain my liking? Well, duh, he took me to the hospital when I was a complete wreck, but he might have done that to only… Well, to only what?
I was stuck. There was no reason for Erik to have brought me to the hospital. There was no reason for him to have helped me in such a way. But, there was a reason Nadir Kahn had visited me. Why had I suddenly become such an 'interest' to this Erik? For only a voice? For only my voice? That certainly was no good reason to send someone at 4 in the morning to my hospital room.
I moaned. My curiosity was stronger than ever, and the only way to sate it would be to get out of the car.
But, what was I to do when I got out of the car? I sat and tried to come up with a plan. Windows.. Of course! Before thinking further, I got out of the car and shut the door.
I was now out in the open at night all alone. Oh..my..god.. I was in danger. But, wait! Why do I always overreact? Well, because of the past week, of course… But, this is a street with houses- friendly houses. Sure, they're largely spaced apart, but someone could still hear me scream. So, I ran as fast as I could towards the old Victorian looking all around me as I sprinted.
Once in front of my destination, I studied my surroundings. The house looked normal enough. A front door, a front porch, lights on inside… Lights!... and windows on all floors. I smiled to myself.
I walked forward as quietly as possible to the side of the house. It was then that I wished I had dark clothing to further obscure myself. But, the show must go on, I decided. As silently as a mouse, I tiptoed to a window on the first floor. Noticing there was a basement, I had to hop to see inside.
A nice family room was what I saw. There was a fire in a fireplace, and the furniture was all leather.
How lovely, I sarcastically thought while hopping. How I wished Nadir would enter. Actually, it'd be nicer if Erik himself would.
So, I waited. There was no use going to other windows as I was sure someone would enter this room eventually. Every few seconds, I looked around in fear expecting to see a man in a black mask. He was never there, though, much to my ease.
I was growing impatient and was just about to switch to another window when, to my surprise, two men entered the family room. I hopped more excited than before to see who they were.
Whoa, it's both of them! It was Nadir and Erik! Erik sat in an armchair while Nadir sat on the couch. They were talking, and it didn't look to be a friendly conversation.
So, what was I to do now? I continued to hop in order to watch them, but a moment later my worst fear came true. Erik's eyes turned to the window. He saw me... Uh oh.. Fear suddenly entered my mind full force. I had every intention of running back to my car, but just as I was about to, Erik appeared right in front of me. How did he get outside so quickly? A scream escaped my mouth, and I turned and ran towards the backyard.
Never looking back and feeling a lot of deja vu, I ran as fast as my legs could manage. But, before I continued into woods, I stopped. There was no way in hell I'd do such a thing. I didn't care what happened, I would not go into those woods again.
And, just as I thought, somebody turned me around to face them. I closed my eyes and stood my ground.
"Christine Daae?" Somebody asked the question in complete bewilderment.
"Yeah?" I squeaked without opening my eyes.
The same voice asked, "What are you doing here?"
Finally, I opened my eyes and realized, of course, that it was Nadir Kahn speaking. The other man, Erik, just stood there viewing the situation.
"I- I- I…" I didn't know what to say.
"What are you doing here?" he repeated softly. "You should not be here. How did you find this place?"
"The phonebook," I answered truthfully. Now, the puppet will be in big trouble with his master…
"Oh," Nadir murmured worriedly. "How did you know my entire name?"
"You told me at the hospital, Nadir Kahn." Damn these people, anyway. They invade my privacy, so I have every right to invade theirs. I decided to voice my thoughts. "You invade my privacy, I invade yours. It's only fair, right?" I asked sarcastically while crossing my arms against my chest. I noticed Erik watching every move I made. I could've blushed if I weren't so irritated with my bad luck.
"Come." Erik had finally spoken. He then walked back towards the house. Nadir and I just stood there.
"You had best follow."
When I didn't move, he lightly pushed me forward. "Don't touch me," I hissed, but I did follow the masked man. Nadir followed behind me.
Once inside, we headed for the family room. Erik sat in the same armchair as before, I sat in another armchair, and Nadir sat on the couch, once again.
Erik finally decided to become social. "Now, explain to us exactly why you are here."
"No," I managed to say bravely without looking at him.
His voice rose dangerously. "You will explain."
I made the mistake of looking in his direction, and I was instantly terrified. "I, uh, I want to figure out who kidnapped me." I looked at my left arm's cast nervously.
"That is brave," the masked man calmly stated.
"Yeah, well, I can't just live with him still roaming." I then looked at Erik accusingly.
Nadir seemed to notice and spoke up. "Christine, what are you suggesting?"
I continued to look at Erik suspiciously and said, "I just want to know. Were you the one? Please, tell me the truth." The silence in the room was unbreakable.
Except, Erik finally spoke. "Ms. Daae, I did not kidnap you. I did not. Really. Believe me."
"The only way I can believe you is to.. see behind your mask."
Nadir stood. "Christine, do not say such a thing. Now, Erik said he didn't, so he didn't. You must believe him. You must!"
I looked at Erik. I really looked at him, studied his features. My green eyes roamed his entire body, and I did not feel the least bit embarrassed for it. Then, finally, I spoke. "I feel like I shouldn't, but I do. I do believe you."
I heard Nadir take a sigh of relief, and he sat back down.
Erik stared at me as I stared at him before. It made me feel so extremely uncomfortable that I was forced to command, "Stop it."
He sighed before looking into my eyes and seriously saying, "Christine, we know who kidnapped you."
I blinked. Then, comprehending his words, I stared at him in shock and gasped.
Cliffie..
Please review!
-Lauren
