The Wicked

10. When Words Run Dry

Their eyes were locked in a gaze that held and seemed as if it would hold forever. Christine's voice was barely a whisper as she repeated her words, "I need you."

Erik's expression said all Christine needed to know. The astonishment in his smoky green eyes, and yet the seductive pull he had on her was still there, gripping her more forcefully than ever. The moments passed by silently, as Christine's words clung to the air.

Suddenly, Erik took a sharp breath in and he looked up at

Christine, "Christine…" There was something in his voice that was unfamiliar to Christine. Some sort of dubiousness, perhaps even fright? He sounded so uncertain, "I don't…" He sighed shakily, but when he spoke once again his voice sounded more sure and confident, "I love you… so much."

Christine smiled, "I love you, too, Erik."

The two were standing only inches apart now, and Erik reached up his hand slowly, having it brush Christine's cheek. "You're so beautiful…"

He breathed. "So delicate." Christine's eyes fluttered close at the familiar sensation of his touch, breathing silently. "My angel…" Erik whispered to her, causing her heart to skip a beat. It had been so long—too long—since Erik had truly felt right. But now, Christine beside him, wanting him, needing him. Everything else in the world seemed to melt away. It was only Christine and he together.

Christine heard nothing but Erik's voice. She felt nothing except his touch. Her eyes opened gently, only focusing on him. Watching him now, feeling his tender touch… everything felt so right. She saw that

Erik was close. Only inches away. Slowly closing in…

Their lips met. A tingling sensation ran through all of Christine's body as she felt Erik's heated touch. His hand skidded gently from

Christine's back, to her waist. Christine's eyes closed again, she felt as though her whole body had been set on fire…

Tenderly, Erik pulled away. His eyes cast upon her.

Christine's eyes opened and she stared back at him, her body still tingling.

"Christine, I love… you…" Erik sang softly and gently. He pulled

Christine toward him, their eyes locked. The two were touching now, and Erik put his forehead against Christine's. His voice hushed, he said, "You are an Angel, Christine, above me in every conceivable way.

And still you love me."

"Love hasn't any limits, my darling," Christine whispered back. She felt fevered to his touch, feeling his hot breath on her neck. She took a deep breath and sighed out, her eyes closing slightly, "My love…"

Meg watched him scornfully from where she stood backstage, staring at Raoul. The rehearsal played on merrily, and when it came time for Meg and the rest of the chorus girls to glide out on the stage, she did so. She glanced over at Christine, who was dancing only a few feet away. Christine did not notice Meg watching her.

Meg thought of Erik, and how shocked she had acted when he mother told her about the 'phantom of the opera'. What Madame Giry didn't know, is that Meg knew all too well who Erik was. She had seen Erik before, found him. Meg had thought she could forget about Erik. That she could lock away all the secrets and lies. But then Christine had come…

It had all gone wrong from there. Meg had never had any intention of going back to that dismal lair, until she had seen Joseph Boquet's body. She shuddered at the thought of the man she had once known—a swine, really. Only a drunkard with a dull sense of humor—so motionless. He had looked so grey. But his neck had been dripping with a crimson blood. His throat had been cut open from behind, revealing much of his neck bone. His eyes had been wide open and alert, as if he were seeing everything and nothing. Meg still saw him, his dark eyes…

She felt as if they had been watching her. So filled with terror. So icy…

Meg tried to shake the memory away, sighing shortly. Now, she focused on the dance.

Raoul felt Meg's eyes on him. Her scornful glare. The poor girl truly hated Raoul, didn't she? Raoul merely smirked. Although it was a bit startling to see such a gentle creature as Meg Giry so… threatening.

Still, Raoul had never liked Meg. She always seemed too pure. Too kind. There must have been something she was hiding.

Forgetting Meg, Raoul furthered his gaze to Christine. She was still a child in so many different ways. She was so pure and innocent, ignorant of all of the hatred in the world. That was why she could not leave Erik. She didn't know what he was truly capable of.

She didn't know what Raoul was truly capable of.

Raoul sighed. The poor girl was once again under the power of the Phantom of the Opera. She was once again lured by his mysterious power of seduction.

Despite himself, Raoul grinned. Erik was captivating to Christine. He could hold her, but that couldn't last for that long. Could it?

No.

Not so long as Raoul had a breath left in him.

"Erik?" Meg hissed.

She heard the water from the other side of the lair splashing, and soon Erik came into vision.

"Meg?" He asked. He pulled the brass lever and the iron gate began to ascend. "What are you doing here?"

"Christine… she has come to see you?"

"Did you see her last performance?"

Meg nodded. But she sighed, "That was a foolish thing to do, Erik. You could've gotten yourself killed."

"And I expect you were disappointed to find I was not slaughtered," Erik countered, his eyes cutting into Meg.

"Ah, and you seemed so calm the other day when I came to see you." Meg returned.

Erik scowled, "Do you need something?"

Meg stared back at him for a moment, not saying a word. "I have noticed something, Erik." She said coolly. "The man I ran from all those months ago and tried to forget was the Phantom, was he not? However… I have seen a… change in you. And I suspect it was just after you met Miss Daae?" Erik's eyes did not meet Meg's. "You love her, don't you?" Meg challenged.

Erik looked up, "Of course I do, Meg."

Christine stared at the ceiling, thinking only of Erik. Earlier that evening… everything had been perfect. Christine pulled the blankets farther around her, suddenly cold. What would Raoul think? Didn't he still mean something to her? But… she had never felt like this towards Raoul, had she? No, this was new… this was… right.

Christine jolted as a knock on the door sounded.

"C-come in." She stuttered.

The door pushed open and in came a familiar figure.

"Raoul, what are you doing-?"
"Tell me that it is not true, Christine." Raoul interrupted. "You are still my fiancée, are you not?"

Christine took in a sharp breath, "Raoul… I care for you. Very much. But… I don't love you. I love Erik."

"After all he's done?" Raoul cried. "Christine, do not allow yourself to be so possessed as you are!"

"Raoul he has not possessed me. I love Erik." Christine said calmly. She sighed, "Raoul... I care for you. And I want to make things right with you—"

Raoul shook his head, "You're a fool. You'll see that Erik is a murderer. That he is so ruthless and vile… but it will be too late. You are ruining your own life Christine. Allowing this man—this monster to rule over you. You should run away now. Free yourself of this."

"I cannot do that!" Christine cried.

Raoul sneered, "Then you will regret it, my dear. Every moment you spend with him… now it is happiness. But soon you'll see that it was all a mistake. You'll be sorry Christine. I'll be waiting for you to return."

"That will not—"

Raoul laughed viciously. It was full of malice and something that terrified Christine. This couldn't be that gentle man she had once loved. Could it? "You think that Erik is an Angel, do you not? That he will free you? That despite his past he is no longer a Phantom. He is a killer, Christine. Should you do anything at any moment to displease him he will make you sorry for it. He killed Joseph Boquet, not because he needed any means, but because he is a madman!"

"No! That's not true! He-he wouldn't—"

"Do you really believe that he wouldn't? Haven't you seen him when he is angry? Doesn't it make him do terrible things?"

"Stop it!"

"You know deep inside that you cannot trust this man. You know what he can do… what he has done… even what he will do." Raoul mocked.

Christine took in a sharp breath, "Enough!"

Raoul grabbed Christine by the shoulders and pulled her close to him. He whispered in her ear, "And what if Joseph Boquet saw him? Can't you imagine his reaction, since Joseph Boquet was telling everybody? The Phantom wants to stay hidden, Christine. And Joseph Boquet was ruining that plan. Don't you think that would anger Erik enough? Yes, Christine, Erik killed Monsieur Boquet."

Christine pushed away from Raoul, tears trickling down her cheeks, "You're lying!"

"Am I? Perhaps Joseph Boquet saw Erik dropping a set during a rehearsal. Or sending a letter. Perhaps he found the lair. Perhaps he ripped off Erik's mask."

Christine shook her head vigorously, "E-Erik wouldn't get caught!"

Raoul's grin was horrifying, "You sound unsure, my dear. May I ask why that is?"

"Stay away from me!" Christine shouted.

Raoul grabbed Christine's wrist, "I'd be happy to, you ungrateful whore. But it is my job to protect you from one such as Erik. You are my fiancée."

"I am not your fiancée! Let go of me!"

Raoul's grip on Christine's wrist tightened, "I'm afraid, my dear, I cannot allow you to go to Erik anymore." His hand slid up until he was gripping her shoulder. He pulled her behind him as he headed toward the door of his bedroom.

"What are—Raoul let me go!"

The two exited into the hallway.

Raoul paid no heed to Christine's screams and cries of protests. Soon the two were in Raoul's carriage. Christine kicked at the doors, but Raoul held them in place.

"Let me out!" Christine screamed.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that." Raoul replied flatly.

Christine breathed slowly, "W-where are you t-t-taking me?"

Raoul's gaze fixed on her, "To the church, my dear."

"C-church? You think I'll marry you?"

"I don't think you have much of a choice."

xXx