Gang Phantom

Chapter 10

I want her

It was like any other day at the diner. Christine was working hard like always, Danny watched her even still. There was something going on with her. She seemed more tired when she came in and he noticed she was wearing too much makeup on her neck. But he honestly doesn't know what she was hiding for she was too far away for him to get a good look. She ran around the dinner quickly like a rat on the streets, getting away with all the people. Christine's hair was messy, sweat rolling off her skin like rain drops going down a window. Dan just stood in the back watching her carefully. Her co-workers were working hard as well, getting everything done for the customers' pleasures. The weather outside seemed perfect to just take a lovely walk around a park. Dan kind of wished he was out with his wife and daughter. Dan was in thought that he almost didn't see Christine walking towards his way.

Christine had made her way to his direction, going to get something for a customer. As she was growing closer, he started to noticed that her neck was a bit darker than the rest of her skin color. His brows went forward at this as he felt concerned about this. How did she get that bruise in the first place? Who put it there? He wanted the answers, but he knew Christine too well. There was no way he could something out of her by asking what was wrong with her. Her reply was always the same, "I am alright". Dan managed to stop her in time by putting his hand out and placed it on her stomach. She jerked back in surprised, but no further indication that she was frighten by this.

"Christine, are you alright?" He asked her. He looked down her neck letting her know that he noticed the bruise. Her eyes traveled to the ground, finding her shoes more interesting now. She was trying to hide it from him, though it was pointless.

"Yes, just fine. Why?" She replied in a breathy tone. She was panting from running around a lot. She glanced up from the floor seeing his eyes trying to figure something out from her.

"Nothing. I'm just worried that you are working too hard." He replied. His tone was enough to let her know that he was catching on to whatever was going on with her. He doesn't know who was doing this, but he was determined to find out and give that person the beating of a life time. Dan could not, for the life of him, figure out why anyone would want to hurt her. Christine was too sweet, kind, and too innocent for anyone to harm her. Asides from that one bastard. Dan knew it was out of sick pleasure to torture his best friend. His blood started to spark at the thought. The only reasoned he kept himself in check was when Christine opened her mouth to speak to him.

"No need for that Dan. I am doing alright, and I am not over working myself." She told him, then went on her way to get the food for one of her tables. She left with a sigh that didn't go unnoticed by him. For the rest of her day, people would stare at her neck, but otherwise didn't say anything to her. She didn't know how she felt about that. Should she feel insulted that her pain wasn't important for anyone to care? Should she feel relieved that no one cared at all? Were these people like that to anyone else? Christine, for the whole day, had mixed feelings which resulted in her not doing so well at work. The people were slowly walking out the building, heading to their homes, or work. Kids were speaking to their mothers and fathers about something exciting. Christine could only watch in envy of them, they had both their parents alive to take care of them. It took all she had to not break down and cry. Would that be the most embarrassing thing to do?

After her shift was over, she put on her white coat, walking out the back. The air became freezing now that the sun was down and night began to take over. There was still a faint of pink and purple to the horizon, but other than that the sun was long gone until the next day. Shivering, the young woman walked down the streets as she wrapped her arms around herself. There was something strange. The feel of someone staring into her back had her tense up. She slowed down, the feeling of being watched came over her. She paused and turned her head to glance behind her. She couldn't see anyone, but that didn't mean no one was there. There was someone there, she knew it. She could feel it in her gut. In the back of her mind, she thought about Phillip and last night. Was he following her? Was he waiting for her to run into a trap like at the show? Christine wanted to cry at the thought. That was such a frightening thing that ever happened to her in all her life. Other than her mother not being around, and her father hating her for the cause of her mother's death. Slowly, she turned around eyes looking at every detail of the street. An apartment building to her right, rows of windows, just cleaned today. Next to the building was a bank, bars on the door and windows to protect the money inside. There was a narrow alley way between the two buildings. A stray cat walked out of it, meowing at nothing and going somewhere. Christine held her breath for what seemed forever. Her heart was racing, wanting to jump out and run away in fear. That was the plan if she ran into a terrifying problem.

The person was hiding and she knew where. Step after step, reaching to the alley way. Her lungs were burning from not breathing, but she couldn't bring herself to take a breath. Her heels tapped the ground, not going silent for her. When Christine made it, she stuck her head out seeing no one there. Just empty from anyone or anything. Christine let out her breathe, but kept her guard up. She walked away, putting distance, wanting to go home now. Turning around, she ran away, not wanting to have anyone to have the chance to follow her.

Erik stood outside the building, just watching to make sure that Rhoul wouldn't come to it. He had followed her here, but of course he had to hide quickly when she was coming closer to him. Erik was proud that she was becoming aware of her surroundings. Erik wanted her to feel him when she came out. She needed to learn that she wasn't always safe and when the time comes, she needed to run. Erik watched the apartment building with his blue-grey eyes, seeing his breath become visible when exhaling a sigh. His hands were stuffed in his pockets. His weapons were ready to be used. The streets were empty of anyone around this side of the city. A few dogs barking in the distance, but no other noise around him. He suddenly heard footsteps coming beside him, alarming him. "Something is going on." He heard a voice say. He looked over and saw Dan. Erik raised a brow at him.

"What do you mean?" He asked him.

Dan looked over to him, serious eyes. "I noticed that she was wearing too much make up on her neck. That's not normal on a girl. Trust me. And I noticed that it was darker." He spoke. Erik took this information in.

Erik looked back at the building. "Let's not jump onto conclusions yet." Erik said. But everything inside his gut told him it was her father, the only one in her house. He was there with her last night, and no one attacked them. The only other person would be a parent, most likely a male. Dan knew the logic in his words, but he was feeling the same as Erik, except his was more a father protection.

"If you say so, Erik." Dan whispered to him. Dan was itching to go in there and deal with the man himself. The two stood there in silence, not knowing what to say to each other. It has been a while that they talked to each other, see each other. Erik missed the old days. "Do you have a plan?"

"Not yet." Erik said. "But I will come up with something soon. For right now keep an eye out for anything that involves him." Erik told him. His voice went dark as he thought about Rhoul. Whenever his name is mentioned, something inside him, waking something evil inside him. Dan nodded then smiled to himself.

"This kind of feels like old times." The two laughed out loud remembering those nights.

"It does, aside from Matty boy's running mouth. I swear the man doesn't know when to keep quiet." Erik told. Dan chuckled at this. Matty would never shut his mouth in any situation back in the day. He would ramble on and on about nothing causing Erik to be irritated at him. Dan always laughed at the two. Those times were treasure to him.

Erik stayed quiet now, remembering that time, just three boys surviving the game in the real world. "Erik, I can't go back now. I have a family I need and want to protect them. There is no way I would put them in that kind of danger, ever." He told. Dan looked over to Erik, seeing the mask man's eyes moving over to the building. The longing he saw in those blue-grey eyes was powerful. "And I believe you are starting to understand that feeling." Erik glanced at him. Yes, he was, but like he would admit that to him. The gang leader just scoffed at his old buddy, glancing away from the father.

"Maybe a little, Danny. But you know as well as I do, that there is no other life for me with a face like this. I'm good for a circus freak than a human being."

"You are human, Erik." Danny replied. Erik just stiffen at his words. No, he wasn't. He was far from being human. He was just a beast in human form, ready to attack anyone who dares cross him in a bad way. A beast hungry for blood.

"No, I am not." Erik whispered. Dan let out a sigh, shaking his head at this. "You need to get back to your wife, before she thinks you are having an affair with another lady." Erik smirked at him. Dan grinned back, padding his back before leaving to go home to his family. Erik looked back at the building, believing no one would be here. It was a cold night, and he wanted to be in a room with a fire and a woman beside to keep him warm. Whenever he did try to leave, thinking that she'll be alright, his feet would stay glued to the ground. Erik took out a cigar, letting it warm him from the inside out. The glorious burning sensation in his lungs. The stress of the day disappearing in the smoke hanging over his head. Erik closed his eyes for a moment, exhaustion taking place in his body. Then crying hit his ears causing him to snap his head to the left, eyes wide open. There was Christine running out in tears, clothes torn. She held herself limping on her left foot. Then a man came out of the building behind her shouting at her. Erik tensed at the scene. That couldn't be her father. His brown hair greased and pulled back, a white shirt stained. His pants were undone, being pulled up by one hand. Erik knew that could only mean one thing to him. He didn't want think about that. "You come back here, worthless bitch!" The old man commanded her. Christine shook her head at him, still crying.

"Father, please. No." She begged and pleaded, more tears raining on her face. The man tried to grab her, but she pulled away from him. There was blood rolling down her leg. Erik decided he seen enough and stepped in.

"What is going on here?" He spoke out. Both Christine and her father stopped what they were doing and looked at Erik. Christine's eyes were wide in shock and fear. The man narrowed his eyes in a glare at him. Erik walked beside Christine, cupping her chain to see a bruise on her cheek. Her lips were split and blood was falling. He stared at her tear stained face, her eyes telling him she was afraid for him. He gave a small smile to her, assuring her.

"What do you want?" The father asked in an anger tone. The girl stiffen at the voice and Erik sighed at the man. The atmosphere was tense. He swore he could cut it with a knife. Erik gazed at the old man, walking up to him. The mask man circled him, humming out.

"You cannot be the father of a beautiful woman such as Christine." He stated out. The father growled at this, but didn't say anything or moved a muscle. Erik could tell he was hesitant to fight him, because he wore a mask over his face. Christine watched the scene before her in confusion. What was this man doing? The gang leader stopped beside Christine again, cold eyes reaching at the father.

"You didn't answer my question. What do you want?" The father asked again, with more venom in his tone now. Erik could feel the small woman tremble beside him. A spark lite up at this; the beast inside him shifting, wanting to tear this man apart for hurting a wonderful woman.

"Well, I apologize for my rudeness, sir. I was surprised to find a miscreant(1) man as yourself to be a father to this young woman." Erik spoke. "Allow me to introduce myself. They call me the Meurtrier de Fantôme(2). I am also known as Erik Fantôme." Erik gave a bow to the man, lifting his hat in respect to the man. Christine raised a brow, wondering where this man came from. Was he from France? If only she knew French so she could understand what he said to her father.

"That is not an answer." The father shouted, causing Christine to jump I fear. Erik took a hold of her hand, silently telling her to calm down. He had things under his control.

"I want a lot of things. sir." Erik answered him, finally. His voice was cold and dark that caused the man to shiver in fear. He turned to face the beautiful woman, causing her to look at him with questions in her brown eyes. Erik lifted her face seeing another mark on her neck. The mark Danny saw early today. He looked down on her body, seeing torn parts on her dress. "Money, a new car, nice shoes, more clothes, a better coat, so many things out there that I want." Erik continued, still checking her for more injuries. The old man growled at this not liking his answer.

"This is not a joke." He spatted out. Christine gasped at the sudden speech. Erik hushed her, keeping her calm. Her brown orbs gazed at his ocean blue, getting lost a bit. He smirked at her, telling her everything will be alright through his eyes.

"And I wasn't taking as a joke. I told you what I wanted." He turned to the man. "Another thing I want, sir, is this lady right here." Christine tensed again causing Erik to face her again. His eyes told her to trust him. He put an arm around body.

"No." The father raised his hands, the father mode coming into effect. Erik only stared at him blankly.

"Why?" He asked.

"She's my daughter. You cannot take my daughter away from me." He told him. Erik rolled his eyes at him. This man is suddenly becoming concerned about his daughter. It became too late for him with the first hit he took on Christine.

"Do you honestly think I would just hand her back to you?" The man swallowed at this. "I'm taking her with me, to keep away from you." Erik pulled her away from the scene. Then the man grabbed his arm pulling him back. Erik's eyes flared in anger, the beast inside him wanting to kill, but Christine was still there. He didn't want to traumatize her by killing this man. He turned and punched him in the nose. The man let go, grain hold of his nose. He had groaned in pain. "I want her and I shall have her. And don't think for a second you can take her back in your hands." Eric told him.

Christine could hear her father stepping closer to them. "Get away from my daughter." He growled out.

"I don't think that will happen sir." Erik spoke. "Got anything you want to pack, darling?" He asked Christine. She only shook her head to him confused on what he was doing. He brought out his arm to her. "Come on sweetheart." Christine obeyed him, taking his arm and walked with him.

"You come back here Christine Daaé!" Her father shouted at her. She was tense. "I was right with the men. My daughter is a whore!" Christine tensed in Erik's arm when those words were spoken. The gang leader lightly squeezed her arm.

"Do not listen to him." Erik told her while they walked further away. This was good in a way. Taking her away from an abusive father was good in his plan. He could keep an eye on her more unless she goes to her work and that friend's apartment. The father kept yelling for Christine to come back in which those shouts fell on deaf ears.

"Why?" She asked quietly to him. The man didn't answer right away. It was one word for many questions he knew she has in her mind. Erik was silent for a moment, thinking on her question.

"I cannot have a beautiful woman get beat up by her old man." Erik answered her. She sighed at this, knowing she wasn't going to get a true answer from him. They walked, getting further away from the father and closer to his house. "Before we go in there, I want to let you know that I have roommates, and they are all hands." He spoke lightly, trying not to scare her. Christine went tensed, but other than that didn't make any further indication that she was scared. "Will you feel confrontable in staying in my room for the night?" He asked her. Christine blushed at this, never had gone into a man's room before.

"Yes." Was her answer.

A/N: Sorry about not updating a lot. I have a lot going on with my life that I wasn't able to have time to work on any fanfictions here. I'm back for a little while and I hope to get more done on this story and all of my others.

(1) Miscreant- A person who behaves badly.

(2) Meurtrier de Fantôme- Phantom murderer or Murderer Phantom (It's however you want to say it)