Chapter Ten
Raoul Strikes Again

Chang felt the happiest he hadn't felt in ages. He and Meg were officially together, and they very well coludn't so much as avoid eye contact, he had been taken in by Christine and Erik, and had now been with them several months. He comtinued his musical studies with the help of Christine and Erik. Meg chipped in as well by teaching him how to dance. He felt complete. He had not forgotten his mother, he still had his fond memories of her.
Today Meg was doing a practice waltz with Chang, while Christine looked on proudly. Erik himself was there looking proudly on his disciple as he continued browsing through records to play on the grammaphone. He loved watching his apprentice sing and play and he enjoyed watching him dance too. He was very impressive to behold and a good reason to be proud.
Everything seemed so perfect that it seemed nothing could mess it up, they had even forgotten about that nasty rich kid until a menacing voice rang out.
"AHA!" it said, "NOW I got you!"
They all looked up to see Raoul at the top of the stairs, his rapier drawn. Chang stopped dancing with Meg and gently pushed her behind him with intent of protection.
"Raoul," said Christine, "Go away."
"Not this time my dear fiancee," said Raoul.
"She is not yours anymore Vicomte," said Erik, "She chose, I did not make hrt, now leave us."
Raoul ignored what Erik said and advanced.
"Now I will kill you like I should have in that cemetary," he said.
In a flash of speed and adrenaline, Chang was standing in front of Raoul protecting Erik, his cutlass drawn.
"Ah, hello my boy," said Raoul, "Hope I did not hurt you too bad."
"Do not worry," said Chang, "You did not. But I will to you if you do not leave here."
Raoul shook his head.
"This is not your fight," said Raoul, "Please stand aside."
"I will not let you harm my father," said Chang.
Raoul looked at him aghast.
"Your father?" he said, "Such cock and bull propoganda, he is not your father."
"On the contrary," said Chang, "He and Christine have taken me in, so whatever fight you have with Erik is also MINE."
Meg watched on worried for Chang's safety.
Raoul sighed.
"Then you leave me no choice," he said.
Raoul lunged forward attacking, Chang neatly parried and dodged. They fenced and slashed and jabbed. It was a nasty fight. At one point Raoul caught Chang off guard and slashed him across the chest. Chang flinched, looked down at his bleeding chest then glowered and came at Raoul with all his might and fury. Slashing and swinging wildly.
Raoul could barely hold a candle as his younger adversary came at him with this newfound strength. At one point he cut Raoul's arm, causing him to drop his weapon with a yell. As he scrambled to grab his sword, Chang rushed forward and kicked it away then raised his sword for the final blow.
"NO!" cried a voice.
Chang turned to look at the voice with his foot pinning down Raoul by the chest. Meg looked at Chang with slight fear.
"No Chang," said Meg, "Not like this, you are better than that."
Chang then looked over at Christine who was nodding in agreement, then to Erik who was watching quietly but his eyes clearly said 'Do not do it.' Then finally down at Raoul pinned underneath his foot, looking weak, pathetic, and defeated and slightly afraid. Chang unpinned him.
"Get out," he said, "Never come back."
Raoul slowly crawled away and began to reach for his sword, Chang struck the stone floor with his sword hard causing sparks to fly with a clang, mere inches from Raoul's hand causing him to recoil.
"Leave it," Chang said, "Get out of here."
Raoul got up holding his bleeding arm, cast one more despairing look at Christine, then left. Chang holstered his weapon then collapsed to his knees feeling sick after the adrenaline subsided. He was trying to catch his breath.
Meg walked to him, kneeled and held his head against her chest where her heart was.
"It will be all right," she said.
Chang closed his eyes as he put his arms around her. Christine herself kneeled down to Chang also and started rubbing Chang's back with a maternal feel to it. Even Erik chipped in and got Chang some water to help calm him.
"You did well my son," he said, "You are a much more better man than I am."
"I could have killed him," Chang said with horror.
"No, Chang," said Meg, "Do not dwell on it."
"You showed that you are a better man," said Christine, "I am proud of you son."
Chang relaxed and then spent the rest of the day with his head in Meg's lap, while she ran her hand through his hair. Staying close together like a real family would...