dum dum dumm duuuummmmmmmmm!!! did you really think i was going to kill of erik?!?! NO WAY!! well actually i considered it and almost killed myself trying to answer that question and i nearly did kill him, but t he must live on for arianne!!! on with the story!!!!

Chapter 12

Life or Death

Erik fell away. He was no longer himself. He was not alive, but he wasn't dead; he was somewhere inbetween.

A white fog filled with light surrounded him. Then a song met his ears… he couldn't recognize the voice, but he knew the song. It was her song…

"Never dreamed out in the world,

There are arms to hold you,

You've always known,

Your heart was on its own…"

The song resounded around him. The voice was so beautiful he couldn't keep his mind on anything else. Then another voice came out of the mist.

"Go back to her Erik, you cannot leave her behind… she needs you and she calls for you." The shape a person materialized out of the fog.

It was a woman, violet eyes bright. "Hello my love."

"Sophia? How can this be? Am I…" he didn't finish.

"No," she said, "Not yet. Her song is the only thing keeping you a live. Do not leave out daughter Erik, go back to her."

"What about you?" he asked eyes full of desperation.

"I will remain here, my place is here and I will wait for the day you and our daughter to return."

"So laugh in your lonliness,

Child of the wilderness,

Learn to be lonely,

Learn how to love life that is lived alone…"

"I don't want to leave you," Erik said

"I want you here too Erik," she said, "but Arianne needs you more. I will be here waiting, do not leave her. She needs you and she calls for you. She is singing for you…"

Erik looked into her violet eyes and saw the love and longing in them. He knew he could not stay, Sophie was right Arianne need him more and one day he would meet his wife again, but today was not that day.

He put his large hands around her delicate fingers. "One day we will be together, all of us, a family. Please wait for us…"

"Learn to be lonely

Life can be lived

Life can be loved

Alone…"

"You must go," Sophie said, "there isn't much time. Her song has ended and soon you will die, you must go before it is too late."

Erik watched as Sophie began to fade away into the fog. He closed his eyes and let himself fade away.

Erik was gone… it couldn't be true… it just… couldn't be… true.

"Why did you have to leave me so soon?" Arianne wispered quietly, "I barley knew you."

Tears fell down her check, blood was staining her dress and the angel was still in Erik's hands. She took his hands to retrieve the small angel. Then Erik grabbed her hand. "Don't give up on me… yet… my dear," he said softly.

"You're… alive? It can't be… you were… I saw…"

"You saved… me. I couldn't leave you here… she sent me back…"

"Who?" She paused, "It doesn't matter you're alive!"

"I may be alive," he said face full of pain, "but I'm still injured."

Arianne looked around desprately for a way to get Erik without causing further injury. All that was around was tombstones and the stiff, cold body of Jeremie. She would have but no choice but stand Erik up and help out of the cemtery.

"Erik, the only way to get you out of here is to walk. I will support you all I can, but how far is the entrance?"

"It is too far… I will bleed to death before… we get there, the only way is for you go on your own… and find help. I left Cesar near the gate… ride him home… and bring help. He is swift and reliable… but you will not be able to ride side saddle… if you wish to get anywhere quickly."

"No we will find another way. Don't make me leave you!"

"It is the only… way. You must go. Be brave, I know you can do this… you are just… like your mother."

Arianne looked into the eyes of her father, his eyes were full of suffering and she knew he was in a lot of pain.

"I will be back as soon as I can," she said, "Do not give up, I will return with help." With that she ran off towards the gate.

As soon as Arianne was out of sight Erik let himself give in a little to the horendous pain. The bleeding had slowed, but he knew he was in for rough wait for Arianne's return.

The world around him began to spin and he could feel himself beginning to let go. Then he heard her voice.

"Do not leave her… she needs you… fight for her."

"I can't," he said to the voice.

"Yes you can! Do not leave our daughter alone."

Erik fought through the pain and dragged himself up against a large tombstone. He couldn't stay awake he had no more strength. He needed to rest.

"Please be swift Arianne," he wispered to himself and he closed his eyes.

Arianne drove the horse as fast as he could go. She took a short cut through the woods. Branches and twigs scratched her arms and face, but she continued on.

The sun hid behind clouds and sloomy shadows were all around her, threatening to shallow her up. Strange voices surrounded her and she urged Cesar faster. She couldn't find they way out. This wasn't turning out to be much of a short cut.

"Fallow your heart…" said a voice.

Arianne slowed Cesar to a halt in the middle of a small clearing

"This way my pet…" came a voice to her right.

"No head towards the great oak…" came another.

"Come this way... Come this way..." came a voice to her right

Arianne turned in all directions. Voices alsulted her with directions, her mind became confused. There were just to many voices.

Find the one that speaks truth she tought to herself. She closed her eyes. The voices disappeared, except fr one.

"Arianne fallow your heart…" It was her mother's voice. "Your heart will lead you home…"

Arianne opened her eyes and urged Cesar straight and soon they exited the trees and her aunt's home lay in view. Arianne drove Cesar through a small field and onto the road. She pushed the horse faster for the last strech of the jorney.

Arianne practically jumped off Cesar when they reached the house. She stumbled and fell on her way to the door. She knew Erik would not last much longer and she burst through the door.

Everyone was seated in the parlor, Madame Giry, Aunt Carrie, Christopher, Brennaka and even Christopher's parents. All wore grim faces and all looked as if they had lost a lot of sleep.

Arianne stubled into the room and they gasped when they saw her. She must have looked aweful with her scarred face, scratched arms and blood stained gown. She ignored their atonished faces and she tried to explain Erik's situation.

"Erik," she panted, "is hurt… in the cemtery… he needs… help. I have… to… get back… to… him… I... have... to... get... back..." Then she fainted.