Chapter 14: A Night to Remember

Meg fought the urge to back up as the Phantom towered over her, appearing very intimidating indeed. She could only hope that he wouldn't push her back into a wall again, or her back might end up being so scraped it would be unrecognizable. "E- Erik?" She asked hesitantly, unsure as to whether Erik was going to listen to her, as he had his "Phantom of the Opera" attitude on.

The Phantom stalked even closer towards her, practically snarling in her face. "Don't 'Erik' me!"

Meg felt her own temper starting to get the best of her as well, as she too started snapping at Erik. "I'll 'Erik' you if I want to! You can't make me do anything!"

She immediately regretted the words that had come flying out of her mouth without permission as she was forced into the wall. Erik leaned hard against her, practically crushing her against the wall with his body "I can't, can I?" He snarled, leaning dangerously close. Meg started to struggle Against him, even though she knew it was no use. Once the Phantom of the Opera had his mind on something, there was no deterring him. "Stop struggling," he hissed, and forced her even harder against the wall.

"Erik, stop! Please Erik, I beg you to stop! Don't become the monster everyone believes you to be! You're better than this!"

Erik didn't listen to her, only pressed her harder against the wall. Meg could feel the blood start to run down her back, almost tickling her if not for the immense pain that was pulsing from the scratches. "ERIK! YOU'RE HURTING ME!" She screamed.

"Oh, I'm hurting you, am I?" Erik sneered, his face moving ever closer to her. "I'm not hurting you. Yet. I'll show you real pain!"

With that, he picked her up and swung her over his left shoulder with the strength of five men. Meg screamed again and flopped like a ragdoll with Erik's rough movements. She cried out again at the pain, praying that Erik would return to his senses soon.

"Erik, please!" She begged, her sentences coming out in mere gasps. He, of course, ignored her, only walking faster, the movement jarring Meg's senses. Her breath was coming in short gasps, and she felt the blood continue to trickle down her back. She felt unconsciousness beckoning towards her, but quickly snapped out of it; realizing that if she have way to the pain, that Erik could literally do whatever he wanted to her. She knew he would never touch her in the wrong way, but at this present moment her mind wasn't listening to her rational side.

No, he only continued. Down, down, down they went. Meg started to wonder just how many stairs he would have to climb down before they would reach their destination. That, however, wasn't bothering her half as much as The Question. The Question was: what was Erik going to do when they got to the lair? He was obviously still in his "Phantom" mood.

The trip seemed to go on forever. In fact, it was taking so long, that Meg started to wonder if maybe he was taking wrong turns just to cause her more pain.

Meg let out a scream of pain when she was suddenly, and roughly, tossed into the bottom of the boat as if she were nothing more than a worthless doll. Erik jumped in the boat as well, and Meg whimpered when the boat's movements irritated her wounds even more. She had an almost unbearable pain pounding in her right side, and she suspected that she had at least one broken rib. The blood from her back had started to deep through her corset, and Meg prayed that it wouldn't stain the dress she was wearing. Not that it mattered... The whole dress was covered in mud, and the hem was ripped. The dress was already ruined, but Meg knew that a seamstress could easily repair the hem and a good wash would clear the mud right away. But there was nothing that could be done if there were to be blood stains.

She cried out as the boat began moving. Erik seemed to make certain that the boat would row as rough as possible. Meg bit her lip to keep back the cries of pain, causing her lip to start bleeding. Meg caught Erik's eye, and for just a moment, time seemed to freeze and the guilt and sorrow in Erik's blue-green eyes were visible. However, it only lasted a second, and Erik's eyes had hardened into icy blue orbs that held so much hatred in them, Meg was astonished.

"Now," he snarled, and Meg barely stopped herself from jerking back in fear. "I will show you what real pain is."

Meg started to cry, the tears streaming from her eyes as she desperately grabbed Erik's hand. "Erik, please. This is not you. You can overcome this! Erik..."

He quickly snatched his hand back with a snarl, his eyes narrowing at her. "You are treading on dangerous ground, Mademoiselle Meg," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Meg squeezed her eyes shut as Erik stepped over her to step off the boat onto the quotes of the lake. He flung his cape to the ground and sudden realization dawned on him of what he was about to do. His eyes widened in horror, and all he could do was whisper. "What have I done?! Meg! Meg, mon ange, I am so sorry!"

Meg was shocked. "What did you just call me?"

Before Erik could respond, the boat was bucked violently beneath her, and Meg screamed in terror as she was suddenly plunged into the icy cold water.

The last thing Meg heard was Erik screaming her name as she sank deeper in the lake, as well as falling into unconsciousness.

AN: sorry, guys! I didn't want to leave you on a cliffhanger but I had no choice. To every action there is a reaction, and Erik's actions have been horribly monstrous in this chapter. We just have to remember: Erik has and always will be The Phantom. Poor Meg... Anyways, you guys will have to see what will happen on the next chapter. As always, please ((REVIEW)).