For all of you who were anxious to learn about Veronica, this is the chapter you've been waiting for. Again, my reviewers, thank you so terribly much, they make my day. :) I'm think of perhaps writing another story… Ideas are appreciated, if you have them. And now, what you've all be waiting for, the newest chapter! :D Oh, and this chapter gets a little… dark, perhaps?
Erik looked down bashfully as I stroked the massive scar in his chest. It extended from just below his left collar bone, across his navel, and ended at the tip of his right hip. I traced it lightly, and he flinched slightly at my touch. "Erik, why do you never tell me about these things? Are you so afraid that I'll leave? That I'm afraid of what your past might be? I'm not, you know. I'm content with the present and the hope of a future…" I murmured, resting my head on his shoulder and wrapping my arms around his waist.
Erik sighed. "Then why the incessant questions about my past if all you care about is the present and future?" he mumbled. I withdrew from him and turned to face him.
"Because, Erik, maybe I wouldn't ask so many questions if you'd surrender some information every now and then without prodding." I tried to keep my voice even. Erik and I had been fighting so much lately, and I was sick of it. It was time it all ended. Erik was silent for a long while.
"Veronica was a mission a missionary from England, and was there with her family: Father, mother, and younger sister. They had arrived just after I had gotten my first job with the Shah. Veronica and I were fascinated with each other. She with my mask, and I with her faith. We spent many long hours together, watching the sun set. I grew to love those evenings, and her as well. She was sweet, witty, and she saw beyond my mask. One evening, when we were doing such a thing, she kissed me. I was completely bewildered. 'Erik,' she said, looking me full on. 'Show me what's behind the mask.' I was almost sixteen, and I would've done anything for her, so, with great reluctance, I peeled the mask off. She started at the sight of it, my face, but she didn't scream, or run, or faint. She just sat there, mouth gaping open. I quickly put my mask back on with shame, and she turned to face the setting sun without another word. That hurt me more than any scream of terror ever could.
"It was only the next morning when the Shah's wife made advances towards me, and I blatantly refused her, saying I loved another. Well, she slashed me from top to bottom, as you've already seen, and she hunted down the one who held my affection, Veronica, and had her killed. I came home that night, and her blood was smeared over my door. With a fair amount of trepidation, I opened it, and there her head lay on my bed." Erik was shaking now, and I rubbed his back comfortingly. "I grew angry. I found Veronica's family, told them with bleary eyes that their daughter was dead, and sought out the Shah's wife, and I killed her. No one ever thought it could be me since she wasn't hanged, but beheaded, and so I stayed at the palace for another few months, until I was framed for the Shah's death, upon which I flew back to France." Erik let a single tear drop down his face, and I whisked it away with the pad of my thumb.
"Erik, I'm sorry," I murmured. So much had happened to him at such a young age, and I felt awful now that I had drudged it all up again. But I needed to know.
"I don't need your pity," he said angrily. "You wanted to know, and now you do. You know the full, awful truth. I'm a murderer, Christine. You're in love with a murderer." With that, he stood up suddenly and exited though the mirror. I was left sitting there, dumbstruck.
Yes, it's a short one, I know. But now you know about Veronica. And I hope you're happy, because that was really dark for me to write. Usually I'm all kittens and sunshine, but not for the next few chapters! Muahahahahahaha!