Author's Note: I am sorry that this chapter does not contain much of Erik, sad I know. But please do not cry . . . very hard. Also sorry it took a little longer to get this chapter out. Anyway thanks for all the wonderful reviews. The story is only going to get more complicated and frustrating.

Disclaimer: . . . There is no disclaimer . . . because I have decided after much deliberation that I own Erik. Yes in fact he is sitting right next to me. He is mine and there is nothing that anyone can do about it. Ha

Confessions

Christine wandered aimlessly through the streets of Paris not knowing where she was. It was cold outside and in her rush she didn't even think to get a cloak. She felt sore and wondered how bad she had been hurt from her fall. She couldn't go back, not yet, she was too terrified. Even if she wanted to she didn't think she knew the way. Looking down Christine realized that she was still holding his mask. She wanted to throw it in the streets and yet she wanted to keep it close to her side. She didn't know what to think anymore.

She couldn't get the image of Erik's haunting face out of her mind, nor could she forget what he meant to her. What that was she didn't even entirely know, all she knew was that she wanted to be held. She wanted someone to take her away from the world and protect her from all the evil things that are lying in wait for her. She knew that she was being childish but she couldn't help it.

Suddenly she heard a carriage slow down behind her. She knew that she should be worried but she no longer cared. She continued to walk slowly along the streets until a gentle voice called out to her.

"Christine? Christine is that you?" Turning around Christine saw Raoul stepping from his carriage. She ran to him and threw her arms around him.

"Oh Raoul, thank goodness you're here," She sobbed. Raoul held her tightly trying to sooth her fears. He didn't know why she was here but he was glad that he had found her and not someone else.

"Christine you are trembling."

"Oh Raoul it was horrible, his face. Oh, his face," She shuddered involuntarily.

"Shhh I am here nothing can harm you." Despite his promise Christine still didn't feel protected; she couldn't help but feel terrified. "Come Christine I will take you to my home and you can tell me all about it."

Christine was too weak to agree or disagree. She meekly followed him back to the carriage. They were silent the whole journey to Raoul's home. Christine sobbed quietly in his shirt feeling somewhat comforted by Raoul's protective arms around her. Once inside his home Raoul took a good look at Christine and was very shocked at what he saw.

"Christine for heaven sakes what happened to you. Who did this?"

Christine just stood there numbly not giving an answer to his inquiry. Raoul scanned her carefully feeling anger for whoever had caused her harm. Her arm was scraped up along with her face. She had several bruises that were beginning to appear on her face. He quickly called for his servant to bring some fresh water before leading her to the parlor.

"Now Christine tell me everything that happened."

Christine nodded in agreement looking at the mask in her hand once more.

"Oh Raoul I don't know what to say,"

"Who has hurt you?"

Christine begun to cry again, she didn't want to relive the terror of the evening. "I . . . he, his face. . ."

"Who is he? What about his face?" Raoul asked tenderly feeling his heart break at each sob his beloved produced.

"Erik," she managed to sob. Raoul's face darkened, he knew that he tutor was bad news. He had tried to find out everything he could about him but doing that seemed virtually impossible. He had found out that he practically lived at the opera house and that he had been tutoring Christine for some time now. That was all he was able to conjure up. The managers seemed reluctant to talk about it, and no one really knew much about the mysterious Erik.

"What did he do?" Raoul hissed.

"His mask," Christine stated dumbly looking at the object in her hands. She carefully traced the porcelain cover with her fingers. She closed her eyes and pictured Erik's face with it on. She smiled slightly remembering when things hadn't been so complicated.

"Christine," Raoul's voice brought her back to the present. She then recalled his face without the mask.

"Behind his mask lies a face so distorted and deformed. It was hardly a face Raoul. I was so afraid Raoul. I didn't know who he was. Yet I could see in his eyes, they were the same eyes that my Erik has. Dear Erik," Raoul felt a twinge of jealously at the way she said dear Erik. Her eyes seemed to gloss over and dance merrily.

"Oh those eyes," she continued, "They hold so much emotion. I often find myself afraid to look at those eyes. I am terrified at what I might see. He was so sad. He has such power in his eyes. I hurt him Raoul, I hurt him but I can't go back. I can't. I just can't." Christine couldn't control the sobs that racked her body. She no longer cared if she lived or died. She just wanted to rest and escape this world that held her captive.

-o-

Christine awoke in an unfamiliar room. Getting up she looked around uncertain of where she was. Her head throbbed and she just wanted to lay back down on the bed and sleep. A soft knock sounded on the door. Christine turned and stared at the door, uncertain if she should allow the caller permission in to her room. After a moment of silence a young woman stepped through the door carrying some logs for the fire. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized that Christine was awake and staring right at her.

"Forgive me Mademoiselle. I did not know that you were awake or I would not have disturbed you." She bowed slightly, exiting the room quickly before Christine could say a word. Once the maid had left Christine decided that she better get up. Looking around the room she couldn't find her clothing anywhere. Then she realized that they were probably filthy from her excavations last night.

Christine felt the tears begin to rise again in her throat. She didn't want to start crying again. Getting up she wandered to the window to try and forget. Leaning against the window sill Christine looked down on the garden. The trees were beginning to wilt foretelling that winter would soon be upon them all. The flowers seemed to be saddened by the thought that they too must go into hibernation. Out of the corner of her eye Christine thought she saw a shape among the tree branches. Upon further examination she couldn't see anything and just supposed that it was her mind playing tricks on her.

After a while the same maid entered the room. She lit the fire quickly before turning her attention to Christine.

"Would you like me to help you dress now Mademoiselle?" Christine shook her head.

"I can dress myself thank you." The maid laid out an outfit for Christine before leaving her room once more. Christine took one last look out the window before heading over to the gown. It wasn't the same dress as the one she was wearing last night. It was made of very fine material, and the designs were very exquisite. The color was a deep green that reminded her of Erik. Sometimes his eyes would seem green but then they would change ever so slightly to make it seem a whole other color. After brushing her hair and washing her face Christine stepped out of her room. She wandered down the stairs wondering which way to go. Luckily she didn't have to wander long, for one of the servants found her and led her to the study.

Raoul was busy at work but immediately stopped what he was doing once he saw Christine standing in the doorway. He rushed over to her and clasped her hands in his own.

"Christine, darling how are you feeling?" he asked tenderly.

"I have a small headache."

"Yes I would imagine so. You cried yourself to sleep in my arms last night. Come sit down." He led her to a chair taking the opposite one from her but never releasing her hand.

"I need to return to the opera house," Christine stated plainly.

"Christine do you think that is wise? I mean after what you have been through. I don't want you to go back ever to that awful place."

"But. . . I have a responsibility."

"And you don't have a responsibility to yourself? Christine I don't know what that Erik did to you but I don't want you back there where he can get to you."

"People are counting on me, I have to go back," Christine persisted. She didn't know why she wanted to return. She didn't really want to go back because she might see Erik. Then she wanted to return because that was where she felt the safest. That hardly made any sense she thought, to be frightened of a place but feel safe there at the same time.

"No Christine you don't have to go back," Raoul's commanding voice called her back to reality. "You will stay here and I will keep you safe. Christine I care about your safety. Trust me nothing can happen to you while you are here."

Christine nodded her head in submission. She could afford being away for a couple of days.

"Don't worry about missing your practices; I will take care of that."

"Where is Erik's mask?" Christine asked suddenly catching both of them off guard.

"Well . . . I . . . do you think. . . I took it Christine and I don't think it is wise that you should have it back." Raoul managed to say.

"Please Raoul I would like to have it." Christine looked at him pleadingly. She wanted to keep Erik close to her and yet far away from her at the same time. Raoul squeezed her hand before getting up to get something out of his desk drawer. Pulling out the mask Raoul paused briefly before handing it to her.

"Thank you Raoul. I think I am going to rest now if you don't mind." Raoul took her arm and led her to her room.

"Call if you need anything Christine." Raoul spoke in a whisper before kissing her forehead.

Christine retreated back to her room to lie on her bed. Placing the mask beside her, Christine closed her eyes and tried to imagine Erik's face. After a few minutes she fell into a restless sleep.

Christine stood at the mouth of a long hallway. It seemed to go on forever. Straining her ears she could hear a distance sound. It was someone playing a piano. Walking along the hallway Christine drew closer to door.

Placing her hand on the door, the door began to disappear. Suddenly she found herself standing behind a man. He was sitting at a piano playing the most beautiful song she had ever heard. Christine reached out for the man wanting to be closer to him. The man turned around and Christine smiled at him.

"Erik," She said simply. Erik smiled at her before getting up and walking toward her. Erik brushed her hair away from her face and smiled at her.

"Say something Erik," Christine looked up at her tutor and realized something was terribly wrong. His face began to change. His face began to resemble a corpse, all distorted and ugly.

Christine backed away in fear. Erik reached out for her. Christine tried to scream but couldn't find her voice. Erik's hands grasped her shoulders. Christine could feel his hot breath on her skin. She tried to struggle out of his grasp but couldn't break free. Shutting her eyes tightly she tried to block out his hideous face. Erik then began to shake her back and forth roughly.

"Christine, Christine"

"Christine, wake up Christine." Christine awoke with a start. She was sweaty and pale. Raoul released her arms and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. Christine sobbed into his chest glad that the nightmare was over.

"Hush it is alright. It was just a dream," Raoul said smoothly, while rubbing her hair. Christine knew however that it wasn't a dream. She knew that the face that haunted her dreams was a real face, a face of someone she cared about. The face that she loved so dearly and yet feared.

Ohhhh scary dream, at least it was for Christine. Please post a review and I will get back to you with more of this tale. And trust me it is going to be good.