Chapter 25- Absolution

The bells of the cathedral echoed through the square as Meg hurried up the stairs and into the church for Sunday Mass, dressed from head to toe in simple black clothing. In the foyer of the church, she adjusted her black lace veil, so that it was covering her head out of respect.

Entering the chapel, she blessed herself with holy water as a sign of faith. Then, walking up to the side altar, she lit a candle in memory of her mother and prayed for her soul before moving off to sit in one of the side pews.

She knelt in prayer, her back rigidly straight. She focused on the statue of the Virgin Mary. Holy Mother, let me not be lead astray, she prayed. Let this pass from me. Let me forget. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee...

That was as far as she got before she found her thoughts wander. She thought of Erik; what was he doing now? Was he thinking of her?

When the organ began to play a solemn hymn, she almost lost control of her emotions as she remembered painfully the organ in the labyrinth. She gripped the wooden rail in front of her to keep herself in check, knuckles turning white as an effect of her talon-like grip.

When the priest began to speak, Meg barely heard what he was saying. Her concentration slipped away faster than she could try to control it. Erik filled her mind, encompassing every empty space, leaving no room for thoughts of religion or the outside world in general. She was under his spell, and was powerless to save herself.

Her surroundings suddenly had no meaning; she remembered his words. There's no God. We're just multitudes of hopeless souls, running around aimlessly, in this twisted world of our sinful creations.

When Meg looked back at the large crucifix hanging above the altar, she felt nothing. Before, to look at such a symbol of faith would make her feel repentful and sorry for her sins. But now, as she looked on the face of Christ hanging on the cross, she felt empty and cynical. You haven't saved us, she thought at God. Erik was right. There is no religion.

Blinded to all other people, Meg stood up and walked out of the church, on to the street, taking in a deep breath of fresh, crisp morning air. It was overcast again- there hadn't been a good sunny day since she'd come out of the Opera House. This didn't bother Meg, though. She would rather it be cloudy and dismal- since the darkness mirrored her heart perfectly.

She began to walk, her feet leading her.

Meg was about twenty yards from the Opera House when she stopped. The door were calling to her, they were beckoning to her to venture inside, to reconcile, to confess. A song seemed to resonate off the edifice, whispers of a memory...

You have come here... in pursuit of your deepest urge... in pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent... silent...

Meg shivered. Snow began to fall, ushered in on the chill of the winter breeze...

I have brought you... that our passions may fuse and merge... in your mind you've already succumb to me... dropped all defenses... completely succumbed to me...

Meg took another step forward. To go back... to slake her longing... The temptation was there before her, begging her to give in.

Now you are here with me...no second thoughts... You've decided...Decided...

Have I? Meg wondered. Has the decision been made? She found herself standing still on the sidewalk.

Past the point of no return... no backward glances... our games of make believe are at an end...

What am I running from? Meg questioned herself. Why do I shy away from this place? Why does my heart not have the courage to return?

Past all thought of if or when... no use resisting... abandon thought and let the dream descend...

Meg hesitated. She couldn't take another step toward the house. Be it lack of courage or lack of something else, she couldn't make herself return.

A/N: oh, who out there wants to STRANGLE meg for being such an idiot? I know, I know, myself included, lol!

But I did like this chapter for some reason. Can't say why, but I do. I know this was short, so I'm trying to upload another chappie tonight!

So please review, cause I need feedback now!