I'm back in bidness. Teehee. I'm just glad to be writing again! Yay! Oh, and I'm almost to 200 reviews! Thanks all you wonderful guys and gals!

This one be short, my apologies.

Chapter 26

Sabotage

It was time. It had been three days and it was time. Time for her to return to him or perish forever. Either it is the sweet beginning of a new life or the merciless end to the torture and pain. No matter which way it went, he would suffer no longer.

***

Darkness fell onto Paris as Cicero trotted over the hill before coming to halt only a small ways away from the de Chagny residence. Wind whipped at Erik face; throwing his mask askew. He readjusted it and pulled his hood up so it shadowed his features, even in the dark of night.

The coldness of the nighttime air did not phase Erik. No, he had more important matters on his mind. It had come time after these three long days that seemed like an eternity, but now it was over and the time had come…

Even though Erik told Cossette that he would be back in three days time for her answer, he had not been able to keep himself completely away. He had risked riding by the de Chagny Estate in broad daylight at least…four times. He was a man who had went around the brim of madness without his dear Cossette.

After studying the large mansion for a long minute, Erik dismounted Cicero and secured him to a nearby tree before stalking off toward the Estate in the cover of night. He came within ten feet of the grand entrance. The large wooden doors stood staring at him, enticing him in, but Erik was no fool. He would not make his presence obvious. After all, he was the Opera Ghost and some things just never change.

The moon provided just enough light to make Erik's task easier, in a sense. He moved in the shadows and came to the rear of the mansion. He glanced around in the dark for some sort of footing that would allow him to climb up to a balcony. There was no need to locate Cossette's quarters (he had done that earlier on one of his passing's of the house). Old habits die hard.

After searching in the dark for a good few minutes, Erik found a lower pillar that could act as a ladder. It was not quite too smooth, which allowed him grip onto it. Despite Erik's age, he was still as agile as he was all those many years ago. He silently and swiftly scaled the house until he was crouching on the first roof underneath the balcony that lead to Cossette's room.

He stayed still for several minutes, listening. The cool breeze of the night whistled through the naked trees and the soft "coo" of a night bird teased his ears. Staying still for what he thought long enough, Erik reached up and pulled himself up by the railing of the balcony with the skills he had acquired from sneaking about in the raters of L'Opera de Populairé. He hopped over the rail easily and halted by the doorway.

Suddenly, Erik's mind went blank and he hesitated and even thought of fleeing, but there was no turning back now. This would be what sealed his fate. His whole existence had come down to this moment. His whole life depended on and was in the hands of a young woman. She decided if her were to die or live…

The time had come and Erik was not going back. He would not sit in the shadows any longer and watch life go on around him. No, this was it.

He eased toward the archway, silently and slowly. He quickly entered the large bedchamber and hid in the shadow of a large corner next to a wardrobe of sorts. He strained his eyes as he scanned the room in the dark. There were two large windows on one side that let in minimal moonlight, a small vanity in the opposite corner, a bedside table…

Erik's eyes stopped on the form that was sprawled out on the bed. Sudden dread grasped Erik. Perhaps this was a mistake after all? He shook his head to clear away such thoughts. He could not see his beloved's face for it was facing away from him and she was wrapped in the many sheets.

He approached his sleeping Cossette silently. He stood looming over for a moment. He reached out hesitantly with one gloved hand and went to gently pull back the sheet that covered her face and to his horror it was not Cossette…for this being had lengthy blond hair and was not even a woman at all…

It was Raoul.

***

"Why is she here, mother?"

"It is for the best, my dear. He said to keep her here."

"Is it really true? About…him?"

"I'm afraid so. I would never imagine that this would happen. It is all too horrible."

"I don't understand, mother. Why would he go after her?"

"I don't know. He was the same way with her mother…"

Cossette slowly opened her eyes to darkness and voices. She immediately panicked for she knew not where she was nor did she recognize the voices. She was lying down and that is all she knew.

"Are you alright, dear?" the concerned voice of an older women asked from the other side of the room.

Cossette turned her head toward the voice and winced at the pain in her neck. She squinted her eyes and through the darkness of the room she could make out two silhouettes.

"Is she alright, mother?" the other silhouette asked.

"We shall soon see." The older women's voice moved closer and Cossette felt a warm hand lay against her forehead. She jerked away from it, but again winced at the pain in her neck.

There was a small chuckle. "I would not do that if I were you, dearie. You made quite a fuss and took a nasty fall…"

Cossette blinked, but the faces of the two women were still hidden in the dark. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You fell."

"What do you mean?"

"You simply fell, my dear."

"But--"

"Shush yourself."

"But--I cannot be here. I must go," Cossette pleaded. She tried to sit up, but a two hands pushed her back down.

"Ah-ah. You mustn't be leaving, dearie."

Cossette struggled to no avail. "You must let me go. I can't be here," she begged.

"You father told us to help you. Now be a good girl and this will all be over soon," the older women replied.

To Cossette's horror the younger of the two approached her with something that glinted in the dark. She felt something prick her skin. She cried out and became instantly lost in a bizarre world of dark and color and then everything went black.

I'm sorry about the length of the chapter, my dears. I just had to stop. I'm not too sure what's going on with Erik right now, but I bet he's pretty pissed. I know I would be. Damnable fop! As for Cossette...hhhhmmm...We'll just have to find out next time.

Cheers,

EOL =)