I hope all questions are answered in this chapter. If not, let me know and I shall try to clarify. Quick thanks to the guest that left a very touching review. Reviews like that make me feel really good about my writing :) here's the next chapter!

Chapter 25

"What did you do to her?!" Christine demanded, bursting into Raoul's study.

He looked up at her innocently. "Whatever do you mean, dear?"

"You know very well what I mean, Raoul. You did something to Sabrina, and I want to know what it was!"

Raoul stood up and walked over to the window on the other side of the study. "I simply gave her a little serum that would induce a few hallucinations. Why, did she happen to tell you what she saw?"

She glared at him. "How can you take enjoyment out of someone else's pain? How could you be so… so cruel?"

He chuckled darkly. "Oh, Christine, is it not as cruel as your precious Erik tying me to a portcullis and making you choose between my life and yours?"

"Alright, I agree that it wasn't the right thing to do in that situation, but what you're doing right now to Sabrina is just plain…inhumane!"

He started to walk back towards Christine. "My love, I am just trying to protect you."

"From what? Erik coming here and rescuing her and maybe – just maybe – taking me with them?"

Raoul laughed again. "No one but you and me knows where this place is. I think it would prove quite difficult for him to find our location."

That's what you think, Christine thought to herself. "I guess you're right. But if anything like this happens again, I swear to you on my father's grave I will do everything in my power to make you miserable."

He backed up, holding his hands up in surrender. "There's no need for threats. If you don't want me to use the serum on her anymore, all you have to do is just say so."

"I'm saying so right now." She said as she stormed out of the study.

Christine came back yet again, only this time, brandishing blankets. "I figured it would get a little cold down here." She said, her voice conveying concern.

"It's fine." I said in a clipped tone.

She sighed. "Look, I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now, nor do you want to listen. But please listen to me when I say this: none of what you saw was real. The serum that Raoul injected you with was one that induces hallucinations. What you saw was only in your head."

"Why should I believe you? Why should I believe anyone? All anyone has ever done is lie to me!" I shot back.

She came across the room to me and grabbed my shoulders. "You must listen. If not for your own, then for Erik's! It's true, I did meet him in Paris today, but that was only because I have a plan to get you out of here and I need his help. Nothing more."

I eyed her suspiciously, not knowing whether to believe her or not. "If what you say is true and you and Erik are not together, then I will know by his actions when he's here, if he ever comes back."

"You want Erik to prove himself to you? Consider it done." She said excitedly. Apparently she was very eager to prove that nothing happened between them.

"I didn't say he had to prove himself to me," I said, stopping Christine in her tracks. "I said I would know by his actions. Actions that were unprovoked by an outside force."

She smiled knowingly. "Trust me, they won't be."

I wondered what she meant as she walked out of the room, leaving me alone once again. That didn't last for long though, because a few minutes later, Raoul came back, this time not even bothering to conceal the whip.

"Back for more?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes, as a matter of fact." He said as he brought it down upon my back.

I went into the darkest corners of my mind, trying to get away from the pain. What mercy it would be to just die…

NO! a small voice in my head rang out. Dying is the coward's way out. You are NOT a coward. You are strong. You can make it. Even if Erik doesn't want you anymore, there is still reason to live. RAGE! Rage against the dying of the light!

I realized that what that voice was saying was right. Dying would not be the answer; it never is. How much better would I be if I were to die? There were still things to live for.

Rage…

Raoul kept whipping me until I just knew blood was flowing yet again.

Do not go gentle into that good night…rage against the dying of the light…I will survive…I will live…RAGE!

The next night, Erik went to a little store on the outskirts of Paris, just as Christine's note had told him to. It looked like a quaint little music shop.

"Me and papa used to come here all the time whenever he was still alive." Christine said, suddenly appearing behind him. "The owners used to always give me little treats and let me play all the instruments, no matter how bad I butchered a song on it."

He turned to her, pinning her with a level gaze. "I'm sure you didn't bring me here to go down memory lane."

She chuckled and shook her head. "As a matter of fact, no, I didn't. No, this is where you and Sabrina will be staying once you get her back."

His eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"One benefit of having a Vicomte as a fiance is that you have access to finances never available to you otherwise" she said nonchalantly. I asked Raoul if I could buy it once I saw it was up for sale. He gave me permission to access his accounts without a second thought. Since your house would most likely be the first place he would look after Sabrina is missing from the estate, I thought this place would suffice until you find other residence."

Erik was silent for a moment before slightly bowing his head to her. "I thank you greatly, Christine."

"She waved her hand in dismissal. "Think nothing of it. There are provisions for both of you inside. Once you get her, head straight here. Are you ready?"

"More than ever."

After the long carriage ride to the deChagny estate was over, Christine made sure that Erik was ready for what he was about to witness.

"She has lacerations pretty much all over. I tried to clean her up a bit and bandage her, but it's only a mediocre job."

"Any care you have given her is sufficient in my mind." Erik assured her.

"One more thing," she continued. "Raoul injected her with a hallucination serum. She believes that you and I are involved with each other. I tried to reassure her that it wasn't true, but she won't believe me unless you show her otherwise."

Erik burned with anger. How could the Vicomte be so cruel as to fill Sabrina's head with such lies? "I will help in your fight to convince her, have no fear."

Christine nodded. "This way." she said as they started their descent to Sabrina's prison.

Again, I brought the poem out. Rights still don't belong to me for the poem nor Phantom.