Sweet Seduction
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Beyond The Point of No Return
Erik ran through the corridors, his heart pounding madly in his chest until he finally reached the passageway he was looking for, only to realized that damned Vicomte had jammed the lever that opened the hidden doorway shut. He fought with it for a few minutes, twisting the lever every way he could and hitting and pounding against the door with all his might but it was no use. The door was sealed shut. Erik didn't have much time and there was no telling what Raoul could have done to Christine by now.
Just as he was about to take off to Christine's dressing room, Georges came running up slowly, blocking Erik's way out
"Erik, it's starting to turn into chaos out there! What the hell is wrong?"
"Georges, I don't have time to explain right now, I-"
"Erik, I demand an explanation for this! What is going on?"
"Georges, I apologize"
"For what?" Georges asked
"This" Erik replied as he roughly knocked Georges out of his way and continued sprinting towards Christine's dressing room. Just as Erik was about to unlock her door, Georges came up, staying Erik's hand
"Erik, that really was uncalled for!"
"Georges, I swear, if you don't-"
"Erik, what is wrong? Just tell me. What are you looking for that's so important!" Georges exclaimed
Erik sighed. There was no way out of this and time was running short. Erik realized there was no other way.
He sighed "Georges, I haven't been completely honest with you about many things"
"Such as..?"
"My past, for one. There's a reason sometimes you can't explain some things I do or say or seem to possess"
Erik paused
"Georges, I was the Phantom of the Opera"
Whatever response Erik had expected, it certainly wasn't this. Georges burst out laughing.
"Erik, my god, I thought you were serious there! Now, really, what-"
"Georges, I don't have time for this right now, damn it!"
"Erik, you can't really mean-"
Erik looked around to make sure they were alone and removed his mask. Georges fell silent, staring
"I don't believe this" he muttered
Erik nodded "Believe it. Do you remember all those rumors and stories we laughed at? They were true. I was sold when I was younger and then I lived in the basement here for about twenty years, ever since I was ten years old. Marie saved me"
"Marie? Marie Giry, the-"
"Yes, the same person you happen to be smitten with Georges. She saved me from hell when I was younger and she never lets me forget it. Afterwards, I came here since most people can't stand the sight of this" he said, gesturing to his face "and would rather leave me alone. So, I made myself a home and learned all about music and operas and discovered I possessed some talent. I started training Christine to sing a few years back and fell in love with her, and after some complications we finally got married. I know just about every secret tunnel and corridor in this place since I spent so much time in them, and right now that Vicomte is holding my wife in one of them" he finished
Georges nodded trying to absorb everything and staring in shock at Erik
"So, you mean- that was you all those- when the" he blabbered
Erik cut him off
"I know, it's confusing and I'll gladly explain later. But right now I could use your help"
Georges nodded "Of course, Erik, anything."
"Go get the police, authorities, someone else and come back down here." Erik opened Christine's dressing room, swiftly sliding open the secret mirror-door to yet another tunnel. Georges stared in awe
"Whomever you bring with you, make sure you lead them through here" Erik said
"Well, Erik, I won't be able to find- I mean-"
"Georges, trust me, you'll know which way to come when you return. But you must go, quickly"
Georges nodded, running off. Erik laid his mask down on a nearby table and set off, running through the passageways to find Christine in time
Christine opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the dim light. Everything was still hazy, but she felt the familiar thin fabric of her costume peasant skirt underneath her hands. She was sitting down on something black and rather uncomfortable. She blinked and her heart began racing with panic for a minute when she had no idea where she was, but she calmed down when her eyes roamed over the familiar sights; mist swirling over a small lake, a black wrought-iron gate, molded stone walls, burning candles and music papers strewn everywhere. She was back in Erik's lair.
Erik. "Erik" she called weakly. Where was he? What was she doing down here? "Erik" she called again. She noticed a movement behind her. It must be him she thought. Just then one of her curls fell, sweeping down over her face. She moved to brush it away, only to discover she couldn't. She couldn't move her arms. Looking down she discovered that her arms were bound tightly, with a gnarled rope stretched painfully over her full chest, binding her to the back of the chair. Someone had tied her up when everything had gone dark. But who would do this? Why was she here? She couldn't remember anything and the loose curl strewn over her face was beginning to annoy her since she was powerless to move it. She tried jerking her head to move her hair around.
Suddenly, there was a movement behind her and her curl was brushed back just as Raoul de Changy bent down to her eye level
"Surprise" he whispered menacingly.
She gasped as it all came back to her; the performance tonight, awaiting her cue when her world went dark as someone dragged her away. Raoul must have kidnapped and brought her down to...her husband's lair. But why?
"Raoul? What are you doing? Why?" she exclaimed, struggling against the ropes binding her to the chair.
He stroked her messy curls for a moment, slowly running his dirty hands down her face
"Because you're mine" he said simply
Christine continued struggling "Raoul, I am not yours! I don't love you. I-"
Raoul held his hand over her mouth "Shh, we'll have none of that now. Christine, you belong to me. We both know you still love me."
She glared at him and he laughed wickedly
"And I'm pleased to see that Phantom idiot of yours hasn't broken your spirit yet. All the more pleasure for me" He finally removed his hand from her mouth, running it down her bare arm. He looked up and she took the opportunity to spit in his face. He cursed in disgust, standing up and Christine grinned. The sight of him wiping saliva from his face made her a little braver
"You don't own me, Raoul, and you never will. You never did own me because I never loved you. How could anyone love a monster like you?" she screamed
He was silent for a moment, which only made the sound of his hand colliding with her cheek louder in the silent lair. He slapped Christine in the face a second time, much harder than before. She gasped from the pain.
He bent down, glaring at her "Now you know what it feels like every day I couldn't have you. Now you know how it feels to be denied the one thing you desire, like a slap in the face. Do as I say and that won't happen again"
She fought to keep the tears brimming in her eyes from falling
"Never" she whispered
He chuckled "Of course, I'm sure your little Don Juan will come sweeping down here any minute to save you" he said sarcasticically
Christine gasped when the realization hit her "You left that spray bottle in Alexandre's room, didn't you? So then you knew Erik would sing to save the show and you planned all of this?" she shrieked
He grinned cruelly "My, I see you've grown a bit wiser since we met last. I suppose that bastard ghost has made a woman out of you"
"How dare you speak of him like that!"
"I'll speak of him anyway I wish to. but you know my dear" he said, running his hands down her body slowly "you're still nothing but a girl under his care. Give yourself to me and I could make you a woman"
She felt her face growing hot fury and humiliation and sharply kicked Raoul in a tender spot. He doubled over for a minute and she laughed at the sight of him almost on the ground. He stood back up and sharply slapped her and then shrugged
"Have it your way then. But I know you're still frightened of me. How could such a weak little thing as you are not be?" he said rasing his hand and she involuntarily flinched
"I'm not frightened of you" she lied, even though her trembling voice gave her away
Raoul scoffed "Of course you aren't"
She stared at him before he bent down again, roughly kissing her. She tried to turn her head aside, but he forced his hand firmly behind her soft mounds of curls, preventing her from turning away. He forced her against him, pressing his rank lips onto hers and he began ripping open her peasant blouse, exposing parts of her corset. He paused kissing her for a moment and she gasped for breath
"Raoul, please stop" she begged, starting to cry.
He wiped the tears from her face "Christine, dear, there's no need for that. I'll take care of you now. No one will ever hurt you again"
"Raoul you're the one who's hurting me" she cried, struggling against the bonds holding her to the chair. Raoul ignored her, lifting up her skirt a bit and running his hands all over her shapely legs.
"Raoul, stop it. Stop this at once!" she screamed. Raoul pulled her skirt back down looking at her
"Christine, there's nothing to fight against. You belong to me. I simply can't live without you and there is nothing you can do about that"
"You can't own me like some piece of property Raoul" she sobbed "Can't you see that I don't love you?"
He nodded "Yes, but don't fret dear, that love will return. Even if I have to make it" he growled
"Raoul, you can't force someone to love you! No matter how much money or power you may have, you can't make me love you when I didn't love you to begin with."
"You will" he said simply, as if finishing the matter. He began kissing her again, forcing his hands into the ample bosom in her gown. She struggled against her bonds once more, finally realizing it was hopeless. She was tied to tightly to even think of escaping and if she even tried to, there was no telling what horrid things Raoul would do to her. She leaned back dejectedly against the chair.
Raoul grinned, pausing for a moment "You see? When you stop your pathetic little struggling, everything becomes easier for both of us"
She sighed, trying again
"Raoul, please, just listen to me for a moment. After all those horrid things you've done with that Joseph man, the broken statue, that awful display at the Masquerade, and you still couldn't make me love you, what makes you think you can force me to love you now? You're planning on just keeping me tied up as some prisoner until I change my mind? That is never going to happen Raoul" she whispered
Raoul chuckled, standing up again "You always were a stubborn little thing weren't you?" He walked over to one of the burning candles, lifted it from the candlestick and held a piece of sheet music over the flame, watching as it curled and turned to a crisp black mess of ash, throwing the smoldering fire at Christine's feet, inches from her long skirts. She flinched. He did the same thing again four, five times until Christine had a mess of burnt, blackened papers at her feet, gagging from the smell of smoke.
"Raoul" she coughed "What on earth are-" she gasped for breath through the stench "-you doing?"
"You'll see in good time Christine. You'll see"
He burnt yet another paper and came over to Christine, holding the blazing candle mere inches under her face, the flame wavering dangerously close to her body when she wasn't exhaling. They both stared at the flame
"Christine, you now have a choice. And I suggest you choose wisely. Either tell me you love me and you'll marry me, and I'll let you go. Deny me again, and we both go up in smoke"
"What? Raoul, that doesn't make any sense. Why would you-"
"Christine, I am not about to loose you to some Phantom again. If I can't have you, no other man can and this time, I'll make sure of that"
Christine smiled, looking around Raoul to see yet another trapdoor opening and her husband's dark form stalking up right behind Raoul, motioning for Christine to be silent
"Oh really?" she asked coyly
"Yes, now make your choice." he growled
"I don't think so"
"Christine, there is no other alternative!" he yelled
She leaned closer towards Raoul and the flame "I wouldn't bet on it" she whispered
At that moment, the flame on the candle blew out mysteriously from behind. Raoul turned just in time to see Erik, who immediately punched Raoul right in the face, knocking him into the moat. Christine laughed and Erik immediately strode over to his wife, struggling to untie the tight the ropes the bound her to the chair. She sighed in relief
"Oh thank goodness you came" she sobbed quietly into his ear
"Christine, you insult me. I couldn't let you two have all the fun" he said sarcastically. He stroked her hair for a moment before trying to pull apart the ropes "But I'm so glad you're all right" he whispered
She smiled, looking at him "Where's your mask?" she asked, slightly amused
"I had more important things to worry about" he chuckled
At that moment, Raoul stood up suddenly and pulled Erik roughly away from Christine, throwing him into the moat. Raoul forced Christine up roughly, breaking the thin ropes and pinning her arms back against his body. Erik glared daggers at Raoul
"Vicomte, this has gone on for long enough. Let her go" he growled
"Make me, Phantom"
" Your fight isn't with her any longer. It's with me. She's not the one you want, so let her go"
Raoul smirked and threw Christine roughly to the floor. She involuntarily whimpered as she felt the throbbing pain in her hip as it collided with the cold ground and a stabbing pain shot up through her arm.
Erik forced himself to ignore the instinct to go help Christine, focusing on the task at hand. He glared at Raoul
"We have unfinished business with each other Vicomte. And it needs to end. Now" Erik growled. Raoul grinned wickedly, and suddenly charged up to Erik, punching him in the stomach. Erik doubled over in pain for a moment, looking for something, anything to use as a weapon. He grabbed a long candlestick, swinging it with all his might at the Vicomte's legs, nearly knocking him down but not quite. Raoul threw another punch near Erik's head but Erik ducked just in time, whirling around and punching Raoul in the back of the head. Raoul groaned, turning around to glare at Erik before punching him right in the jaw. By now, both men's noses were bleeding, Raoul was beginning to form a visible black eye and was also soaking wet. Christine begged for them to stop, but they both ignored her as they continued maliciously fighting. Raoul kicked Erik directly in the stomach and Christine desperately called for them to stop, even weakly trying to wedge herself between in an attempt to get them to stop. Raoul grabbed Christine's arm and threw her suddenly to the ground, hard. Raoul grabbed Christine wrist and tightly tied it back to a wrung on the chair, keeping her out of the way. Erik whirled around and swung his candlestick weapon at Raoul's knees, forcing the Vicomte to loose his balance and fall right on his back. Erik knelt over him, whipping a Punjab lasso out of his trousers' pocket as Raoul weakly struggled and quickly had it tightened around Raoul's neck, poised and ready to strike the final blow when Christine screamed
"Erik, no!"
Both men stared at the woman they both loved on her knees, her wrist fastened to a chair and begging her husband to spare the man they both loathed.
"Erik, please, don't kill him" she begged again
He looked at her, keeping the lasso tight around Raoul's neck "Christine, don't interfere" he barked
"Don't kill him Erik, please. I know he's been horrid and wicked to us both, but he doesn't deserve to die. Please" she whispered
"Christine, this is the only way. Why shouldn't I, after all he's done to us both? He deserves it" Erik muttered
"Erik, please, anything but this. Just don't kill him. I don't want any blood shed on my account, or yours. Please Erik, just think about. Spare him."
"Why on earth should I spare him, after all the trouble and heartache he's caused us?" Erik asked, his hand hovering over the knot of the lasso
"Because he spared you" she said simply
Erik was immediately jolted back to the last time he and the fop had fought like this, on a snowy winter morning years ago in the cemetery. But it was the other way around. Raoul had spared his life then, but only because Christine begged him to, as she was begging Erik to now. He had to decide. Was it worth letting him go because Christine begged him to, when this was the man who terrorized her in the first place?
Unfortunately, Erik took a moment too long to decide and even with Christine's warning cry, he was too late. Raoul literally hit Erik below the belt, causing him to loosen his grip on the lasso and allowing Raoul to rip the rope from his neck. Erik doubled over from the unbearable pain in his privates as Raoul stood up quickly and shoved Christine back to the ground among the burnt papers again. Before she or Erik realized what had happened, Raoul swiftly grabbed a burning candle and threw it on the burnt papers, literally making a ring of fire around Christine. She screamed and desperately tried to back away, but the fire instantaneously spread to her long skirts and she screamed in panic as Raoul laughed wickedly.
"No!" Erik shouted. He felt time freeze for an instant and knew that he couldn't lose Christine, not after everything they had been through together. She was everything to him and he loved her more than life itself. Every second seemed to slowly drift away while flames quickly spread over Christine's thin skirt to her legs and she screamed, paralyzed with fear. Erik couldn't let this happen. His angel was not going to die here before him. He was frozen for a moment with dread and shock. Christine was the only reason he had to even live, to keep trudging through every miserable day. The love he held for her was a thousand times stonger than his loathing and vengence for Raoul at this moment or his lifelong passion for music. She had changed his entire existence for good and gave brought light and happiness to his dark world. He couldn't lose her.
Suddenly, the solution was almost so ridiculous it was simple. He had done it once before after all, when Christine fainted after the last Don Juan. Christine kept screaming and shaking her skirts with her free hand, trying to swipe at the flames almost as if she could brush them away. Erik flung his jacket off, threw if in the moat and grabbed it a moment later when it was completely soaked, throwing it onto Christine's skirts along with handfuls of water. The fire was instantly extinguished. Christine gasped and as her racing heart finally slowed. Erik rushed over, making sure the fire was completely out and Christine wasn't injured before he embraced her, hugging her tighter than he ever had before.
"Oh my god, Christine, I was afraid I lost you for a minute" he sighed
She tried to smile "Erik, really, you insult me. I'm not that easy to get rid of." she said in a trembling voice. He held her tightly while she finished sobbing, her small body trembling limply in his strong arms and ran his fingers through her messy curls. He quickly ripped off the rope on her wrist and pulled her skirt up, looking for any injuries on her legs. Miraculously, there were none except for a some minor burns on her ankles, lower legs and a few bruises. She was all right, thank god he thought to himself. Christine sighed. She was finally safe, at long last. Everything would be all right now that her Angel was here she thought. Raoul stood to the side, watching the entire disgusting display of affection with undisguised loathing.
Christine sobbed into Erik's chest "I was so frightened Erik"
"I know, Christine, I know. It looked horrible, but it's really not that bad. You'll be fine, I promise"
"No, not the fire. I was afraid I was never going to see you again" she sobbed
Erik tilted her head up, looking into her gentle, tear filled eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course. I love you more than anything, Erik."
"I love you too"
"Oh, I hate to interrupt the little love story here, but I believe you have something that belongs to me Phantom" Raoul said, yanking Christine up suddenly and holding her against him.
Erik stood up, ready to beat the man to death, his eyes blazing with fury "Vicomte for the last damn time, if you don't let her go, I swear to God I'll-"
"Vicomte de Changy!" a loud voice yelled. Suddenly, a crowd of large, burly policemen came running in the trapdoor and immediately grabbed Raoul, freeing Christine from his grasp. Erik, acting strictly out of the anger and rush of the moment, threw a hard punch at Raoul, knocking him to the ground. Christine whimpered and Erik quickly lead her out of the way, holding her gently while trying to hide his unmasked face. Behind the crowd of policemen was Georges, with Mme. Giry and Meg behind him. Meg ran up to Christine hugging her and exclaiming and Georges came over, handing Erik his mask wordlessly and Erik accepted it, nodding thankfully to Georges. The policemen forced Raoul up off the ground and the sergent continued
"Vicomte, you are to be taken back into custody-"
"I'm not going back to that hole you call an asylum again!" Raoul broke in "You can't force me! I 'm a free man now"
"Not any longer. You're going to Château d'If Prison monsieur. Anyone that has the intelligence to plot kidnappings, attempted and acted murders, physical and mental harassment and bribing the French mental state health employees is clearly not insane, just a criminal. Take him away" the policemen declared. The police began dragging Raoul away when Christine looked at Erik for a moment and he nodded at her. She ran up to Raoul
"Please messieurs, wait a moment. I would just like to say goodbye" she said softly
The policemen nodded, releasing their hold on Raoul for a moment. Christine looked at him
"Raoul, I'm sorry"
"For what?" he asked bitterly
"For...well, everything. I'm sorry for leading you on like such, even if it was so long ago, and I'm so sorry it has to end like this" she said
"Why?" he asked, his voice breaking
"Because... you just weren't the sweet, gentle man I used to know anymore. You...changed Raoul, like we all do, but, it wasn't for the better"
"Christine, couldn't you just...?" he trailed off
She shook her head "I'm sorry Raoul I truly am, but I lost my faith in you a long time ago."
"When?"
" When you told me my angel wasn't real, and I couldn't love him" she said, glancing behind at Erik.
"Raoul, maybe we used to love each other, but you must admit, there's nothing left between us. You know you don't love me, and you haven't for a long, long time, and I'm sorry you led yourself to this, but it has to be. I'm sorry"
He nodded "I'm sorry too. I suppose this is goodbye, Christine. Just promise me something, could you?"
"What?"
"Think of me once in a while" he said, grinning half-heartedly. She smiled weakly
"I'll try. Farewell Raoul"
He nodded at her, and as the policemen dragged him away to his fate, the Vicomte turned once more to steal a final glance of the woman he lost his heart and sanity to.
Christine came back over, hugging Erik again. He smiled
"That was very kind Christine"
She sighed, not bothering to respond. Erik understood.
Christine looked up at all the people surrounding her that loved her and cared for her, grinned sheepishly and said
"Erik, I believe we still have an Opera to finish"
He chuckled "Will you still sing, Angel?"
She smiled "It would be my pleasure Phantom"
