Raoul looked at me, and then back to Erik, wipping his bloodied nose on the sleeve of his torn military costume. He looked like utter hell; some of the golden tassels were barely hanging onto his navy blue jacket, his right shoulder was torn slightly, his black hair was every where and there was blood on his face. Whether it was from him or Erik, I didn't know. He ran hands through his hair, trying to smooth it down the fly aways that popped up during their fight.
Erik had little crimson spots dotting his white shirt, that was dirtied with dust and dirt from when he and Raoul were rolling all over the ground. It was a miracle that his mask stayed on. I swear that it defies all laws of physics. His red velvet jacket was lying in a heap on the floor against one of the many mirrors. I did not look any better, either. The sleeve of my prurple dress was torn slightly and there was rips and tears all over my dress. I think I was beginning to feel a bruise form on my arm from when Raoul threw me to the ground.
The silence was beginning to kill me more than anything now. I just wish I knew what was going on in Erik's head. What was he thinking when he was at he masquerade, when he pointed out the Vicomte? Did he have evidence now? Solid proof that he killed Joseph Buche? Or was it justa rash decision. I just wish I was let in on his plan. It frustrated me that I was left in the dark, without any way of helping Erik.
Raoul looked at me, looked at Erik and then looked back at me. The wheels in his head beginning to to churn and turn. His blue eyes were slowly beginning to narrow down on me. My heart began to beat rapidly in my chest, almost wanting to leap out in front of me. Oh God, did he finally see the connection between Erik and me? I prayed he didn't.
"Why did you follow me, Christine?" He asked slowly. I fell silent; I couldn't think of anything to say to him, not one single lie. "Answer me!" He barked at me when I didn't answer. I let out a small yelp of fear when he raised his voice at me. I was so afraid of him, terrified even.
"I said leave her out of this," Erik said through clenched teeth, "She has nothing to do with this. It is between you and me." Erik's green eyes glowed with venomous hatred for Raoul. I wish he wouldn't be so passionate about being my knight in shinning armor. But Raoul just gave Erik a wolf-tooth grin, and looked at me again, this time there was something more sinister lurking in his smile.
"Who said she had anything to do with this little quarrel," he said, making the gap between Raoul between him and I smaller, "I'm just curious. Can't I be curious about my little Christine?" He was mere inches away from me. His hand stroked my flushed cheeks, and I could see Erik visibly shake, his hands clenching into tight fists. I was beginning to become sick to my stomach. Raoul was just egging Erik now. "Were you worred about me?" Raoul said to my ear, his hot breath touching my skin. He never took his eyes off of Erik, though.
I tried to run from him, but he caught my wrist in a vice grip. I struggled but he wouldn't loosen his grip on me. He wanted me to struggle, I could see it. He wanted to see Erik reactions, to see if he was right. Erik took two steps forward, his hand reaching for his saber again.
"Let her go!" Erik bellowed. The mirrors shook as he spoke, but Raoul just continued to smile cruely at him. He never seemed to be intimidated by Erik's rage at all.
"Why?" Raoul spat back, his anger finally showing, "I thought she had nothing to do with this? I'm just trying to protect this lying slut from a murdered." My mouth fell open. He knew. Oh God, he knew, and I had new-found rage and courage rising inside me.
"Then let go of me, you snake." I said viciously, spitting in his face. He was so stunned that he loosened just enough that I could break from his grip and run to Erik's safe embrace. He kissed my head, while I steadied my breath. My adrenaline was coursing through my veims, but so was fear. Raoul turned toward us, disbelief plastered all over his face. He whipped the spit on his face, looking at it in his hand and gave me a dangerous look. I've been wanting to do that to him for a long time. I'm happy I did it; he deserved at least that.
"You little whore," he hissed at me, "I knew I was right when I heard another voice on the roof that, and in your room before the ball tonight."
"And I knew you were disgusting from the first moment I laid my eyes on you, you ass." I spat back, Erik practically holding me back, "And I know what you truly are. Other than a pathetic excuse of a man."
"Christine," Erik said cautiously. Raoul raised his brow at me for his respomse, tossing a rough laugh in my direction, but I could see that the color was palling in his face. I took a deep breath, and stepped forward, ready to finally say that he was the murderer, that I knew everything.
"Christine! M. Vicomte!" A shrill voice cut through the air, "Where are you?!" I turned to Erik and gave him one last passionate kiss. I didn't know when the next time I was going to see him. It might be a very long time before I see him next.
"Go!" I said to him, his green eyes terrified, not wanting to leave me alone with Roaul. "Don't worry. I'll be fine, I promise."
"CHRISTINE!"
"GO!" I said again. He looked at me and then glared at Raoul, who stood across from us, and then back to me. His eyes full of worry, he kissed me once again and then my hands.
"Fine," he said to me, and then loud enough for the patron to hear, "But I will return for you. And you, M. Vicomte, for we have unfinished business." With that, he disappeared into the hall of mirrors and shadows. I turned to the Vicomte who still stood dumbfounded and scared. As Md. Giry came rushing down the hall, I walked towards him, wanting to play with fire some more.
"I know everything," I said to him, and he turned to the color of fresh snow, trying to swallow his fear.
"Whatever do you mean?" He asked through clenched teeth. I gave him a forced laugh.
"I know your hands are died red from innocent's blood. Don't try to hide it from me. I can see it in your eyes, and I saw," I said, baiting him now, "I saw you that night. The night that Joseph died. I saw you do it." He looked like he was about to drop like a hat.
"How?" He asked, his voice shaking and quivering. I wanted to laugh; I can't really believe he to took the bait.
I was going to say something but Md. Giry was gettinng closer and I didn't want to get her involved in the danger. Raoul grabbed me closer, his hot breath on my skin again. "This isn't over."
He was right. It was not over. Not by a long shot.
