A/N: I am so sorry that this is a few weeks behind! :( I apologize... a lot has been happening. Lots of tests and homework from school... stupid work and their constant hours for me... and a lot of emotional turmoil with a certain person... (that however, has a happy ending :):) ) not to mention my dad went to the hospital and had surgery so he could walk again... he's doing alright as of so far, just in a lot of pain :( so please keep him in your prayers.

Before I forget, I kept wanting to say that my English class threw a Masquerade party for Romeo and Juliet and we all got to wear masks and dress up :D thought that was an interesting tidbit :P One of my friends dressed as Red Death for me. lol, love him for that :) And we had to write essays about Romeo and Juliet for English about the balcony scene in a different time period and I did the scene in the dressing room going down to the lair... got 29 out of 25 :D Phantom always wins :P

Ack, I have to act out a scene from Romeo and Juliet tomorrow... :P Any who, I'll try and be more vigilant from now on. This chapter is rather long as well... :O hehe.

Please read and review, that's all I ask of you :)

-EFH

xoxo

Chapter 36. Confrontation.

A gasp left Christine's mouth in one quick fluid moment, as she looked up in complete and utter horror, Raoul standing there in the midst of the doorway, Marguerite and Meg but a few inches away from his side.

She felt time suddenly freeze, a cold and sinister feel sweeping through her body, as it began tingeing itself with goose bumps and shriveling up into hiding. It was not lost on her, or anyone else, that she and Erik were now almost completely naked in the most compromising of positions.

Erik went into a blind panic as he forgot that he was naked, but realized that his horrific face was bear for the world to see. He was only sorely reminded when he heard the disgusted gasp of Marguerite's daughter, and the snicker of the Vicomte.

"Did I arrive at a bad time Ma Amour?" Raoul snarled, taking one full step into the disgustingly gaudy room.

Christine said nothing; what could she say? Her eyes avoided contact with everyone, especially Erik. She was much too horrified.

Erik felt Christine push herself from him and desperately attempt to cover up her body. His hand immediately snaked out in attempts to reach for the porcelain mask that only lay a few inches away, in the midst of the debris of the small room.

Raoul saw this and his foot went out in one quick fluid movement and kicked the mask till it went flying across the room; only then, did he move from his spot in one fast movement, and snatched the mask up off the floor.

"Is this what you want?" he demanded, a smile appearing over his darkened face, only adding to the allure of his satanically lit face.

Slowly his hands began to bend the mask, pushing softly at first against the pressure it offered, but then gaining more work…

"I'm truly hurt Erik," he spit out the man's name for the first time. "You'd let Christine take a look into the face of the devil's, but not I?"

The mask snapped, and Meg gasped, clutching her mother's hand. "Mama!" she cried.

Marguerite pulled her daughter into the tight embrace of her arms and whispered into her hair in a hushed manner, "It'll be alright Megan… just start praying. Just start praying." Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she looked at Erik and mouthed the words, 'I'm sorry'.

Erik turned blind eyed to her, feeling a sting of rejection encase him. It wasn't the first time Marguerite had betrayed him. Only now the conditions were far worse.

Christine moved a bit, trying to grab any form of cloth, trying to conceal herself and sustain her modesty, but she was frightfully aware of his eyes burning on hers, along with the others, and was completely frozen in place; to the point that even her mouth had lost the ability to even phrase coherent words.

"Don't feel the need to conceal yourself in front me Christine," Raoul chuckled, "I'm sure all your men won't mind sharing… I'll pay well." he laughed.

Christine opened her mouth to scream something, anything at him, her face scrunched up in complete disgust… but nothing came out.

"Speechless my dear?" he asked, moving in closer towards her. "Honestly, whom did you expect?" he asked, a hint of honest curiosity evident in his voice… to which he immediately masked away.

By this point, Christine was beginning to wrap the bedding's sheets around her naked body. Yes, she still had a chemise on, but she was still virtually naked, in front of all the people close to her in life, no less.

Erik moved himself till he was standing in front of Christine, feeling over protective and angry all at once. He couldn't stand the Vicomte's eyes on her body, devouring her. He gently, but firmly, placed his hand on her arm in a protective and threatening manner, warning the Vicomte to not pull anything.

"Oh don't hold back Erik, I like my women rough." He laughed.

"You sick monster." Marguerite murmured. Her eyes widened as she realized how loud that had come across to everyone, causing Meg to tremble under her mother's arm. She didn't want her mother to say anything that may ruin their lives.

Right now she couldn't help be feel selfish and long for Samuel. She wanted someone to comfort her and never let harm come her way. She wanted to feel protected like Christine was with Erik right now. She wanted the never ending promises of love and devotion… she wanted to get married.

She glanced over at her mother and wondered if this was how her mother had felt with her father. She rarely spoke about him… in fact; she barely knew anything about the man. She didn't even know why he wasn't in her life or where he had gone to. Had he died? She had never asked, always afraid to offend her mother…

Looking back at Christine, she looked into the angry stricken face of Erik, and felt a shudder run through her body; he was simply hideous. She didn't understand how someone as beautiful, innocent and sweet like Christine, could love the evil Phantom who looked like someone straight from the depths of hell.

But then she glanced at Raoul was sourly reminded just how wicked he was. Yes, he was simply beautiful with his golden locks and gorgeous eyes, but his soul was as horrific as Erik's face.

Raoul turned and looked at Marguerite. "Pardon Madame?" he asked coyly. He turned his back to Christine and Erik and stared bitterly at the older woman. "Same as always; cold and spinster like Madame Giry. Never one to please the men, now were we? Always giving unwanted opinions… lurking about in the darkness like the right hand of the devil." His words dripped with the never ending venom.

For once in her life, she felt actually speechless and afraid. She had only once ever felt this way, and she had sworn it would never happen again. She had plotted her life, determined that she would never revisit this turmoil, along with her daughter… but here she was, and she felt weak and caught off guard.

"For once you have nothing to say to me Madame? No unwanted words on my actions? Where is my little Bible Preacher to condemn me to Hell for my heathen ways?"

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Christine screamed. She started to sob.

Raoul turned to her once more and he glowed, thriving on her little outburst. He felt annoyance sizzle through him as he saw Erik pull the sobbing woman into his arms and in a rough movement, and her cling to him like life itself.

"What was that Christine?" he taunted.

She rubbed her tears away, ignoring Erik's soothing words. "You heard me." She whispered. "Go to Hell."

"Touché Mademoiselle," He retorted. "I'll see you there." He slowly pulled a pistol from the inside of his tux.

Meg gasped, feeling faint in horror, her stomach knotting itself. Marguerite clung to her daughter tightly, feeling overprotective and worried. Guilt ate at her; had she made the right decision? Would it have mattered what she had chosen, would someone have died anyways, only now, condemning more innocent lives?

Christine buried her face in Erik's chest, seeking shelter from the world. She decided now and then, she would have no regrets over any choices she had made. If and when she died that sorrow filled rain crested day, she would at least cherish her memories with Erik and everything they had shared.

"Why must you do this Vicomte?" Erik demanded, offering as much comfort to Christine as he possibly could at this moment.

The Vicomte cocked his head at Erik.

"Why would you make others suffer like this? Are you that truly wicked?"

"I'm not the wicked one here." Raoul muttered dangerously.

Christine looked up in complete and total anger. "How can you say that?" she snapped, stopping Erik in his tracks. "You selfish arrogant bastard! Take a look in the mirror; out of everyone here, you are the hideous one I see!"

Erik squeezed her shoulder in comfort and caution, implying without words that she was treading on thin ice and needed to contain herself.

But she ignored him, feeling passion and anger drive right on through her. "You think you can have everything you ever want because you have the face of an angel and all the money you could dream of… but you can't, you can't have everything, and you never will have everything!"

"Oh I can't now, can I?" he demanded moving towards Christine and Erik. "Those are some pretty brave words Christine." He snarled.

Erik shoved Christine behind him as the Vicomte drew nearer with slow steps, his face becoming perhaps even more sinister with every passing step. Never, never had Erik felt he was looking straight into the face of the devil, as he did now.

"Oh how cute," Raoul spoke sarcastically. "Protecting my little Christine?"

"Stop it." Christine whispered, moving towards Raoul.

"Can't handle it sweetie?"

Erik moved forwards and grabbed Christine's arm, trying to force her behind him. He wasn't going to be responsible for anything happening to her today. He'd rather die a thousand deaths than see her hurt; be it physically or mentally.

Raoul glared at Erik's sudden movement, and felt anger coursing through her; how dare he touch her! Stepping forwards, he raised the pistol and hit Erik across the face with the butt of it.

Christine screamed as Erik doubled backwards, clutching his face. Panic raced through her as she saw the sight of blood forming through the cracks of his fingers.

"Don't you dare, touch her!" Raoul yelled, taking one look at his deformed face, cringing at every bump and crevice in his face. "Perhaps even more ugly; what was God thinking when he created you? You belong with Satan, you poor excuse for a human being!"

Erik tried hard to sustain his tears of pain, but he was sinking to the ground in pain. His eyes were shut against the world, blinding him to Raoul, who swiftly kicked him in the stomach. Erik cried out, just picturing Christine.

"Why won't you die you wretched beast?" he snarled, kicking him harder.

"Stop it!" Christine screamed. She moved forwards and grabbed a hold of his arm, shaking him. "Stop hurting him!"

Raoul flung her backwards and she fell to the ground with one great cry. She laid on the ground a sobbing mess, and didn't budge, too afraid. She covered her eyes, not wanting to see what he was doing to Erik.

"I am finally going to finish the job and send you straight where you belong!" Raoul snarled, kicking him once more before finally pulling the pistol out, hovering over Erik.

"No… No…" Christine murmured, sobbing uncontrollably.

Erik finally opened his eyes and stared straight into Raoul's. They held each other's for a moment, when time seemed to have stopped.

Raoul felt a weird feeling surge through him. It was as if he were being encased by flames. His breathing had heightened to the point of being extremely stertorous, that it was the only real sound that registered in the room. Sweat encased his forehead like some form of a lover, and he felt like any second now, the ground would give way, and the flames would engulf him more so, and the land of the heathen would consume him.

Erik stared in horror and question. Why was this man just staring at him? Why couldn't he seem to move himself? He knew that now was his moment if he had any at all. It was his moment to shove this man away and grab the pistol, thus placing them in the same position, only reversed roles… but he couldn't. He couldn't even think anymore.

And as everything seem to come back to him, one lone teardrop rose in the corner of Raoul's eye. His eyes filled with the foreign beads, and very slowly, one by one, they fell. The first one fell onto his cheek and slid down fast, landing on Erik.

Christine said nothing, watching the moment pass between the two. What was happening?

"Christine belongs with me." Raoul whispered finally. "It's the way… it's… it's meant to be." He pulled the pistol forwards. "No 'ands', 'ifs', 'buts', or 'when's'," he murmured. "Tonight is the night." His finger pulled softly on the trigger, and it began to raise itself till it was squarely pointing at Erik's face.

Christine's mouth opened and she felt her heart stop.

Erik said nothing, watching in amazement.

"Goodbye Erik." Raoul whispered. "You were quite the opponent… but sometimes life is better left the way it was intended to be; the beautiful can never love the ugly… I'll see you in Hell."

He gave a final nod and pulled the trigger.

The only sound was the screams and cries of a woman.

xoxo

The clouds hung in the air with a sense of disorder… a sense of the devil lingered about, and he actually felt the desperate need to pray; something he hadn't done in a long time.

The horse clattered along the streets of Paris, completely unsure and undecided where it and Gabriel were going. He just squeezed tighter, commanding him to keep going.

Where am I going? His thoughts screamed. He was in a blind panic and he was on a wild goose chase in this dreary weather on the worst of days. But did he have a choice? What if his children's lives were at stake? He had no idea what Raoul could be doing to them.

He knew deep down… be it a gut feeling, some premonition or even divine providence… that something evil danced about and it involved his children. He was now determined to find them. He was not going to let anything happen to them… Coreena be damned.

He didn't even want to think of that woman; the devil's adulteress whom he hoped burned in Hell for her actions. That corrupted mind that had let her children disappear as she spread her legs willingly…

He wiped away the tears in anger. He would not let that evil woman get to him; he was stronger than this.

He made a hesitant sign of the cross and began murmuring any prayer he could remember; starting with an apostle's creed, to just plain out begging God to take mercy on his wretched soul and grant him one final wish.

Do this for me; lead me to my children, and I promise I will ask of nothing from you ever again. He had never considered himself a religious man up until this point… but now he was willing to become religious.

The rain fell harder and harder as his hands became whiter and rawer with every passing second. The skies were filled with a never ending darkness and the growl of wind nipped at him, reminding him of his place in life… at that moment.

He was a poor man with nothing in life to offer… and he always would be. But he didn't care about his measly status, his children came first.

He sobbed, the tears mingling with the thick raindrops that were pelting him. "Why?" he screamed. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked of no one. "I just want my children!" his screams landing on deaf ears. "I want my God damn children back!"

He threw the reigns away from him, as if their touch had burned him. He let his face fall into the horse's neck… and he just sobbed.

"Why… why…" he murmured, choking on his sobs. "It can't be…"

The horse had come to a stop now, its sides heaving from all the stress its owner had put him through… pushing him through this dreadful weather.

A crack of lightning lit up the skies and the horse kicked in fear, its nostrils quivering as uncertainty filled it. The streets were empty and devoid of life, and the sight of a dark luminous forest lingered just down a dark path. The horse was terrified to move one more step…

Suddenly the sound of thunder broke throughout and the rain grew even stronger. Gabriel's horse bucked, sending Gabriel flying with a cry, before taking off in a blind panic.

Gabriel lay there just sobbing, feeling so defeated and hopeless. It was perhaps the worst feeling he had ever felt before in his life.

"Oh Lord, have mercy, on me…" he choked out, just laying there, his eyes shut, the only feel was the raindrops hitting his pale stone cold face. He had given up all hope and pretenses…

He would just lay there and die slowly by slowly.

He felt startled though as his hand reached out and made contact with a foreign object; a stuffed animal. His eye opened ever so slightly and squinted hard, trying to make out the object in the dark.

"Mr. Thomason." He whispered.

xoxo

Derik clutched the hand of his sister Ana and pulled her through down the hall in one great rough movement.

"Derik I'm afraid." She cried trying to keep up with his fast and long stride, knowing and just feeling that something was wrong… something terrible and the worst kind of horrible. She didn't want to go into the room… afraid of what she may see.

Derik stopped. "Ana, how can you know?"

She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her shirt. "Sometimes you just know Derik." She whispered, wishing that for once, he would just listen to her.

Derik said nothing, just looking at the closed door in front of him. It gave a sinister sense to it. He didn't know what lay behind it, and did he honestly want to? What if Erik lay there dead and cold in his own blood? What if he was leading Ana into the fiery den where they would be condemned?

He felt the fires of temptation beckon him. He could just turn and leave, and forget any of this. He could take the safe road, or the other. He could promise his and Ana's safety, or he could gamble, and open the door.

Ana watched Derik and although she was only a little girl, she knew he was battling something within. She felt irritation succumb her, knowing what had to be done.

"Ana," Derik spoke in a hush manner as she stepped forwards.

She looked at him and nodded. "I'm tired of playing the lamb Derik." She whispered. She said nothing more and opened the door, stepping right on it without even a glance back.

"Ana please," he started, watching her with a sick stomach.

But it was too late, she had already gone in and Derik knew he had to follow. She was his sister and he had sworn he would always take care of her. As soon as he was in though, he was met with the questioning and shocked gazes of four others.

Ana gave a shriek at what she saw, and began to sob immediately.

"Ana… Derik?" Raoul whispered, shocked to see the two young children of his old friend. Why were they here? What did they know? Was Gabriel so twisted that he would bring his own children into this dark twist of fate?

Derik said nothing, just listening to Ana's sobbing and shrieks. "I hate you!" she screamed over and over again, her voice starting off like a wild banshee, turning into soft moans. She glared up at Raoul from her spot on the filthy carpet, a spot she had thrown herself to immediately.

Derik quickly moved over to her and was trying to grab her and pull her from the body. "Ana let's go." He stated immediately. He knew she was too young to witness this, and should be home resting.

These past few weeks had gone by and left so many scars in their waking path. He worried that Ana would be badly affected by all this. And whom could he blame but himself? He didn't want her to grow up recalling that dark time, only to hold resentment for him… he should have never left and gotten involved.

She had been taken from her parents – the only people besides him she knew. She had fallen ill and lost half her sight… because of him. She had a simple petty crush on a deformed man whom she could witness dead now... because of him. Because of him.

Derik looked about the room. In the midst, Raoul stood with a gleam lit in his eye. A pistol was clutched with a shaking hand and he looked ready to kill. A pretty blonde woman lay on the ground next to Erik, a shocked expression lit on her pretty face. An older woman stood not to far off whilst a beautiful brunette lay on the bed sobbing, her cries echoing along with Ana's.

He had grown up thinking Raoul to be a wonderful man. A wonderful man who was always considered an uncle to him. He had never seen such evil lurk about in his face. He had never felt such a horrifying presence linger about him as he did now. He wanted his father suddenly.

"Uncle… Uncle killed him!" Ana choked out, still sobbing. "Derik!"

Raoul watched the scene in complete confusion, not understanding how they knew Erik.

"What have you done?" Derik demanded of Raoul, trying to pull his kicking and screaming sister off of Erik.

"Why are you here?" Raoul sneered. "Where is that father of yours? He was so measly; he dragged his two brats into all this?"

Derik looked up and glared at the wicked man. "You truly are corrupt."

Raoul gave a twisted laugh. "It took you this long to figure that out?" he snarled. "How slow can your family possibly be? Or are you just too pious and oh so forgiving? Will God accept you into his kingdom now?"

"S… stop it Raoul." Christine quivered. "They… are… are o-only children."

He turned and glared at Christine. "Oh for Christ's sakes, do shut up Christine! No one asked your opinion. You are here to be seen and not heard, like a petulant woman." He laughed.

On lithe like steps, he moved closer to the body and the two children. "Perhaps I should show Gabriel real horror." He whispered, drawing forth his pistol once more.

Derik looked at him with a dry open mouth. Was he serious? Everything seemed to go still and silent, even Ana's loud cries and shrieks of hatred. "You wouldn't." Derik breathed, looking up and into the devil's eyes.

"I wouldn't would I?" he growled. "When has your family ever done anything for me besides condemn my life as they most assuredly always do? Now is the opportunity I have waited for… an opportunity, in which I can make your father make amends for his sins."

"Raoul don't…" Christine whispered her voice barely audible.

"You're going to Hell." Derik stated.

"I'm already in Hell."

xoxo

"Have some tea; it'll help ease your nerves." Janine spoke soothingly, carrying a silver tray with two cups of tea and some honey.

"Now is no time for tea Mother." Coreena spoke irritably, half distracted by the outer world.

She sat by a large window in the living room, looking upon the outer world with a great wave of sadness. It was raining, like her heart. She longed to see her children smile and hear their sweet laughter. She had never felt so lonely before, and so guilty.

Guilt consumed her; she couldn't dismiss what she had done to Gabriel when bringing Marc over. She suddenly didn't care what Gabriel had done… it was all in the past. She shouldn't carry a grudge, for she had her fair share of sins.

And had he not lied, she'd never have Derik or Ana, and the little wonder growing inside of her right now. Should she not be thankful?

"A franc for your thoughts?" Janine whispered, watching her daughter, trying to decipher what her daughter was thinking from her expressions.

Coreena looked over at her mother and felt a tad startled. She had forgotten her mother's presence still lingered about. "W… what?" she asked, feeling like a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

Janine looked at her daughter concerned. "What are you thinking about?" she asked quietly. "Is it about Derik and Ana? I know they're safe… God will protect them." Janine promised.

Coreena shook her head, a tear slipping. "It's not that… I was thinking about him."

"Marc?"

Coreena shook her head. "No, Gabe… Gabriel." She finished. "I feel worried for him. I feel as if something dreadful is about to happen and I'm completely incompetent in the situation and unable to help."

Janine moved to embrace her daughter. "Oh you mustn't burden yourself so, Coreena. No one knows of the future… and you must live in the present. Right now, focus on yours and the baby's health. The cops are in search of Derik and Ana… and Gabriel, well never mind him. He's of unimportance right now." She rubbed her daughter's back consolingly. "Focus on the now."

"But Mother… I… I know I sinned." Coreena whispered through her long bouts of tears.

Janine looked at her. "What do you mean Coreena?" she queried. She could honestly attest that she didn't always understand what her daughter was feeling at moment's notice; her mood's seemed to change every second.

Coreena looked at her mother. "This is my entire fault."

"Of course it isn't Coreena –"

"No, it truly is." Coreena interjected. "If I hadn't been so quick to condemn and walk out on him with his children… we wouldn't be here. Everybody sins, and I refused to even listen to him, or even forgive him. Thus, I sinned as well. I'm no better than any other person." She poured out. "No one deserves to lose their children like that."

"Coreena –"

"No one deserves that!" Coreena repeated angrily.

"Coreena –" Janine tried to calm her daughter down.

Coreena broke down crying into the palms of her hands. "I… I just want everything to… to be alright!" she sobbed. "Why… why can't everything be like before?" she demanded. "Why… why is God so cruel?"

Janine pulled her daughter tightly to her, and squeezed her eyes shut against the world, holding in all beads. She said nothing at first, just letting her daughter sob into her chest. Her own pain wracked at her, making her recall things that even she would rather not think about.

God was supposed to be the light in all situations… the thing you looked to most when you had lost hope all together… but then why did the world seem so bleak? Why hadn't the saviour come for them yet? Why would he let them rot in this time of peril?

Coreena said nothing, just letting all tears she had held in, come out. She didn't pause to even think about everything, or she knew she would feel extremely gormless and just cry perhaps more. She had never felt so abject before…

As the seconds wore on though, and they drifted into minutes, Coreena's once stetorous breathing, evened itself out and she slowly stopped juddering in her mother's embrace. Reality hit her like a ton of bricks and she felt extremely empty all of a sudden.

"Coreena?" Janine whispered, making sure her daughter was ok.

Coreena gave a deep sigh. "I… I know I'm gratuitous when I say this… but I… I know that I still love Gabriel… despite everything." She admitted.

Janine smiled at her daughter and gave a nod. "I'm glad you say that Coreena."

"Really?" she whispered in return.

"Of course…" Janine squeezed her hand. "You still have a family to consider… and I don't want it to go horrible because of a few past mistakes. If you truly love someone, you forgive them for their flaws and sins."

"It must be true love then." Coreena smiled, breathing in relief.

"It must be." Janine agreed.

The two embraced once more; relieved they had come to a conclusion. Coreena was determined to look for him and tell him everything. No longer would any secrets be in between them anymore.

She would make this work... because she loved him and that was enough.

xoxo

Ana gave a loud shriek when she taken by surprise, being thrown backwards to the ground as a large noose was thrown around Raoul's neck and immediately tightened.

He had been about to kill her.

He had been so close with his sinister eyes.

She had been so close to the end.

She had been so close to the fires of Hell.

Her brother Derik lay on the ground trembling in pain as his body shook and convulsed, trying so hard to fight for his sake. Ana pushed her tiny body forwards and crawled to his body, squeezing her hands against her ears, trying to block out his agonizing cries.

"Derik!" Ana cried. "Don't leave me Derik!" she screeched, pounding her tiny little hands on her brother's chest. "Don't go Derik!" she screamed.

Christine watched as Raoul fell to his knees, his face turning purple as the noose tightened and tightened. She felt so shocked and half faint. Everything was so... surreal? She felt like she was living out a dream... more so a nightmare.

Everyone looked up though when the door's were thrown open once again. "Drop him or I will kill you all!" screamed a girl's voice.