Diamonds in the rough

by Mia-Purdy

What if Erik had been more honest with Christine? What if he had acted quicker? What if Christines father didnt simply die of illness but was murdered? What if Christine didnt remember Raoul as much as he would like? A different retelling of the story with more twists along the way. Kay/Kopit/ALW/Leruox influences. E/C eventually.

37. Chapter 37

Sorry for leaving you hanging there! Your reviews as always were lovely; I can't believe people are even reading my writing so our kind words are lovely. So are all the reads, follows, favourites.

newbornphanatic Christine sends you hugs and Erik is very thankful for being kind to her at the ball!

Thank you all (:

*Once again nothing is mine.

Chapter 37-Nadir POV

It had all happened very quickly, I couldn't believe the boy, I had expected some sort of issue, but not this. No, I had expected him to be slimy and do everything with smoke and mirrors. That's what had taken me by surprise. He had taken me up the stairs, away from the noisy crowds, I hadn't wanted to leave Christine, I knew Erik would off hit me senseless if he had known. But I had a feeling that she would probably be safer away from the Vicomte. He had some 'painting' to show me, I was expecting this to be his chance, to bribe me, maybe offer me money for information, or threaten me with his status. We walked side by side, down the large cream corridor, huge doors on either side of us, the Vicomte gave me several dashing smiles, I knew they were false, he positively hated me and I knew it. But I played along, until we reached one of the last doors. I followed him in a large room; despite its huge size all that was in it was a desk, a chair and a fire place. I looked around it, then saw a picture on the wall, so he hadn't been lying about that.

'Here it is Mr Kahn; you have a look, let me get my glasses.' I looked at the large painting before me, it was on in fact of Persia, I heard the boy's footsteps walking away from me. Maybe he wasn't going to use this opportunity. I looked further into the image, how I missed my old home, I missed the sand, the heat, the law and order, I sighed, placing my hand on the image. My thoughts turning to Rezza, his face flashing through my mind, my head was spinning with the thought of his crippled body, so much so I didn't hear the Vicomte behind me.

For a split second, I felt a breath behind me, and I went to turn, as I did so, my head was hit with some hard object from behind. I span around dazed, the Vicomte stood before me, his eyes wide and wild, his face sweating, over his head he held a large metal object, my head throbbed. So this was his attack. He hissed, and went to hit me again. I grabbed his wrists, shoving him to the floor, with one iron grip, he squealed like a girl as I twisted his wrists, the skin burning all together, I stood over him, I rose my foot and stamped on his hand. His eyes wild, but I could see he was scared, he rose his head then spat in my eyes, temporarily blinding me, I rose my hand trying to wipe the phlegm out of them. The filthy bastard, what a foul trick! Blinded I went to reach for him, he was standing over me now, he rose the metal again, I blocked it before it could strike, it crunched into my arm, making me roar in agony over the sickening sound of broken bones. I dragged myself towards him, he was panting now.

'Tell me! Tell me and you'll go free!' he screamed, I could tell he wasn't used to this, seeing another man hurt due to his hand. Like all rich people he was all air and no substance. I rose now, going towards him, my arm hanging at a strange angle, he stood in front of the flames in the fire.

'Tell you what Vicomte?' I tried to sound calm, trying to hold the vomit from coming out of me.

'Where is the beast? The deformed freak, you know! You know!' he was screeching, the noise blurring my senses. 'Tell me and you'll go free!'

'Why do you wish to know?' I panted, the pain of my arm was searing with pain, my head was spinning.

'I know she loves him! I know he loves her! I saw! I saw on the roof, he loves her! IT loves her! I won't allow it, he needs to be eliminated, she needs a man like me!' he screamed again.

'You stupid boy! I will never tell you! She will never love you; you're a bastard, a pompous bastard. She loves him because, he's twice the man you are. Twice the man! You will never be like him, ever. You will never own her heart.' I growled, my anger boiling over, I was close to him now, I bent down picking up the blunt metal object he just dropped, with my useable hand. I watched his face, it was pale now, beyond angry I could see. His face was stricken with anger, he looked crazy, the look in his eyes, it wasn't scary, just strange.

'Oh you will tell me Nadir Kahn.' He said quietly now, his hands behind his back.

'No. Never. Let her go Vicomte, many women will love you.' I said softly now, I held the metal behind me, ready to strike. But before I could, he flew at me, throwing us both to the floor. The metal digging into my back, making the pain run through me. I watched his eyes burn, as he rose from behind his back, a fire stoke, it was white with heat. I froze, as he rose it above his head.

'You will talk Nadir! Oh yes you will!' he whispered, looking crazed. I closed my eyes, as I felt the hot metal burn through my jacket and through the already bruised and broken skin on my shattered arm. There was the sickly smell of burning flesh; I bit onto my lip until I could taste the metallic flavour of blood. Thoughts ran through my head, images swimming. Changing frantically, making my temples feel as if they would burst with all these thoughts, the pain was excruciating, I head the Vicomte begin to laugh and ask over and over again 'tell me'. But I wouldn't talk, I thought of the first time I had met Erik, his broken arms, his raped body, his stolen innocence. This was all for that boy, that broken boy that lived on inside of him. The thought of the blood that had trickled down his legs and stained the snow in a trail behind his limping strides, filled my mind. That repulsion filling me once more. I heard the Vicomte laugh once more. Then darkness took me.

When I opened my sore eyes, I realised I was bound to a chair, in front of the large fire. My arms were tied behind my back and down onto the leather, my left was bent in an extremely strange angle, I moved slightly, the burning pain ripped through my arm and back. I looked down, and on my upper arm was a large burn, it was open and sore, deep and weeping with yellow puss. It was sickening. The fire made me itch, I wanted to be cold, let my wounds heal in a low heat, they all felt hot and irritated. My lower lip was swelling rapidly. I swore in my head, the bastard boy, he had played his game well. I understood his plan right away, he would leave me here, probably not feed me, the fire would cause me great irritation, he would expect me to beg and tell him everything I knew. No that would never happen, he would have to slice my neck before I told him about where Erik and Christine had their lessons together. My stomach went cold. Christine! Oh gosh, she was still here, at the ball. Who knew what the boy would do to her? I was meant to be driving her home in the carriage. What would she do? I didn't know. I moved slightly, the puss trickling out my wound making me hiss. I was tired, no energy was in me any longer.

I cursed, praying to Allah, that Christine, Erik's little angel would get home safely. I prayed Erik would help her, that the boy wouldn't touch her. Because I knew the boy might think he had a temper, and I must admit his aggression had surprised me. But it was nothing, not a single, tiny patch on Erik's blackened rages. I knew if he hurt Christine, there would be no stopping him.

I had failed him. I was responsible for anything that happened to Christine now. I shook my head, glaring into the fire, strange shapes reared out of them, a fiery horse with a rider on its orange back, it flickered then fell, and nothing was there except for the usual dancing flames.

XXX

Christine POV

I sat on the bottom of the large stair case, holding a cloth onto Raouls hand, many people gathered around. It was covered in blood now, the cut was rather deep, and his hand was bruised the pale skin going a slight blue. I wondered what happened, poor Raoul. It looked very sore.

'It's nothing, just a cut, I've had much worse.' He said loudly, smiling at me. The crowd around us, laughed slightly, then dispersed. He clicked his fingers at the servant, taking the blood soaked cloth from my hands and throwing at the disgusted looking man, I noticed the servants slight unsureness about the bloody cloth, he must have been squeamish at the sight of it. I smiled and stood up, taking it gently from his hands. I watched Raoul look at me shocked.

'Tell me where you want it and I'll take it there, don't worry, I know many people who are scared of blood.' I smiled at the man, who gave me a wide eyed looked and a glance at Raoul, who had shot onto his feet now, he snatched the rag from my hands.

'No. You will take it! How dare you give it to a lady! Get a grip its only blood!' He snarled into the face of the paling servant, who shot away. I felt my jaw drop at Raouls nastiness.

'Raoul he was scared of blood, it doesn't matter I would of taken it.' I said quietly.

'Christine, servants do as their told, you shouldn't have to get your pretty hands dirty at all.' He smiled at me looking calm again, trying to take my hands in his, I moved away from him. That way he had changed so suddenly, it wasn't very nice. I knew it wasn't my place to comment on how he treated his servants or ran his house, but the way he had spat his words was wretched! I looked at the floor, the breeze that was blowing through the large door made me shiver. I looked around where was Mr Kahn? I really wished to go home now, it was getting late.

'Come on Christine, how about I show you my father's horse now?' he smiled taking my arm. Yes, perhaps the air would be nice. I smiled back at him, but as soon as we returned I would rather wish to go home, as we left the large room and through the open front door, I could not see Mr Kahn anywhere, I bit my lip, I was worried now.

I shivered as we began to walk across the cobbled drive, the numerous carriages lined up, the drivers huddled up against the cold. I wished I could give them a cloak or a blanket, but I had nothing, I looked ta Raouls warm jacket enviously as I shivered. The moon above us was large and making everything look like it was silver, like a giant spiders web, glittery and shiny. I turned slightly and looked back on the large house, it was huge. I didn't realise the vast size of it, its numerous windows, the four large pillars, and the large mouth like door, which was surrounded by the colourful people of the ball. The cheerful voices still followed us, as Raoul led me around the side of the house. I gasped at the long and perfect lawns, several water fountains were pottered about and around, in amongst the unnaturally straight and lined fruit trees. It was all so perfect, almost too perfect, as if anything wasn't allowed to be different or out of the ordinary.

It made me shiver; we walked silently, the crunch of the gravel beneath our feet.

'Have you enjoyed yourself Christine?' Raoul asked looking at me with a smile.

'Yes, yes I have Raoul, it has been nice, thank you so much for inviting me, your house is so beautiful.' I gave his arm a squeeze as we walked, and put my head for a second on his shoulder.

'I'm glad. You never know maybe one day you will live in a house like this.' He said his eyes slightly glazed, looking at me strangely.

'Oh I'm not sure Raoul, it's all a bit too grand for me. The people are all so stunning and grand. Not like me at all.' I sighed, no I wouldn't live like this at all. It wasn't my sort of life, the house, the style it was all too daunting and huge, the fact that everything was so neat and perfect spooked me slightly, nothing seemed real. I felt his grip tighten as we turned the corner of the house again, the dead roses, hung sadly of their vine.

The stables were before us, I squealed with joy, they were just perfect, like the image I had in my head, like the stables of princesses. I let go of Raouls arm and skipped ahead. I saw automatically the large grey stallions head, identical to the one in the picture. I gasped, I walked slowly to him, the moonlight making his glossy coat shine in the dark stable.

'Christine!' I hear Raoul, calling me, but I was too mesmerised by the horse before me, he was the horse of my dreams, all it needed was a horn and he'd be a unicorn!

I raised up my hand to the horses silver nose, I giggled as I felt my fingers be curiously nuzzled, it tickled, for something so large and powerful, he was so graceful. I ran my hands over the soft fur of his large face, I watched with wonder as the big brown eyes shut in enjoyment.

'You like that don't you boy?' I smiled, how beautiful this horse was. I closed my eyes, and put my lips to its large cheek, and felt my ear be blown in. I giggled again, and then felt Raouls hand on me.

'Christine? He didn't bite you did he?' Raoul said in concern, at the sight of his master the horse jumped to back of its stable looking at Raul wearily.

'No, he's lovely Raoul, so perfect!' I smiled, trying to coax the now trembling stallion to me again. How odd, at the sight of Raoul he looked s scared, I was sure Raoul never hurt him, he wasn't an unkind man.

'I think we should go back in now.' I felt Raouls arm loop through mine, and pulled me away. I was slightly annoyed, I didn't want to leave the stallion yet, I wanted to gaze upon its beauty a little longer, it was so sweet and lovely. I would one day love a horse like that, I looked at Raoul, I was going to ask to stay a little longer, but the look in his eye told me to go with him. I sighed and walked with him, I was worried, Raouls usual pale handsome face was red and flush, slightly sweating. Maybe it was his hand maybe that was hurting him. We left the stables, walking slowly, the night was cold, making me shiver against its silverness, I leant into Raoul trying to get warmer, the pimples on my arm were raised. We walked around the corner, I really wanted to leave now, I wondered if Mr Kahn was waiting for me, I hoped he was. I wanted to go and get warm, I hoped once I left that Raoul would go to bed, he didn't look well at all. We turned the corner by the dead roses, as I looked at them, I smiled Erik would make them beautiful, if he had the chance, he would care for them and make them stand up tall and proud once more. I heard voices, ahead of us, manly voices. I held Raouls arm a little tighter, something about them made my spine go all tingly.

'Oh Christine, this must be my brother, I think he would be glad to meet you.' Raouls smiled, something wasn't right, my heart was racing as we turned the corner. My jaw dropped as I looked upon the man who stood before me.

It all came rushing back, the sandy hair, blue eyes, and the pale skin. I froze, no surely it wasn't him. It couldn't be. I imagined the long knife in his hands, No! It all came back in a mixture of blood and screams. The vision of my Papa. No, the man, the fair haired man, he had held me and screamed in my face. His eyes the blue, the navy blue, yes, I remembered now. My stomach dropped, my knees went weak. It couldn't be him; it couldn't be the man who took my Papa's life. I looked at his hand, his body imagining it, sending me back to the dark alley those many nights ago. Raoul went to his side, smiling, embracing him. I stood frozen to the spot. The man Raoul, introduced as his brother, the man I thought was my Papa's murder. He looked back at me, his jaw dropped, his eyes dull as he looked at me in disbelief.

'No-' he muttered quietly. I felt my stomach drop again, a cold drip surrounded me, taking my body whole, leaving me feeling so helpless, and alone. I backed away; I needed to get away from him. My heart racing, making it hard for me to breath.

'Christine what's wrong, this is my brother Philippe.' Raoul said leaving his now paling brothers side, who fell to his knees, and broke down into sobs beside Raoul. 'Philippe,' that name. That's what the gang members had shouted after the sandy haired man, after he had dug the knife into my Papa's chest. That's what they had roared and then left me alone in the darkness left me all alone. It all came flooding back. I staggered away, as Raoul came towards me looking strangely between me and his brother, he looked confused.

'Christine!' He called, but it was too late I ran, I needed to get away; I couldn't be near the murderer, the killer of my Papa, the man who took my poor Papa from me. My heart was beating so fast, I choked on my tears, on my sobs, I ran back to the front of the house, my footsteps waking the sleeping drivers who rested coldly on their carriages. I looked frantically left to right; Mr Kahn was nowhere to be seen. I felt my thoughts getting to much, I couldn't stay here any longer, I was shaking head to toe, my chest wracking with sobs, each one getting more and more larger and uglier. I couldn't hold it in anymore, it was like a giant bubble, a giant mass of emotion. I desperately needed to release. I was confused, scared, I just wanted to leave; I heard footsteps on the gravel, what if it was him, what if it was the murderer, what if he wanted to kill me too, I ran sobbing to the first carriage, its driver fast asleep, I hid beside it, trying to control my sobs, as I lay my back against the black of the carriage. I heard the footsteps run around the gravel.

'Christine?' Raouls voice called, concerned. 'I don't know what you've done Philippe but I swear I'll kill you if you have hurt her!' I wanted to run to Raoul, to ask him to find Mr Kahn, to get him to take me home. But then I heard that voice, the one that had haunted my dreams for so long.

'I told you Raoul, I told you! The poor girl, you did this, I told you not to bring her here!' the voice of my Papa's murder cracked, breaking into hysteria.

'You will tell me what you've done later. Now I need to find her. Christine?' Raoul rushed off.

I felt my knees give way, I fell to the gravel floor, sobbing. The thought of my Papa's mutated body running around my head. The voice of the man kept filling my ears. Oh, where, oh where was Mr Khan? I needed to leave this place now, I needed to get away, I couldn't be in the same room as the man who murderer my papa. I couldn't do it. I wanted to go to Raoul, to tell him I was okay, he looked so worried, but if I saw the man again, I would faint, know he knew I could identify him, what would he do, I could go to the police and report him. I could act out. I didn't know what to do. My emotions where in a whirl wind, bashing into one another, I sat on the gravel pulling my knees into my chest. I didn't want to move, or to think I was so scared. I wanted Erik, I wished he was here, I wished I could hear his soothing voice and encouragement. He would know, he would guide me. I closed my eyes, my tears rolling down my cheeks, the vision of my murdered Papa, burning into my mind, like the vision of a candle does when you stare at it for too long, and the light stays fixed behind your eyes. I held my knees, trying to think clearly, but I couldn't it was useless. Poor Papa, my poor, poor Papa, I sobbed into my knees, into the soft pink fabric; I savoured its scent it smelt like Erik's home, the warmth of the candles, the smell of Erik himself. Then suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder, I scooted away, looking up through blurry eyes, it was the sleeping driver but now he was awake.

'Are you okay Miss?' he asked kindly, I stood up quickly, backing away.

'I-I-I' I stammered, my heart racing, as I tripped and landed on my behind, making me wince.

'Miss, do you have a lift home?' he asked kindly, shaking his head, and taking a step away from me. I bit my lip, and thought for a moment, I couldn't find Mr Kahn anywhere; maybe he had left after all, and not come back. I wanted to leave now. I shook my head the small, grey driver, who smiled kindly.

'Well, my Mistress and Master won't be leaving for many an hour yet, so how about I give you a ride home.' He smiled again; it made me have a flicker of hope, then my heart sank.

'I haven't any money sir.' I said trying to control my tears.

'Don't worry Miss, anything for Paris' finest Prima Donna, it would be my pleasure.' He smiled again, taking a step nearer to me and offering me his hand.

'Oh thank you sir, thank you so much.' I sobbed, as he helped me up, he opened the little door for me.

'You make yourself comfortable Miss. I take it you want to be going to the Opera House.' I nodded, I was shaking all over, he shut the little door and I sighed. I was going home now, thank goodness. I felt the carriage pull away. I peeked out the window and saw Raoul looking for me frantically, I felt so bad, poor Raoul! Then I saw the other man, the sandy haired man, my heart plummeted, that was definantly him, he had changed, he was skinner, his hair thin, but it was him. The man who took my Papa away from me. I fell to the chair of the carriage, and sobbed, I was so scared, so utterly petrified, and so confused. Raoul had introduced him as his 'brother' surely he had just meant a close friend, like I called Meg my 'sister,' I prayed to God that's what he meant. Surely he had. Then I felt bad for Raoul, I was so rude just leaving. But the thought of the murder, it was too much, seeing that man brought back all my fears, I had dreamt of meeting the man who killed him, the man who walked the earth whilst my Papa was dead, whilst my Papa couldn't and wouldn't ever hear me sing. Poor Papa, I sobbed even harder. The mean things the people had said to me at the ball all came into my head too, mixed with the image of my Papa's death, it was too much to bear.

My eyes stung, and by the time I felt the carriage stop, I was beside myself with grief. I longed for Erik's guidance, for his words, for him. The door opened, and the driver gasped as he saw me.

'The gates are locked Miss, would it be okay if I dropped you here?' I jumped out the door onto the wet street, it was pitch black nearly, I was terrified but I didn't dare ask for more from this man.

'This will do splendidly, thank you so much. It was so kind of you, perhaps one day I can pay you back.' I said quietly, trying to smile at the man.

'Don't worry about it Miss, maybe one day I could get tickets to see you sing, I hear your the best.' He said in a happy voice, I could tell he was trying to cheer me up.

'People are too kind sir, but I will get you tickets of course, what is your name?' I snivelled, this man had shown me kindness, I needed to repay him.

'It's Smith, Miss.' He said looking shocked.

'Well thank you once again Mr Smith, come to the Opera and I will have tickets for you.' I tried to smile, but all I did was release a small whimper.

'You're too kind Miss, I don't know what you're sad about, but I hope you can sort it out. I hope who ever made you feel this way gets punished; no one should make a girl as kind and pretty as you cry. Now I must go.' He smiled and got back into his carriage and pulled away.

I watched him, pull down the watery street. Then I was alone, many of the street lamps had gone out due to the wind, it was dark and cold. I was all alone. Just like I had been that night, the sandy haired man took my Papa from me. Just like that night. The tears leaked again, I looked at the iron gates of the Opera house, how would I get in? I whimpered, against the now hollowering wind, I was petrified; I didn't want to spend the night alone, on the streets. Then I remembered Erik's passage way, I'd get in that way. I lifted the skirt of my dress and raced along the pavement, my eyes filled with tears as I thought of my Papa telling me stories of the Opera Populaire. I was near the iron bars now, I could see them, to anyone else they would be invisible, but I thought of Erik and my heart soared. I was about to break into a run when I felt the sense of being followed, I turned a group of men stood behind me. My heart stopped. I began to back away. There were three of them, tall and ugly, all out of their faces with drink. Disgusting, and at least twice my age.

'Well, well look it's a pretty ball rat.' One snarled, his voice stank of beer and stale meet.

I back away, and felt myself bump into another body. I began to sob, ti was happening again, just like it happened to my Papa!

'Please, I have nothing!' I begged, 'let me go now.'

They all laughed, walking around me.

'That dress of yours looks expensive, why don't we take that?' one of them snarled, licking his lips.

'No, please. Please don't.' I screamed, as they pushed me to the ground, one rose his fist and hit my cheek.

'Stop your screaming!' He roared in my face, I screamed and sobbed and kicked out. Then he produced a knife. I screamed again, he shoved it to my throat.

'I will cut that neck of yours if you don't stop that noise.' I was silence quickly, the look in his mad eyes, showed me he wasn't joking. I lay on the cold, hard ground, one of the men's boots pinning my torso down, the wetness seeping up on my back, I went to scramble up, but received a sharp kick to the ribs, I sobbed.

'Please let me go!' I watch as they rose their knives and began to rib shreds of my pink dress, I wept and screamed, my dress was in tatters now, my legs could be seen, and even my suspenders which held up my white stockings. I was sobbing.

'Now, let's take our real prize shall we, I'll go first.' I had no idea what he was talking about, the man had his hand on his belt, I had nothing more to give them, no riches, nothing. Then suddenly, before I could find out. Something moved with the wind, its blackness removing the man's heavy boot of my chest, and flinging him to the ground, the man smacked his head against the wall and gasped. As the speed like blackness, grabbed and ripped at the other two men, throwing them alongside him. The movement stopped, I lay looking in wonder my eyes filled with tears. It was Erik, I saw a flash of his white mask, I trembled at the anger in his eyes. He rose as he paced towards the now cowering men.

'I will murder you one by one, your filthy necks will break, and I will take much pleasure in doing so.' He said, in a voice I had never heard before, a voice that was soft, yet got everyone one of the tiny hairs on my neck to stand up. The men whimpered, I looked up and Erik was toying with a small thin rope in his hands.

'Please have mercy.' The men begged at his feet, he kicked them.

'How dare you beg for my mercy!' He roared. 'You foul beasts deserve to die! But no I will give you a worse horror, the horror that will stay with you forever, a horror no one will believe.' I saw Erik rip away his mask and wig, the men screamed, scrambling away.

'Now you will beg for your deaths. I shall not give them. But remember my face, for I shall always haunt you now.' He said softly, but I saw the men tremble, on had blood pouring from his mouth, the other two had very broken noses and the other several shattered teeth. Erik however looked cool and composed; he pulled on his wig and mask.

'Leave. But never forget.' The men got up and limped away as quick as they could. I realised I was still sobbing.

Erik turned to me, the anger gone from his eyes, as he looked at me. He fell to his knees beside me, I winced as I sat up.

'My Christine, my child, what have they done, are you hurt?' He whispered. I shook my head, through my nose was bleeding now. Erik wiped away the blood with a shaking sleeve, he was so careful, his touch feather light.

I threw myself onto him holding him and sobbing, let everything out, in a mess down his shirt. I was shaking, I was so scared, what if they came back? What if they hurt Erik too this time? I felt Erik's shaking hands go around my back like a shadow, he lifted me into his arms, as he stood. I sobbed and sobbed, clinging to him, what if the man who killed my Papa came with them? I was shaking so violently now. I felt Erik's hold tighten, as he walked to the iron bars. I didn't open my eyes. I didn't want to look around and see the faces of those men.

'Christine, my child, I'm here now. Nothing will harm you. Erik's here, my angel. Open your eyes. I'm here now. Everything is over now. I need you to tell me what's happened, why is Mr Kahn not with you?' His voice was soft, calming, trying to bring me back to the world and tell me I was safe. But the faces, the men, the murder. My Papa, it all came back to me, I sobbed again, not opening my eyes, shoving my head further into Erik's hard chest.

I felt Erik continue walking, and then he sat, sighing. I clung onto him tighter, I didn't want him to put me down, I only felt safe with him. If he put me down they'd get me, but even though the rhythm of his long strided walk stopped for a moment. A new movement began; he was rocking me back and forth like a child, then he began to sing.

No more talk of darkness,

Forget these wide eyes fears,

I'm here beside you,

To hold you and to guide you,

Let me be your freedom,

Let me be your light,

I'm here no one can harm you,

My words will warm and calm you.

The thoughts swirling in my head stopped, they diminished. I was pulled towards his voice, to that heavenly sound. I knew if I listened to it, I would be safe, if I listened to it, and felt his arms around me, they were shaking but still I felt safe. I snuggled my head onto Erik's chest, my eyes still shut, I never wanted this to end, because if it did those men and the murderer would find me. I was still so scared.

Poor Christine!

I hope you liked it and it wasn't too quick paced.

I've never written in POV before this story, so I'm finding it quite hard, I can relate to Christine quite abit because to be honest I write how I would act haha, but the other characters, I hope I'm doing them justice!

Thank you for your continued support, it means so much!

We have Erik's reaction coming up next, and he's not a happy Erik at all...

Thanks once again *Erik roses to you all*

*Reviewers get to have the grey stallion of Raouls or have my permission to kick the horrible people*