Chapter XXXV

Roaul paced energetically in the lavish living room while his father stared at him with annoyance.

"You had no right to strike her," Raoul repeated for the fifth time.

"I had all the right in the world," his father countered and took a drink of the wine in his glass, "just as you have the right. When a woman steps out of line she must be reminded of her place. Who does the little opera singer think she is, talking to the master of this home in that manner?"

"You have not been the master of this home for a while, father," Raoul glared, "you are hardly ever here anymore. Mother spends all her time in the company of her other friends because you no longer speak to her except to complain!"

"Quiet yourself boy," his father glared and uncrossed his legs, then came to a stand, "do not forget that I can strike you as well. Now get out of my sight and watch the door. The Persian should be here to check on your little singer in no time."

Raoul turned without another word and stomped out of the room.

He did not want to go into Christine's room and disturb her. He knew that she needed her rest, she had told him, before she fell asleep, that her head was pounding miserably. He did not wish to stir her and have her in pain again. And so he waited.

In no time at all a knocking came from the door. Raoul strode to it anxiously and pulled it open, not waiting for the servants to do it. He could not wait. He needed to know that she was oaky as soon as possible.

Nadir Khan stood there with a frantic look in his deep-set brown eyes. His eyes looked jittery as they made Raolu's hazel gaze.

"Good morning, vicomte," Nadir greeted politely, albeit a bit impatiently. Raoul quickly ushered him inside with a frantic waving of his hand. The Persian moved into the home quietly and respectfully but the urgency in his stride was indicating, very plainly to Raoul, that the man wanted nothing more than to bolt up to wherever Christine was.

"What seems to be the problem vicomte," the Persian shivered at the warmth in the home and clutched the bag in his hand tightly, "is there something wrong with Christine? You sent me word last night that you request my presence first thing in the morning."

"Yes, yes," Raoul led him up the stairs, "you see Christine took a spill last night. She began complaining of a strong headache and I feared that something might be wrong. I had to call someone and she wanted it to be you."

"I see," Nadir struggled to keep his calm, but the look in Raoul de Chagny's eyes was worrying him more. The young man looked nervous, almost more nervous than Nadir.

They made their way to the second floor, turned a corner and began moving down a lavish hallway, "how did she fall?"

"She will be sleeping," Raoul evaded the question horribly, "I imagine she will be in good spirits to see a familiar face. This is her bedroom," he stopped in front of an ivory colored door and put his hand on the golden doorknob.

When the door opened Raoul allowed Nadir to step in first, he followed and shut the door behind them.

She lay beneath a white satin bed sheet with a nightgown that was colored pink. Her long chocolate hair was messy as ever, and for a moment it seemed to him that there was nothing wrong with her. But the closer he came the more he noticed the frown on her face, and the slight twitching of her hand. She twisted a bit with obvious discomfort.

"Christine?" Nadir stepped to the other side of the bed. His eyes bulged at the sight of her red cheek. She winced and tried to comfortably press her cheek to the pillow, "what is this?" Nadir hissed and glared at Raoul de Chagny, Christine stirred slightly.

"I did not strike her if that is what you are insinuating," Raoul's eyes became defensive, the hazel lit up with flames, "I would never hurt her in that way."

"Nadir?" Christine opened her eyes very slowly, and gasped as the brown eyes made their way down to her, "Nadir!" She gasped and launched up off the bed and embraced the man quickly. He blushed as she shamelessly crushed herself to him, "oh God, Nadir, Nadir! I have missed you!"

"Christine, are you alright?" He frowned as she pulled away and clutched her head, "does your head hurt?"

"Yes, quite a bit," she tried to control her excitement and dramatically slumped down to the bed, "I am so happy to see you," she smiled softly and looked up at him. His brown skin reddened very slightly at the sight of the red imprint on her cheek.

"Vicomte de Chagny," Nadir forced out politely, "may you give us privacy for a moment?"

"Certainly," Raoul looked to Christine sadly and nodded before turning and shutting the door.

As soon as he was out of the room Christine launched herself at Nadir once again, knocking the breath out of him.

"What has happened Christine? What is this?" He frantically asked as he pulled her away from him and looked at her cheek, she rolled her eyes dismissively and grinned at him instead, as if nothing had happened.

"I am so happy to see you Nadir-

"Christine," he shook her once, forcing her back to reality, "what happened? Have you lost your senses? You have been hit!"

"Yes," she nodded and swallowed a bit awkwardly, "Raoul's father did not appreciate my outspoken views and struck me. Can you believe that?"

"Yes I can," he shook his head with a deep frown, "women do not speak out against the rules society has set forth for them Christine. I understand that Erik has… strangely taught you to defend yourself while trying to control you but you are not dealing with Erik, Christine—

"How is he?" She breathed softly, her heart contracted at the mention of his name and she sat back down on the bed as if the breath had been knocked out of her completely, "I have not been able to send you a letter and yesterday was the perfect chance to try and contact you Nadir, you must send him my apologies."

"Erik is patiently waiting for a moment to come to you," Nadir shook his head, "I fear he will kill someone if that moment does not come soon."

"He will not kill anyone," she shook her head at Nadir and stood from where she sat, "Erik knows better, here," she reached for her drawer and pulled it open, "I have written him a letter already, please do not read it Nadir it is private. Give it to him and tell him that I miss him, please," she handed him the note gracefully.

Nadir tucked it away in his bag and began taking out tools of different sorts, "Christine, I must ask you something private and I would appreciate your full honesty," he nervously let his eyes catch hers, she cocked her head to the side with confusion, "has Raoul… has he… how do I put this?" He ran a hand over his face, "was it really Raoul's father that hit you? Did Raoul make any attempt to force himself upon you?"

"No!" Her eyes widened, "no, it was Raoul's father," she frowned then, "he was saying very rude things Nadir, he said that I must learn to bequiet in the presence of men. I do not know what came over me but when he struck me I did not cry. I felt as if though I had not been in my body," her eyes stressed this by widening, "and then I had grabbed onto the knives on the table."

"What?"

"Yes, I do not know what happened. I had been teasing Raoul all day, acting subtly defiant... and then when I saw the knives and the forks I felt as if though they were comedians, it was ridiculous Nadir. I did not understand it... Raoul's father made it clear to me that it was a matter of etiquette. After he hit me I grabbed the knives and told him that he must silence me by cutting out my tongue."

Nadir's eyes bulged.

"I hope I do not have to encounter him again. I doubt that I will be able to bite my tongue against saying what I must."

"You must learn," Nadir knelt in front of her and examined the red mark on the side of her face, "does it sting?"

"Only slightly," she sighed, "I am glad he did it. This is exactly the moment I have been waiting for. I needed to see a familiar face Nadir-

"Christine," he opened a round case and put a strange salve onto his fingers, "turn your face towards me," she did as commanded and gave him her reddened cheek. Carefully he applied the soothing property to her skin. She seemed strange to him, as if she were not really here. She seemed dazed and ecstatic, eager to talk but not really paying attention to what was happening around her.

"I want to leave this place," Christine whispered, her eyes flashed to the scalpel beside her, "I have not heard music for two days now and feel that I am going to lose my mind. It feels as if though years have passed Nadir. I fear I am losing my mind. I cannot be here any longer-

"Christine, we will find a way to get you out of this mess, I promise you."

"I miss him," her hand began inching for the scalpel Nadir had laid out. He did not take notice, "I fear that if I do not get out of here I will soon find myself in a very unhappy marriage."

Subtly Christine clutched the scalpel, "Christine we will not let your life become one in which you are at the mercy of these people. Do not fear."

She nodded quietly and then silently watched Nadir as he began to put his materials away. She hoped that he would not notice that the scalpel was missing. When he put the last of his ointments and materials away he simply sat beside her. She discreetly pushed the scalpel under her pillow and then sat very still.

"I tried to talk to Erik, to make him understand that killing was not the way to go about anything. But in typical Erik fashion he sees only a permanent solution."

"Do not tell him," she whispered and looked to Nadir with pleading eyes, "If he knows he will kill Raoul's father. I cannot have it, that on my conscious… I will not have him murder in my name Nadir."

"I cannot lie to him."

"Simply omit information," she pleaded, "tell him that you came to see me after I complained of a headache. And that that was all I had, a headache."

"I am the world's worst liar, Christine," Nadir frowned, "but I will try for your sake. I do not want blood spilled. There are better ways to go about this."

"Exactly." She whispered and looked to the door, "Nadir I think it is best you leave. Raoul will grow suspicious of our conversation and begin to listen. And you must return and give my letter to Erik."

" Yes, yes," he stood hurriedly and ensured that the note was in his pocket. Christine stared up at Nadir with sadness and a gentle smile, "goodbye Christine, please mind your tongue. If I return I want it to be because we are getting you out of this home, not because you have been struck for imitating Erik's outspoken behavior."

She smirked and nodded. Nadir took her hands and gave them a light squeeze. And just like that, he was gone. Christine succumbed to her dreams once again, this time she smiled; Erik was going to receive her note. Beneath the pillow she twisted the scalpel over and over.

If there was no way to save her from a horrible fate then she would end it herself. Erik would simply have to forgive her if it came to it.

…

"Please-s-stop. I c-cannot—

"You are pathetic," the masked man growled and once again allowed the flames to lick at the flesh of the blonde male, Jonathan screamed with horror as the flames burned his knees. The skin seared with the heat and the last of his hair burned off. Smoke rose, "they did this to me when I was just ten years old and I did not shed one tear," the amber eyes flashed, "but then again, I had grown accustomed to it."

"You beast!" Jonathan lashed out and trembled in the chair, the flame was removed, "kill me! Just kill me!"

"I will," Erik vowed, "but I find myself more and more irritated with you as the days go on. The thought of men touching her does not let me rest at night. It is all your doing."

"I never touched her!" Jonathan sobbed. His bruised eyes searched out the masked man. His swollen lips were covered with mucus, saliva, puss and blood.

"You did, you harmed her," Erik glared and grabbed a fistful of Jonathan's hair, pulling his head back and exposing his neck. Easily he reached for the blade at his side and pressed it dangerously against the young male's jugular, Jonathan hissed at the cold steel, "your death is coming boy. Very soon I will come in here and end your miserable life."

Erik allowed the tip of the blade to dig into his skin, just below his ear. Jonathan whimpered and blubbered as he dug it inwards. His hands twisted violently in the ruthlessly tight bonds. Erik grimaced as the boy shrieked and sobbed and groaned. He removed the blade angrily.

"You have grown boring." He informed him, "perhaps tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow I will end you," Jonathan blubbered and hung his head. The shaggy and matted blonde hair dropped over his face and blood ran down his bruised and pale neck.

Erik envisioned Christine as a child, smiling and calling him angel. Angel, how laughable.

"She thinks I am good," Erik dropped the knife and clenched his jaw, "and I want to be that for her."

"Then l-let me go," Jonathan begged with tears in his eyes. The purple that surrounded them flared as blood rushed to his face from the tears, "just let me go."

"I want to be good for her," Erik's voice darkened, "but there are something's that cannot be changed. This is not a fairytale, Boy," he stepped forward and glared down at the naked male who was sobbing so hard that he could hardly breathe, "this is not the part where I come to my senses."

"For C-C-Christine," Jonathan begged, "please-please-please-

"She will have to forgive me," Erik murmured, looking off into the distance, imagining her as a child, how she looked at him as an angel incapable of hurting anyone if not for self defense, "there will never be a time when I regret doing this to you," Erik grabbed his hair again and tilted his head back, glared at him, hoping Jonathan could see him despite the bloated flesh around his eyeballs, "there will never be a time when I beg her for forgiveness for what I've done to you. If she should ever find you, alive, or dead, I will never feel remorse for this," Jonathan whimpered as Erik sneered at him, "you are nothing to me but a body. I will do with you whatever I wish, your life means nothing!"

"Please! Have m-mercy!"

"Mercy?" Erik growled, his eyes widened with rage, "damn you," Jonathan's thighs quivered as his shaking grew harder, the rage in the man's voice was making his heart accelerate, "I am not your God, and I am not your angel! -

"Erik!" Nadir's voice stopped the masked man's rant. He frowned and glared at the walls, "come out from wherever you are! I bring news of her!"

In Erik's home Nadir turned over and over, looking for any signs of the masked man. Wherever Erik was he knew that he would hear him. Or at least he hoped so. He thumbed the note restlessly as he awaited the phantasmal man to appear.

"Erik! If you do not-

"What is it Daroga?"

The voice sliced the air. The Persian whirled around and gasped horribly at the sight of Erik towering over him. The white mask gleamed at him and the unmasked side of his face was shrouded in darkness.

"Allah! What in the world," Nadir clutched his heart, "why must you appear so strangely, can you not warn me?"

"What news do you bring?" Erik ignored and clasped his hands behind himself tightly, "spit it out Daroga or I will choke you where you stand-

"I went to see her," he swallowed nervously, his heart still beat forcefully against his ribs, "I went to see Christine, I received word last night that she was not feeling well."

"What?" Erik's voice was like glass, "and you did not think to inform me? Truly Daroga I sometimes wonder why I have left you alive for so long! You did not contact me?"

"It was very late Erik and I was not going to come all this way. I went there first thing in the morning to the de Chagny estate. The young vicomte opened the door and led me to Christine's room," Nadir noticed the tightening of Erik's eyes, "she was sleeping when I found her."

She is quite beautiful when she is resting so peacefully, Erik did his best to keep his calm as the man before him continued recounting the story. All he wanted to do was choke the Persian, how dare he not warn me of this before hand? I could have found a way to get into the home but he dared to go without me?

"She woke and immediately embraced me upon sight, she seemed strange. She was ecited, and slightly on edge. She seemed distant at the same time, as if though she did not know what to say and was struggling to contain her excitement. It was very strange," Nadir averted his gaze, "she had a headache. Or so she claimed but I believe that she was simply lying in order to have a familiar face show up."

Erik's eyes narrowed, "why do you avert your gaze from me?"

Nadir looked at Erik and ignored the question, "she wanted me to give you this note. I have not read it but I imagine that—

Erik snatched it away without listening to more of his ranting and unfolded it. Inside her beautiful handwriting greeted him like an old friend, familiar but hardly seen.

Erik,

words cannot express what your absence is doing to me. I do not want you to worry for me when I say that. I just want you to understand how much I need to be by your side. I also pray that you have forgiven me for accepting Raoul's hand in marriage. I do these things only to protect you from a fate that would destroy me. I would much rather remain empty then know you are gone from this world.

Raoul has been a nuisance. And this home smells of wine, and perfume. It is intoxicating, but not in a good way, Erik let out a smirk, it smells as if though they had rubbed every corner of the home with flowers. I miss the scent of the lake that runs through our home.

They plan to have a summer wedding; I assume they wish to get this over with as quickly as possible. I am – in the meantime- doing my best to make a fool out of myself. Hopefully Raoul will become disgusted and never want anything to do with me again. But I fear that he grows more enthralled with this. Perhaps I should behave like the most proper lady. He seems to like women without inhibition.

Ange, I need to see you. I am starving for music. If you come you must come at night, but most importantly you must find a way to get up to the second floor.

Erik glared at the paper, there is a simple way, he thought, I can kill them all and make my way inside the home. He continued reading:

Do not think of killing them all, I know that that is the most viable option in your head. But I do not want any bloodshed at all Erik.

"Christine," he forced out through his teeth and rolled his eyes.

I am on the second floor, my door is colored ivory. I will lock it; I fear that Raoul will come into the bedroom at night. Knock as softly as you possibly can Ange, I will open the door for you. But you must be gone before the morning. Come to me as soon as you are able and no earlier. I will not have you caught in your attempt to rush.

I miss you.

Christine.

Erik folded the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. When he turned he found the cat staring at him by Nadir's side. Nadir was staring at it with confusion.

"Have you named it?" He looked up to Erik who walked forward and scooped to pick up the cat gracefully, when he straightened up he allowed the caught to lazily rest on his shoulder.

"She is named Ayesha," the cat purred at him, "I must go to her tonight Daroga."

"Erik, perhaps tonight is not the best of choices," Nadir thought of the reddened cheek Christine had, if Erik saw that everyone in that house would be killed, he knew it, "perhaps you should wait until tomorrow night?"

"No."

"Yes, Erik," Nadir sighed and pinched the bridge of his own nose, "wait until tomorrow night. She was not feeling well and will need rest. It will be strange if she wakes in a jubilant mood after being so sick. Allow her tonight to rest and go see her tomorrow." Nadir hoped Erik would take his advice. If he sees the red mark on her, he thought with a wary gaze, it will be Raoul de Chagny's neck.

"Fine," Erik glared, "tomorrow night I will go to her. Now, if you have nothing else to say to me then you may be of some use. Describe with the utmost detail the layout of the home Daroga, I will not get lost in my endeavor."

Nadir began describing the estate to Erik.

Hold on Christine! He's coming for you soon!

:O I had so much fun finally letting out that piece of Erik. I had been thinking for some time of some things that also bother me about POTO stories and one of them is that Erik always... changes. I did think that Erik would change certain things for Christine but I felt that Erik is also NOT normally sane, that is just the truth of it. And I felt that to him what he is doing is right, and not even Christine would keep him from avenging someone hurting her so horribly. With Buquet, and Raoul, I felt that Erik is probably thinking they did not actually get to do anything, but Jonathan did cause the most harm to her and that is simply not acceptable to him. And I imagined that he would grow angry that the fact that Christine thinks of him as an angel because it puts more pressure on him to be good when he knows very well that there are some things that he cannot do, not even for her.

His love for her (in this story at least) keeps him on the less sane side because he will NOT tolerate someone harming her, not even for her own sake. In this story I do not intend to make Erik perfect for Christine. Or for the readers, he is just... not that character here.

I really hope that you all liked this chapter :) It was a little simple, but I also wanted to indicate to the fact that Christine is also losing her shit a little. I think that it was pretty obvious how, so :/ Let's hope she doesn't go full on nuts, Nadir is even noticing it a little bit.

And also thank you to Million for pointing out that I misspelled Vicomte - I have this awful habit of writing it "VINcomte" sorry about that haha!

Review? :) What are some of your complaints about FF stories with POTO?