She knelt on the ground in the ruins of the old chapel, a favorite hiding spot of hers as a child. Flowers and ivy grew all around the stone in her hidden garden, protecting her from the world. Tears stung at her eyes, her fists clutching the grass. The only sounds were birdsongs and her occasional sobs.

She felt so confused. Erik had asked her to marry him. He had actually asked her to marry him. She didn't know how to feel. She wanted to say yes, without a doubt. She would want nothing more than to spend forever with Erik. But it felt so sudden. She loved him, and she was certain there was no one else she would love more, but she felt so young.

How could she possibly get married so soon? She felt as if she was barely more than a child, how could she be expected to begin forever with someone? And if she was married, she was expected to just as soon have children. Her hands shook. She was so terribly confused. She loved Erik. She could never hurt him. But she just had. This was all happening so fast.

And she knew so little about him. She wanted children terribly, but what if he didn't? And what if he still had feelings for Christine? She didn't even know how old he was. She didn't have the slightest idea what she wanted, much less what he wanted. She didn't even know who she was, yet.

And what about their future? Did he expect her to live under the opera house with him for the rest of their lives? Would she be able to? What would happen whit he bakery? What about her family? They thought he was some madman. Had he even asked permission?

But you love him, and he loves you. The voice startled her. She hadn't heard it in so long, and was it actually being rational? You aren't getting married right this instant, and if you do love him, why don't you just say yes? A phrase her mother often used continued to pop into her mind as well. Marriage is about love and sacrifice.

She loved Erik, and he loved her too. Most girls who were engaged were her age or younger. Was she really that young? Most girls her age already had families. Lydia was married at an age much younger than she was. She felt trapped.

Slowly, she laid back in the grass, and gazed up at the sky, just as she had done when she was little. Back then, she dreamed of her marriage. She might have even daydreamed of it in the very spot she was now. What had changed inside her? Now that her dream had come true, why did she deny herself? Besides, she had already attempted to give herself to him the other night. How was that different?

She stood from the spot in the grass. Erik truly meant what he had said. And she loved him more than the world. She knew there was no one else she could ever dream of being with. She would tell him yes. Happiness seemed to fill her completely when she decided that. Her dread seemed suddenly replaced but excitement. She was actually getting married!

Her feet couldn't hold her back as she ran back to the bridge. She just wanted to fling her arms around him. But, when the bridge came into view, it was empty. She walked to the spot. There was no evidence of Erik except for the ring that sat along on the railing. Panic flashed through her. What had she done?

Erik's POV

I sat on the edge of the pond, glaring at the water. The ring was, understandably, cold in my hands. I was tempted to let it sink in the mud. Marjorie's words, although harmless, made my whole body sting. I didn't know what I had done wrong. This did not turn out the way I had planned at all. Marjorie didn't want to marry me. I was an idiot in thinking so. Now I had scared her away. I was an absolute idiot.

Now she was gone, and I was alone again. I stood and, slowly, returned to the bridge. I looked at the ring I held in my hand. It had caused me nothing but pain. The image of Marjorie's shock and running away was now singed with the image of Christine setting the ring in my palm before returning to her lover. I sat it on the stone rail. It wouldn't hurt me any longer. Perhaps she would take it as some goodbye.

I was wrong thinking anyone could ever love a monster.

Warmth coursed through my body as I slowly reclined in the train car. I would have never let my guard down outside of my home, but I felt like I had no choice. The morphine coursed through my veins, sailing me back to the world I had denied myself for so long. The pain ebbed with every slowing heart beat. All I wanted was for the pain to disappear. My crave for the drug came back roaringly. I would not give it up this time. It was the only thing that washed away the pain.

I began to float, it seemed, as the drug took its course. My head seemed completely disconnected from my body. Sleep whispered in the back of my mind. The itchiness came as well, but it was not unwelcome. I scratched my arm, the feeling almost euphoric. Heaviness grew on me as my breathing slowed. My thoughts slowly became less coherent to the point where I was to tired to even think. Sleep came quickly.

Yes, the pain needed to disappear. I would return to the opera and give myself over to the morphine once more. I may never return to the surface again, at least not with her working in the opera house. I didn't even think I could escape to my music. I let her into my world and now it was tainted. I had no escape. I didn't think I could bear even thinking of Marjorie any longer. I was a horrible fool, thinking someone as perfect as she was could love me. I had taken the risk I promised I never would again.

She was no better than Christine.