Oh my gosh, last chapter! I really hope that there's no stupid errors, but I'm sure they're there.

I want to thank you all so much for your amazing reviews. I would like to say a lot more, but I need to save that for my last author's note.

I hope you all like it. This chapter is based off of two songs. Anywhere by Evanescence, and Dead in the Water by Ellie Goulding. I'm sure you can see that I combined the two names into one for this chapter. xD Dumb chapter title, but oh well.

I do not own the Phantom of the Opera, or any songs from Evanescence, OR any songs by Ellie Goulding. I only own my OC, Clare!

Enjoy!

. . .

"Erik, stop." I commanded, making up my mind. I felt Erik tug back on the reins that he clutched in his hands, making Caesar's gallop slow into a steady trotting.

"What's wrong?" His mouth was right at my ear. I nearly jumped when I heard him, but even if I did, there would simply be no way of him knowing upon Caesar's heavy footsteps.

"Just stop Caesar for a moment." I demanded.

Upon my order, with his arms still securely wrapped around me, I felt his wrists flick back on the reins, making Caesar come to a stop. Caesar pawed at the ground, and I fidgeted in my spot, realizing how far away the ground was. Caesar was a big horse, that was for sure. Understanding that I intended to hop down, Erik unraveled his arms from around my waist before dismounting first. I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach as he helped me down.

In his strong hold, he gently swept me off of his horse, guiding me back down onto my own feet, in one fluid movement. I felt my cheeks burn a little, even as my toes – followed by my heels, were reunited with the ground. I tried to ignore my flushing face, and I desperately hoped that Erik did not notice. Trying to distract myself, I fixed my eyes on a random black button that was sewn into his dark brown vest.

"Clare, what's wrong?"

I wracked through my cluttered mind to find the words of how to even start.

"I. . ." I stopped. "Nothing's wrong. Not anymore." I breathed, feeling myself trembling. I couldn't fathom why I was shaking so bad; perhaps I was merely still cold. I realized that my voice practically came out as a whimper. It quickly occurred to me that Erik's hands were still wrapped around my waist, and my hands rested along his shoulders from when he had helped me down.

Before I could relish the touch, Erik removed one hand, before it found my chin. He gently tipped my head back until I met his eyes. I didn't fight to evade his eyes; I practically surrendered, allowing his eyes to bore deeply into mine.

"Clare," He said in a soft yet deep tone. "I know that something is bothering you. . .Please tell me." His voice was deep enough to pull me into the most peaceful slumber, and his gentle touch was nearly enough for me to be fully convinced that I would truly melt. His blue eyes pleaded to know the truth and I knew that I had to tell him.

"I-It's just that everything has been so hard lately, and-and. . ." I hesitated when my voice faltered.

I averted my eyes to some dead trees off in the distance when I felt my eyes fill up once more. I hated crying. It was so humiliating.

By then, Erik was cupping my face with both of his hands, gently rubbing away the tears that had escaped from my eyes.

"A-And I'm so sorry for everything, Erik. I'm so sorry – you didn't deserve it."

"Shh. . .It's alright." He whispered reassuringly. Though reassuring or not, it did not help me. I shook my head in his hands.

"No. No its not. I should have listened to you." I felt so awful. I never wanted to hurt Erik, though I still managed to do the very thing I wanted to avoid. Gosh, I had been so stupid.

"No, Clare. Do not blame yourself. This has all been my fault." He said. "I'm sorry that I made you kiss me; I blame my ridiculous ability to create illusions, but whether I intended it or not, I am so sorry. I shouldn't have taken away your free will." I felt my eyes widen at his words.

His illusions? I had to admit, the night we kissed, had been a very beautiful night. More superb than the Masquerade. It was so magnificent; the night had radiated with majestic beauty. Though amazing or not, it was not Erik's illusions that forced me to kiss him; I knew that I made that choice. I had desired to kiss him for a while before that anyways.

"Erik. . .What on earth makes you think that I didn't kiss you upon my own decision? I decided to kiss you, because I love you. I've loved you for a long time." As soon as the truth unraveled from my mouth, Erik's blue eyes grew tremendously, with many emotions pouring into them. It looked as though he was having a hard time trying to process my words; especially the word love.

"What?" He breathed. "How could you love a monster? And. . .If you loved me this whole time, then why did you run away?" To my surprise, and dismay, Erik's hands dropped away from my face.

The reasons of why I ran away poured into my mind. Bringing back my earlier thoughts and feelings caused my stomach to twist. It was a feeling that I hated to remember – it was a feeling that I wanted to avoid as much as possible, for it was very uncomfortable. It was something that I dreaded very much so.

"I. . .I thought that you were using me to get over Christine, and that I was merely a second choice. I thought that you still loved Christine, or perhaps you wanted both of us at the same time." I explained uneasily. Why was it that when I spoke it out loud, it made me feel guilty for once believing it? I looked into Erik's eyes, seeking for truth.

"Clare. . ." Erik breathed, shaking his head in disappointment. "How could you think that? I love you, and only you. I thought that I had loved Christine, but I abandoned those feelings for her when I discovered it with you instead. When I spent time with you, I realized that I felt something much greater than I had ever felt with Christine." Hope grasped onto my heart as Erik spoke with all seriousness. "I merely cannot even begin to fathom why you would ever return such feelings for me, though. I am a monster, Clare. Why would you love an ugly gargoyle?"

"You're not a gargoyle." I said.

"A monster."

"You're not."

"A demon."

"You are not a demon."

"An animal – A beast. I'm the most loathsome creature-"

"Erik Destler!" I shouted. Erik's rant immediately died in his throat once his name grabbed his attention. "Stop saying those things," I said. "Stop tormenting yourself. Stop labeling yourself as things you are not – stop listening to what people called you. You are not any of those things. Have you forgotten everything I have told you?"

Erik was silent for a moment.

"I cannot change my own feelings for myself." He said wistfully. His eyes looked clouded over with dismay. It was then, that an idea leaped into my mind.

My letters.

I hastily dug through the bag I had with me, finding the stack of letters immediately. I knew, that every thought I had these last few months had been documented. Everything.

I wasn't entirely sure why I had brought them with me. One reason was, it was too risky to leave at Erik's lair, where he could find it. At the time, I was planning to eventually get rid of the letters because I was trying to move on; and thoughts sprawled out on countless pieces of papers of a dearly loved one was painful to keep at the time. Although, learning that all of this was a huge misunderstanding, I no longer had to feel sour about it.

"Perhaps this will." I said, as I handed him the folded up letters. I gave it to him after long hesitance, and with great care. He gently accepted it, with confusion.

"What is this?"

"Just take it, and read it later on. It will explain everything. . .And Erik?" He looked up from the sheets of paper that he coddled and turned over in his hands curiously.

"Yes?"

"I love you. I don't care about what others have called you. Don't listen to what the gypsies called you. Don't listen to what the world called you. Don't listen to what your own mother called you. None of the things they said were true." I could see now, that tears were gathering in Erik's cobalt eyes. "Stop thinking that I'm like them, though, for you yourself once said that I was a very extraordinary child. I am Clare, and I am not any of the people who sent you away. I'm Clare, and I love you." Gently pulling Erik's face into the care of my hands, I added; "And I have always loved you."

At this, I felt Erik's arms wrap around my waist once ore, abandoning his earlier interest in the letters.

"Oh, Clare," He breathed. "I love you so much."

It was then, that Erik leaned in, until at long last, he was the one who pressed his lips onto mine.

I couldn't even begin to describe the wonderful relief I felt. Everything had been set free after being wrapped in his arms, and claimed by his own lips. Butterflies danced in my stomach at the feeling. I still could not get my head wrapped around it being real. Was it a dream? It seemed too good to be true, but true or not, I was going to take advantage of our time together.

Erik's mouth gently enclosed over mine. His lips latched onto my bottom lip, sufficiently sucking. I swore that my stomach turned to mush, and my knees grew tremendously weak, though I didn't need to fret about falling. Erik would have caught me if I did, anyways, for he had always promised to catch me, and I trusted him. Though at that moment, even if I had fainted, I still wouldn't have fallen, for I was already wrapped tightly in his arms.

Everything else around us ceased to exist – ceased to be noticed as Erik would part his lips to explore another curve or angle of my own, and I found myself returning the gestures though my lips that he yearned to discover.

I felt completely fixed in that spot, not willing to tug away from him anytime soon. Before, I had always thought that his voice was inhumanly strong, though being captured in a kiss from the Phantom, himself, was something completely different all together. Every sensation was vivid, and certainly not clouded by confusion.

From the quick breaths we took in-between the moment our lips parted, I realized that our kiss was building more and more. I didn't dare pull away though. I was far too deeply lost in his intoxicating passion that I had longed for this whole time. With both of my hands that caressed his face, my hands moved so that I could lace my fingers into his hair eagerly. Although, as soon as I felt something slip from under my hands, a startling crash forced me to spring away from him.

I gasped when I recognized familiar white porcelain on the ground, now in many pieces. I stared at the broken shards of Erik's mask in horror.

I broke Erik's mask!

I hadn't even realized that it was porcelain, but the individual pieces on the ground proved it. The crash it made when it shattered, proved it.

"Oh no!" I cried. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, Erik!"

I expected to see him angry that I ruined the number one thing that made him feel safe, but my eyes flew up to his face when I realized that he had not done anything. His face was exposed, but his wig was still in contact. His wig looked slightly messy, but it was still on straight. His blue eyes were focused on the ground where his mask lied broken, though his eyes flickered up to my wide green eyes.

To my complete astonishment, the corner of his mouth quirked up into a smile. Not a ruthless smile that loomed with hysteria. No, it was merely a contented half smile. My eyes wandered his face, noticing that over all, he was very happy.

"It's alright, mon cherie," he cooed. "Do not worry about that wretched mask. I have many more at home." Wasting no more time, Erik's fingers gently curled around my shoulders, and drew me back to his lips hungrily.

I felt as though my heart leaped from my chest, but I melted into the kiss, and allowed my eyes to slip shut as his did, once more. Erik's grip tightened around my shoulders as I kissed him back, deeply relishing the velvety feeling of his captivating lips. Soon enough, his fingers loosened, allowing his hands to glide down, pausing at my hips before he wrapped both of his arms around my waist. Having given into his alluring, yet comforting warmth and passion, I looped my arms around his neck. We stood for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms, not tempted to pull away anytime soon.

Everything was completely and utterly perfect. For so long, I was caught in grief, but Erik had pulled me out, just how I had pulled him from his depression; both of us saving each other from the insanity that the world had mercilessly dropped us into.

For so long, I yearned to feel comfort in my heart, suffering from the absence of my home. Though now, finally in Erik's arms, I could feel the left over pain being erased.

I was finally home.

I wanted to weep in relief. I finally found my new home. I finally found happiness through the mist of threatening sorrow. I finally found Erik's heart. I finally truly found myself in his arms. I had been trying to stand strong through these months, and I finally accomplished what I thought wouldn't be grasped. Good had finally risen from the ruble.

Erik and I continued to kiss, willing to kiss away all the built up pain, determined to ride it away forever. I wanted to live in this moment forever. Erik was mine. I had finally been led away from cruel torture and pulled into Erik's world, into his arms. In that moment, I knew that I no longer had to worry or be afraid. I was his. . .He was finally mine.

I love you. My mind moaned. I love you so much.

It was then that I realized that his face was wet with tears. He was crying. That yanked a string to my heart, and made my eyes burn fiercely.

Parting my lips away from his, I gently cupped his face in my hands, before tenderly kissing his face. There wasn't an inch of his face that was left untouched by my lips. I kissed the side of his face that had remained hidden from the world his entire life, and the smooth flawless side as well. My lips drifted to his eyes, softly placing kisses on them as well. I could taste the salt of his tears as I kissed him.

Once I had kissed every curve and line of his face, Erik caught my lips into his once more, pressing our hips together. I felt like I was swimming in deeper and deeper into his embrace. I wanted to drown in his arms. I felt so light. The sensation of waves took over; I felt like rocking waves caressed me. A strong pressure shrouded me, and I knew that it was probably just Erik's secure arms around me that I felt.

As I kissed him, I found myself deeply sucking in air, as he did. I was beginning to feel really breathless. After a while, I reluctantly pulled away so I could breathe. Although, even after I pulled away, I still cold not catch my breath. It sounded like nothing, but after several long seconds, I began to panic inside. I literally could not breathe.

I closed my eyes in pain, struggling to breathe, and failing to notice that Erik was kissing my jaw sweetly.

Breathe. I told myself. Just breathe.

It felt as though my brain had forgotten how to breathe. Every attempt to suck in air failed short in my throat. Horror filled in my heart.

"Er-" My effort to say his name was cut off by a desperate, yet failed, gasp. At this point, it almost felt impossible for air to travel into my lungs – it felt blocked off completely.

"Clare?" Fear was evident in his voice. He sounded terribly worried.

Help me! I screamed on the inside. Oh gosh, please help me!

My lungs shrieked for air. Desperate, I dug my fingers deeply into Erik's vest, holding on for dear life. I was truly terrified, and I couldn't make sense of anything.

What's wrong with me? Why is this happening? What is happening?!

The cloak, that Erik gave me to wear, felt very heavy. He had draped it on my shoulders earlier, when he noticed that I had been trembling from the cold. Though now, the cloak grew heavy like lead, until, to my horror, I felt it fall through me; as though I were made from mist.

"Clare!"

The cloak that fell through me didn't hurt. It was only my burning lungs, and the cold that invaded my ski once the shelter of Erik's cloak left; once the feeling of Erik's arms disappeared. I tightened my hold of Erik's vest, fearful to let go; fearful that he would disappear. Though to my dreading fear, I could no longer feel him. I only clutched at nothing – nothing but water. A large body of water surrounded me. My eyes flew open in panic, greeted by darkness.

I immediately closed my eyes, in shaken up horror. A childish, frightened tone of myself echoed through my mind.

If I close my eyes, it won't be so dark – I'm not here, I'm not here.

I hated thinking that way, but at least I was familiar with the mild darkness in my mind. It was the unfamiliar darkness around me that was frightening.

"Clare!" Erik's beautiful, yet terror-stricken voice sounded muffled to my ears. Faintly hearing his cries, I blindly tried to find him through the cold, dark water. My hand and wrist burned fiercely; the injuries from the car accident. The injuries that had healed long ago. A horrible, sickening theory entered my mind. Deep down, I knew where I was, but I did not want to admit it to myself.

Erik, help me! I screamed on the inside. Help me!

Erik's voice slowly began to fade away.

Don't leave me! Oh gosh, please don't leave me, Erik! Come back! Don't leave me here! I'm so afraid!

Through the hysterical pleads in my mind, I knew that I was going to die from the water that poured into my lungs. I knew that I was dying. At that point, I was waiting for death to claim me quickly, for I knew that Erik wouldn't save me this time. I began thinking about my family and friends.

I'm so sorry. . .I thought. I'm so sorry for everything. . .I love you all. I'm just sorry that I failed you.

Thoughts of my old life soon morphed into the latest things that had happened.

I'm sorry, Erik. . .

I was sorry that for the first time Erik was truly happy, it was torn away from him. I couldn't help but feel like that was all my fault. I never should have been involved in any of it. Even if I had merely been dropped into his time, I still should have left long ago before it could have caused anymore harm. I hated myself for bringing him pain, even if it was not in my control. I was sorry for bringing a new tragedy upon him.

I love you, Erik. I really do. I love everything about you.

I loved all of the precious moments I spent with him; moments that were far too short. I already missed him. I knew that death was only moments away. There were no words to express the abhorrent feeling of complete terror that gripped my heart and stomach. I didn't want to die afraid. . .I wanted to remember the good times, and not live my last moments trapped in my fearful mind; trapped in a nightmare. . .A very painful one, too.

I did my best not to feel the pain, but that was impossible. Water was forced into my lungs, and my heart was beating painfully in my chest. I could feel the freezing water affecting my body p I no longer knew if I was shivering from the water, or from utter terror.

I just wanted my family and friends again. I wanted to live a normal teenage life, where I could complain about stupid things like having too much homework, but still laughing with my friends about simple stuff. I wanted to deal with simple everyday stuff that people went through – at least then I could still say that I was alive. The dead can't complain. But they also can't fully enjoy life. The living may lose one loved one, but the lost loved one loses everyone.

Although I wanted to live a normal life, I also wanted to live in the extraordinary one that Erik lived in. His time was very simple, though now things from his time were very odd. . .How tragic that was. . .Then again, it was quite common for the average teenager to wish to live in a fantasy.

I wanted to tell all of my family and friends goodbye. I wanted to tell them I loved them. I wanted to apologize to Erik that I had to leave. At this point, I wasn't sure if this whole experience I had with Erik even happened. Either way, whether he was real or not, I knew I loved him. I wanted nothing more than to be back in his arms. I had been torn away far too soon, and desperately wanted to return.

I wanted to see him again, especially when he smiled. Rarely did he ever crack a smile, though he was beautiful when he did it. My heart nearly soared when he actually laughed or grinned. I wanted to hear his voice again. It always had the incredible power to lull me to sleep, or tempt me to be lured into his touch. Every time he sang though, he held me without any touch at all. The times he did hold me, although, were not long enough. People always described him being phantom-like, but in person, he was merely human. Very warm to the touch.

I would've given anything to be in his arms at that moment. I was so cold. I already wistfully missed his candle wax and rose scented black cloak that he had wrapped around me – I longingly craved to feel myself in his arms, and to feel his incredibly warm and sot lips.

Deep in the freezing water, warmth practically felt foreign, from the absence of the comforting sensation. I was feeling heavy. I could begin to feel my conscience slipping away from me. Deep down, I begged not to, and desperately held on as long as possible. Although, whether I gripped on tightly or not, it would never be enough.

Don't give up, don't give up. My mind faintly whispered.

Though I was so terribly weary, and I was tired of the horrible pain that bloated my body. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't hang on. To help sooth my frightened conscience, I dug through my weak mind for something to help me accept the fact that I was going to die.

Don't worry. . .Erik will save you. . .He won't let you die. He'll save you. He's coming for you right now. Do not fret about such a thing, Child.

I knew that it was an obsessed thing to believe in, and certainly a terrible lie, but it was all that I could think of. It was the only thing that could bring some comfort to my mind that grew more and more blind by the second. I knew that within moments, I would believe in anything, when I balanced on the thin line of life and death. I knew anyways, that I was going to die.

Giving in, I released my struggle. Darkness embraced me, invading my mind as well. It seeped through the barriers that were used to contain my sanity, and over all, my life. It pooled past the barriers, possessing everything my mind had lovingly and dearly clutched once.

It captured my faint life, snagging memories away, one by one. I could feel my heart beating slower and slower, ready to fall into a never ending comatose; a slumber to never awake from. Never again would my eyes flutter open to daylight that escaped into my old bedroom, nor to the sound of Erik playing music. I couldn't help but to be grieved by the idea that it would never happen again. . .The chance wouldn't be offered once more.

As everything faded away from my mind, I felt myself drift.

. . .

"Clare!"

I jolted forward, gasping in panic, as the familiar voice rang hauntingly in my mind. My eyes flew open, blinded by an unbearable bright light. I immediately shielded my weak eyes with my bandaged hand. As my heart pounded, confusion rained down on me.

Where am I?

Trying to focus through my blurred vision, the familiar voice echoed through my mind, carried along with a faint memory. Gasping, I felt tears spring to my eyes.

. . .

AHH! NOOO, that's the end of this story! I cannot believe that this story is finished up! Oh my gosh! Now onward to the sequel!

Like my cliff hanger? Like my shocking, and confused chapter? Hope you did! So what just happened? Share your thoughts and feelings through reviews, and please continue to follow the story with the sequel to find out what happens!

Now, I will post one more "chapter" on here, once I get the sequel up. By "chapter", it's really only going to be an author's note. I'm not sure when the first chapter of the sequel will be up – probably soon, but I need a little bit of time to brain storm and what-not. But once I get the author's note up, I will explain more details about the sequel, and mention little thank you's, and all of that good stuff.

Thank you all so much for following this story. Come along and read the sequel! Thank you all so much for reviewing as well. You're all awesome, and I couldn't have gotten this far without them.

Please review! For my last chapter? *Puppy eyes* For Erik?