A/N: Thank you everyone for sticking with me through this! I am sorry the chapters are so very short, but my teaching schedule is sapping my energy! Though, I hope the frequency of updates in some way compensates for the terse nature of the prose.
An urgent tug upon the lining of my cloak- too insistent to be the work of the evening wind- made me to whirl around and face my confessor. Christine's eyes held the inevitable moistness of tears about to fall, but where I had expected to find disgust and horror, I saw only the lost innocent already so familiar and endearing to me. Her lithe form quivered, her fingers still clutching my clothing.
She was going to keep her promise, though I could detect her apprehension and shock as if it were a palpable living thing in and of itself. Mademoiselle Daae possessed greater courage, apparently, than anyone had thought. I did not see a shrinking child standing a mere foot before me, but very conflicted young woman, on the verge of that delicious ripening of maturity of both body and spirit. She deserved far better company.
"I offer no excuse for my past actions, Christine. Nothing I could say would be sufficient, would it?" It was not really a question. "Although, I will try and ease your terror in some small degree, if I may. An explanation would be desirable, no?"
She nodded, her chest rising and falling in an almost violent fashion that betrayed her facade of silent poise.
"Well, the story must begin from my childhood- an altogether unappetizing tale, I assure you- but there is where I must start."
"Erik, perhaps we should sit?" Even her voice trembled, though it was heavy with compassion and her ever increasing need to understand. No one else had ever dared to fall with me into the chasm of my memory, none had offered to listen. At least I had been right about one thing in my wretched life: Christine Daae was indeed an angel among men.
"Christine, perhaps you did not hear me correctly. . .I am a murderer, and not of one man but of many! I don't believe you would such a creature to once again rest beside you on the steps of the house of God?"
The girl did not so much as flinch. "I heard every word you have said. I will not deny my shock, but Erik. . ." Her eager grip pulled me back toward the massive church doors. I could not begin to fathom her behavior. Was this the same Christine that fought nightmares of harmless spiders, padding quickly to me to chase her fears into the abyss? I would not question. She'd given me her trust- I followed her lead and resumed my seat on the stone steps beside her.
"I just want to allow you every opportunity to turn back, Christine. What I have told you tonight, and what I will relate. . .these truths are your freedom. . .more than enough reason to flee from me forever. . .without blame."
"I am not going anywhere, Erik. The man sitting beside me at this moment is no different than the man who occupied the same spot ten minutes ago. I have no reason to fear you would harm me." Christine pulled away the cowl of her own cloak so I could better read the finality of her decision. Her stare was almost aggressive. "If you care for me, you would not doubt me so."
"This is not a simple matter, my child."
"I AM NOT A CHILD!" A quick burst of ire, and then a mercurial shift to soft kindness. "Erik, your childhood?"
After a long inhalation, I drew up my shoulders from an uncomfortable slouch and looked to her with the frankness she merited. "My mother never even so much as kissed my cheek, would not dare touch me, Christine. From the very start of life, I have been alone. . ."
Our hands once again found one another. As her palm united with mine it was as if she said, " but I have dared, and will risk it again. . ."
"The compassion you so selflessly offer me was a quality my dear mother could not find within her own soul. It has only been since our meeting that I have even felt compelled to regard another person with anything more than disdain."
"Erik. . ."
It was going to be a long evening, and the conclusion of which was still a mystery.