A/N: Ah! I didn't mean to say "during the ride home". I meant to say "during the ride back"! Thanks, AngelMusic, for catching that! And thank you for all the wonderful reviews! Cookies for all! (Throws out cookies). Once again, flashbacks/dreams are written in italics. (The flashbacks weren't in my dream, but I just had to put them in here :)) This is now based loosely off my dream. :-P everything in this chapter, minus the flashbacks, occurred in my dream, but the dialogue isn't identical. Of course, that would be no fun! I must make it very seductive Erik-like! (Beams)

Chapter Three

Throwing a water balloon at Meg, I squeal, as I feel a cold splash from behind me. Whirling around, more water smacks me in the face, as Raoul chuckles and dashes away. I grab Meg's hand, and we dash after him, armed with additional water balloons. After an hour of giggling and soaking each other, we finally collapse to the ground.

"I'm exhausted!" Meg exclaims, throwing up her hands.

"Me, too!" I agree, panting.

Raoul smirks. "You guys are more soaked than me." He does an impression of a maniacal laugh, but starts to cough when Meg and I toss the remainder of the water balloons at him.

"Not anymore!" I giggle with my best friend, leaning against her.

"Come on. Let's go dry off." She suggests, standing up and offering me a hand.

Taking her hand, I laugh, as she pulls me up. He rises from the ground and runs his hand through his hair. As we make our way away from the deserted park and back towards Raoul's car, I throw a glance over my shoulder.

Suddenly, a dark shadow catches my eye – lurking behind a tree, in the forest. Furrowing my brow, I squint, trying to make out the blur. But without warning, it disappears from my sight.

Someone shaking my shoulders caused me to jerk from my sleep. As I opened my eyes quickly, Erik's masked face was the first thing I saw. Relief seemed to wash over him, as I stirred from my slumber. Immediately, a distance replaced the relief as he stood, gazing down at me.

"I had been knocking on the door for several minutes, Christine." He said my name softly, as he turned to leave.

I raised my eyebrows, realizing that he must have thought I had committed suicide, or something of the sort, when he saw me lying on the bathroom floor. Groaning, I rose to my feet, wiping away the tears from last night.

"Get cleaned up." Erik told me, looking over his shoulder. "Breakfast is ready."

"Breakfast?" I dumbly echoed. Never once had he mentioned me coming down to breakfast.

"Yes, breakfast," His steps came to a halt, as he turned to stare at me. "Unless you think you are too good to dine with me." His voice was now filled with an unearthly coldness.

"No, I don't think that." I protested quietly, pushing my curls out of my face. "I was just surprised – I hadn't eaten a meal with you yet." As quickly as I had become comfortable around him, that newfound comfort had been replaced with fear and timidity.

He said nothing, but merely gestured towards the closet. "I will see you in five minutes." And with that, he closed the door.

I shivered, as I changed into fresh clothes. I didn't like his demeanor towards me. It was cold, intimidating, and bitter. Closing my eyes, a brief picture of his face flashed through my mind. I rapidly opened my eyes, swallowing back newfound panic. Pulling a sleeveless crimson shirt over my head and throwing on a pair of nice-fitting jeans, I piled my hair on top of my head in a mass of golden ringlets. Sighing, I took a few deep breaths before descending down the stairs.

I walked down the staircase, chewing on my lip. Entering the silent dining room, I took a seat at the opposite end of the table from where Erik was seated. Clutching my fork, I stared at my plate. Yes, the food did look delicious, yet the fact that Erik had not touched his bothered me beyond belief. Was it poisoned?

His eyes rested on me, as he took a quiet breath. "You can eat it, Christine. It won't hurt you." He quietly stated, as if answering my silent question.

"Why aren't you eating then?" I inquired, eyeing him warily.

"I don't eat much." He replied, but took a bite in order to reassure me. Swallowing, he stared at me for a moment before lowering his eyes and cleaning up his plate.

When I gobbled up the rest of the food, he instantly took my plate from me. As he leaned down to pick up the silver from my hand, his fingers brushed against mine. I shuddered; his touch was cold, yet tantalizing. Then, I remembered how they had pulled at my hair cruelly last night.

"Erik," I shyly began, slowly lifting my eyes to meet his. "About last night-"

"What?" He asked frostily, raising an eyebrow. "Was your sleep on your bathroom floor not comfortable?"

Cringing at his sarcasm, I remained quiet before continuing. "I'm sorry..." I hesitated, attempting not to think of how his face looked. "I'm sorry for taking your mask away."

The silence that consisted of Erik's eyes scanning me suddenly made me extremely uncomfortable. It was as if those hazel eyes of his could penetrate my very soul and most precious thoughts.

"No, you're not, Christine." He finally sighed, after disappearing into the kitchen and returning with no plates or silverware. At the tilt of my blonde head, he rapped his fingers against the table. "You're only sorry because of what you saw." He remarked, making his way into the hallway.

Moaning, I leaned my head back against the chair. Why was this happening to me? Why did he kidnap me? Why me? Closing my eyes, I released a perplexed sigh. I was exhausted – downright exhausted, terrified, and confused. I found myself drifting off, as I stiffly sat there.

I yawn, plopping gracelessly on my bed and flipping on the television. Grimacing, I mentally note that nothing is good on at... I glance at the clock. Ah, of course, nothing good is on at two in the morning! But, oh well, it's summer! And I just turned seventeen - like, two months ago -, so this is a really belated birthday present.

Sighing, I flounce out into the kitchen to grab a cup of water. I'm home alone, for my parents are attending a dinner party... and only God knows when they'll be back! The dinner party was around three hours away, but being home alone isn't too bad. I decide to warm up my voice.

"Ave Maria..." I sing softly, but soon growing louder.

Re-entering my room, I continue with my song, as I change into my pajamas. Taking a sip of my water, I pull out an old photo album and begin browsing through it. Suddenly, something catches my attention through the corner of my eye. My eyes dart to the window, as a pair of glowing eyes swiftly vanishes. I clamp my hand over my mouth, as I rapidly pull the drape over the window. Frowning, I switch on all the lights and come to the conclusion that staying home alone isn't fun after all.

The furious sound of the piano was what awoke me. Rubbing my neck, I furrowed my brow. All those nights... There had been numerous nights where I believed I was simply paranoid... I always insisted that someone had been there, watching me... Rising from the chair, I ambled into the Louise-Phillipe room, catching the evident sight of Erik playing the piano. His graceful hands now banged irately down upon the keys; this furious music made me nervous, as I trembled profusely. I didn't like his anger. When he was angry and unbelievingly calm, it scared me even more.

"Erik..." I said in an uneven voice, wringing my hands.

No reply.

Only the raging music answered me, causing me to wince.

"Erik." I repeated more firmly this time, yet my voice was still somewhat unsteady.

The music suddenly came to an abrupt halt, as he merely sat there, not saying a word nor moving an inch. I furrowed my brow, my gaze never wandering from him. I parted my lips to speak, but I was immediately hushed by his eerily smooth voice.

"I told you not to touch the mask, Christine. I specifically warned you not to." He stated, quietly at first but growing louder as he continued to speak. "But you were foolish – you disobeyed me. You selfish child, why? Why did you do it?" He finally stood, turning on his heel to face me. "No need to answer. I already know why: your childish curiosity and selfishness – your need to know everything." Erik's eyes turned into narrow slits, as he approached me. "I had been nothing but gentle with you, Christine. I had been gentle and patient; I treated you with utmost respect, yet you still took away my mask." His voice had now lowered into a whisper, as he approached me.

My cerulean eyes widened, as his hazel ones bored into me. He continued to advance towards me, causing me to fall into an ashen chair. Leaning his face exceptionally close to mine, Erik rested his hands on the arms of the chair. His warm breath passed over me, as I made no sound.

"Do I scare you, Christine? Did I always frighten you?" He murmured, gently lifting my chin up with his slender finger. "Or were you truly terrified only when you ripped away my mask?" When I did not respond, he leaned even closer, closing all of the space that had been in between our faces. "Do I?"

I swallowed hard, biting back tears of perplexity and fear. I didn't know what to say. If I said yes, only God knows what he'd do. Would he begin to yell again? Would he... would he cry? I shivered. This quietness and coldness frightened me more than his infuriated bellowing.

"N-no." My voice was scarcely audible, as I licked my dry lips.

I felt as if I had lost my voice, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from his eyes. They were glistening with something I couldn't quite identify.

"No?" He echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"No." I said, equally as soft as before.

"No." His voice repeated my answer once again, as Erik lifted his graceful hand and brushed it against my pallid cheek. "Does this frighten you, Christine?"

I couldn't answer. It just wasn't physically possible. My claret lips were slightly parted, releasing what little air I had left in me. My eyes were large and locked on his masked face. Remaining silent, Erik's glowing eyes never left me. It was as if I were a specimen, and he was the scientist; he was watching my reactions. My eyelids slowly shut, as he continued to caress my cheek. Running his thumb over my bottom lip, he traced my closed eyes and pushed a free curl behind my ear. His hand wandered down my neck and rested on my shoulder, only to run down my arm and entwine my fingers with his.

"How do you feel now, Christine?" He whispered into my ear.

I was terrified...

At least, I think I was. My eyes gradually fluttered open, as they settled on his masked face. I was still trembling and utterly confused. What was he doing? How was I supposed to react? Was he going to kiss me?

Did I want him to?

Slowly, he pressed his twisted lips against my quivering ones. It was simple at first, but grew deeper, as my eyes closed again. It was as if an electric shock originated from his kiss, and I found myself lost in it.

Then, as suddenly as he had kissed me, he tore his lips away from mine. For a few silent moments, Erik's eyes studied me. Only God knows what was etched in my features at that moment. He never moved. He never blinked. He never spoke.

He only watched me.

Finally, his voice broke the silence with an aloof inquiry. "How do you feel now, Christine?" Erik questioned quietly, gently yet firmly holding my chin with his other hand. "Sorrowful? Upset? Afraid? Confused?"

I merely nodded.

Leaning closer to me again, his lips were a straight line. "Good."

Withdrawing from me, Erik left me in the Louis-Phillipe room. Bringing my petite hand to my lips, I could still feel them tingling from the strange kiss. Now, I was more puzzled than I had ever been. If I was given the chance to escape, to be free... could I forget him?

Would I want to forget him?

A/N: (Smiles) R&R... because I gave you yummy cookies! :)