A/N: Wow, thanks for the reviews, my beloved readers! :-D (Sighs) I have the ending planned out so perfectly, and I'm so EXCITED about it! But I will also be sad when it comes to the end! (Sniffle) I am also SOOOOOOOOO excited because I see the Phantom movie tomorrow! (Does a little dance)
Christine's POV
When the time came to get up the next morning, Erik's touch from the sensual dance still lingered on my skin. Throughout the entire day, we didn't see each other much. It was strange. Feelings were swimming around inside of me – mixed feelings concerning Erik… and how I felt about him. When his eyes rested on me, I could feel my cheeks grow warm, and it was as if my heart rose in my chest. Those eyes could appear so gentle and soothing… but behind them was this fire that continuously blazed dangerously, and I had never pushed far enough to discover what that fire was capable of doing. Yes, I did rip away his mask during the first amount of time I was here. And, yes, he was furious. But as angry as he had been, that fire hidden behind the comforting depths of his eyes had yet to be fully released.
And I wasn't quite sure if I wanted it to be.
Soon, it darkened outside and we had barely spoken throughout the day. But the fact that it was dark outside caused the house to be even darker, for the lights were always dimmed; and I never asked why. As I heard his unearthly music wander from the Louise-Phillipe room and to my awaiting ears, I followed the music back to where he was. Taking a seat in the divan behind him, I was cautious as not to disturb him. I never wanted to interrupt him while he was working.
Tilting my head, I realized that this was a new music – something I had never heard before during the time I had been with him. I craned my head in order to get a better look at what he was performing.
Don Juan Triumphant.
Sinking back into the chair, my eyes remained half-open, as I listened attentively. This was extremely different from anything else he had played before. It was very intense, the music pouring down on top of me and coursing through my veins. Yet as intense as it was, it filled me with complete ecstasy, as it took my breath away. It intoxicated me. My head was spinning, and something sparked inside of me, as I listened to the passionate melody. Suddenly, it stopped. The music that had wrapped itself around me unexpectedly ripped away, leaving me shocked. Lifting my eyes, I found his piercing gaze settled on me I blushed as always.
"That… that was beautiful." I whispered, my face pallid and lips colorless.
He grimly nodded in gratitude.
"I… I know you told me you would never play that for me, but…" My soft voice trailed off, as the music remained in my thoughts – engraved in my soul forever.
"It's fine, Christine." Erik sighed, rising from the piano. "I knew you would hear it one day." Pausing, he made his way towards me, holding out his hand. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"A walk?" I dumbly echoed. My thoughts traveled back to Raoul. Erik would permit me to go on a walk with him? After what happened the last time we went out?
"Yes," He replied patiently. "A walk. I thought you might enjoy the fresh air… unless you do not wish to."
"No!" I quickly protested, jumping up. "I would love to." My eyes settled on his slender hand and watched closely, as I slid my fingers into his.
After we had donned our jackets left the mansion, we were pulled into absolute darkness. The only light that could be seen was the moon – there were no stars out that night. Looking up at the dark sky, I stared at the white orb in its center and couldn't repress a small smile.
We sauntered down a cobblestone road, with nothing but darkness ahead of us. I stayed close to Erik, holding tightly onto his arm, for I definitely did not wish to get lost. Shivering, I could just imagine what it would be like if I strayed away from him in this utter darkness…
"It's very… dark out here." I stated simply, my wide eyes examining the eerie area about me.
Erik's hazel eyes turned their gaze on me, obviously inwardly reminding me of the ordeal that had occurred when he turned off those lights and watched me in the darkness…
"You should not fear the darkness, Christine," He murmured, causing me to shiver, "For it sometimes holds marvelous things that one only sees in their dreams."
His placid comment etched itself in my mind, as I contemplated this for quite some time. We had been walking for a few more minutes when suddenly rain began to pour from the starless sky unexpectedly, beating down on top of its unaware victims. I shrieked, causing Erik to swiftly look at me. But it was not a shriek of pain or annoyance; instead, it was a shriek of total joy and bliss. Beaming, I gazed up at the sky, permitting the rain to smack me playfully in the face.
I loved getting caught out in the rain.
Giggling, I turned to find Erik merely watching me, and I could've sworn I saw a smile etched on his lips.
"On my fifth birthday, it was raining outside – absolutely pouring, and I was stuck inside. As much as my mother protested, my father took me outside and played with me in the rain. Ever since then, every time it rained, he would always drag me outside. Then, he began to have heart problems and couldn't move around quite as often… So now, I love getting caught in the rain – even if I am by myself." I smiled sadly, remembering that terrible day when I flipped on the news…
Tears slowly began to well up in my eyes, and I spun around, in order to hide them from Erik. I allowed the rain to mix with the salty tears on my face, making it appear as if I had never begun to cry in the first place. Turning back around, his gaze remained on me, and I knew that he was much too intelligent for that.
Swallowing, I scurried up to him and grasped his fedora. Grinning, I inched away from him, holding the stolen hat behind my back. This was a silly and pointless attempt to make him lighten up – possibly laugh. At first, he simply stood there, but then went to cover his mask from the rain.
"Oh, Erik! I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, blushing and dashing back to him with the hat in my extended hand. "I didn't mean to ruin your mask!"
"No, no, my dear." He said hurriedly. "My mask will dry."
He surprisingly smiled – a real smile, and I returned it with astonishment.
"But I do like that hat, Christine." He stated quickly, before rushing towards me to retrieve what I had stolen.
Laughing merrily, I ran away, but he was much too fast for me. He gently wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me back to him. "I don't think so!" He chuckled, as I turned around to meet his eyes.
My breathing slowed, as I found myself mere centimeters from his face. Our lips were incredibly close, and I had the strange urge to meet mine with his. But as soon as our lips were about to touch, a voice shattered the moment.
"'Scuse me!"
A figure shot out from the darkness and stood before us. It was a man, middle aged I suppose, whose dirty blonde hair lay tousled on top of his head. His jade eyes glistened, as did the knife in his hand. My eyes grew wider, and I took a step behind Erik's tall foreboding figure. Behind the mysterious stranger, another man appeared. He was taller and thinner than the other – as the other was short and a bit chubby – and his brown hair and eyes never wavered.
"The night can also hold disgusting things as well." I heard Erik mutter under his breath.
"Give us your money, and we ain't gonna do nothin' to you or your pretty friend here. Got it?" The shorter one explained callously.
"I dunno though - she is awfully pretty!" The other exclaimed, laughing – no, it was more like a wheeze.
I fearfully looked up at Erik, whose eyes were dangerously red.
"I advise that you leave us now, Sir." His voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Oh, but we just got here!" The taller one chuckled, taking a step forward in an attempt to threaten Erik, but it was useless.
Nothing could frighten him. He stood stiffly where he was, glaring down at the two men.
"Oh, well." The chubby one sighed, advancing towards Erik. "You had your chance!" The robber attempted to stab him, but Erik rapidly grabbed the other's wrist and gripped it tightly.
"And you had yours!" He roared.
The knife fell to the ground, as Erik took a murderous hold of the man's neck and twisted it. A loud 'snap' could be heard, and my entire body froze in its place. My gaze didn't falter, while I stood there gaping. I watched in horror, as he did the same to the other. Pulling them off of the ground, he disappeared into the darkness – only to return with nothing but his menacing self. The rain that had once been so light and harmless now mercilessly beat down on me, each drop feeling heavier each time it came into contact with my skin.
"Christine?" Erik inquired, his voice seeming to be so distant. "Are you all right?"
But I didn't reply. I only stared at him, horror still sketched in my features.
"You just… you just… killed them…" I said in disbelief.
"Christine…" He began, but I interrupted.
"You just… snapped… their necks…" I spoke in a broken whisper.
"They were armed, my dear…"
I now stared at his hands. Those hands had just been so gentle with me… so unbelievably gentle… and in just a few minutes, they had coldly murdered someone. Yes, I had, of course, seen him become furious before… but I had attempted to forget about that horrific night I stole his mask away… and now it was as if I could still feel his hands gently holding me… but… those hands were also capable of so many other things… so many appalling things…
Spinning around, I began to run. I don't know where I intended to run, but for some reason, my legs simply darted away.
"Christine!" I heard my name being called, but I continued to sob and run. I sobbed because I was afraid. But why was I afraid? I debated silently inside my head, as I resumed my running.
Erik would never harm me…He just murdered someone with his bare hands! And I saw him do it!
But that person was armed! He could've killed either one of us!
Suddenly, I realized that I had stopped running. I dropped to the ground, burying my face in my hands.
"Oh, Christine…" I heard a voice despondently breathe behind me. And then, a pair of strong arms scooped me up and carried me back to the mansion.
I sat on the settee in front of the fire wearing a dry nightgown. Erik handed me a cup of hot chocolate, as he took a seat next to me.
"Thank you…" I whispered, gratefully taking a sip of the drink. The liquid coursed through my throat and warmed my body, causing me to emit a sigh.
"Christine, I'm sorry if I frightened you." He murmured, his eyes searching my face.
"No, I'm sorry, Erik." I replied, my gaze locked on the blazing fire that crackled calmly as if nothing had occurred that night. "I… overreacted. You were only trying to protect yourself… and me. I was only shocked – that's all. I had never seen that before…"
My voice trailed off, as silence overpowered the room for a moment.
"Would you like me to read you a story?" He asked thoughtfully, rising from the couch.
"I would like that very much."
"Which book?"
"The Nightingale and the Rose." I answered with a smile. "I know we already read it, but… it's such a lovely story."
And a symbolic one... I thought to myself, as he opened the book and returned to his seat beside me.
As Erik parted his lips and his soothing voice filled the room, I absentmindedly rested my head on his shoulder. At first, I felt his body tense, as he paused for a moment. But he soon relaxed and continued with the story, while I drifted off to sleep.
A/N: R&R :-D