Hey, I must like you guys. Two updates in one day!
It's a short one, but that's ok. Now we're getting places.
-Nico
She lit another candle, bringing the light up in the chapel to a soft glow. She crossed her self and settled onto the stone floor, staring up at the Virgin Mary as she had so many nights in her childhood.
"Father," Christine whispered, her voice reverberating eerily off of the stained glass and stone walls. "If you've never heard me before, hear me now."
She inhaled deeply, suddenly afraid.
"Please, Father," she continued. "My world has been toppled. Three years, Father. I lived without my angel in misery for three years…"
A sob hitched her words.
"I am all alone, Father…and I am frightened," she whispered, breaking down in tears once more.
And that was how Raoul found her.
"Christine," he murmured, his heart moved at the sight of her. He approached her.
She looked a fright.
And she was sopping wet.
"What happened, my darling?" Raoul asked her, markedly concerned. "Why are you crying?"
Christine looked up at him, standing above her, his voice soft and gentle.
How similar he looked to the young boy who used to chase her in his father's vineyards.
How long ago that was.
"I'm fine, Raoul." Christine stood slowly, wiping her eyes and adjusting her hair self-consciously.
"You certainly don't look fine," Raoul countered, removing his long duster and placing it around her shoulders.
He regarded her; placed his hands on her shoulders. "What happened, Christine," he implored, his voice a bit deeper.
"Nothing, Raoul. I was lost in my thoughts…"
Raoul's eyes darkened.
He moved his hands away, staring at her.
"And what thoughts could have driven Little Lottie to tears," he asked coldly.
Christine looked at her ex-fiancé. He seemed to love her so much.
And he was such a comfortable face; so familiar.
She had always been able to trust Raoul.
What she said next tumbled from her mouth before she could stop it.
"He's back, Raoul."
Raoul turned from her, his face twisted into a mask of fury.
Him. She was lost in thoughts for him!
She wept for him STILL.
"And have you seen him, Christine," Raoul asked, doing a good job of keeping his voice void of the anger coursing through his veins.
Christine picked up on it anyway.
She bit her lip.
She didn't want to hurt him anymore.
"No," she replied softly. "I have not."
Raoul closed his eyes.
LIES! She means to protect this INHUMAN THING!
His mind was reeling.
He felt as if he might be sick.
And so, Raoul finally realized, he was not her first choice.
But we were meant to be…we are meant to be!
Raoul quelled the voices in his mind and forced a plastic smile on his face before turning back to face Christine.
The sight of him frightened her.
His face looked strange, as if he was withholding a great torrent of bile that had gathered in his mouth.
A line of sweat had broken out on his brow.
His breathing was strained.
Something is wrong, Christine thought.
"You have nothing to fear, Christine," Raoul said, sounding weak. "I'm certain you are incorrect."
He moved closer to her, moving until Christine had backed up against one of the walls.
Raoul leaned in to her.
"There is no Opera Ghost," he continued. "Just a man, like any other man…a man not so different from the man before you."
Christine swallowed. "Raoul, stop, you're frightening me."
"You fear me?" He questioned. "I have done nothing but protect you, love you…save you from yourself!"
"Raoul stop," Christine repeated, trying to avoid Raoul's eyes, which were burning with anger.
"Why couldn't you love me, Christine? I would never have stopped providing for you…for our children…for our future…"
"I'm sorry, Raoul…truly, I am…I just couldn't…I couldn't..." Christine started to move away from him.
He grabbed her arms as he had on the roof, yet this time his fingers felt like vice grips, immediately stopping the flow of blood to her hands.
"Why, Christine!" He shook her. "Tell me why!"
"Because I was in love with him!" She shrieked suddenly.
"I believe you have your answer, Monsieur!" A cold, booming voice suddenly interrupted Raoul and Christine's exchange.
Raoul looked over to the sound.
There stood Erik, dressed from head to toe in black.
A silver rapier rested in his right hand at his side.
He was staring at Raoul, a murderous glare that sent waves of panic through Christine's very soul.
"Pardon me?" Raoul asked, his voice sounding dry.
"I said I believe she answered your question. Now if you'll be so kind as to remove your hands from Miss Daee, I will not have to subject her to the horror of witnessing your death."