How wonderful all your reviews have been!
I find them so interesting, especially those of you who are having a little bit of trouble accepting that Raoul has gone a little...well...evil.
Let me just say that a lot can happen in three years. Look at how badly the Phantom needed Christine...and how devestated he was when she refused him. Why shouldn't Raoul react the same way? Plus, how much do we REALLY know about Raoul to begin with? Who's to say he isn't just as messed up emotionally as everyone else in the Opera Populaire?
I think a lot of you will see where I'm going after this chapter...I can't please everyone, but I am definately open to your constructive comments! Thank you so much!
Raoul stared at the masked man before him, unable to speak.
Not since the man placed a noose around his neck had Raoul been this close to him.
And now, he was there, mere feet from Raoul and Christine, a deadly, piercing gaze emitting from his eyes.
For several moments, no one spoke.
The rapier at Erik's side twitched slightly.
Raoul loosened his grip on Christine, removing his right hand from her left arm, but keeping her right arm locked within his grasp.
"Erik," Christine breathed, wholly surprised to see her would be rescuer so soon after she had hurled cold, dark words at him.
"I will ask you once more to release her," Erik warned, stepping closer to the duo. Raoul grimaced.
"Release her? To you?" Raoul asked, scoffing. He placed his free hand at the his own sheathed rapier. "I'd sooner die," he spat.
"That can be arranged," Erik replied, moving closer once more.
"Raoul, stop it," Christine implored, trying to shake herself free of his grasp. Raoul looked down at her.
"Why should I stop, Christine?" Raoul asked, his voice sounding hurt. "Why shouldn't I kill this demon where he stands?"
Erik smiled. "I believe that question was already answered by Miss Daee."
Raoul suddenly released Christine, pushing her back and turning to face Erik.
"Erik, is it?" Raoul asked, drawing his sword. "Someone actually took the time to name you before they threw you away?"
"Raoul!" Christine gasped at his harsh words.
"What have you done to her, you hellish manipulator," Raoul continued, lifting his sword. "How have you tricked her into protecting you?"
Erik lifting his sword to meet Raoul's. "You should know your ex-fiancee by now, boy. The decisions she makes are her own."
Erik's last statement was obviously hinting at the decision Christine made to end her engagement to Raoul, and it enraged the young man. He advanced fiercly on Erik, thrusting his weapon directly at his heart.
Erik blocked the attempt easily.
The two men circled each other for a moment, Raoul's face twisted in anger, Erik's bearing a smirk.
"Please, stop it," Christine wailed, hating the feeling of being helpless.
Raoul ignored her, thrusting at Erik again, this time grazing Erik's arm.
It was not a deep wound, but it was enough to start a crimson river's flow down Erik's arm.
Christine gasped as blood began to drip down her angel of music's arm, over his fingertips, and onto the chapel floor.
Raoul smiled.
"It seems I have now proven you are nothing but a man," he said, lowering his sword to his side, his guard down. "And not a very impressive one at that."
Christine could bear it no longer. She moved quickly, too quickly for Raoul to tighten his grip on the steely blade he held in his hand.
To both mens' surprise, Christine lifted the weapon, holding it incorrectly, but menacingly.
"That is enough," she said angrily.
"Christine, put it down," Raoul commanded.
"I will not," she replied. Raoul moved closer to her.
"Put it down Christine!" Raoul repeated, his voice rising.
Erik stood, watching the exchange, ready to intercept in a heartbeat.
Christine's hand was shaking.
"Leave us, Raoul," she said, her voice low. Raoul looked from her to Erik.
"You're not serious, Christine!" Raoul protested.
"Oh yes I am," she replied, her voice sounding strong.
"Have you forgotten who this man is?" Raoul yelled. "Have you forgotten how you wept in my arms in this very chapel...how you spoke of the dread he filled you with...how he manipulated you! How he used your fondest memories of your father to control you!"
Erik stiffened.
"Don't speak another word!" Christine shrieked.
"He has you under his spell," Raoul fumed. "I don't know how he has done it...I don't know what would inspire you to choose to protect this man who is hardly a man at all! After all he has done to you...to us! After all the evil he propegated...you have lost your mind, Christine!"
"Stop it!" Christine cried, unable to stand the vivid memories flooding back into her mind. She dropped the rapier, the clanging noise deafening as it hit the stone floor.
As Raoul stooped to retrieve the fallen weapon, Erik's rapier found the younger man's throat.
Raoul froze.
"Erik," Christine whispered, moving to him, placing a hand on the arm that held the blade.
He turned to look at her.
Her eyes were pleading.
"No," she said softly.
Erik looked down at Raoul, who was in turn looking at him with rage, contempt, and hatred.
"Erik," she whispered again.
Erik lowered his sword, staring only at Christine...
who actually smiled.
The air held thin, the emotions of the three people in the room suspended, hanging somewhere above their heads.
Raoul saw the pause as his opportunity.
He reached down.
Grabbed the Rapier.
Lifted it with a howl.
And thrust.
Christine moved at the last minute, pulling Erik's weapon from hisunsuspecting hand.
The next few seconds stretched into an eternity, changing their lives forever...
Christine barely felt the steel enter her arm. Instead she was staring at the right side of Raoul's face, which was now covered in oozing blood.
She dropped the weapon again.
Raoul fell into an unconscious heap.
Christine looked at Erik, her black dress now even darker with the color of her own blood.
"What have I done?" She whispered, her eyes wide.
"Christine..." Erik replied, still in shock and weak from his own blood loss.
"What's going on down here?" A male voice called out from the stairwell.
Andre and Firmin entered the chapel, having heard the commotion.
Only Raoul remained.
"Monsieur!" Andre gasped, rushing to Raoul's side. "Monsieur, what has happened?"
Raoul's eyes fluttered open. A deep gash was visibly pumping blood down his pale face. "He's back..." Raoul gasped. "He has assaulted me and taken Christine..."
Then, he passed out.