Chapter 6

I open my eyes. How long had I been sleeping? The events of the previous night flash through me mind. I want to cry again. What had I done? I shudder. What was he going to do? He'd asked me to kiss him. I could bring myself to do it. He had scared me. My stomach knots up. Raoul. What was he going to do to Raoul? I looked out the window; the sun was just coming up. I sat up; I had to warn him. I had to save him. But how? I stand up and go to the door. It's locked, as I knew it would be. I go to the window next. I open it; the cool morning air hits my face. Look down, I know it's too high up. I could never get down. I was trapped. Helpless and trapped.

I sit down and put my hands in my face and cry. I cry for Raoul. I cry for myself. I would never understand Erik. He could be so kind, so gentle. Last night he had been cruel. A memory crosses my mind. He had hurt me. He had hit me. He'd always promised he would never hurt me. Was I doomed to live with this monster forever? No, I would get out. I had to get out. I went to the window again. So far down. I look at a tree; it's too far away from the window to be of any use. Unless…. Yes.

I ran from the window and took the draperies off my bedposts. I tied them together, then tied the window curtains to them. I looked for something to tie them to. I eyed the locked door. Quickly I tied them to the door handle, securing the knot as tight as I could. I took a deep breath and threw the bundle of fabrics out the window. They didn't reach the bottom, not even close. But I wasn't trying to reach the ground. I look at the top of the tree. I planned to climb down as far I could, and then swing to the tree. It would an easier climb from there.

I go back to my room and use yet another sheet to tie up some of my belongings in. A doll Father had given me, Raoul's letters, my journal, and some clothes. I took one last look around then went to the open window. First, I let my bag drop to the bottom, then slowly and carefully I ease myself down the makeshift rope. I was shaking. It was hard, my muscles trembled. I didn't dare look down. As I watched my window slowly get farther and farther away I half expected his dark face to pear down on me. Oh, please don't find me. Steadily, I reached the bottom of the rope. Bracing my feet against the brick of the house I pushed myself away from the wall towards the tree. But not far enough. I tried again.

This time I reached the branches. I grabbed onto them for dear life. I was going to make it. I carefully let go of my rope. I watched as it swung back to the brick wall. This was it. Now all I had to do was get out of this tree, and I would be free at last. As I eased myself to the next limb I realized this would be easier than I thought. I placed my foot on one of the branches below me. That's when I heard the crack. As the branch gave way I felt peculiar. I was falling through the air. I scream and try to grab onto another branch, but it scrapes out of my hands painfully. That's when I felt the back of my head connect with another branch. Then it all went black.

Phantom's POV

It was her scream that finally pierced through my playing. I had sat for hours playing the piano, venting my frustrations. I stand up right away. I stride out of the room, and easily find her room. I unlock the door and walk in. Right away I know what she's done. A trail of sheets tied together leads from the door handle out the window. I curse. What had I done? I should have never left her alone to her own devices. I break into a run as I head outside. I feared the worst. She would not survive a fall from that high up. I round the corner of the house, and see her.

She's lying motionless, her nightgown spread around her. I race to her side. "Christine?" I brush her hair out of her face. I press my fingers to neck, checking for a pulse, "Come back to me, baby. Come on." I feel a slight thumping under my fingers. I let out a breath. "Oh my God, Christine." I drop my head, "Forgive me. Please forgive me." I eye the bruise on her cheek. The bruise I had caused. Gently I gather her in my arms. I feel her arms and legs, checking for broken bones. Nothing, thank God. I run my fingers through her hair, and feel something wet under my fingertips. I withdraw my hand, blood glistens on the tips of my fingers. Cursing, I stand up, gently lifting her with me. I spot a sheet tied into a bundle on the ground. She was running away. Of course she was. She was running away with him. Away from me.

I carry her still body back into the house. I bring her to an unused room, and carefully lay her on the bed. I finger her soft face. My poor angel. I take her hands in mine. Her palms are bruised and bloody. Bits of dirt and leaves cling to her hair and gown. I turn her hands over, and bring the uninjured backs to my lips. I kiss each of them softly. Then I try to arrange her as most comfortably as I can. I stand up and leave for my study. I needed things to dress her wounds. I gather my supplies: needle and thread, ointment, bandages, and clean cloths. Next I fill a pot with water. I take these to the bedroom. Next I go to Christine's room and choose clean clothing for her.

I hang the pot of water over the fire. I would need to clean her up, and cold water wouldn't suffice. She deserved better than that… She didn't deserve this. I should have never left her alone. How could I have been so blind? Why wouldn't she run away? She had the reason. I know I scared her last night. She was so infuriating sometimes, though. How dare she have a relationship with that… boy?

"Where am I?" Her voice is faint, barely a whisper. I go to her side. "It's ok, Christine. I'm here. You're going to be ok, now." I try to make my voice soothing. She looks up at me; I can see the fear in her eyes. "I thought I was dead… I…" I place a finger on her lips, "Shhh… You're all right, somehow… You must not have fallen from very high." She closes her eyes, "It hurts, Erik." I nod, "I know… I'm going to take care of you." I turn from her and gather my supplies. I set them on the table beside her bed. "Are you mad?" She whispers.

I begin methodically threading the needle; "I'm disappointed in you, Christine, yes. But, I'm happy you're alive… What were you thinking? Do you realize how high up your room is? You could have been killed…" I trail off, "I'm sorry, now is not the time to scold you… I just… You scared me. But no more talk of it now. We can discuss this later." She looks away. I sigh, "Now… I'm gonna need you to sit up for this. I'll help you." She nods, still avoiding my eyes. I stand up and bring the hot water over. I carefully pour some into a bowl, and replace the pot. I place one of the clean rags in the bowl, and ring it out.

I lean down and put an arm around her shoulders. Slowly I sit her up. "Oh… I feel dizzy." She murmurs. I wince, "I'll go quickly. I promise." I sit on the bed, "If you could lean forward into me Christine, I think I can get a good look at this." I try to move her as little as possible. She hesitates, then leans forward and presses her face into my chest. I shift around trying to make her comfortable. I carefully part her hair. I feel her tense. I say, "I'll be gentle." I take the warm rag and carefully clean out the wound, getting out the dirt and bits of tree out. "How did you do this?" I ask, "Were you climbing the tree?" Her heads nods up and down. I shake my head, how she had reached the tree was a mystery to me.

I discard the cloth; satisfied the wound is clean now. I take the needle next. I pause, "This is going to hurt… Would you like something to dull the pain?" Again her head nods up and down. I carefully lay her back down, "I'll be right back." I race to my study and scan through the many bottles I had stored in a cabinet. I select one and go back. Her eyes are closed. I sit down next to her. Without a word she lets me help her back to her former position. I unscrew the bottle, and carefully dab some of the cream onto the wound. She hisses, "That stings." I rub my hand up and down her back, "I know. Only for a minute."

I blow on the cream, then pick up the needle again. I work as fast I can, stitching up the cut. She is tense the whole time, but never cries out. I dab some ointment on the stitches, and secure a small bandage over the area. I fix her hair, and lay her back down. Next I pick up one of her hands. I begin cleaning it with a new cloth. She closes her eyes, "Did you… What… Is Raoul ok?" My jaw tightens at his name. "Is that who you were running away for?" I ask. She opens her eyes to look at me, and nods. I take a deep breath, "I haven't harmed the boy." I rub some ointment on her hands, and start to bandage her hands. "But you're going to." She whispers.

"I don't have much of a choice the way I see it." She gasps then. I realize I've pulled the bandages too tight. I wince, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that." I unwind the cloth slightly then wind it back again making it looser. "Are you bleeding anywhere else? I need to know." She shakes her head, no. I stand up and rinse my hands in clean water. As I dry off I say, "I brought you some clean clothes. You need to wash off and change, ok? I'll leave for a moment. Can you manage by yourself?" She nods and sits up. I nod, "All right then."

I start to leave. "Can you… Um, can you help me out of this?" I swallow and turn around. Her eyes dart to the floor and back to me, uncomfortably. I walk back to her bedside. She turns around, exposing the ties and buttons in the back. I begin to untie the ribbons, and undo the buttons. As I expose more and more of her back, I come to an ugly bruise. She flinches as I finger the skin. "Was it worth it?" I ask. She turns back to me; I rest my hands on her sides. She stares up at me, her big, brown eyes so innocent and afraid. I look down; "I'll come back in a moment."

I leave her, closing the door behind me. Leaning against the wall outside the room, I sigh. What was I going to do with her? How could I make her succumb to me willingly when she was so afraid? She was too in love with that fool anyway. The very thought of him angered me; I have to unclench my fists. He was a distraction to her. I needed to erase him from the picture, or… Maybe there was a better way to do this. Yes. I would make her choose. To my liking of course. I smile to myself. The broken girl within that room would choose me. She would have no other choice.