Chapter Twenty-one

We Must Say Good-bye

Even before the carriage had stopped, Suzette had sprung to her feet, ready to leap from the door. The Viscount was relieved to see his wife, alive and well, waiting for them at the door. The monster was nowhere to be seen and Raoul suspected that he was lurking somewhere inside. Christine cast her a glittery smile and attempted to greet her but Suzette would have none of it.

"Erik!" she cried as she pushed her way into the apartment. Christine looked to her husband with sad eyes and he held her protectively as they followed the young girl inside.

Suzette had found Erik and was fussing over him with abandon.

"Are you all right, dear. Have they hurt you? I was afraid that I would never see you again!" Erik had fallen to his knees and was weeping at her feet.

"Erik?" she cried, "Are you in pain?"

"Yes. . ." he moaned as he covered his face with his hands. She knelt beside his and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You're crying! Oh what is it, dear?"

"It's so dark and lonely. . ."

"Then I will take you home, now."

"No…Forgive me, Suzette…I should have told you before."

"Told me what?"

"I just didn't want to say good-bye to you, my little angel. I knew that when I told you, you were as good as gone. But I must tell you now and we must say good-bye."

"Why must we say good-bye, Erik?" she asked as he fought to get to his feet, "Please tell me, what has happened."

"You will stay here, Suzette. You will stay with Christine and her husband from now on."

"There, there," she said soothingly, "I have brought you your mask and now we shall both go home."

"No!" he bellowed. Suzette stared at him, wide-eyed. He had never shouted at her that way before. He held out his hand sternly and she handed him the mask, which he put on.

"You don't understand," he said to her in a dangerously angry voice, "Your cousin, the one you are looking for, is there." He pointed at Christine and Suzette's eyes went even wider. Erik continued, "She will love you and teach you how to be a lady. You will have friends and family and grow to be happy. You don't need me anymore."

"But Erik…"

"Enough! This is what is best. I didn't want it to end, but it has to. I can't keep you away from the world any longer. Your life is beginning now, and mine is ending. Now, this very moment, we must say good-bye." Suzette went toward his to catch him in her embrace, but he pulled away quickly and ran through the door. She followed him, crying hysterically, but by the time she got outside, he had already disappeared into the darkness. She nearly ran off as well, but the Viscount caught her and carried her gently inside while she kicked and screamed for her friend to come back.

They held her down on a little sofa and Christine did her best to calm her.

"I am not staying here!" she told them through tears, "I have to find him. Didn't you hear what he said? He said that my life was beginning and his was ending. What did he mean, cousin? Where is he going and why can't I go with him?"

"Hush," she whispered, "It will be alright."

"I have to find him," she persisted. Christine embraced her and touched her cheek softly.

"Don't worry. We will."

"But how? I don't know where he's gone…"

"I do," Christine insisted, "I know where he is and once you are calm, we will go and bring him back." Suzette looked to her with trusting eyes and said, "Very well, I am calm now. Take me to him."