Chapter 9: Leave me alone

Camille stood in the doorway- she was shaking and covered in blood and bruises, she tried to call Eriks name but couldn't- she tried again

"Erik…" she saw him staring at her and then she couldn't take the pain any more and fell to the floor in a faint.

"Christine- go get a wet towel and bring it to me quickly!" the tone of his voice didn't allow any room for Christine to argue

Erik was supporting Camille's head and crying by the time Christine returned

"What has he done to you Camille? Oh god- what has he done?" he rocked her back and forth carefully washing her face with the damp cloth

Christine was watching them from several feet away- Erik confused her she wasn't sure whether he loved her or not- despite what he said.

Camille's eyes fluttered open and she saw Erik

"Erik- I – I have to show you something." He voice took on a dead quality

She stood up with Eriks help and said "its upstairs- it is important."

Erik followed her and Christine appeared at his side and answered his inquisitive look with

"Like I would let you leave me down here by myself."

Camille turned dead looking eyes on her "yes. Yes. Is good if she comes too." She muttered half to herself

Raoul hid in the shadows with his men- Camille had been gone a long time but she would bring them- he knew she would. He had broken her wild spirit- he had tamed her.

"She will come…" he spoke through clenched teeth

They were nearing the exit and Camille was still muttering to herself

"Camille- what is going on- what is it? What do you need to show me?" she said nothing and continued walking

Erik and Christine followed her …

"Please Camille- what is wrong? What has happened here they step through the mirror and into the dressing room what do you need to show me? Please talk to me!" erik beseeched her
Then he heard the mirror slam shut behind him and realize that he had been led into a trap. He heard the unmistakable sound of guns being cocked.

"She needed to bring you to me.-"he turned slightly to Camille "you did well whore. Go play with the men now…" she felt herself grabbed roughly by two men and struggled as their hands roamed her body freely , but she gave up and lowered her head in submission but before her eyes fell she looked at erik and her eyes begged his forgiveness.

She closed her eyes as she felt a heavy sturdy body crush into hers and cried out a little but was soon silenced with a heavy hit across her cheekbone

"YOU DAMN BASTARD!" Erik shouted "why the hell are you doing this? Let Camille go!"

Raoul laughed his mirthless laugh

"You give me back my wife- I give you back your whore. Deal?"

Erik tightened his grip on Christine's arm but she spoke before he could she gently removed her arm from his grasp

"Raoul-"she said stepping forward "please don't do this. I know that this is not you. Please let Camille go." She handed brushed his arm lightly

Raoul jumped backward as if her touch burned

"you insufferable bitch. you can come home with me with him still alive- or i can kill him and take you! your choice..." he hissed at her

He cocked his gun and pointed it meaningfully at Eriks head while three men surprised him from behind and held him tight.

"NO! Please don't hurt him! I will come with you- just let him go!"

"Ok. But you are coming with me-"he pulled her to his chest eying her heaving chest pushed against his with appreciation "oui, oui- we will have fun!" she started crying silently only to have her face slapped and then be picked up and thrown over the shoulder of a large man

"Erik! I love you!" she cried out before a fist to her skull drove her into black oblivion

Camille was left sprawled out on the floor, unconscious. Erik lay dazed nearby. But Christine was gone- the monster had reclaimed its prized treasure.