Let Me Count the Ways
Companion to "How I Love Thee!"
Summary: Erik writes about his angel…
Christine, Christine… My love, why did you leave me? You are the only person I've ever loved; and the only person I ever will. You truly are an Angel, sent from God to punish me for my numerous sins.
Who but the Creator could come up with such an exquisite joke? He sent a woman into my life whom I could love and who might have loved me in return, but then He brought the Vicomte into the picture. And now you're gone…
Sometimes I dream that you've come back to these ruins to find me here, still in this labyrinth. You tell me that you love me and for one short moment all is right with the world as you kiss me… Then I wake, and I know there is a God. For if there wasn't, I wouldn't feel Him laughing at my sobs…
Christine… Do you know the meaning of your name, my dear? It means "Christ like; innocent." Innocent you most certainly are. Your name is almost as beautiful as you. Christine; how I both love and loathe that name!
It has been six years since you left me in this cold, dark place, and yet my thoughts of you never cease. You haunt me, Christine, as I once haunted this Opera House. But no more talk of the past!
Some days I long to come spirit you away from your precious little Vicomte, but I don't. You made your choice, mon ange, and I must respect that. But sometimes I still wish to feel my lasso settle around his neck and hear that sweet, sharp crack as I break his neck…
But I could never hurt you like that. Even if you consented to come with me, I know you would not want me to kill the boy. And I know that if I came to carry you off, I would not be able to resist killing him with my lasso; therefore I do not come! I know you love him; you may not love him as I love you, but you do love him in a way. His death would cause you great pain, and I would never be able to live with myself… So I stay here in this dark place, forcing myself to live alone for your sake, Christine. How I love you still…
FIN