Chapter 7

I grunted, annoyed and answered after a moment of silence. "Yes. I do love Christine," He said. Meg angrily crossed her arms over, pouting, "You do not think that is wrong at all?"

"Why is it wrong?"

"How old are you?"

"Why does age matter? You are the same age as Christine, right?"

"Yes, but Erik," She whined.

"Please, I would like you to leave. I am waiting for Christine. And another thing, if anybody finds out about this, I will find out and you will die, or somebody close to you will die." I was hoping that that threat would scare Meg away, but she was so persistent.

"Erik, Christine is not coming tonight, she forgot about you."

"No, she didn't."

"Erik, she hasn't come yet, and that is because she forgot, just as I said. She chose a book over you!"

"No, I didn't." I heard a voice that was very familiar to me, it was Christine. She had come after all, Meg was just spouting nonsense. All of what she has said since she had come was stupid. Oh well. "Christine, at last, you've come. You are later than usual."

Christine sighed, "I am so sorry, Erik. I fell asleep..." Her usually perfect hair proved her point; it was a mess and her curls were entangled. She must have fallen asleep unintentionally. "It is quite alright, Christine. Come here," I beckoned her over and she did not bother to notice Meg. Lucky girl, I was trying my best to ignore her. I took Christine's hand when she reached me and massaged it in between my fingers, "Is your hand feeling any better?" Christine winced in pain as I caressed her hand, "A little," She muttered. I knelt on the ground and kissed her hand, "I am sorry."

Meg was watching the entire time and she continually opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She began to cry again as she ran towards the stairs, when I called to her, halting her. "Do not forget what I said, Meg," She quickly looked away from me and down the stairs, dashing back into the Opera House, tears running down her cheeks.

I picked myself up and looked at Christine. Her cheeks were pink and she did not seem to have realised that her best friend had just stormed off, crying. "Christine," I said, attempting to get her attention.

"Y-Yes?" She asked, not looking up at me.

I smiled at her behaviour. "May I bandage your hand now? Meg does not seem to care much about it, though she knows about it."

Christine answered me slowly, "Um, okay, where are the bandages again?"

"I have some in my... erm, lair. I shall take you there, if you wish it."

Christine looked as confused as she sounded, "'Lair', you say?"

"Yes, underneath the Opera House, where I live."

"Are you sure you would like to take me there?"

"I would just steal some of the medical supplies from somebody, however, I do think we should meet at my lair now, since your friend knows of the meetings we have here on the roof."

Christine grinned from ear to ear, "Okay, I cannot wait to see it!"

-

There we were, in the sumptious dressing room for one, with one wall as a large mirror. It was no trouble sneaking around the Opera House because everybody was so deep in their sleep. Christine managed to remain silent, as well. But now, she had a look of confusion on her face, but she kept her mouth closed, leaving herself pondering about why I had brought her here. However, she did not ask me any questions, which I suppose could be a good thing.

"We are almost there, Christine," I said.

She nodded with a yawn. It was very late, after all. I looked at the mirror and I saw looking back at me, my own reflection, half of it covered behind a white porcelain mask. I then put a hand on the mirror and slided it open and Christine's tired eyes widened, "Is that a door?" Her tone made me aware that she was actually excited about this. I knew she would not be able to last too long without asking me any questions, or keeping her mouth shut but I'm glad that there was a hint of happiness in her voice. "That is exactly what it is," I stepped into the mirror and grabbed Christine's hand, "Now, would you like to go?"

She nodded quickly and stepped in after me. I went over to the mirror and closed it behind us. Then I walked down the long hallway the mirror concealed, pulling Christine along with me.

After walking for quite a while, I could tell that Christine was getting more exhausted as we progressed towards my house on the lake. "It is alright, dear, you do not have to walk any farther," I said to her in reassurance. We had reached a boat, sitting on a little shoreline beside the underground lake I am sure many people have heard of in rumours. It did not seem to bother her, she was too worn out, looking as though she were to fall asleep at any given moment. Realising this, I suggested, "I advise you keep yourself awake, otherwise, you will fall into the lake and that will be quite dangerous."

I pushed the boat into the water and walked into it. I stood with my hand out, waiting for Christine to take it and come into the little boat. She was a little uneasy. When she finally took my hand, she was shaking slightly, and I attempted to comfort her, by saying simply, "It will be okay."

I rowed slowly, keeping my eyes on Christine the entire time. She was so beautiful... then, as we got closer to my home, I realised that she had drifted to a peaceful slumber. I was not alarmed. I rowed the boat a bit closer to the shore and scooped Christine up in my arms to bring her inside to lay her on a bed where she could sleep comfortably. As I carried her in, I felt awkward having her in my arms. I glanced down at her, blushing.

'Is it really wrong for me to be in love with her?'