A/N: I'll just get on with it.

When Erik regained consciousness, he was still surrounded by darkness. And coldness. And wetness.

His vision was blurred, and he could barely make objects out. The freezing, uneven pavement was under his bent knees. When he attempted to stand he found his hands bound to a tall fence behind him. Bound tightly.

He fought against the rope, rattling the fence. With his efforts, his body reminded him that he had a head injury. He gritted his teeth against the pain, and noticed that something was missing. His mask. It was gone. The fence rattled even louder as he started pulling hard, rubbing his wrists raw.

He let out a guttural growl.

Out of nowhere a fist landed on his marred cheek. His head snapped back from the force of it. A second landed on his nose, instantly breaking it. Blood oozed from his nose as his attacker revealed himself.

"Chagny." Erik spat out.

"Yes, freak, it's me. Were you expecting someone else?" Ryan dragged himself and a bound Christine into the bit of light that spilled into the dark alleyway. Erik went wild against his bonds when he saw Christine. Her eyes were wild with fear, tears spilling from the corners.

"Let her go."

Ryan merely gave an evil chuckle. "She's the only one who can save you, freak."

"Let. Her. Go." Ryan landed another fist in Erik's face, splitting his lip. Blood dribbled from Erik's wrists as he tested the rope.

"Shut up. We're going to find out whom she chooses, once and for all." Ryan turned toward Christine. "Christine, darling, either you come with me, or I'll kill your little friend here." Christine flinched from his touch, disgust showing plainly in her face.

"Run Christine. He's gone mad." Ryan rounded on him, producing a small gun from his jacket pocket.

"Be silent, or I'll silence you myself." Erik merely narrowed his eyes at the man.

"Go. He won't shoot. He hasn't got the guts." Erik egged him on.

"Erik! Stop!" She cried out.

"He probably doesn't even know how to use it. Run." Ryan aimed the gun at Erik.

"Don't test me freak. I assure you, I know how to shoot. Your life means nothing to me."

Erik shrugged. "Then shoot."

Ryan bared his teeth at Erik, his shooting arm shaking in anger. His forefinger slid over the metal of the trigger. His eye slid shut as he took better aim.

"Ryan! No!" Christine lifted her bound hands to push at his shoulder.

"See. I told you." Erik smirked at them.

Ryan's breathing became shallow as rounded on Erik, pushing Christine out of the way. He shot blindly.

Pain exploded in Erik's shoulder. Blood bloomed out from the wound. Christine crawled over to where Erik was.

"Erik." Ryan grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

Erik merely laughed, blood from his face injuries staining his teeth. "You missed." Ryan composed himself, and pressed the gun into Erik's temple.

"Think I'll miss from here?" Ryan sneered at him. Erik glared at him. "Go ahead Christine. Make your choice."

"If you leave with him Christine, it will kill me just the same. My life would be over anyway."

Christine knew she couldn't let Ryan kill Erik, but she didn't want to leave with Ryan.

"Why are you doing this Ryan?" She blubbered into her bound hands.

"Because I know you must love me. Who wouldn't? You just need to see the err in your way." Christine shook her head in disbelief.

"Christine…." Erik whispered to her. Her watery eyes met his. "I would rather die right now, than live an eternity without you. I couldn't live without you." If possible even more tears spilled down her cheeks. She wouldn't watch him die. She shook her head at Erik, and mouthed 'I love you' to him.

"No." Erik growled.

"Okay, Ryan. You're right. I choose you." Ryan's grin was evil.

"No."

"I figured you would." The muzzle of the gun dropped from Erik's head.

"Once someone finds and releases me, Chagny, I'll find you. I'll kill you." Erik pulled with all of his might against the ropes, tearing his skin off. When Ryan turned to move Christine along, the fence gave.

Erik leapt to his feet, pushing his bound hands over his head, and pulled the rope tight against Ryan neck. Ryan swung around, knocking Erik back a few feet. Erik lunged for the gun. They wrestled over it for a moment, and then a shot sounded. Christine stared in horror.

After another moment, Ryan staggered backward, blood spreading out from the wound over his heart. Just as Ryan began falling to the ground, another shot came. Erik's face distorted in pain as he clutched his own chest, and kneeled on the pavement. Christine ran to him.

"My phone…in…my pocket." He rasped out. "Call the police." Then he blacked out again.