Well everyone, here we are, the bridge is crossed, now we stand and watch it burn. There is violence in this chapter, it is sufficiently long enough to tell the story of how we stand and watch it burn. Hope it was worth the wait! Thank you for your reviews, I hope to hear some on this chapter, it was tough for me to write. I have never tried to choreograph anything before, and I don't relish violence, however it is the nature of this beast. Hope it does not disappoint. Thank you for coming on this ride with me. I appreciate all your input. If you like it, please let me know...Marykate.:-)

Chapter 28

The final threshold

"Erik, what do you suppose Raoul wanted with Meg, to hurt me as much as he felt I had hurt him? What do you think he would have done if I truly was dead and he could not flush us out?"

They rode on as Erik considered this. He had thought some about it before, though he really hadn't concluded the thought, as it was not important to the current situation and bore no importance. Her bringing it up made him worry, though, it was a long journey to the sea and in his warped frame of mind, he may believe that they are not going to come for Meg and hurt her. Or worse. He didn't want to say that to Christine, though, that would just increase her concern over her dear friend. "Surely then he would release her. There would be no good to come of him hurting her if there was nothing to gain from it." He smiled when he said that, hoping he could be convincing.

"I presume a very different scenario than that, you are being optimistic I fear, Erik. He is so ill that I'm afraid that he will think we don't care and do something horrible to Meg. If he hurts her, I don't know if I shall ever be able to forgive myself. She is such a trusting soul, I am surprised that she fought with Raoul at all before he took her off. She always told me she thought he was so handsome, she thought me very lucky that he loved me."

Listening to Christine talk of her friend made Erik feel a sense of helplessness that they were so far behind them. He was also a bit curious to see what Meg would think about her choice of Erik over the handsome and nearly perfect Vicomte de Chagny. When last he had seen him he was gratified by the decline in his appearance, he had to admit, from the illness. He could almost feel pity for the boy, almost, but not quite. In his mind, Christine still had a bit too much compassion for him and that bothered him the ever so slightest bit though not like it had before now. "Too bad the Vicomte didn't court Meg instead of pining for you, how different things would be at this juncture if he had."

They rode on in silence, each lost in thoughts of the day and what lie ahead for them on this day. At noon sun, they decided to rest again for a bit, there were but two more croissants and a modicum of cream to put on them. They also had the remaining two pieces of sausage that Erik had brought. Erik suggested that maybe Christine would want to rest for a bit, he would watch for anyone while she rested. She gratefully accepted the offer, and laid her head on his lap to rest. He absently stroked her hair, playing with her curls while he was formulating different ways to go about this when they found Raoul and Meg. He hoped that they would not have to search too long, he didn't think that Christine would be very patient hiding while he looked, though for his peace of mind, she had to keep her promise. He looked down at Christine then, wondering what she was dreaming of, he could only imagine, her mind was constantly surprising him of late, she seemed to have matured so much with her decision to stay with him. Almost like she wanted to decide whether she wanted to grow up or remain an innocent child. He certainly had helped her to grow up in a hurry. It was difficult to imagine life without her. Surely he would have been in prison awaiting execution by now if she had not come back. He was ready for death, though he knew that he didn't intend to kill the men he had, though they were all so frightened by him they would not listen and believe he was anything but a monster who always intended harm. He was ready for that fate at one time, though now he longed for his life; he was ready to go headlong into it with Christine by his side. Who'd have thought the "Devil Child" who hid from the world only to be a sideshow freak for a band of gypsies would end up with the most beautiful of women for a betrothed, carrying his progeny. He never imagined such blessings for himself when he built the opera Populaire. Thank God he was able to help there. It was the best thing his life had ever created until now. Funny he had to destroy one creation of his to access the other one Christine had allowed him to make. She was amazing, to think that she was making their baby right now, even as she rested. He watched her eyelashes flutter; she was lost in a dream, slightly smiling suddenly. Good, the dreams were good ones, which had to mean that the stress of this situation was not weighting down her subconscious. Erik visibly relaxed when he saw that. He decided to look around a bit, memorize this land, it was beautiful and green, this is where he wanted to build their home. It would be in the middle of the lush green trees, the rolling hills and the small creeks he could see coursing through to the sea from here. He knew they were getting close now, he had to stop dreaming and ensure he was ready for the events about to unfold before them. He laid back on the blanket they had eaten on, and closed his eyes, intending to think for a bit, instead he drifted off to sleep himself.

The sun shone so warm and bright, it made the chill in the early spring air crisp and fragrant with the smell of sea. He missed these things having lived in the opera house for so long.

Soon Christine was stirring; she rose and saw Erik sleeping peacefully. She heard the small creek and decided to go down to it and wash up a bit. Then she would come back up and wake Erik. She turned and began to walk down the hill when she stopped in her tracks. There she saw a hair ribbon, it looked like one that Meg would wear. She was astounded, that was the first sign she had of anyone actually having been here, she was quick to pick it up, examining it she was near totally certain it was Megs. Oh, thank God, she appeared to be right about where Raoul took Meg. She was always slightly worried that he had not, so it was good for her to see confirmation that her suspicions were indeed correct.

Christine arrived at the creek and decided to get her face washed nice. It would clean enough of the road dirt from her. If it was warmer she would have gone in the water and swam, cleaning all of her off. It was just too cold out and the water was too cold too, not suitable for this early spring day. She then thought of the wine bladder and the fact that they needed some more water in it. They would be glad they had it, so she decided to go up and get it. She turned around and was beginning to go up the hill when someone grabbed her from behind. She was totally taken off guard. They had their hand over her mouth and she could not scream for Erik. She went to elbow them and they quickly moved back, still holding her tightly captive, out of the way of her elbow. They were laughing in her ear, she was instantly panicky when she heard the laugh she knew whose laugh it was. It was the same laugh she encountered when she had protested the angel of music was very strict and been told "I shan't keep you up late. You must change. I'll order my carriage. Two minutes, little Lottie"

For some reason, this time when she heard the laugh it made her want to vomit. She was so upset to hear it, scaring her more than she was prepared for. Now she was wishing that she had listened to Erik and stayed behind in the safety of the Populaire, or safely upon his lap, resting so he could save her. What terrible things was Erik going to be driven to when he saw this. She didn't have to think about that long, as Erik came over the hill just then calling Christine. He stopped when he saw the scene unfolding before his eyes. Raoul looked up at him sneering; "Oh, if it isn't the famous angel of music, or phantom of the opera, or Erik, who are you today? Oh, since you are dead, maybe OG is the best title for you. I wonder though, what shall we call your darling Christine? Lying little slut, or whore, or just a stupid little fool who didn't have enough sense to see you for what you really are. You don't fool me, Erik. You are nothing but a monster; you are unworthy of anyone's love and consideration. She only wanted your music, nothing more. You must be mad if you think she truly loves you."

Erik was walking down the hill slowly; hatred glaring in his unblinking eyes locked on Raoul's the whole time. All Erik could think was, this fool does not deserve life. He is the cruel monster. There was no way to talk sense into him. So, looking around, Erik decided to change the subject. Deflect against the feelings raging inside of him. So he asked him, "Where is Meg Giry?"

Raoul stood there, confused for a moment; he was so clouded by the fact that he had Christine that he forgot about Meg. "Oh her, she is in the caves. I didn't want to open the house just yet. Not until Christine was here to fill the manor as my fine lady." Then Raoul kissed Christine, she spat at him when he released her. She tried to run to Erik then, but he grabbed her by the wrist and bent it a weird angle, near as she could tell breaking it.

At that little display Erik's eyes glittered dangerously, he had to get Christine away from him. Damn it for falling asleep. Why didn't he pay closer attention , they were so close to the sea, of course it would be possible for him to be here. Erik thought fast, as Raoul cast Christine to the side and drew his sword. "Now we shall finish this sword fight, this time I shall not be stopped when I have you under my blade."

Erik drew his sword, focused on his perfect features; he decided to cut his face and try to shock Raoul into some sort of sanity. He aimed and with a slight of his other hand to distract Raoul for the slightest moment, he was able to cut deeply into his right cheek. Raoul staggered back a bit, placing his right hand knuckle side up, upon his cheek. He gathered the great deal of blood issuing from the wound upon his hand, looking at it, he laughed his maniacal laugh once more; "So, it would seem that you are not as poor a swordsman as you seemed at the graveyard. Funny how the love of a slut can do that to a man. Did you take what was mine, Erik? How does it feel to have someone else's cast off? Did she make you feel special, while she was imagining my perfect face, did she let you believe your hideous face was fine with her? Ha, I know that would never be the truth. She is not so blind, even in love, there is no way she was feeling anything but pity for a lonely creature."

Erik was trying to block out Raoul's words, he knew he was insane, however he was stung by the mere mention that Christine's feelings could be disingenuous. He had to keep his mind steady and realize that their love was real. He could not let Raoul cause doubts, not now. He looked back into Raoul's eyes, Raoul was reaching into his breast pocket for something, suddenly he pulled out what he was after. With a sharp intake of breath Erik realized what he had in his grasp. It was Erik's mask, the one he left on the steps of the Populaire when Christine and he escaped so long ago. With another small chuckle, Raoul placed the mask upon his face.

Christine just watched on in horror, Erik even stopped in his tracks, Raoul laughed hard at their reactions the next words coming from his mouth rang through the hills, they were shouted at the two responsible for his state of mind;

"The transformation is complete at last. Is this what you want, Christine? Am I hideous enough for you now?"

"Erik, you must end this, I am so sorry for all the pain I have caused you, this is so horrible beyond anything I could have imagined. His mocking of us is cutting me to pieces, I am sure it is doing the same to you. He is strong and dangerous in his insanity; you must stop him, now."

Erik lunged forward, the words from Christine broke the atmosphere and galvanized him into action. He caught Raoul on the upper right shoulder. Raoul stumbled back and fell to the ground. He got back up and turned around, as if seeing something behind him. He shouted, "So, you think this is the way it is supposed to end."

Raoul charged after Erik when he said this, catching him off guard, he knocked Erik's mask from his face, exposing the flesh to the air. Erik had no time to protect himself, surprise momentarily giving Raoul the advantage, he stabbed at Erik, catching him on the arm, he sliced deeply into the left arm. Erik stepped back and Raoul caught him again, this time stabbing at the left shoulder blade. Erik stumbled, regaining his balance as Raoul rounded on some invisible threat. He was threatening it, saying that it was time to end things. He stabbed into thin air, then he turned around again, his foot catching a stump in the ground near him, he fell backward, dangerously near the rocks to the creek. His balance was something he had little command over since his fever, and he was precariously close to disaster, stumbling yet some more, Erik was able to come up to him and stab him in the gut. Not hard enough to kill him, but to move him back to the rocks. He stumbled along one large boulder, falling finally, fatally, back onto the rock. His head hit the rock with a sickening thud, knocking the white mask from his face. His skull was cracked and the blood ran quickly to the water below.

Erik fell to his knees, hardly believing what had just transpired as the clouds separated and the sun once more came out to warm them. They had not even noticed it had disappeared, however the return was so stark that it hit them as poignant to mark the end of their horrible ordeal.

Christine came shakily over to Erik, wondering what to do next. Erik merely looked at her, in great pain though loathe to let Christine know how much. Suddenly they looked up the hill and saw some men coming down to them. They didn't seem to be a threat, they must be the friends of Monsieur Giry that were on their way to help rescue Meg. They saw someone running down to them, and realized it was Meg, they had already found and rescued Meg. She was so happy, the tears falling freely to realize her friend was not dead. They thought that maybe the tears were for Raoul, as well. They could not tell, nor did they care to find out right now. They were so relieved that all had turned out well, they could not help but hug Meg when she arrived to them. Christine winced when she went to hug Meg, realization of her wrist injury coming to her through the stabbing pain she experienced when she tried to move her wrist to hug her friend.

Erik was shocked when Meg came and hugged him, this was the second human who was not repulsed by him, who was willing to hug him and display feelings of worth to him. He was awkward and did not know what to do with this person giving him a hug, so he patted her back with his right hand, as his left arm and shoulder were in some degree of discomfort.

After Meg pulled away from Erik, he noticed that he also had a wound in his gut, lower left, near his hip. It was bleeding now, and he was feeling strange. He was not sure what had been injured, but his last thought before he lost consciousness was; 'God, I won, why would you want to take me now? I was doing a noble thing, saving not one but two women's lives from a mad man. What more do you want from me?'

As he lost consciousness, he heard Christine yell, "Erik, no, the baby, you cannot leave me now, we have a baby on the way." He fought hard trying to fight back the darkness that was rapidly overtaking him. It was no use. Erik fell to the ground. Christine yelling "Oh my God, no, Erik, no!"