Marie-Christine was surprised to say the least. Lying before her was a man who desperately needed her help and so, without hesitation, she dragged this stranger inside her small abode. She quickly closed the door and glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Looking at this man's poor physical state did make Marie-Christine wonder if he was a beggar, a thief or perhaps . . . She quickly dismissed her other thought and turned her attention back to this dark stranger lying on her floor.
Fortunately, the stranger was not completely unconscious. "Come with me, I will help you," she offered.
The man could only respond with a small groan, pain quite evident in the grimace displayed prominently on his face. Marie-Christine continued to make her way to the bedroom. It, like much of her home, was small; barely enough space for a tiny double bed and for the moment Marie-Christine was its only occupant. A small wash basin was situated on a dresser and a small portrait of young man hung above the headboard of her bed.
Finally, Marie-Christine reached the bedroom. Once there, she guided the stranger to the bed and gently pushed against his chest, indicating he was to lie down. Once his head rested on the pillow, Marie-Christine begin a cursory examination of the stranger. Suddenly, a knock at the door forced her to put things on hold.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" She assured them as she closed the door to her bedroom. Marie-Christine looked around checking for any signs that would indicate this man's presence in her house. Blood was on the floor. Although it was not a great amount of blood, there was no way she could just explain it away. Just then Marie-Christine had an idea. She ran to the small basin she kept in her bedroom, dabbing her face with a damp cloth, she quickly wrapped a nearby towel around her head and another around her body.
The loud knock grew more persistent. Slowly Marie-Christine opened the door. "Yes?" It was a police officer.
"I'm sorry to bother you so late in the evening Mademoiselle, but we've had an escape. There's a very dangerous man running about. He may have had something to do with the incident at the Opera Populaire this evening. Have you seen anything?" The officer asked.
"No, officer I'm sorry. I haven't seen anything. What happened?" She responded, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice. Marie-Christine hoped the officer's questions would not take long. She needed to check on the man in her bedroom.
"Well the Opera Populaire was set ablaze when its chandelier crashed this evening. It was horrible, hundreds of people," The officer paused for a moment. "Is there something wrong?" He asked, a hint of concern showing in his voice. Apparently, he was looking down at Marie-Christine's legs and the pool of blood in which she was now standing.
"Well, I, uh . . ." Marie-Christine stammered as she looked at the floor. "It's well . . . kind of a lady thing . . . you know?" She hoped that a man's sense of squeamishness in this particular matter would dispatch him sooner rather than later.
The officer looked down once more at Marie-Christine's feet and noticed some small droplets of blood as well as some blood on her legs. It was at that moment he put it together. Feeling embarrassed, the officer quickly offered an apology. "I'm sorry for disturbing you Mademoiselle. If you do hear anything, please call out to officer on duty this evening. Okay?"
"Certainly," Marie-Christine answered as the bid the officer goodnight. She now focused her attention back to the stranger in her room. She was not sure of what occurred but she knew this man needed her help. Marie-Christine closed her eyes. She wanted to shut out the memories of long ago; memories of a future she could not ever have.
Entering the room, Marie-Christine was surprised to see that the man, whom she had placed in her room, was gone. Then without warning, Marie-Christine felt two strong hands now wrapped around her throat.
"Don't move! I'll kill you!" The stranger warned as a hiss escaped his lips.
"I won't let anyone hurt you, I sent the officer away." Marie-Christine responded, hoping to calm this man down somewhat. Taking a careful breath, she continued. "Allow me to help. The officer is gone. I don't know what kind of trouble you are in, but you have some wounds that need treatment."
Erik felt as if he had little choice. He couldn't remain conscious for very long and he knew it was not in his heart to kill just anyone. He needed to rest and he wanted to flee Paris as quickly as possible, however he had to have time to think. Then, if the fates allowed, he could start anew; even if it was without Christine. Erik then made a decision. He released the woman and allowed her to guide him back to the bed. He would have collapsed once more if not for this angel of mercy's help.
Marie-Christine smiled as she gently laid Erik's head back on the pillow. "Thank you. My name is Marie-Christine. What's your name?"
"Erik. My name is Erik," he answered, relaxing for the first time since his capture. Marie-Christine took notice of this and decided that now was a good time to begin her treatment.
She started with a cursory exam, noting where he had various abrasions, lacerations and bruises. Taking a small cloth in hand, Marie-Christine proceeded to dip it into the basin at her bedside. Gently, so as not to cause pain, she began to clean up the superficial scratches; her touch ever so light; causing Erik to release a breath he did not know he'd been holding. Marie-Christine came across one item that caught her immediate attention; Erik had a dislocated shoulder. "Erik, I need to adjust this" she informed him as she touched the damaged shoulder. Erik nodded in acceptance; trusting this angel of mercy to help release him from his pain and torment. Taking a small cloth that she had given him, Erik bit down, hoping to avoid or rather minimize his reaction to the impending onslaught of pain.
"Okay, on the count of three. I'm going to pop it back in. Ready?" Marie-Christine asked. Erik nodded once more. "One . . . two . . ." and then without warning, Marie-Christine popped Erik's shoulder back into place. The pain was excruciating; as if someone had stabbed him straight through the heart. The cloth, he had bit down on, muffled his one cry of pain. When everything was done, Erik closed his eyes and allowed his body the rest for which it ached.
Marie-Christine sat back for a moment, looking at her patient as it were. He was older, but perhaps no more than that of 35 or 36. There was a rugged and yet gentle appearance to his skin. His hair was that of golden hue; as if it were kissed by the morning sunlight. Erik's body seemed flawless in some areas; his chest was muscular, lean and taut. Yet, it also appeared that this man, this dark knight as it were, had seen more horrors that the average person of his age would have seen. One unique item that now caught Marie-Christine's attention was the mask covering the right side of his face. She was about to remove the mask when Erik stirred.
"Please . . . don't . . ." he pleaded; darkness invading his consciousness; allowing him only two words before he drifted back into his abyss. Marie-Christine acceded to Erik's wish, taking a moment to notice his eyes. They were the most mesmerizing green color she had ever seen; almost like an emerald shining in the night. She watched as his face began to relax. It appeared he was finally allowing himself a chance to rest; the pain slowly dissipating from each pore in his body. Little by little, the muscles that were once tense became still. Marie-Christine decided that she could finish her examination tomorrow morning. Staring at the sleeping stranger, she wasn't sure why, but Marie-Christine felt an attraction to Erik. She quickly dismissed her feelings, reminding herself that this attraction was purely physical. Emotionally it was not possible for Marie-Christine to love another. It was not allowed. Marie-Christine continued to treat Erik's other wounds, eventually calling it a night, two hours later. Pulling a chair nearby, Marie-Christine drew a small blanket around her and closed her eyes. She quickly fell asleep.