Author's note: Thank you all for reviewing. I know you hate me now, but I'm taking advantage of the situation and bringing out some personality in this chapter. I had fun with the conversations that go on. If you read how I explain Liana's eyes in Liana's Lace ch.7 the fifth paragraph after the break will click in your head. (It has to do with the title of this chapter) hint hint

This whole chapter is told through Erik.

Twisted visions still radiate before my eyes. I can still hear the sound of her screams so exquisitely. It was like the vision of black crystals swaying lightly in the wind. A dark feeling reflected around all its surroundings. The sound was so terrible, yet a beauty remained leveled beneath the surface. Somehow even in her cries was a sense of peace. The beauty of it all was what made it so heart-wrenching to experience. The sad song still rages in my mind causing my body to tremble in pain.

Fear, such a small word for what I had experienced.

It's amazing how somehow within my empty heart, after all that I've endured, a piece within me had managed to survive. All the ruthless beatings I had received both mentally and physically had left me so cold. Addie's love had revived my faint cry of a heartbeat, all to be replaced once more by that familiar sensation. Such a feeling could only be expressed through death, but I had endured pain like no other. The fate which once stirred within the cobwebs of my broken body I had once learned to accept. Now, everything is so queer. I actually feel the pain as I've never felt before because I've experienced love. The ice cold pain runs through my veins once more.

Will life ever allow my soul peace?

Memories begin to flash before my eyes, all very detailed in sound and color.

From the moment I entered this world, I was concealed behind the frigid veils of pain. From the day I was denied a simple kiss from my mother to the day I watched Christine row away with Raoul in the dress she was to marry me in. After she left me, I had truly believed I could simply breathe in my fate. When Addie entered my life, all of that changed. She claimed my heart and my guards let loose. I knew too well of the dangers of caring for someone, but feared the pain of watching her leave.

The truth is now what I fear, for I know deep within the reality of the circumstances. If, by some chance God will save my angel I will forever be haunted by the image of her frail helpless body moving in the same violent state as before. I fear even drifting asleep for the chance of reliving the horror is at stake, and I will never forget the way they had to tear Rebecca from Addie. They had to remove her, lock the doors, and place her outside because she was refusing to leave the room and her screams were distracting the doctor.


After her fatal attempts to smash in one of the windows, Addie finally gave in and plunged to her knees on the cold damp stone street. She clutched her face with her two dirty hands and began to sob in defeat. Her lips were twisted in the most painful expression, and her cries were even louder then mine.

I tried to comprehend how painful it must be for her. She had held Rebecca in her womb while her body was sewn, and she had felt her grow inside of her. She had experienced such tremendous pain in labor, and to have Rebecca now torn from her side must be more painful then I can grasp. I will never truly understand how that feels.

It was now very dim outside, so I was not at all concerned about being seen. The moon is a brilliant shade of yellow tonight. Such a site flashed a shade of anger deep inside of me. It made me bitter to imagine anything could subsist in such beauty while I suffered such pain.

Behind me something stirred. "Erik," whispered a quavering voice. A small finger lightly tapped on the side of my arm. I swirled around to see who it was

Liana stood before me. I now realize that I hadn't taken time to accumulate our height difference. Her fragile aged body only came shortly above my elbow. She looked up at me. Amongst all of the layers of soft wrinkled skin all that I saw were her sad gray eyes leaking fat tears. Her glasses were no longer on her face. I guessed that she had removed them in order to wipe away the tears. She quickly motioned for me to slouch until we were at eye level in an almost impatient manner. I obeyed without hesitation, nearly mesmerized by her sad eyes. I sensed a pain in her past that had been locked behind them for many years.

"Now," she began. Her voice cracked as it struggled to sound joyful. "I'm not getting much younger and neither are you. Life is too short. I've allowed you to stay in my house for over a year now and I haven't asked you anything in return. I am asking you something now, you hear?" She asked me sniffing and tilting her head. Her eyebrows raised in wait for my agreement. I shook my head to assure her I would do as she asked and She softly settled one of my large hands in both of hers. "See Addie," she said pointing to her. "I know you love her. I see it every time you look at her, and hold her. You can't even stand five minutes without kissing her. You're crazy about the woman. I want you to hold her for me. She needs you right now, and you need her. I would give anything to be with the man I love right now. So go," She ordered releasing my hand. Her voice screeched at the end. She could no longer hold back her tears. I tried to touch her shoulder, but she quickly shoved it off and shooed me, sending me a fake smile. Go, please.

As I walked towards Addie I couldn't help but look back at Liana. My tears were even heavier now. I felt her pain so strongly, and she nodded, understanding the compassion in my eyes. I strutted towards Addie without hesitation and kneeled by her side, not minding that my pants were being soaked by this afternoon's rain waist.

She looked up at me. Her makeup was soiled down her face, yet she still glowed with beauty. She sucked in a large amount of air and glanced back at the ground.

"I don't want death to defeat another person I love." She managed to cry.

"Oh Addie," I whispered before we both grabbed each other. She sobbed on my shoulder as I gathered her hair together.

"Addie, Death will not be Rebecca's defeat. Even if she does die you know were she is going."

Addie leaned back to see my face. Her eyebrows were raised in surprise. "You.. You, believe…" She managed to stutter.

"Shh," I said placing a finger over her lips. I quickly kissed her before she could say another word and placed her head back on my shoulder. I once again began stroking her long, thick hair. Her tears leaked through my shirt and mine dripped down her hair.