Through Erik's eyes:
I woke with her in my arms. The smell of her hair around me comforted my restless soul. I hadn't had a woman lay this close to me in my life ever before and this new experience filled me with a sense of wonder. After my dearest Christine had deserted me I was crushed and thought I would never allow another woman into my life, but that had changed the moment I laid eyes on this creature. She was fine featured and well built. Her skin had a milky tint and a completely feminine look to it which stirred an emotion in me that I had experienced only once before, with Christine. But it was her face that captivated me completely. Her eyes were a sky blue that reflected more emotion than I thought imaginable and her hair was blonde, like that of an angel. When she stared at me, I felt as if one of God's angels had been sent to condemn I, the demon of Satan. And yet, she called me the angel. It was true that I had saved her, no doubt…but I hardly gave myself credit, for I did not deserve any. I had been not too far from the stables when I heard her cursing and screaming at the man that was carrying her. In an instant I was in the shadows of the stable and could tell what the situation was. I remained silent as he began to undress her. It was when he was unlacing her corset that I couldn't stand it any longer. I feared to reveal myself to him, but having him rape this fine woman in MY Opera House was intolerable. I was next to them in an instant. Placing my hands around the mans neck and shoulders gave me the proper advantage to heave him off of her. I quickly moved out of her sight but remained within his view. She was stunned but quickly composed herself and redressed in a flash. She looked at him with immense confusion. His eyes remained staring dead into mine as he slowly backed down the corridor…fearing to show his back to me. I felt a sense of triumph and power at this. It was the fear I had witnessed throughout all in the Opera house during my reign. I had not lost my touch. She finally sensed that something was not normal and turned to search the darkness of the stable. I sunk into the shadows more, making myself barely visible. Then, after a struggle with my conscience, I revealed myself to her. The overwhelming moment of my exposure had been to much for her to handle and she fainted at my feet.
I could not and would not leave her there, but I also could not remain in the stables in case the man went for help and brought reinforcements back with him. I had no other option but to take her to my lair. I gathered her up into my arms carefully and carried her down a different corridor than the one that leaded out. Being barely visible and slightly dark, the corridor was a perfect disguise to what lay further in it's depths. My feet carried us swiftly into my magnificent home. Props from sets and countless candles I had pilfered from the scene shop gave the cavern I lived in a sophisticated feel. I laid her down on the wine colored velvet of my peter swan bed and let her sleep while I kept myself busy with insignificant chores. Something inside of me was urging me to keep a watchful eye on her and so ever few minutes I would find an excuse to pass my bed chamber. She remained peaceful for a long while. I grew worried with time and decided to put a damp cloth on her head in an attempt to revive her. Soaking the cloth with cold water from the lake that was the core of my home, was a simple solution. I placed it on her forehead gently and she at the chill that shook her body. Her whimper made me feel guilty but I was glad that she was conscious. I was watching her rest when she finally opened her eyes dazedly. For a moment panic and fear swept over her face. I froze in my own alarm. If she lost control of herself, I could predict what would follow. My attempts to calm her would only worsen her struggle. Eventually, no matter what precautions I took, she would escape, reveal my location to the police and I would be hunted down like a dog.
She attempted to get out of bed but I laid a firm hand on her shoulder, hoping that she wouldn't resist. She nodded and relaxed back into the pillows. I was immensely relieved and left the room to go put out a few candles. I thought it was best to lessen the light to make her more comfortable. The silence was suddenly shattered by her crying. I quickly went back to her. I had no idea what had upset her so…perhaps she was too overwhelmed…or perhaps painful memories had flooded her mind…I couldn't be certain. She was deeply hurt and ashamed of her weak sobs which made her refuse to look at me. When she finally did, I gave her as warm a smile as I could muster which only made her turn away and weep more. I was desperate to make her stop. Her crying was so pitiful and she was such a divine woman. I sang to her the song I once sang to my dearest Christine when she laid in this same bed. She innocently watched me and her crying was reduced to sniffles. As the music began to consume her she began to sing the melody along with me. Her voice had a beauty to match her looks. A deceitful urge arose in the depths of my soul and I suddenly stopped singing. She stared at me alarmed. I left the room in a flash and happily realized she hadn't followed.
NO! I CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME…NOT NOW….NOT EVER! SINFUL! TRECHERY! I could not love again nor let someone else love me. I could not deal with something like that. Everything about this woman had the promise of growing love attached to it. I could NOT let that happen. I would eventually and unintentionally hurt her more than I could ever bare thinking of. She was too pure and loveable to be broken as I would surely do. She HAD to leave. And the moment I went back to her and saw the love reflect from her captivating eyes, I knew how hard that was going to be…on both of our hearts.
