Let Me See Her; Be My Guest Sir
Erik's Eyes:
It was sometime near dusk when I regained consciousness, and found myself being cared for by both police and a doctor. Lazily I remembered that I was a wanted man and therefore must be under their guard. Although it seemed that they were treating me much too kindly and were more caring towards a 'murderer' than they should have been. I was surprised at how weak I truly was as I spoke to an officer that had recently entered the room. His traveling cloak still hung loosely upon his shoulders.
"Monsieur, why have these men treated me unlike the criminal I am known to be?"
"We, Sir, would gladly be rid of you and allow you to pass on. You are, after all, condemned to death for your crimes. Eventually you will have to allow your fate to take hold. It is true, however, that you saved an innocent woman's life… and that will be taken into consideration at a later date, but monsieur, we only care for you because it seems that the woman you saved is in desperate need of you. We pity her and the circumstances permit us to relieve her suffering by caring for you."
I was more grateful and appreciative towards Gabrielle in that moment than ever before. It was easy to notice the irony in me rescuing her, then her saving me in turn. My love for her grew with every strengthening breath I took. Numbness throughout my body had become the only comfort besides the thought of her, but the numbness would soon wear off. I needed her so very badly.
"Please…where is she? Bring my Gabrielle to me, Monsieur. Order your white horses and bring her swiftly to me."
"I have just been to see her." My jealousy intensified greatly at these words. The tone of his voice made me realize that she had been distressed and he had comforted her. My stomach lurched at the thought of his arm on her beautiful shoulders. How I envied him for being able to see her beauty when I could not. He continued, "but she has chosen to remain where she is."
"What! Why does she not answer my call?" My heart skipped a beat at the possibility that she didn't love me anymore.
"We have told her that you wanted her and she would have come gladly, but we all feared your health could be in danger by the stress of company coming to you."
"YOU HAVE PUT THOSE FALSE IDEAS INTO HER HEAD?" The fury inside of me was growing rapidly. How dare they keep her from me?
"We do not yet know if you will survive, Sir."
"DO YOU THINK THAT I WOULDN'T KNOW IF I WERE NEARING MY END?"
"But, Monsieur, we were only worried about your own well-being."
"IF YOU WERE TRULY WORRIED ABOUT THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW HER TO SEE ME!"
"NOW LISTEN HERE…WE…"
"NO, YOU LISTEN TO ME…YOU GO TO VISIT HER, AND THEN YOU DARE TO TELL HER NOT TO COME TO ME? GET THIS STRAIGHT, IF YOU ARE NOT OUT OF MY SIGHT IN THE NEXT FEW MOMENTS I WILL STRANGLE YOU!"
"HEY! YOU ARE A GUEST IN THIS HOUSE!"
"AND I DON'T NEED TO BE ANY LONGER…I AM FINE NOW…I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND YOU WILL IMMEDIATELY TAKE ME TO HER!" No part of me was in the mood for their games. I knew I would live and I wanted to go to Gabrielle more than anything! "GET OUT! IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO REUINITE GABRIELLE AND I GET OUT!" I made a threatening move that surprised even myself. The officers drew their weapons and pointed them at my chest. We remained glaring at each other, them at me, I at their guns. After a few moments they backed down. My body relaxed and I fell back onto the pillows, exhausted beyond all reason. Immediately, my eyes began to grow heavy and I could just see the officers mumbling to each other about my outburst, no doubt! But I was too tired to care and drifted in and out of sleep for a while.
It was pitch black when I felt rested. I listened attentively for any sounds of movement throughout the house and heard none. With a great effort I managed to get out of bed. The pain that flooded my body was unlike any other I had experienced before and It was very difficult for me to remain focused on what I had to do, but after visualizing Gabrielle, I was ready to face the journey ahead of me.
I slowly made my way out of the house and onto the street below. My instincts reminded me of my mask, causing me to press myself up against the buildings. Despite my weakness, I was still as sure-footed as I had always been. Years of slinking around the Opera house had blessed me with cat-like grace. Each step shot a white searing pain through my body, but I continued on. I passed a few landmarks that were familiar and comforting to me.
I began to notice the weakness taking over as I reached the stables. NO! Only a bit longer! Just keep going! But my legs gave out from underneath me and I slumped to the ground. I fought back the tears. I was so close to her…but my body…just cant make it. Sleep attempted to take control. I fought it as best I could but without success. I unwilling plunged into the dark silence of sleep.
There she was, in all her magnificent beauty, my Gabrielle. I ran to her at full speed, my legs as agile and graceful as ever. I reached her within a few lengthy bounds. She was in my arms crying out my name within that instant. I placed kisses along her neck and face as my affection and her love joined, as we held each other gently. I closed my eyes and felt completely content, completely loved and completely human for the first time in my life. My heart and soul begged for us to be able to remain as we were forever. I lifted my hand to her head. Her curls that hung loosely in her face, smelled of roses. CURLS? My eyes snapped open. Gabrielle had disappeared and I now held Christine. I let out a gasp that was more of a shout at my sudden change of emotions. I nearly cursed at Christine but quickly withheld the words. As quickly as she came, she was gone. After waiting a moment for Gabrielle to suddenly appear in my arms once again, I realized that I was now completely alone. And what a terrible feeling it was.
Dreams had never been my ally. After years of being alone with only my dreams as company at night, you would think that I was used to strange and heartbreaking dreams. This one was by far the most confusing and upsetting. It almost seemed like the appearance of Christine as an angel had aroused something inside of me that could not be ignored…a kind of deliberate obsession had rekindled. I knew she was dead, and I could never have her again even if she weren't, but I imagined this as kind of a test for me and Gabrielle. Bring on the nightmares, Christine…you have given me many since you left, but the battles over my feelings for Gabrielle, that YOU long to fight, will not be lost by MY heart. I noticed that the sun was awakening for another day. Dawn was upon me. Feeling my weakness return, I struggled to my feet and began stumbling down the corridor that led to my home…and the love I left there. One name echoed in the chambers of my heart as I trudged along, my feet barely making any sound against the stone. GABRIELLE!
