Chapter 17

"Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming

Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights

Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming

The goddess of imaginary light

I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge

The nightmare I built my own world to escape."

-Evanescence, "Imaginary"

Julianna suddenly awoke to the sound of screaming, and for once, it wasn't her own. She strained her ears, listening for another sound, to see if she was just imagining it, but she was quite sure she wasn't. It seemed far off, but she wasn't sure. "Erik?" she asked herself out loud. Another bloodcurdling scream pierced the air. "Erik!" she yelled, now fully awake.

She threw off her covers and raced to the door. Another scream broke the silence. That last scream, she noticed, was more pain-filled than the others, which were filled with just pure terror, not pain. She started freaking out. What if he was being attacked or something? Wouldn't she have heard if someone was in her house? Maybe not, because she was so tired.

Julianna yanked open her door with unnecessary force, and sprinted down the hall to Erik's door. She pounded on the door violently. "Erik!" she shouted. "Erik! Are you in there?" she yelled, continuing to bang on the door.

She was answered with another spine-tingling scream. She pressed her ear to the door and listened for the sound of other people in the room. She heard none. He must be dreaming, she thought. A nightmare. "Erik, I'm coming in!" she cried out, at the top of her voice.

She threw open the door and ran to his bedside. He was definitely asleep. That's why he didn't answer her call. Oh, God, she thought, noticing the dreadful state he was in. He was thrashing around, wildly, tangled in the sheets, and drenched in sweat … yet his eyes remained closed tightly, and somehow his mask hadn't fallen off. Does he actually sleep in that thing? she thought. It looks uncomfortable.

She grabbed his arms firmly and pinned him to the bed with her body, trying to cease his thrashing. Then she shook him forcefully and yelled, "Erik! Wake up!" He remained unmoving and sound asleep. She shook him some more. No response. "Good, God, Erik! WAKE UP!" Still he didn't move; he didn't awaken. Julianna leaned down and buried her face in his neck, taking in the enticing scent of her beautiful Erik. "Please wake up…" she whispered.

She felt him quiver slightly, and then suddenly his eyes popped open. He let one last final scream escape from his lips. Julianna could feel his heart thumping violently in his chest and his breathing, fast and unsteady. "Erik," she said, gently caressing his cheek. "It was only a dream."

"Julianna…?" he whispered, trembling. "A Dream?"

"Yes," she said, climbing off of him and sitting on the side of the bed next to him. "A nightmare," she said, massaging his sheet-covered chest.

He sat up slowly, tears streaming down his handsome face. She brought her hand up to wipe away his tears, but she stopped, and her breath caught in her throat as the blanket fell from the upper portion of his body, revealing his perfect bare chest. Then Julianna realized that what she was wearing wasn't any less revealing. Her close-fitting nightgown was so thin that it was practically see-thru.

"But it all seemed so real…" he said, sniffling and trying to dry his eyes.

"I know," she said, wiping a tear from his eye and pulling him into her arms, despite the fact that she was practically naked and so was he. Even though he tried desperately to stop his tears, he just couldn't seem to be able to. He cried into Julianna's shoulder for several minutes, while she rubbed his back affectionately, until he regained control of his emotions.

Even though he'd stopped crying, Julianna continued to hold him and comfort him, her soft hands continuing to massage his bare back. "That feels good…" he breathed, allowing a small moan to escape his lips.

The feeling of his breath on her neck was overpowering. She shivered and knew she needed to get out of there as soon as she could manage. "So are you alright then, Erik?" she asked, her concern for him showing in her voice. She really didn't want to leave him alone after his horrifying nightmare, but she knew she couldn't stay any longer.

"Yes," he said, quietly. "Yes, I'm fine." He knew she was about to leave him. But he didn't want her to go. She'd saved him from his hell-filled nightmare, and now he wanted her to stay with him to keep the monsters away if they should try to return. Only her gentle embrace could keep him safe. But he knew she wouldn't stay. Not after what happened between them earlier that night. She probably didn't trust him anymore.

"Well, I'm going back to bed then," she said, trying to sound tired. She really wasn't the least bit sleepy. His warm, half naked body had given her thoughts far from those of slumber. He'd awoken the passion in her once again. She quickly got up from the bed and added, "I'm very tired."

"Yes, of course," he said, bowing his head in defeat.

"If you need anything," she said, walking to the door, "you know where to find me."

What if I need you? he thought. As she started to walk out the door, he realized he wouldn't be able to sleep without her. "Wait," he called out to her.

"Hmm?" she said, turning around to face him and gasping at the sight of his captivating, bare chest bathed in the moonlight. She quickly caught herself and looked up at his face. But it was too late. He'd seen her reaction to his exposed chest. He chuckled quietly and raised an eyebrow at her, suggestively.

"What did you want, Erik?" she asked, trying desperately to hide the arousal in her voice.

"I was hoping," he said, seriousness returning to his demeanor. "Will you stay with me … please?" I need you, he wanted to add. I can't sleep without you, my dear.

She smiled, inwardly. He actually wanted her to stay, even after what she'd done earlier. She was a little hesitant though. The feelings he'd caused in her were all consuming, and she knew there was a chance she might lose control again. Just watching him sleep though, she thought, shouldn't cause any harm, right?

"You don't have to," he added, "if you don't feel comfortable." He could sense her uneasiness about the situation, and he didn't want to make here any more distressed.

"You and I both know I shouldn't…" she started.

"I understand," he said, disheartened. He could feel tears forming in his eyes, but he strongly refused to let them fall. Why was he so upset about this anyway? he asked himself. But he could not deny the way he felt.

"No, Erik," she said, surrendering her last chance at getting away. "I'll stay." She smiled. "Just because I shouldn't stay, doesn't mean I'm not going to … doesn't mean I don't want to." She knew it was a mistake being in the same room as him for a whole night, but he wanted her to stay. How could she refuse?

Erik's eyes lit up, relieved that she was going to stay. Ever since he'd been rescued from the prison, she'd been there to comfort him at night. He remembered he'd had many terror-filled nightmares during his time in the prison. But he never really cared or even noticed much. He'd lost the very desire to live. Not even the most horrifying nightmare could bring his soul back to him. He knew he was weak, and he hated himself for it. He always was a fool for love. Love can make you or it can break you. It can raise you up or it can burn you down. Love it not a kind emotion; it's cruel and merciless. Erik much preferred hate to love. At least hate was honest.

He was brought out of his cynical thoughts as Julianna walked over to a luxurious, velvet chair and sat down. Though she longed for a nice, warm bed to sleep in, she cared more for Erik than her own pathetic needs.

Erik looked at her, affectionately. "That's not what I meant…" he said, throwing off his covers and walking over to her. "Do you expect me to allow you to sleep in that dreadful chair?" he asked, tenderly. "The bed is big enough to share, if you want," he said, extending his hand to her. He could tell she was reluctant. "Please," he said, pleading with her. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

She cautiously accepted his extended hand. He led her to the bed, and gently helped her under the covers. "Thank you, Erik," she whispered. She was reluctant to make any physical contact with him. She'd slept with him before, yes, but never in a bed. Sharing a bed with a man is much different than just sleeping with him. It involves a certain level of commitment, and Julianna didn't know if she was ready to give up a piece of her heart to Erik… yet.

Even though they weren't touching, she could still feel his warmth and hear the comforting sound of his steady breathing, making her forget all of her uncertainties. She looked over at him, realizing he was still awake. She saw the mask on his face and again wondered if it was uncomfortable to sleep in.

"Erik," Julianna asked, gazing into his vivid, blue eyes. "Why do you sleep in your mask?"

"Why do you think?" he replied, defensively.

"Isn't it uncomfortable?" she asked, as innocently as she could.

"A little," he admitted. "But I'm used to it."

"Can I take it off?" she asked, timidly. She knew very well how defensive he was of his face. She had no intention of making him angry. That was the last thing she wanted. He frightened her when he was angry.

"Wha-…No!" he said, finally registering what she meant.

"Why not?" she asked, defiantly. She tried to stroke his cheek but he turned away from her. When he refused to respond to her question, she pulled her body closer to him, turned his face towards hers, and asked again, more forcefully, "Why not, Erik?"

"To spare you the pain of having to look upon my face, my dear," he said, glumly. "You've seen it… I doubt you want to again."

"You're wrong, Erik," she said, reaching up to peel off his mask, with or without his permission. She knew it would make him angry, but she didn't care. She needed for him to know she wasn't disgusted of his face, not in the least bit.

He grabbed her wrist, roughly, to stop her, in the process pulling her on top of his half naked body. Neither of them noticed. Julianna was too absorbed in trying to get that mask off him, and Erik was too busy trying to stop her. "Don't!" he cried out, frantically. Julianna deviously tried to get hold of his mask with her other hand, but he was too quick. He grabbed her wrist and rolled over on top of her, pinning her to the bed. "Leave my mask alone, woman!" he yelled, hysterically.

Julianna knew he wasn't going to hurt her, though. He wasn't really mad, not anymore. Just using his mask as an excuse to play around in the bed with her, and have some good-natured fun. She jerked to the side, making him lose his grip on her. It gave her a chance to roll over on top of him again. This time though, she sat on his bare chest and pinned down his arms with her long legs, leaving his head very close to certain assets between her legs.

He gasped and tried to get his arms free, but he couldn't. She was holding him down too tightly. "Ah ha!" she said, gently removing the mask from his face. Suddenly, she became aware of the very sexual position she was in. "Oh, God," she breathed, rolling onto the bed beside him. She immediately noticed how hard he was breathing. Was it just because of their playful little tussle or was it from the provocative way she had pinned him to the bed?

"I'm sorry," she said, breathing rather hard herself. "I didn't realize…"

He reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and gasped at finding his mask not there. He immediately rolled over to his side so she couldn't see him. He didn't even realize that she'd taken his mask. How could he not have known? "Can I have my mask back please?" he pleaded, trying to catch his breath.

"Yes," she said, grinning. "On one condition. You have to let me see."

"You've already seen…" he said, crossly.

"I know…" Julianna replied, softly. "Please…"

Erik slowly turned, taking care to keep his eyes diverted from her face. He didn't want to see the looks of horror and disgust on her face. "Can I have it now?" he asked, feeling very disheartened.

"In a minute," she said, bringing her hand slowly up to his ravaged flesh. He gasped as her hand gently caressed his deformity. Then to his astonishment, she brought her lips to his gruesome face and kissed the distorted skin. After that, she tenderly pressed her own smooth cheek against it. He cried out in pleasure. What angel was this that could touch his face and feel not fear or disgust?

She felt him tremble under her gentle touch, which encouraged her to press her lips to his ravaged flesh again and again. He allowed a moan to escape his lips, and she continued to kiss his distorted face, tenderly. She finally stopped when she could taste his salty tears on her lips. She looked up at his tear-streaked face with hopeful eyes. "Leave it off, please," she said, handing him the mask, giving him the choice.

Erik grabbed his mask from her hands and brought it up to his face. He looked over at her pleading eyes and frowned. He reluctantly lowered the mask from his visage and placed it on the nightstand. He would give in to her this time … just this once. But he secretly knew he could never refuse her. She had done so much for him. Cared for him unlike anyone ever had before.

Julianna smiled delightedly and wrapped her slender arms around his neck. She couldn't stop herself from letting her lips brush against his deformed cheek one last time. He closed his eyes in pleasure. He never imagined something so simple could give him so much pleasure.

He wrapped his elegant arms around her body, and pulled her to him. She eagerly complied. She longed for his warmth, more than she realized. "Goodnight, Erik," she whispered, snuggling up against his inviting body.

"Goodnight, my beautiful angel," Erik whispered, his lips brushing her ear. Before they knew it, they were both sound asleep, surrounded by each other's warmth.

Well, there's Chapter 17. Hope you liked it. Please review. : )