"Christine…"
I winced at the pain in Erik's voice as I came closer. My footstep echoed ever so slightly, and Erik's eyes flicked in my direction. Our gazes held for a single heartbeat, and I nearly weeped from the sorrow etched in his expression. Damn to hell this whole situation…
"Meg…?"
Turning my head, I turned my eyes on Christine. Everything in my soul turned to ice as she looked to me, confused. The wall of hatred and anger around me dissolved into calm, cool apathy, and I simply shook my head at her.
"You broke a promise," I said coldly.
She turned with a small sob. "I…I'm sorry…"
I walked closer to Erik, who had turned his eyes back to Christine and Raoul. Following his gaze, I saw Raoul mutter something Christine, who almost seemed content with the words, and turned back to Erik. Just as she was about to speak, I heard shouting from across the lake, and from another passageway nearby.
"They're coming," I said quietly to Erik, feeling my heart once again begin to hammer. "About twelve of them, with guns."
His eyes glanced to me again, before he turned back to Christine. "Just go," I heard him hiss. "Get out of here, go with him. Take her, and be happy…or not, as the case may someday be," Erik added with a low growl. "You both deserve that you get."
Christine's jaw clenched, and she slipped a gold ring from her finger and laid it down on a nearby table, none too gently. I saw the light of waving torches as she turned on her heels, casting me a dark look before Raoul put her in the boat with him…in moments, they were almost gone from sight. However…the yelling and screaming of the mob drew closer than ever. I had to act, before it was too late…