By the time that I got up the stairs, I had a very noticeable limp. Grasping the key, I seriously pondered how much better I'd feel without a foot, and unlocked the door to freedom. I opened it slowly, images of what would happen to Erik…should we be discovered…playing through my mind. The thought of him being hurt made my throat tighten, but I chided myself. Surely Erik hadn't thought of me in that way...

It was getting dark outside, and thankfully, there was no one in the ally. I kept away from any lamplight, leaning against the brick wall of the Opera house and listening. Hopefully, no one would come this way. My foot tapped on the cobblestone street, the sound echoing softly around me. What was taking that man so long? Surely the police would be arriving soon, and if they caught him…

"Anywhere you go, let me go, too…"

My foot froze mid-tap. Out of the two bends of the ally, the left leading to Main Street and the right leading towards the front doors of the Opera, Christine's voice came from one of those directions and was getting uncomfortably close. I listened, hearing a high-pitched giggle that made me sneer in disgust as I walked to the right, glancing around the corner. Christine and Raoul stood no more than two yards away, giggling like two schoolgirls, while intermittently sucking at each other's faces in something I presumed was a kiss.

"We're finally free," Christine laughed. "Now that he's gone...oh, Raoul, you were excellent…"

Kissing her, he smirked. "All I did was make sure that the body was in the right place at the wrong time. You, my dear, planned that kiss perfectly…"

I growled lowly, stepping onto the street to face them. Christine turned, looking surprised, but then stuck a sugary smile on her face, Raoul moving away from her.

"Meg, darling! Thank God in Heaven that you're all right. I thought that-"

"Snake!" I snarled, stepping closer. "Don't speak to me of God, vile temptress!"

Her smile cracked for a moment, a glare of anger showing for only a moment before that sickly sweet smile reappeared. "Whatever on Earth are you talking about? Raoul, she might be sick, I heard that she had the fever. We should take you to a doctors, Meg."

"The only one here that's sick is you, Christine. And YOU," Erik's velvet voice spat from behind me, "You sluttish fop! The two of you were made for one another, not in Heaven, but in whatever slimy pit that spawned you!"

Suddenly, I saw a flash of silver as Raoul's drew his pistol, and what little tolerance I had left vanished. My hand flew to my bodice, and I drew the letter-opener as I lunged at him, but I was slammed aside by another force. I regained my balance, ballet training finally becoming useful, and I faced my attacker.

"So, you fell for the beast," Christine hissed, circling me like a shark.

"I never fell for you."

She came at me, and I lashed out blindly. Raoul ran to her side as she screeched and retreated, blood gushing down her cheek from a deep gash. I clutched the crimson-dripping weapon until my knuckles were white, my entire body shaking with rage as I felt Erik take my wrist carefully in his hand, pulling me back.

"If you ever come near us again," I screamed, "next time it will be your throats! Anywhere you go, let her go too, eh? I curse you to Hell! Let the devil eat out your treacherous souls!"

I broke down into tears of pure hatred and anger, but by then, Erik had scooped me up and had me halfway down the ally. I could barely see the waiting carriage with my blurred vision, but I held to Erik tightly as he placed me gently on the seat next to him. I sobbed onto his shoulder, hardly noticing when he softly kissed my forehead.

"Driver," he said quietly, "to London, and hurry."