Disclaimer: I do not own POTO or London after midnight... simply borrowed the
name.
A/N: I'm bringing this one back, going to do some editing to the second chapter but then It'll be back up as well. I'm working on ch3 so hopefully it'll be up soon too.
~*~
Paris after midnight
~*~
The night was calm and warm without a hint of a breeze, the perfect night one might think, yet the streets were strangely deserted. The lamps had long been lit but it was not yet so late that all the partygoers would have retired. It was as if this night had a silent warning to it, and that none should dare disturb its slumber. Even the stars and moon hid behind a shade of clouds, casting those areas not lit into a thick cover of darkness. The creatures of the night had full reign of the land now, taking advantage of their nocturnal senses, they were at ease as they stalked the streets.
Christine looked up to see the silver full moon just inching out from behind the thickly clouded night sky. It was beautiful she thought in an eerie way. It reminded her that there were some kingdoms that belonged entirely to the night and yet they could hold just as much beauty as the ones where the sun never faded. The Paris streets were completely desolate she noticed. Her eyes quickly fell from one object to another, trying to make out the deepest shadows but failed sadly. She had always been prone to being afraid of the dark and past circumstances had not helped matters. She wished desperately to see beyond the lampposts, as she did not trust what could be lurking in the shadows.
Continuing down the street, Christine became increasingly aware of her loud clicking heals echoing around her. It was not comforting to know that was the only sound she could hear, accompanied occasionally by a little splash of an unnoticed puddle. Finally Raoul's carriage came into view, only a few more meters to go and she would be safe with her husband, no longer alone in this perpetual darkness. She breathed a deep sigh of relief as she picked up her skirts to hurry towards it.
How foolish she was, she thought to herself; to have gone so far at this time of night and now she was nearly a nervous wreak because of it. She could feel her hands sweating as they tightened their grip on her folds, it seemed as though the lamps were growing dimmer with ever succeeding light. Her mind was playing tricks on her she thought.
Earlier that evening the happy couple got into a small argument embarrassingly in front of friends and as was their way, they simply would both take a small walk to clear their heads and return as if nothing had happened. But there was something in the air Christine thought, which just begged her to stay in the darks warm embrace a little longer than usual. It was almost as though it were leading her to travel just a little farther away from her husband, bribing her with its sweet moist air that filled her lungs with a youthful vigor.
Unfortunately as soon as she started to entertain her fears a wave of possibilities clouded her mind. She was only maybe a hundred meters from the carriage but in that time someone could very easily grab her, cover her mouth, and drag her away, and he wouldn't even know how close she was to being safe. She did not trust these streets when they were so quiet, something wasn't right about it. Her heart grew to a rapid speed as she picked up her pace. Silently she begged for her heals to stop disturbing the haunting silence as they struck the pavement again and again.
A strangest feeling of being watched filled her entire body and she clutched her arms tightly to her chest. Shaking her head she tried to rid her mind of the sound of her steps, which seemed to have doubled within her frightened mind. Doubled? Wearily she slowed her steps paying close attention to her every sound. She could have sworn she could hear two clicks to her every step, almost in unison but as she looked about her she could see no other person.
After taking a thorough look about her she turned to quickly return to the carriage. As she brought her body about, a swift gust of wind streamed past her side, causing her entire form to tremble. She could've sworn she saw something flash before her eyes as this happened but then it was gone. Bewildered and on the verge of panic, Christine ran the rest of the way to the carriage.
"Did you have a good walk?" Her husband questioned off handedly. She merely glared at him. Must be still mad, he thought to himself.
~*~
Christine's dreams that night were plagued with fierce nightmares but despite how desperately she wished to, she could not wake herself up. After a succession of terrifying episodes her dreams brought her back to that strange walk back to the carriage earlier. Everything happened just as it did before yet different. She felt more aware of a looming presents just beyond her grasp of sight. When the wind came she felt it sweep past her not as wind but more like a velvet hand stroking the side of her face, causing her head to turn slightly.
Her eyes went wide as she struggled to scream but no sound would emanate from her throat. She stared in horror at the flash of a face, or at least a set of features, which resembled a face before her. In a haze of white she could make out scowling eyes and vicious animal like teeth in a wide grin but then it was gone. The whole thing lasted no more then a few seconds but she felt that vision permanently etched into her mind.
Terrified, she bolted straight up in bed trembling violently. Sticky perspiration clung to her skin and night gown, chilling her as the air cooled her skin. Christine sat for a while, taking in her surroundings. Only a dream, she thought in an attempt to calm her mind, which still could not shake the image from focus. Slowly she brought herself back down into bed, burying herself under the covers.
"Christine is something wrong?" a groggy voiced Raoul asked. Guiltily she realized she must have woken him up as well in her fright.
"No. I'm sorry Raoul, I just had a nightmare." Thinking that was all, she closed her eyes again, thankful that she wasn't alone in the dark.
"Must have been some nightmare. You're still trembling." he replied concerned. Christine hadn't even noticed that her body was still shaking uneasily.
"It was. I'm sorry for waking you..." She was curling comfortably on her side when Raoul's strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to him. Clutching his hands in her own she breathed in his scent deeply as a generous smile played across her lips and exhaling only once she felt the back of her head resting against his muscular chest. She felt so safe with him, knowing he would always protect her.
"When it's by a beautiful woman, I can't really complain." He whispered in his wife's ear as she let out a small laugh. "Now lets see what we can do about that dream." He then let his moist lips trail from her ear to her neck where they continued to kiss her delicate skin.
"And just how does this help?" Christine giggled out, enjoying her husband's playfulness.
"By making you forget about it of course." He breathed quickly as he tightened his grip around her. His mouth continued its journey down and lingered around the base of her neck with its soft caresses. "Don't worry Christine. I won't let you live out anymore nightmares."
Christine's body stiffened as his reference flashed through her mind. The events of three years ago were not a subject they discussed, nor did she care to; the main reason being that he only could think of it as a nightmare. Angrily, she shifted her way out of his embrace.
"I'm tired Raoul, let's just get some sleep." She stated flatly.
Not taking the hint, he let his hand trail up her leg whispering, "are you sure about that?"
Annoyed, Christine gave him a firm "yes" and moved away from him. Dejected, Raoul mumbled to himself as he rolled over.
~*~
The next morning Christine found her self in better spirits, humming lightly as she readied herself for the day. Raoul was in the adjoining washroom as she examined herself in the mirror. A small gasp escaped her lips as she noticed a prominent red blotch on her neck.
"Raoul you rogue! Look what you've done to me. I'll be wearing high collared dresses for a week!" Christine exclaimed as she fumbled for some concealing make up. Raoul simply stuck his head out the doorway and grinned at his handy work. "Your impossible" she said as he turned away again.
Christine went back to looking in the mirror when she let out a horrified shriek, but when she turned the image she had seen was gone. It had been there, she was sure of it. There had been an image of a lady standing behind her with such threatening, piercing eyes, even if it was for only a second she couldn't deny seeing it.
~*~
Please R&R ; )
A/N: I'm bringing this one back, going to do some editing to the second chapter but then It'll be back up as well. I'm working on ch3 so hopefully it'll be up soon too.
~*~
Paris after midnight
~*~
The night was calm and warm without a hint of a breeze, the perfect night one might think, yet the streets were strangely deserted. The lamps had long been lit but it was not yet so late that all the partygoers would have retired. It was as if this night had a silent warning to it, and that none should dare disturb its slumber. Even the stars and moon hid behind a shade of clouds, casting those areas not lit into a thick cover of darkness. The creatures of the night had full reign of the land now, taking advantage of their nocturnal senses, they were at ease as they stalked the streets.
Christine looked up to see the silver full moon just inching out from behind the thickly clouded night sky. It was beautiful she thought in an eerie way. It reminded her that there were some kingdoms that belonged entirely to the night and yet they could hold just as much beauty as the ones where the sun never faded. The Paris streets were completely desolate she noticed. Her eyes quickly fell from one object to another, trying to make out the deepest shadows but failed sadly. She had always been prone to being afraid of the dark and past circumstances had not helped matters. She wished desperately to see beyond the lampposts, as she did not trust what could be lurking in the shadows.
Continuing down the street, Christine became increasingly aware of her loud clicking heals echoing around her. It was not comforting to know that was the only sound she could hear, accompanied occasionally by a little splash of an unnoticed puddle. Finally Raoul's carriage came into view, only a few more meters to go and she would be safe with her husband, no longer alone in this perpetual darkness. She breathed a deep sigh of relief as she picked up her skirts to hurry towards it.
How foolish she was, she thought to herself; to have gone so far at this time of night and now she was nearly a nervous wreak because of it. She could feel her hands sweating as they tightened their grip on her folds, it seemed as though the lamps were growing dimmer with ever succeeding light. Her mind was playing tricks on her she thought.
Earlier that evening the happy couple got into a small argument embarrassingly in front of friends and as was their way, they simply would both take a small walk to clear their heads and return as if nothing had happened. But there was something in the air Christine thought, which just begged her to stay in the darks warm embrace a little longer than usual. It was almost as though it were leading her to travel just a little farther away from her husband, bribing her with its sweet moist air that filled her lungs with a youthful vigor.
Unfortunately as soon as she started to entertain her fears a wave of possibilities clouded her mind. She was only maybe a hundred meters from the carriage but in that time someone could very easily grab her, cover her mouth, and drag her away, and he wouldn't even know how close she was to being safe. She did not trust these streets when they were so quiet, something wasn't right about it. Her heart grew to a rapid speed as she picked up her pace. Silently she begged for her heals to stop disturbing the haunting silence as they struck the pavement again and again.
A strangest feeling of being watched filled her entire body and she clutched her arms tightly to her chest. Shaking her head she tried to rid her mind of the sound of her steps, which seemed to have doubled within her frightened mind. Doubled? Wearily she slowed her steps paying close attention to her every sound. She could have sworn she could hear two clicks to her every step, almost in unison but as she looked about her she could see no other person.
After taking a thorough look about her she turned to quickly return to the carriage. As she brought her body about, a swift gust of wind streamed past her side, causing her entire form to tremble. She could've sworn she saw something flash before her eyes as this happened but then it was gone. Bewildered and on the verge of panic, Christine ran the rest of the way to the carriage.
"Did you have a good walk?" Her husband questioned off handedly. She merely glared at him. Must be still mad, he thought to himself.
~*~
Christine's dreams that night were plagued with fierce nightmares but despite how desperately she wished to, she could not wake herself up. After a succession of terrifying episodes her dreams brought her back to that strange walk back to the carriage earlier. Everything happened just as it did before yet different. She felt more aware of a looming presents just beyond her grasp of sight. When the wind came she felt it sweep past her not as wind but more like a velvet hand stroking the side of her face, causing her head to turn slightly.
Her eyes went wide as she struggled to scream but no sound would emanate from her throat. She stared in horror at the flash of a face, or at least a set of features, which resembled a face before her. In a haze of white she could make out scowling eyes and vicious animal like teeth in a wide grin but then it was gone. The whole thing lasted no more then a few seconds but she felt that vision permanently etched into her mind.
Terrified, she bolted straight up in bed trembling violently. Sticky perspiration clung to her skin and night gown, chilling her as the air cooled her skin. Christine sat for a while, taking in her surroundings. Only a dream, she thought in an attempt to calm her mind, which still could not shake the image from focus. Slowly she brought herself back down into bed, burying herself under the covers.
"Christine is something wrong?" a groggy voiced Raoul asked. Guiltily she realized she must have woken him up as well in her fright.
"No. I'm sorry Raoul, I just had a nightmare." Thinking that was all, she closed her eyes again, thankful that she wasn't alone in the dark.
"Must have been some nightmare. You're still trembling." he replied concerned. Christine hadn't even noticed that her body was still shaking uneasily.
"It was. I'm sorry for waking you..." She was curling comfortably on her side when Raoul's strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to him. Clutching his hands in her own she breathed in his scent deeply as a generous smile played across her lips and exhaling only once she felt the back of her head resting against his muscular chest. She felt so safe with him, knowing he would always protect her.
"When it's by a beautiful woman, I can't really complain." He whispered in his wife's ear as she let out a small laugh. "Now lets see what we can do about that dream." He then let his moist lips trail from her ear to her neck where they continued to kiss her delicate skin.
"And just how does this help?" Christine giggled out, enjoying her husband's playfulness.
"By making you forget about it of course." He breathed quickly as he tightened his grip around her. His mouth continued its journey down and lingered around the base of her neck with its soft caresses. "Don't worry Christine. I won't let you live out anymore nightmares."
Christine's body stiffened as his reference flashed through her mind. The events of three years ago were not a subject they discussed, nor did she care to; the main reason being that he only could think of it as a nightmare. Angrily, she shifted her way out of his embrace.
"I'm tired Raoul, let's just get some sleep." She stated flatly.
Not taking the hint, he let his hand trail up her leg whispering, "are you sure about that?"
Annoyed, Christine gave him a firm "yes" and moved away from him. Dejected, Raoul mumbled to himself as he rolled over.
~*~
The next morning Christine found her self in better spirits, humming lightly as she readied herself for the day. Raoul was in the adjoining washroom as she examined herself in the mirror. A small gasp escaped her lips as she noticed a prominent red blotch on her neck.
"Raoul you rogue! Look what you've done to me. I'll be wearing high collared dresses for a week!" Christine exclaimed as she fumbled for some concealing make up. Raoul simply stuck his head out the doorway and grinned at his handy work. "Your impossible" she said as he turned away again.
Christine went back to looking in the mirror when she let out a horrified shriek, but when she turned the image she had seen was gone. It had been there, she was sure of it. There had been an image of a lady standing behind her with such threatening, piercing eyes, even if it was for only a second she couldn't deny seeing it.
~*~
Please R&R ; )