bows head in shame I've been a very bad authoress these past two weeks, haven't I? Just want you to know, it's not entirely my fault that I didn't update. Basically I just started university, and intro week ate a big chunk out of my writing time... and even if it hadn't I would have had problems, since I only managed to get the internet working properly this morning (I got it all set up and it literally crashed on me (and everyone else) straight away! Phhbtt... stupid thing).

So, sorry to leave you on such a bad cliffie for so long. Please forgive me and enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 26

"Have I caught you at a bad time?" Erik asked, his voice perfectly level, as if this were a perfectly ordinary phone call. For a few moments I could only breathe raggedly into the receiver, unable to grasp what was happening. I pulled the phone away… yes, the caller ID said 'Richard' quite plainly. Panic gripped my whole body.

"Erik?"

"Of course," he said, still in that even tone. "Why? Were you expecting someone else?"

"Erik, what's going on?" I asked, terrified by his strange attitude. What was he doing? What was happening?

"I was going to ask you the same thing," he replied, his voice now carrying just a trace of bitterness. "Or perhaps you should ask your darling Richard."

"Where is he?" I blurted out frantically, pressing the mobile hard against my ear.

"I wouldn't worry about that just yet," Erik told me, but this only made me feel more anxious, especially as I noted his use of the words 'just yet'. Oh god… where was Richard? Was he there with Erik? Had he been kidnapped? Was he…

"Is he dead?"

There was a derisive sound from the other end of the phone that chilled me. "Now what on earth would give you that idea?"

I was shaking all over as I listened to Erik's voice, quietly mocking me from wherever he was. It reminded me, sickeningly, of the way he had spoken to me when we first met, when his words had either been taunts or threats. Shivering at the thought of having to deal with him in this way… after everything that had happened and everything I had learned… I tried to think of why he was behaving in this way… why he seemed to have reverted completely to being that cold, bitter man who despised everyone in the world. What had he heard? Or seen?

"Erik… did you…" I couldn't find the right question… I didn't dare ask if he had seen Richard and me together. But, it seemed, I didn't need to ask.

"Do I know what's been happening?" he asked with cynical innocence. "Don't you remember? I like to keep an eye on you…"

He let the significance of this statement sink in slowly, and a lump collected in my throat and stomach, heavier than anything I had felt up till now. He knew everything… he'd been watching the whole time. And what had been going through his head as he watched?

"Oh god, Erik… I'm so – "

"Sorry?" he interrupted. "Yes… I imagined you would be."

The formality in his voice was almost worse than anger. I could sense it building up, like a great tidal wave in the distance. The guilt filling me up inside was almost unbearable and for a while I couldn't speak, my throat seeming to close up every time a word struggled to escape.

"Erik, please…" I managed, finally. "Listen…"

"No," he cut me off once again. "I think it is you that should listen, Mademoiselle."

He was calling me 'Mademoiselle' now. No warm familiarity left anymore, not even an echo of it… as if we were strangers again. But I didn't dare try to speak again in case Erik completely snapped. I didn't know what might happen then… what kind of position I was in… or Richard was in. I couldn't afford to risk igniting that murderous rage I knew Erik possessed. So I listened obediently, shaking from head to foot, as he began to speak again.

"Now… I want you to do exactly as I tell you. Pack a bag… just the essentials. And bring your passport. You'll be needing it."

"Why?" I asked dumbly.

"I'll explain later…"

"Erik, please," I tried again, desperate to get a word in here. The notion of what might happen soon was terrifying… it sounded as though he planned to whisk me away somewhere, carry me off… kidnap me. Maybe I could prevent him taking such extreme measures if only I could explain what was going on. After all… he couldn't possibly know that I was…

I shuddered. "Erik… listen, I need to explain."

"Yes, you do have a lot to explain, don't you," he said, the veneer of formality still covering his bitter anger, but only barely. "But first… do as I say. And then come to the woods."

The woods? Instinctively I looked outside. Dusk was falling, and to the east I could see the deep, unstoppable darkness creeping closer and closer. The thought of facing Erik in such conditions, with both of us in such a fragile state emotionally, was enough to set my whole body shaking violently and chills running under my skin.

"And Richard?" I asked, unable to keep the thought of him from my mind. Was he alright? Was he even still alive? I had to be sure, somehow. "Where is he?" I demanded, trying to strengthen my voice in spite of my fear.

"Oh, of course he will be joining us," Erik said, the anger more prominent suddenly. "But I'd advise you to hurry."

"Erik… don't –"

But I barely even had time to begin another protest before I heard the beep of the dial tone. Erik had hung up.

For a few moments I was incapable of movement, or even much coherent thought. I just sat and stared numbly at the phone in my hand, barely able to grasp what was happening. The ominous way Erik had said Richard would "be joining us"… the fact he was using Richard's phone… oh god, I had never meant for things to be this way. I'd never wanted to endanger lives, my own or anyone else's. But now… what was I going to do?

I stood up and, rushed and almost without thinking, I pulled out my small, overnight bag from the bottom of my wardrobe. After hesitating once again, unsure of whether to obey Erik, I finally decided that it would not be worth the risk to defy him. If he wanted me in exchange for Richard's safety, then I would agree. What else could I possibly do? Richard didn't deserve to die. So I stuffed a few clothes and some essentials into the bag, and rummage in a drawer for my passport. Desperately, I glanced around the room, wondering if there could be anything else for me to take… something that, even in this state, I couldn't bear leaving behind.

My eyes feel upon the little pregnancy test, sitting innocently on my desk, not far from a picture of me, my father, Paula and Joseph. I put the picture in the bag carefully, and then slipped the test into my jacket pocket before finally rushing out the door. It occurred to be, only briefly, to call the police. I might not want Erik to be turned in to the authorities… but I didn't want him to kill Richard or kidnap me either. Was it worth the risk? Shaking my head, I quickly discarded the idea. I'd just have to hope for some other solution, if there was one. Perhaps there was the smallest chance that some kind of peace could be made.

Even as I stepped out into the cold darkness, I doubted this was the case.

I ran in the direction of the woods, not caring, for once, if anyone saw me. I just ran desperately, thinking of Erik and Richard out there somewhere… afraid of one and afraid for the other. My heart was pounding violently as I made my way around the school buildings, ran across the rugby pitch, and climbed over a fence with my bag slung over my shoulder. I was in such a frantic rush I slipped and fell more than once in the long, damp grass. The knees of my jeans were soaked through and I was shivering with cold, my breath coming in clouds. But I still didn't stop until I was right at the edge of the woods, and then I came to a halt. I knew I had to go in, but what I might be facing scared me. I thought about turning back just once… then took the first cautious step onward.

Even though I knew they would be further in, I began calling Erik's name quietly in the semi-darkness. I could only just see where I was going, but the light was fading as I went further in, and as the minutes ticked by. I wished I had a torch.

"Erik?" I called again, even my voice shivering now.

There was the faintest suggestion of sound. At first I thought it was my imagination, or the wind, but I stood still and listened for it.

"Christine?"

"Richard?"

Yes, it was definitely Richard's voice and in spite of the situation I felt a surge of relief. At least he was alive, but as I heard him call my name again, I knew he was scared. I didn't blame him. I was looking in every corner for a sign of Erik, ready to jump out at me. I kept going, constantly on my guard, until I saw something move in front of me, and Richard's voice coming from the same direction.

"Richard…"

"Don't move."

The sound of Erik's voice made me stop dead in my step, and without any warning I was suddenly blinded by a searing light shining directly in my eyes. I covered them with my arm and squinted towards the source. I could only just make out a blurry silhouette, holding what I assumed was a torch pointed directly at me.

"Erik… I can't see…"

Abruptly the shaft of light was moved, and adjusted so that it lit up a small area, letting me see a little better. But when I looked, I almost wished we could be plunged in darkness again. There was Erik, standing calmly with the torch held steadily in his hand, the harsh light reflecting on the white mask, shadowing the eyes so they looked like empty, lifeless sockets. Even though I couldn't see his eyes, I knew he was looking at me intently. I could feel the power… the anger behind that stare.

But I soon became distracted, because close to Erik, no more than two metres from him, was Richard. He stood with his hands by his sides, but something about his whole posture was wrong. He was stiff and shaking… standing up on the balls of his feet. For a second I was confused… because he seemed to be standing about a foot over Erik, even though I knew he must be shorter, even when standing on tiptoe. It was then I realised he was standing on a chair… and that led me to a far more horrifying realisation.

There was a noose around his neck.

I looked from one to the other, back and forth, unable to grasp the situation. Finally my eyes stayed on Erik, who remained perfectly calm and motionless. I expected him to speak… to say something, even if it was only a merciless gloating or a disgusting bribe. But instead he just stood there, the black eye sockets watching me carefully as I took in the situation. I knew how well he could see in the dark… how he could see every expression… the utter horror in my eyes. But it was useless to pretend anything at this point. My hand went to my mouth as I thought I was about to throw up.

"Oh god… Erik…" was all I could muster to begin with.

"What's wrong?" Erik asked, his voice mockingly innocent. "Aren't you happy with the way things are turning out?"

My stomach did another sickening flip. I looked at Richard, who was deathly pale in the light, and staring at me imploringly. God knows what he expected me to do, but, for his sake, I had to do something… say something.

"Are you okay?" I asked stupidly, in spite of the obvious.

But to my surprise, it was Erik who answered for him. "Oh, our friend here," (he used the word 'friend' as though he referred to a plague-carrying rat) "is very excited. He has a rather brilliant idea, don't you?"

Even though he directed the question at Richard, Erik's eyes remained on me, watching every reaction. Richard, for his part, only looked more scared at being addressed by this man who, he now guessed, must be a complete lunatic. He didn't say I word, but his breathing became harsher. I looked at his predicament again. That noose was tight around his neck, and he already had to stand slightly on tiptoe to stop it from strangling him. Even though his hands were loose, he did not reach for it. Perhaps he had been given a warning… or maybe he was simply too afraid. All it would take was for Erik to remove the chair… no one would hear him if he managed to scream… not out here.

"Aren't you going to tell her your plan?" Erik asked, this time actually looking at the poor boy. "You were so excited about it earlier."

"Erik…"

"Don't you want to hear about it?" he asked me now, eyes once more intent on me. I wasn't entirely sure I did at this point. All I wanted was to get Richard out of here alive. But I didn't dare say I didn't want to hear it, and remained silent.

"It was quite brilliant," Erik sneered with blatant cynicism. "He was going to get the two of you transferred to another school… to get away from me. Obviously you'd have hidden somewhere first… missed a year of school perhaps but you'd have caught up eventually, I'm sure. And then you would have been rid of me. The… what was it you called me?" He looked at Richard again. "Psychopath?"

My whole body winced at the word. Insults would hardly improve the situation. I stared at Richard, who looked back helplessly, and I knew that it hadn't been a lie. He had planned all that… to take me somewhere else, far away. God knows how we would have explained the situation. Perhaps he had planned to speak to his parents. And how in hell would it have worked anyway? Erik wasn't that stupid… he would have seen through such a plan instantly. He had seen through it… and whether it had been the last straw, or if he had been planning this horrible scene for much longer, I had no idea.

"Erik…"

"Ironic, really," Erik, said, cutting me off before I could properly begin my sentence. "I had quite a similar thing in mind."

As the meaning of this declaration sank in, I felt as though I were going to collapse and my heart would give way in my chest.

"Erik… you can't do this!" I said, my voice hoarse from breathing in the harsh, cold air around us.

"Why not!" Erik demanded, whatever control he had managed to exert over himself slipping, little by little. "Why not? You would do it to me… betray me… hurt me. In fact, as memory serves, you already have done."

"I didn't mean to!" I cried, aware of how childish my words must sound. "I didn't want this to happen."

"But it is happening… whether you like it or not. A lot of things happen to us that we don't like, Christine. I know that better than anyone."

Shamed by this reminder, I lowered my head, fighting tears. No… there was quite possibly no one in the world who knew more of the world's cruelties than him. In spite of myself I began to feel a little selfish, having been so fixated on my own problems… and then my head snapped up. What was I thinking? I had been thinking of others! I'd been thinking of Richard… and Meg… even Erik. But there had been no way to keep everyone safe… no way to ensure everyone's happiness. But somehow I had ended up with the responsibility for everything…

It wasn't fair.

A bubble of anger… more potent than anything I had felt before, began to rise inside me somewhere. The more I thought about it, the bigger and stronger it grew… and when Erik began to speak again, it threatened to burst.

"Of course… no one cares about me and what I feel about things. No one even knows about me. I'm nothing more than a ghost… a shadow. I'm the thing people want to forget. That, however, is not the same for our friend here, is it." He waved the torch to indicate Richard, whose eyes widened at being spoken of again. "The perfect son… probably the perfect boyfriend… it'll be such a shame when they find him…"

"You can't kill him," I said stiffly. "They'll find you…"

"Oh Christine… surely you know me better than that. And you must remember what's going on here. An investigation? And who's the prime suspect?"

Another gesture towards Richard, and the meaning behind Erik's cryptic words began to make sense to me. Yes… Richard was a suspect in Charlotte's poisoning… but…

"They'll never believe it was him, Erik…" I declared.

"Oh no? And why not? After all, he had every reason to do it. He loved you… he wanted you. But you didn't feel very open towards him, did you… so he decided to do something for you. A little favour. Maybe he didn't realise it would turn you away from him, but it did. And then, when he found out you were interested in someone else… and that he might be caught by the police… that his future was ruined… really…" He looked at the noose around Richard's neck. "What other choice does the boy have?" In the light, I was horrified to see the flicker of a malignant smile on Erik's lips.

Listening to Erik lay it all out, the careful, calculating way he had worked all this out and, even worse… the way I could see this dreadful scenario actually being believed by everyone… it made was too much. The bubble of anger exploded in my chest, rose up my throat, and came out in an outraged cry that made Richard nearly lose his balance.

"How could you!" I screamed at the masked man, taking a daring step closer. "How could you? Wasn't it enough that you messed up my life? You have to ruin everyone else's too? He hasn't done anything wrong! All he wants to do is help me! If you want to punish someone, punish me!"

I felt Erik's anger rising to match mine. "You think you're the one who's being ruined here? Can you even begin to imagine what I've been feeling? Do you even care? Are you that shallow and self-absorbed? I had no idea you were so selfish."

At this, I did the strangest thing. I couldn't help it but… I laughed… laughed at the twisted hypocrisy of Erik's words. "I'm selfish? Me? You're saying that about me when you're the one who's threatening people's lives just because you can't get what you want. Just because you think I don't want to be with you?"

"Why not? It's the truth, isn't it?" he spat back. "You said yourself… I ruined your life. Ruined your poor perfect illusion when you saw my face."

Raising my hands to my own face, I uttered a cry that was half despairing, half outraged. I could hardly believe that, after everything, he still thought it was all about that one thing… that one solitary thing. It was almost laughable, especially considering the reality of how I felt and it made me feel as though the foundations of my entire self had collapsed.

"You're an idiot," I declared in a dead-weight voice that was nothing like my own. "You're so stupid… for thinking that…" A string of other words lined up to be spoken, but they all died before reaching my tongue as a voice inside me whispered… it's useless… just give up…

And then I looked up. And for once, Erik looked slightly taken aback. Perhaps it was my words, or the way I spoke them. Maybe he could see the beginnings of surrender in my expression. His head tilted to one side as he looked at me and, even though he tried to maintain the cold, distant tone in his voice, I felt his uncertainty in the air, and seized on it even as he opened his mouth to speak… my last ditch effort to get through to him. Now it was my turn to interrupt. Out of sheer desperation and misery, I blurted out the only thing I could think of to say.

"Erik… I'm pregnant."

Waaah! She told him! How's he going to react? Wait and see!

On a more serious note... I appreciate the input you've all given, particularly regarding Christine's pregnancy. Yeah... she's having a rough time, and that was actually one of my main arguments for not making her pregnant, because I did want drama, but not too much. However, as the authoress, I'll ask you to trust me on this one, k? We'll see how things turn out in the last chapters (There will be one more, and then probably an epilogue).