Chapter 3 "Down Once More"
Christine made her way into the Phantom's lair and on to dry land her yellow dress had turned a dark color from the murky water she had waded through. Christine was surprised not to see Erik at his Organ, she ran through the lair franticly trying to find her Angel. Little did she know that the Opera Ghost was watching her every move. He was hiding in a secret passage where no one could find him. He could see out of the hidden place but no one could see in. Christine searched and searched the stone fortress but no sign of Erik anywhere.
"Erik?" she called out, there was no reply just like in her dream! Christine gasped and fell to the ground. Tears filled her eyes. Just like in her dream her Angel had left her to live her boring life alone and without music. Erik watched the young women and wept a single tear in sympathy for her, but then thought to himself "This is what she deserves she made me weep for days on end she needs to shed a few tears for me also." Erik changed his thinking and decided to no longer hide himself; he could not bare to hear her cry out his name any longer. Christine's back was to him so he quietly slid back the door that isolated him from the rest of the world, careful not to give away his best hiding spot. Erik walked over to his former sweetheart and vowed to himself that he would not love her again. He rested his hand on her bare shoulder. Christine let out a small scream and turned to see who it was that had frightened her. When she saw the man she had been looking for her jaw dropped and her crying ceased.
" Ang . . . Erik!" She said happily as she hugged him. Erik did not return the hug; she had made him as cold and as stubborn as ever. Christine did not seem to mind that he was not embracing her like she was to him, she was just happy to be with her Angel once again. Christine let go of him and said with a cracking voice:
"Erik I am so sorry I hurt you, and you have every right to be angry with me. But I am so sorry, so very, very sorry." Christine remembered the night after Don Juan and the sad helpless expression Erik had with tears streaming down his disfigured face. But now when Christine looked into his beautiful emerald eyes all she saw was loneliness and betrayal. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable, because he had not welcomed her as she prayed he would, she looked down at her feet to ashamed to look Erik in the eyes. But he lifted up her face and made her look at him. His emerald eyes were so captivating Christine felt as if she could stare into them forever. Just as Christine thought this Erik broke the promise he had made to himself and kissed Christine. The kiss they shared was more intense then it had been a year ago. Christine leaned against the wall of the lair, not intending Erik to follow her, but he did. Christine had forgotten about Raoul and all her responsibilities as a wife until Erik started to unbutton her dress. Then Christine panicked and gently pushed him away.
"I can't I'm sorry." Christine said as she tried to catch her breath. Erik sighed and nodded then said:
"Do you want me to take you home?"
"No, . . .. My maids are home, and they would be very suspicious." Erik nodded as Christine got back into the water. Erik watched her walk until she got to the corner that would lead her to land. Before Christine disappeared out of his life again she turned to face him and gave the same, sad, angelic smile she had given him a year ago. Erik slightly nodded to show he saw her smile, and then Christine walked out of the water and up the stairs that would lead her back to her dressing room.