Rose Rouge

Chapter XVI: Rage

"Erik!" Christine went pale, watching as Erik savagely thrust open the mirror.

"I trusted you! I trusted you to treat me like a civilized human being!" He spoke, an angelic voice now seeming as though it belonged to the devil himself. "I believed you when you said you loved me! Clearly, I am no genius, my dear. For if I was, I would not have fallen for such a poor lie!" Erik grabbed Christine by the wrist and began to drag her through the passage ways. "And here I thought you loved me, loved me!"

"Erik, You-you were listening?" Her voice shook, realizing that Erik was a bit more than just mad.

"Please, please, don't be angry with me!" Christine managed to say. She fled behind Erik (or rather tried too, she couldn't quite walk as it was) until her feet tripped over one another, causing her to fall to her knees. Erik just stared down at her, coldly.

"Angry…angry? Why should I be angry? I've only found out that you still care for the Victome!"

"Where did you ever get an idea like that?" Christine trembled.

"Do you mistake me for a fool? Why else would you care if that Meg child attended dinner with the fop? There is only one obvious reason! Because you still care for him, you ignorant child!

"That's NOT true!"

Erik started walking away from her. Christine couldn't believe it; he was going to leave her in the catacombs. Christine was helpless and lost as it was. She would have absolutely no clue how to get back to the dressing rooms. This was too much! Erik was honestly afraid that he would hurt her if he continued to let his rage loose and become the untamed mess he used to be.

"Really?" he sneered. "Then would you care to give me an explanation as to why you were so upset with this dinner engagement?" Erik swung around to face her, eyes blazing with both pain and hatred, a deadly combination.

"I didn't want—"

"You didn't want what?" He spat, spraying the air with his saliva. "You didn't want what?"

"How would you feel? How would you feel if your best friend was having a relationship with someone you just want out of your past? Don't you think that I'd like to move on, that I'd like to start a new life with you?"

Christine's tears turned cold, dripping down her rosy cheeks. She continued to gain her courage back although trying her best not to yell. What couldn't he understand?

"Wouldn't you just feel awkward, having to see that person everyday? My life will never be the same. Raoul will be following me, watching me. Everywhere Meg goes he will go too. So I ask you again Erik, how would you feel?"

Erik blinked, somewhat taken aback by Christine's sudden explosion He blinked a second time, trying to realize her point of view. But all Erik could think about was that ridiculous thought that he had stolen her heart.

'What if she only fears my reaction to her going over and saying hello? There's nothing wrong with that…right?'

Erik bit down on his lip until he tasted blood. There was something wrong with that, very wrong. Even that simple 'hello' would be enough to drive a certain phantom off a cliff, and he was all ready walking close to the edge. No matter how much he tried to deny it, Erik would forever be a rival.

'No, she doesn't fear me. I know she doesn't…'

Christine had yelled at him, but did she really not fear him? Erik was having doubts as he watched Christine slowly crawl closer to his feet, as though she was only daring to arouse him and his undying anger, an anger which had been locked up and sealed away in a weakening cage for so long.

'I have finally stolen her heart.'

And the cage's door was about to burst open.

"I'm not a very good thief now, am I?" He growled, squeezing her hand again and bringing Christine onto her legs.

………

"Stay in there! Stay in there and don't you dare come out until I say so!" Erik pushed her into her bedroom and slammed shut the door. Christine's eyes widened as she listened to the clicking of locks.

"Erik! Why are you behaving this way?" She grasped the brass knob, banging on the door.

"My dear, this is how I've always acted!" He shouted from the other side.

"Why have you locked me in here?" Christine sobbed, cradling her head in her hands. "Let me out, Erik! I've done nothing wrong!"

Erik didn't answer as he walked over and took a seat upon his pipe organ bunch.

'…her heart'

He slammed his fist onto the keys and moaned.

………

I've broken another mirror. I honestly can't tell you why. Frustrated, I suppose. The pieces of glass are still strongly embedded within my skin. I don't want to bother in removing them. I'm just glad I've taken my rage out on the mirror, and not the child. I don't feel much physical pain anymore… physical, that is. I've muttered many curses in the hours I have banished Christine to her chamber. I only did that because I was afraid of what I might to do her if I kept her around me. But, I also didn't want Christine on the surface, for reasons we both know. So now that I've taken the time to consider what Christine has said, perhaps she is right. I wouldn't want to see Nadir if he had somehow manipulated Christine into going out with him. Although, I don't quite know why Nadir would ever do such a thing. I WOULD kill him!

Meg Giry, I don't know what you see in a man as distasteful as Monsieur de Chagny.

My hands throb a bit. It's become somewhat difficult to write.

Time to let Christine out of her room.

Erik

………