Chapter 14
Erik's Work Is Never Done

Erik was standing by the lake when Corrine appeared on the other side. She had been so badly beaten that her face looked unrecognizable. She stood on the other side crying with both her arms held out to him. She was pleading with her eyes for him to help her. He tried to go to her, but something was holding him back. He struggled to get free. Whatever it was that was holding him held him even tighter, and was determined not to let him go. Suddenly Corrine started to fade until she was only a mist over the lake. Erik screamed out her name, but the mist evaporated. Erik looked down and saw Alec standing beside him crying. Then he too faded into a mist and drifted away. The force that had kept him from reaching Corrine let go of it's hold. He turned only to discover that it was Christine that had kept him from helping Corrine and Alec. Christine smiled a wicked evil smile and pulled Erik away from the lake.

Erik sat straight up in bed. His clothes and bed sheets were covered in sweat.
"It was only a dream," he thought to himself as he fell back on the bed.
However, he had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach that something was desperately wrong. He could hear Alec laughing softly, so he got out of bed to check on the boy.

Alec had been awake for sometime. The music box was playing softly as he danced and twirled his toy rabbit around the room. When the music stopped, Alec spun around in circles until he dizzily fell to the floor laughing. Once he could walk, he'd walk over to the music box and start all over again. Erik just stood and watched him for a while until Alec saw him.

"Erik, come dance with me," He laughed as he tried to focus his eyes.
"Not right now Alec. I need to see your sister. Do you think you will be all right for a little while by yourself?"
"Sure Erik. I'm not scared to be by myself here."
Erik showed Alec where the food was in case he was hungry. Then he left to check on Corrine.

Erik looked into Corrine's room, and saw her sleeping. From where he stood everything looked normal. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Corrine sleeping with her back towards him. He was about to return to Alec when Corrine turned over and moaned. His heart caught in his throat when he saw her beaten face. Erik entered her room and knelt by her bed. The whole right side of her face was purple, and looked painful. Erik couldn't help but to cry.
"I am so sorry Corrine," Erik whispered softly to her.
A tear ran down his cheek and landed softly on her hand.

Corrine had been too sore to sleep comfortably. Every time she moved, she hurt. She had slipped in and out of sleep all night. She finally was able to fall into a semi-fitful sleep when she felt something wet on her hand.
She tried to open her eyes, but only one would open. She saw Erik kneeling by her bed crying.
"Is Alec here?" She asked sleepily."No, I left him behind."
"I'm glad. I don't want him to see me like this. It would upset him."
"Who did this to you Corrine?"
Corrine had fallen asleep, and couldn't answer him.

Erik stood for a few minuets trying to decide what to do. He looked in the wardrobe and found a suitcase. As Corrine slept, he packed it full of things he thought she might need. He then walked over to Corrine and carefully picked her up. Corrine opened her eye a crack.
"Where are you taking me?" She whispered.
"To Alec. Don't worry. I won't let anyone harm you. I promise."
Corrine rested her head against his shoulder and went back to sleep. It took some shifting and maneuvering, but he managed to carry not only Corrine, but also her suitcase. He put the suitcase down and made sure the mirror was shut securely.

"Erik, what's wrong with Cori?" Alec asked when he saw his sister.
"She's hurt and needs to rest," Erik said as he laid her down on the swan bed.
"Who hurt her?" Alec demanded.
Erik could tell that he was angry. Truth was he was too. He would like nothing more than to have the culprit hung for the beating, but not until AFTER he repaid them with a beating of their own. He knew that there was only one person who knew, and she was asleep.