Disclaimer: I neither own nor have any rights to these wonderful imaginary people...I simply love them!

Chapter 8: The Creature Stirs from the Depths

Erik

I knew she was ecstatic about the church. I myself could hardly wait to make her officially my own. I would not want her to feel shame and guilt at our continued physical intimacy, without the blessings of a God she firmly believed in. Besides, she was well aware that I would be most proud to make her my wife. Indeed, that had been my wish from the moment I had seen her delicate beauty, and heard the melodiousness of her voice.

As soon as we were settled in the town inn, we began to make plans for the marriage ceremony. We would first have to find the proper attire, as well as everyday clothes to move about in. My face presented a most immediate problem. I had no mask with me, and I could not continue to hide my visage behind the turban.

Two days after our arrival, Christine ventured forth alone, with the money that I had provided her, as Nadir had been kind enough to send Darius to my bank while I tended to my beloved's fever in his apartment. She had decided to wear my Persian costume, as she had grown tired of pretending to be a young man. The flowing robes were more appropriate for her feminine charms. She simply put up the hood, allowing her exquisite hair to peek out from within its confines.

She was gone for most of the day, and returned in late afternoon, laden with parcels, with which she was assisted by an attendant from the inn. When she entered our room, it became apparent to me at once that something was not quite right.

I am a highly perceptive individual, as well as an incredibly sensitive one, if I do say so myself. She did not have to tell me in so many words what had transpired as she had gone about, making her purchases. I knew her quite well by this time, being exquisitely familiar with every tone of her sweet voice, every delicate gesture, every expression that danced across her face. She could not possibly hide anything from me. Yet, she was. It was only later that I understood that she did not wish any untoward consequences to arise from the event in question.

She had, of course, immediately acquired an admirer.

I should never have allowed her out without the benefit of my protective presence, but unfortunately, it had been necessary for her to venture forth alone, due to my damnable face!

Ah, she was simply much too beautiful to be out in public on her own! Why should I have been surprised that another member of my gender had fallen under her spell?

As she entered our spacious chamber, I was immediately aware that something was amiss. She was not bubbling with enthusiasm, as she rightfully should have been. When she turned to me, her little nervous gestures were quite apparent. Most suspicious of all was the fact that she could not seem to meet my eyes, and there was guilt written all over her features. She abruptly turned away from me again, as she began opening one of her parcels.

"Were you able to find everything we need, my darling?" I inquired nonchalantly, as though nothing at all were wrong. I am, after all, a patient man, when it suits me to be so.

"Oh, yes, my love! I have also found a most cordial dressmaker who will be able to make whatever garments we desire. We must, of course, provide her with accurate measurements. I explained to her that my fiance had suffered an unfortunate accident in his youth, which required the use of a mask to cover his face partially. She has promised me that she will contact a person who specializes in such..."

"Christine," I said very quietly, stepping up behind her, and picking up her luxurious tresses, after which I tenderly kissed her neck. She shivered; whether it was from pleasure or fear, I was not sure. Perhaps it was both..."What is wrong, my sweet? Why are you so nervous? Tell me, please."

She turned around then, and finally met my eyes. "Why, Erik, whatever do you mean? There is nothing wrong at all!"

I smiled, although not pleasantly. It was one of my deadly smiles, and I saw the color drain from her face. "You are hiding something from me, Christine. I know you entirely too well for you to successfully keep anything from me. What is it? You must tell me. I cannot abide any secrets between us, as well you must know!"

She took a step back, bringing one of her hands to her face, as she let out a shocked gasp. "Erik, you are frightening me! Why are you looking at me like that? There is no need for you to suspect anything! You know that I do love you! I want to be your wife! What are you accusing me of?"

"I have nothing to accuse you of as yet, since you have told me nothing!" I answered, my voice rising, despite my efforts to avoid it. "You must do so at once!"

Suddenly, a thought struck me, and the fuse of my anger was lit. "You have seen that blasted boy, have you not? Ah, that is what you would keep from me, you deceitful little..."

"Erik!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide, and abject fear in her every feature. "No! It is not Raoul! How could you say such a thing? Did I not leave him, and run back to your side, just in time to stop you from killing yourself?"

"It is not Raoul!" I scornfully mimicked her, snorting in derision. "Why should I believe you, Christine? Have you not betrayed me before?" The anger was steadily rising, and soon, too soon, would be entirely beyond my control. I must get her away from me...

She began to weep now, her shoulders heaving uncontrollably. "No, Erik, no...I would not betray you again, my love! You are the treasure of my heart! Do not, I beg of you, speak thus to me! I love you! We are to be married! For the love of God, Erik..."

I was beyond reason. Trembling with fury, I turned from her, and whispered hoarsely, "Leave me, Christine! I may not be held accountable for my actions if you remain in my presence, and you know that I cannot venture beyond this room without a mask! Leave me at once!"

She sobbed in a fit of despair. "How can you send me away, Erik? Where shall I go? I know no one in this town! Why are you doing this?"

"Leave me for a few hours, Christine...I cannot tolerate your presence at this time. You may return after that. Please!"

I shall never forget her cry of anguish as she ran out the door, in great fear. I shall never forgive myself for allowing my irrational jealousy to cause her such terrible pain...

I was violently shaking with fury by now. I needed to let it out, somehow. Turning to the table where she had deposited the parcels, I brought my fist down upon it with all the terrible strength I possessed. The table split in two, scattering the packages on the floor. When, I bellowed, would I ever be loved for myself alone? Picking up one of the two halves of the table, I flung it violently against one of the walls of the room. The roaring rage filled me with a sense of awesome power. I felt myself becoming consumed by a mad hatred for the entire human race, beginning with a certain faithless soprano...I looked about, panting, for something else to destroy. My eyes fell upon the bed, on which Christine's silver brush lay, with a few of her hairs caught in its bristles. I walked over to the bed, and picked it up, intending to fling it agaisnt the wall, as well. As my fingers closed upon it, however, her delicate scent soflty assaulted my senses. Instead of flinging it from me, I brought it up to my nose, closing my eyes in ecstasy as I deeply inhaled the faint perfume. I suddenly sank to the floor, overcome with the greatest anguish. I began to sob, deep, tearing sobs that came from the depths of my being. My God, what had I done? I had finally succeeded in winning the woman whose love meant my very life, and, in a few moments of madness, had destroyed our happiness! I sobbed and sobbed, unable to stop, until at last, my tears subsided. I rested my head on the floor, utterly spent.

After a few moments, I raised my head, taking a deep, calming breath. I lifted up a prayer to that God I had such difficulty believing in, and promised Him that I would do anything for Him, anything at all, if I could bring my beloved back and repair the damage I had inflicted upon her. I prayed with all the earnestness of a man desperately in love, willing to move heaven and earth to atone for his terrible mistake. How could I have accused my sweet Christine of any wrongdoing? Did I not have proof of her faithful devotion to me?

After taking another deep breath, I came to a firm decision. Mask or no mask, I would go out and seek her, and bring her back. I would make it up to her. I would plead with her, promising never to allow my anger to get the better of me again...

With firm resolve, I arose, and cast about for clothes. As she had been wearing my Persian costume, I knew I must find other attire, as the men's clothing she had arrived in would, of course, not fit my much larger frame. They had, in fact, belonged to Darius, who was of short stature. I ran about the room, ransacking the armoires and dresser drawers. There was nothing to be found in them! Then I thought of the parcels she had brought back. Surely there must be an article of clothing in one of them. With two bounds, I fell upon them, tearing them apart in my frenzy. My efforts were succesful, to my deep relief and gratitude. I pulled a pair of trousers from one of the packages. They seemed to be my size. From another, I pulled a white cotton shirt. Simple, everyday clothes. My eyes again filled with tears. There were no clothes for Christine, although the amount of money I had given her would surely have enabled her to buy something for herself. It was quite obvious that she had given no thought to her own needs...

I could not waste my time, I sternly told myself. I must get to her, and quickly! It had become apparent to me that she had not returned the excess money left from her shopping trip. If I knew her, she must surely have attempted to engage a coach to make her escape from the monster that I had turned into. I must hurry!

Swiftly donning the clothes and hastily working on my boots, I ran to my pouch, and removed some money from it. Then I wound the turban about my face, and fled from the room, as if the hounds of hell pursued me...