2 days later
Christine walked slowly out of the other lair with a towl she had found. She soaked it in the water and ringed it out. Things weren't going to well right now. The phantom wasn't doing good, but he wasn't doing that bad either. He was able to sit up but he cant do much else without being so much in pain. Just a day ago a little fever sprung up. He might have an infection in his wound. Christine stopped, and walked back to the phantom.
She dabbed the cloth along his forehead and cheeks. She then tucked the washcloth behind his neck so that it would cool him down quicker.
"how are you feeling." She asked sadly. She had been depressed for a few days, and couldn't find the courage to smile.
"not..so..good. but…when I see you…I feel better." He stammered. It was hard for him to talk, since he couldn't breath well.
Christine felt like she was going to cry again but she had to hold it back, she didn't want to worry the phantom with her thoughts of him dieing.
"well that doesn't count, you have to get better! You just have too ok! I cant loose you, I cant!" Christine cried, tears began running down her cheeks. She couldn't hide her emotion right now.
The phantom looked at her, "listen to me Christine. You know that I love you, and no matter what happens to me, I always will. I promise you that. I don't want you ever to feel sorry for me, because you…you gave me hope. Something I never would have had if I hadn't met you. So don't think any of this is your fault. I love you so much. And…as long as your mine, and not raouls…." He said. Christine didn't know what to say, she bent down and hugged him.
The phantom let out a phlemy cough. That's when Christine noticed how cold it was down there. The candles were lit but that didn't help. And that was causing him to get even sicker. Dark circles were forming under his eyes, his once tan skin was becoming paler as he grew sicker. His eyes almost looked lifeless. But he was hanging on, and the only thing he was hanging on for was Christine. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed him shaking.
Christine took the blanket and covered him up ferther, it didn't seem to help.
"don't…don't worry about me." His teeth chattered as he talked. " I'll be ok, get yourself warm, please." He said.
"no, you come first. Your to sick right now. I have to take care of you." She said back, with a worried look on her face.
She thought of a solution. She uncovered him, got into the bed, and covered them back up, she held the phantom close to her. She rubbed his arms to get them warmed up. She kissed his cheek, and took the washcloth out from behind his neck. The phantom soon fell asleep with Christine holding him tight and keeping him warm…..
the next morning
Christine woke suddenly. She looked over at erik. He was still sleeping, she was beginning to get worried. His face was paler, and his cheeks were still burning with fever. She got out of bed slowly to get another wash clothe. She rang it out, and walked over to his bedside. She dabbed it gently over his forehead and cheeks. He woke up. His eyes opened slowly and gently. He looked her in the eyes and said. " Christine…..i love……you."
Christine's eyes began to water… "I love you too eric. I think we should take your mask off…it might help you cool off a little." She said as she gently took the mask off his face. He flinched as she did so, still thinking she would think him to be an ugly monster. But she didn't say anything, to her, he was the most handsome man in the world.
Christine was scared to death, she feared losing him. He was the only thing that truly was making her happy, and with out him, she wouldn't want to live. "how are you feeling today?" she asked warmly staring him straight in the eyes. "better…but…its..hard to breath." He said with a shaky voice.
"I need to bring down your fever, that will help you get better, quicker." She replied. Erik stared into her eyes, " im causing you so much worry…I don't want you to be worried about me, I will heal….eventually…don't…worry." Erik was cut off when he let out a loud cough.
Christine wanted to cry, she loved him, and hated seeing him like this. "im going to get you some water." She gently got up off the bed and walked down to the lake. The water was freezing. As she knelt down to get water, she saw a note in a bottle floating toward her. She grabbed it, took it out and read it to herself.
Dear Christine and Erik,
I am writing to apologize about what I have done recently. Please find in your heart to forgive me. I know not what I do. Sometimes I tend to act before I think. And that wasn't a good thing in this incident. Though this note is meant for apologies, that is not all I have chosen to say. Christine you must come back with me. I love you and miss you terribly. We are truly meant to be Christine. Not you and Erik. Think about it, what can he offer you? I can offer anything you wish. Anything, Christine. Don't ruin your life by staying with him.
With love and hate, Raoul.
Christine's heart sank…Raoul had a point. What could Erik offer her? She instantly thought of the answer…he offered her love, and his music. And that was all she wanted and needed. She felt the need to show this to him. So she walked into his bedroom and gave him the letter she had found. "this was sent from Raoul. Erik took it and squinted to read it. After reading it, his eyes watered. "Christine…he's right my angel. I have nothing to offer you. Nothing." Erik began to cry softly looking up at Christine.
"no that's not true. You give me all that I need. Your love and your music. All that I need. Nothing Raoul can give me that I would want anymore." She said while looking into his pleading eyes. Suddenly his eyes grew tense and angered. "go now! You cant live this life! You cant! You don't deserve a life of solitude down here with me. I don't want you to live like me, alone in the darkness…." He sobbed as he yelled. She couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth. Thoughts wirling in her mind, what was happening? He grabbed her hand gently, "im so sorry Christine…please go, live your life free of this solitude. Go now, but don't let Raoul find you. Take the boat, but swear to me you will sometimes visit me. But please…forget all you've seen. Go now, go now AND LEAVE ME!" he yelled. But he winced in pain and held the side of his stomach. Christine started to cry.. "I cant leave you! I wont! I love you so much! And your hurt, if I don't take care of you, you could…die.." she cried.
His face showed little emotion, "I'll be fine, im only concerned about your life! I don't want you to end up living like me! Alone, in darkness…just GO! NOW!." He looked away from her. She tried to find a comeback but couldn't think. She knew she must listen to what he was telling her. So she obeyed. "I'll leave…but I will come back for you. I love you erik. And I understand why your making me do this…" she cried as she kissed his cheek lightly. He looked at her… "I love you to, my angel of music, and I always will."
She walked to the boat and left.
To be continued….(