A/N: As always, thanks to my beta, Le Chat Noir
Episode 21: Revelations
By: Elektra
Giry Residence – living room
Erik was lounging on the couch against a small pile of pillows, long legs stretched out, book in hand, when he heard the quiet footsteps cross the carpet and stand beside him. "Hello, angel." He said, knowing who it was without looking up.
"Hey there. I'm looking for a place to hide from Meg and RJ's really loud argument," Christine said as she sat down beside him, reaching out to pet the small kitten curled up on his legs. "Kuroneko", he had called this one. It was Japanese for, quite simply, "black cat."
"What is Little Giry upset about now?" he asked, recalling that RJ was staying in the study, but was obviously currently arguing with Meg in her room – a room which Christine shared.
Christine shrugged, "He's not exactly Mr. Romantic, and Meg thinks he's taking her for granted."
"People take others for granted frequently. They don't know what it's like NOT to have someone…"
"Like you?" Christine asked.
"Yes. Like me." Erik replied, then glanced at her, placing a graceful hand atop hers. "I ask that you tell me if I'm ever mistreating you in any way."
Christine smiled, "I think I already did."
"Touché," Erik replied, knowing she was referring to their argument about Raoul a short while ago. "Sometimes I need to be reminded how... bitchy... I can be."
"And I'll be sure to remind you." Christine replied. She then nodded to the book now resting on his stomach. "What are you reading?"
"Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," he answered. "It is one of my favourite novels – well, the original version she wrote, not the many retellings," he added.
"Ooooh… read to me?" she asked excitedly.
"I'm already on Chapter 15. It might be difficult to follow."
"Let me guess - it's about this scientist who makes a living man out of human body parts?" Christine asked. She slid down to lay beside him, making room for herself on the couch. If she hadn't been so small, she would have no doubt fallen off.
Christine took Erik's arm and tugged it around herself, curling against his side as she rested a head upon his shoulder.
"Well, that's the basic idea," he answered, slightly taken aback by how easily the girl could curl up with him. Then again, she's made it very obvious she likes such things, he reminded himself as he thought of the night she had stayed in his room.
"There's a bit more to the story then that," he continued quickly, pushing the memory away. If that night were repeated now, he was quite sure his restraint would collapse completely.
He saw Christine waiting, and continued. "At this point in the book, the monster is lurking near a little cottage that houses a family he's grown rather fond of. He finally decides to enter the cottage and speak to the blind old father while the others are away."
Erik took a deep breath, and read:
"These amiable people to whom I go have never seen me and know little of me. I am full of fears, for if I fail there, I am an outcast in the world forever,"
"Do not despair. To be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate, but the hearts of men, when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest, are full of brotherly love and charity. Rely, therefore, on your hopes; and if these friends are good and amiable, do not despair."
"They are kind. They are the most excellent creatures in the world; but, unfortunately, they are prejudiced against me. I have good dispositions; my life has been hitherto harmless and in some degree beneficial; but a fatal prejudice clouds their eyes, and where they ought to see a feeling and kind friend, they behold only a detestable monster."
Erik stopped when he felt Christine's face press gently against his neck, "No wonder you like this book," she spoke softly, then gently brushed her lips against his pulse, feeling him tremble at the intimate contact.
She was pleased to see how sensitive he was to her touch and pressed her luck, slipping her fingers just beneath the hem of his tank top, skimming them gently against the scar on his abdomen – a scar, she recalled, that a fellow Ravelle student had given him.
Erik suddenly grasped her hand through the material, immediately stopping her attentions.
She lifted her head and looked at him, startled by his actions. "Christine…" Her heart leapt as she saw his golden depths darken, an untamed hunger in his eyes. "Please don't." He quickly looked away, and Christine's heart sunk.
While she liked that Erik cared for her emotionally, she was starting to wonder if Erik desired her physically. It had been almost a month now, and he still had not taken the initiative to kiss or touch her of his own accord - save for that first kiss.
Had she done something wrong? Was she just not his type? She was probably the only woman to ever give him some positive attention. What if that was all it was? What if he didn't actually want her?
After thirty-one years, what if he had built up some fabulous fairy tale expectations of a beautiful princess? What if she one day offered herself completely to him, only for him to find an inexperienced little girl a disappointment?
If this distance continued, Christine would start developing a complex…
Erik looked back to the book as coldness immediately came over his masked features. "I have to accompany Madeline tomorrow." He began suddenly. "And you mentioned that you would like to meet her."
"Do you want me to come with?" Christine asked as she brought her hand back to her side, trying to hide both her frustrations at his lack of physical interest, and her excitement that he was letting her into his personal life.
"If you wish," he answered. "It is up to you."
"I'll come." She agreed, then gestured back to the book, resting her head upon his shoulder once more.
Well… at least he let her do that much.
"Continue?" she asked.
He nodded and read on:
"At that instant the cottage door was opened, and Felix, Safie, and Agatha entered. Who can describe their horror and consternation on beholding me? Agatha fainted, and Safie, unable to attend to her friend, rushed out of the cottage.
Felix darted forward, and with supernatural force tore me from his father, to whose knees I clung, in a transport of fury, he dashed me to the ground and struck me violently with a stick. I could have torn him limb from limb, as the lion rends the antelope. But my heart sank within me as with bitter sickness, and I refrained.
I saw him on the point of repeating his blow, when, overcome by pain and anguish, I quitted the cottage, and in the general tumult escaped unperceived to my hovel."
Giry residence – that night
Giggling, Meg and RJ snuck into the study together, unable to keep their hands off each other. Their earlier argument had now led to the making up part.
"My mom, RJ! She'll catch us." Meg whispered between heated kisses, his fingers tugging at her shirt. "Can't you wait until we get back to school? Where I can sneak into your dorm room again?" she smiled. "It'll only be four more weeks!"
"You expect me to wait that long?" RJ exclaimed, "Besides, your mom is outside with my dad. They won't be back in for a while."
"Then Erik and Christine might see us," Meg protested as he made another grab for her.
"I haven't seen them all night. I'm sure they're doing the same thing!" He replied, pouting as she shoved his hands away.
"No, they're not. Trust me on this." Meg replied. "He's probably reading to her or something."
"Are you telling me it's been almost a month, and they haven't-"
"Yes." Meg interrupted. "That's what I'm telling you. You act like that's a shock or something." Meg then put her hands on her hips as she frowned at the man before her. "Unlike some people I know, Erik wouldn't pressure Chrissy into anything."
"Oh, here we go again." RJ muttered as he rolled his eyes. "I didn't pressure you!"
Meg scoffed at that, "Not much you didn't."
"Come ON, Meg! When did I ever pressure you?"
"Two weeks into the relationship, you started with the wandering hands!" Meg pointed out.
He smirked. "You liked those wandering hands, if I recall."
She opened her mouth to protest, but was prevented from giving an answer when the two heard a rather loud commotion outside.
"What on Earth!" RJ sputtered. They ran up to the window in the study and looked out, eyes growing wide at what they witnessed.
RJ and Meg saw two shapes - one female, one male – fighting with two more shapes. Both male. The female had… was that a cane? And she was using it to fight off the person before her.
Dealing with the person behind her was a middle-aged man with slicked back hair and neatly trimmed moustache. "Dad!" RJ gasped, just as Meg shouted out "Mom!"
The two quickly ran out of the study, racing to the front door – only to open it and find Firmin and Giry standing calmly beneath a tree. They looked disheveled, and a little dusty.
They raised their heads as their children ran out of the house. "Mom? Are you ok?" Meg cried out, running to the older woman.
"Of course, dear. Why would you think otherwise?"
"RJ and I saw you… out the window…" she furrowed her brow and looked around, wondering where the two they were fighting had disappeared to.
"Sorry, Megan… what did you see out the window?"
The strawberry blond exchanged glances with RJ, both of them baffled. "You… you look a mess, Momma…" Meg said.
"Oh, Meg. Surely you must know what it is like to be alone with a gentleman on a lovely summer night." Meg seemed unconvinced. "Really, Megan!" Giry replied, exasperated, "Do not look at me so oddly. I may be older, but it does not mean things are all that different."
Meg shuddered involuntarily at the sudden mental picture she had of her mother and Firmin. For a moment, she worried she would need to physically scrub the image from her brain.
"Ok, Momma." Meg began quietly. "We're sorry to disturb you then…" she took RJ's hand, and the two headed back into the house silently.
For the first time ever, Meg was quite sure that her mother was lying to her.
The question was – for how long and about how much.
Pareau Women's Prison– the next day
Madeline stared at the man through the glass before her. Why could he not just leave her alone?
"I hear you're being released on parole today, my dear," The Leader began, a small smile on his lips. "I would like for you to share your whereabouts with me. I promise I will make it worth your while."
"Stay away from me, Shay!" she hissed.
He paid no attention, "And you even managed to get our son to show up and accompany you. How ever did you manage that?" Madeline remained silent. "I only asked because I imagine he'd be the last person who would agree." He shrugged.
"Perhaps that girl is making him soft."
"Girl?" Madeline finally spoke.
"You didn't know?" Shay asked. "It seems our son has charmed some ballet dancer. I suppose he has more of myself in him then I thought."
Madeline had recalled some time ago when a woman named Antoinette Giry had visited her. The woman had mentioned something about Erik befriending a ballet dancer. Was this the same girl?
The Leader smirked coldly. "She's a pretty little thing. I would enjoy her greatly."
"Leave them alone, Shay." Madeline pleaded. "It may be his only chance for happiness. Please?"
"Only chance for happiness?" Shay repeated, "And whose fault is that then?" The Leader feigned deep thought. "Oh yes - yours. You completely emasculated the boy when he was a child. Made him afraid of women." He leaned forward. "Why, he hasn't even bedded that sweet thing yet!"
"There's more to a relationship than a bed." Madeline replied quietly.
Shay burst out laughing. "Now that… THAT is priceless coming from you, Madeline. What was your career again? Ah… a whore! An over-priced whore!" He stood up. "Never mind. You need not tell me where you'll be staying. I'm sure I'll find you soon enough."
With that said, he left the building.
Giry Residence – Meg's Room
"I know what we saw last night." Meg began as she sat with RJ in her room. "And it wasn't my mom and your dad getting cozy together!"
RJ nodded. "I asked dad about it… but he gave me the same excuse your mom did." He shook his head. "I get the feeling that there's something going on we don't know about. Even Christine and Erik seem to be in on some big secret."
Meg shrugged."Well, I expect secrets as far as Erik is concerned." She looked up at RJ, "I never told you this – but remember the rumours of a ghost singing and playing music in the Arts Building at school?" RJ nodded. "Guess who it was."
His eyes went wide. "Erik?" he gasped. "But… how? Why didn't anyone ever notice!"
"I don't know," Meg lamented. "But see, that's the thing – the way my mom and him interact, it's like they have this longstanding mutual respect for each other. I think Momma knew him long before me and Chrissy ever got to Ravelle." She ran a hand through her hair. "He's thirty-one years old, you know."
RJ seemed startled by that. "Really?" he then smirked. "So – Chrissy likes older guys then? Who would have thought it!"
"RJ! I'm being serious here! The point is, Mom never told me she knew him. Even when I first mentioned him to her." She glanced away, voice growing quiet. "Makes me wonder what else she never told me about."
Pareau Women's Prison
Erik stood with Christine staring up at the large dark building that loomed over them.
"Madeline is… here?" Christine asked. Erik nodded. She shivered slightly at the un-welcoming building. "Erik?"
"Yes?"
She bit her lip nervously. "Where's your father?"
Erik shrugged. "I came about while my mother was on the job, so to speak."
Christine put a startled hand to her mouth. To think her Erik was the product of a whore and her john. Life was against him the day he was conceived.
She slid an arm around his waist and leaned gently into him. He tensed at the contact for a moment, then relaxed.
The two slowly headed towards the entrance… and Erik froze, his gaze venturing to the right. He narrowed his eyes, his mouth set in a scowl. Christine followed his gaze, and saw him.
The Leader was walking to a waiting car.
He stopped, glanced towards them, and smirked before continuing on his way.
"What is he doing here?" Christine gasped.
Erik looked down at her. "I believe Madeline may know the answer to that!"
"She knows him?" Christine asked.
"He once taunted me about her." Erik shook his head. "But she denied ever knowing him when I confronted her. Lying wench!" He hissed.
Christine's arm grew tighter around his waist. "Hush, Erik." She began softly, "You shouldn't speak about your mother that way."
"You don't know what life was like with her." He explained. "I was only a child… but I remember it all very clearly."
She moved in front of him, both arms going around his waist now. "You can tell me about it later. But now, you need to deal with her face to face. Don't do it angry."
Erik took a deep breath, his arms remaining at his side. "Are you my conscience now, angel?" he asked gently.
She offered him a small smile. "I will be if I have to be."
"Then you will have your work cut out for you."
Madeline was being led to the gate by the guards when she stopped in her tracks.
Standing on the other side was her son, and a young girl with her arms around his waist. The girl was lovely. Beautiful, even. She was of petite build and height, her son standing over a foot taller than her.
Madeline watched the couple. He was looking at the girl with a tenderness that made Madeline regret her foolish career choice. Noman had ever acted in such a manner with her.
Had her son found someone to looked past his poor face?
No thanks to me… she reminded herself cruelly. I used to call him a monster, a demon. And yet, here he stands with this girl. A complete contrast to those names. Madeline closed her eyes, deeply shamed.
The TRUE monster, it seemed, was not the hideous boy, but the beautiful man who had fathered him.
Erik stepped away from his girl as Madeline approached them slowly, his demeanor growing cold and hard once again. The guards slid the gate opened, and brought her through, locking it tight behind them.
"Erik." She smiled.
"Madeline." He nodded in acknowledgement, mouth set in a straight line, his eyes betraying no emotion.
Madeline's eyes traveled to brunette. "Hello."
The girl held out an eager hand. "Hi. I'm Christine Daaé. It's nice to meet you." She smiled sweetly.
"Nice, is it?" Madeline asked with a raised eyebrow as she shook the girl's hand. "Obviously Erik hasn't told you much about me."
Christine glanced at the masked man beside her, then looked back at Madeline. "Yeah, he has. It's just… you're his mother. And I'm just happy to meet anyone related to him." She spoke sincerely as she released Madeline's hand.
Madeline studied the girl. Sweet, naïve thing she was. Madeline was quite sure she wouldn't be very happy to meet Erik's father, especially considering he already had less than honourable intentions towards her.
"Madeline," Erik spoke again. "Why was that man here."
Madeline blinked a moment. Had he just read her mind? No. "What man?" she asked innocently.
"The man who looks just like me," he said, eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me he wasn't here to see YOU. That would be far too much of a coincidence."
She went blank, mouth opening and closing silently. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She said quickly, then looked away from the imposing man before her. "I had no visitors today."
Erik swore under his breath, and Madeline saw Christine squeeze his hand ever so gently, a silent reminder to watch himself.
If this girl could influence him in a positive way, Madeline would be forever grateful to her.
Laramie Drive – that night
"Well, what is this great plan you claim to have?" Laura asked as she entered the Leader's study.
"I'm going to get his attention," Shay replied, leaning forward on his desk and steepling his fingers against his chin.
"I think you've gotten it already," Laura answered. "Unless you expect to kill him. I'm sure that will certainly get his attention."
Shay laughed coldly. "Ahh, there are ways to get a man's attention without resorting to physical violence. I told you, my dear, that was just a test of his strength." He seemed proud for a moment. "He's quite skilled, you know. But when he lets his emotions get in the way, it hinders him. It give his opponent the advantage."
"So what are you going to do then?" She asked.
He smiled coldly. "I'm going to see if he's still Mommy's little boy…"
Giry Residence – Backyard
Christine smiled proudly at her handiwork, the colourful lanterns bathing the Giry's backyard in a beautiful, almost ethereal glow.
"You need not have done that tonight," Erik began as he sat on the now-finished deck. "I still have to stain the wood, and that will take another day or two, plus time to dry.
Christine shrugged as she went to sit down beside him. "Not like I had anything better to do. And I'm excited about having a picnic under the stars."
She looked up at him. "My dad and I used to go stargazing a lot when I was a kid. He told all these wonderful stories about each constellation. Even the moon had it's own story. Something about a Greek goddess."
"Artemis," Erik answered. "Her brother was Apollo, god of the Sun."
She smiled. "I had a feeling you would know."
His voice grew softer as he took on the air of a storyteller. "Artemis's purity was such that no man was permitted to watch her bathe, which she often did during the full moon. Many woes would fall upon those who dared break such sacredness."
"One such man was Actaeon, son of King Cadmus," Erik continued. "During a stag hunt in the mountains with other men, he came upon Artemis bathing. In her anger at being exposed, she turned him into the very stag being hunted." He glanced at Christine and shrugged. "As you can imagine, things turned out rather badly for the boy."
Christine laughed at the bluntness with which he ended the tale and hugged his arm affectionately. "You know, we should invite your mother over before we leave for Ravelle next month." She said. "I mean, that is… if she's allowed to leave the halfway house."
"I would rather not see her if I can help it." Erik replied, his earlier light tone now harsh.
Christine looked up at him, "You should be happy your still have your mother, Erik. I grew up without one." Her voice grew quiet. "And when my dad passed away… I was so lost. I miss them both so much." She closed her eyes. "What I wouldn't give to talk to them again."
Erik gently grasped her chin and tilted her head up, chasing away the single tear that had slid down her cheek. "Christine… my childhood was nothing like yours. You say you wish to talk to your parents again, but angel… all that my mother ever talked to me about was how I ruined her life. That I was some sort of monster. A demon. That she should have killed me the day I was born."
He shook his head and let go of her chin, taking her hand instead. "We didn't sing songs together. She didn't tell me stories. We didn't go stargazing. So you'll forgive me if I don't have fond memories of my time with her."
Christine let go of his hand to tug his arm around her shoulders, her own arm slipping around his waist as she nestled against his side. "I guess I just can't understand how anyone could treat you like that, especially your own mother. She seemed so happy to see you earlier today."
"She was happy to get out of jail, Christine. I doubt I had much to do with it."
"Why not? You're an amazing man, Erik. Sweet. Gentle. Passionate. Talented…"
"Temperamental. Possessive. Violent…" Erik added, then paused. "Dangerous."
Christine could not dispute his assessment of himself. He was all these things.
She only wished that he would recognize he was far more than what he claimed to be.
Giry Residence – Madame Giry's room
"My Mom will kill me if she finds us in here!" Meg whispered quietly to RJ as the two went through Giry's drawers and closet.
"Don't tell me you never snuck into your mother's room before!" RJ seemed surprised.
"I did when I was a kid," Meg explained. "Mom caught me and made me do a full barre series with a heavy soup can in my hands. I was sore for days!" She shuddered at the memory. "Not something I want to repeat."
She knelt down to look under the bed, and something beneath the mattress caught her eye. "What's this?" She asked as she tugged a manila envelope out. She furrowed her brow and pulled out what was inside.
It was an email printout. Meg's eyes went wide as she read it aloud.
CC to: all hg. com
Topic: Important memo to all Hunters
Keep an eye out for this man
Meg noted the picture beside the warning. It was a man with ebony hair, pale skin, and golden eyes that Meg thought looked eerily like Erik's. The difference was, this man's face was handsome. Beautiful, even.
She continued to read:
Aliases: The Leader, Mr. Shay
Age: Unknown, but believed to be older then he appears
Known accomplices: Laura Ashton
This was accompanied by a picture of a beautiful, but pale blond woman.
Subject was last seen in confrontation with Hunter Erik at the Giry Residence, 564 Palmer Drive.
Subject is believed to control various Quarry. DO NOT APPROACH without backup.
Considered highly dangerous.
Immediately inform Guild Detective Nadir Khan of subject's whereabouts if seen.
Signed,
Gus Leroux
Head of the Hunter's Guild
Meg held the paper in a shaking hand as she looked up at RJ. "What is this?" she asked, her voice wavering.
"I don't know, Meggles…" RJ began quietly. "What have Erik and your mom gotten themselves into?"
"Meg?" A voice spoke from the opened doorway. Meg turned to see Christine standing there. She looked concerned. "What's wrong, hun?"
Meg got to her feet and held the paper out to her friend. "Did you know?" she demanded.
Christine was taken aback, "Know what!" she asked as she nervously took the paper. She glanced at it, and her face betrayed her.
"You did!" Meg cried. "You KNEW! And you didn't even TELL me!" She gestured frantically, "What IS this, Chrissy? That wasn't just any intruder that messed Erik up, was it?"
"I… I don't know anything about him. Just that he's bad news…" Christine protested.
Meg shook her head. "But you knew about this… this Hunter thing!"
"I found out by accident! I … I wasn't supposed to know about it either. But I got too curious! You know me!"
"No. No I DON'T know you! The Christine I know would have TOLD me my mom was involved in something like this!" Meg accused, tears falling down her cheeks.
"Meggy, honey… you don't understand. There's nothing BAD about it!"
"Did my dad know?" Meg asked. "Did he! Did he know about this?"
Another voice, calm and stern, interrupted. "He was part of it, Megan. Your father was a good man. He died in the line of duty."
Meg looked to see her mother and Firmin standing a few feet away from Christine. "Momma…!" Meg squeaked.
"Do not take your anger out on Christine." Giry said as she came into the room. "It was not her secret to tell."
RJ looked up at Firmin. "Dad? Are you involved too?"
Firmin took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, RJ. I couldn't tell you. We are sworn to secrecy."
"And mom?" RJ asked.
Firmin shook his head. "It was one of the reasons she divorced me. I couldn't tell her either. It strained our relationship."
"If it's such a big secret, why did Erik tell Chrissy!" Meg accused.
"He didn't." Christine finally spoke again. "Not… not intentionally. He never meant for me to find out."
Meg just shook her head, then ran out of the room, and out of the house.
"Meg! Meggy!" Christine shouted, and immediately chased after her best friend.
Erik's Room – late that night
Christine knocked quietly on Erik's door. It was late, and everyone was asleep. Except for her, having spent the last few hours trying to calm down her distraught friend.
"Erik?" Christine asked as she stepped into the room quietly. "You awake?"
"Yes. This time." He answered. "Keep the light off." Christine's hand stopped reaching for the switch. "Close the door, please." She nodded, and did so. And waited.
"Um… aren't you going to put on a lamp?" she asked.
"I am not wearing my mask," he answered.
"But…" Christine wanted to protest. Why was he still so worried about her seeing his face? She decided to let it pass - this time. "I talked to Meg-" Christine stopped, gasping when she saw a pair of glowing orbs in the darkness. She silently admonished herself. "Which kitty is in here?" she asked, for surely those were cats eyes she was seeing.
"None. They are sleeping on the couch in the living room." He paused. "Why are you looking at me so oddly, Christine?"
"Looking at you?" She then realized. "Those are YOUR eyes!" She reached her hands out and went towards the orbs, her fingers soon finding warm skin and a firm chest in their immediate vicinity. She grasped strong shoulders to pull herself closer, wanting to get a better look. "Erik, that's so cool! Your eyes glow."
Christine pressed her luck and blindly slid her hands up to brush his bared face. The feel of his exposed features was something she could never mistake. It was rather… distinct.
Her heart pounded with excitement, realizing she was alone in the dark with him. She pressed herself closer, hoping he would put his arms around her.
Alas, she was disappointed.
Christine tried not to show it as she gently tilted his face down, longing to end the distance between them…
"How is Little Giry?" Erik asked suddenly, interrupting the moment.
"What?" Christine was taken aback by his question.
"You said you talked to her. I heard what happened earlier tonight." He said, stepping away from Christine and causing her hands to drop back to her sides.
"She… she's sleeping now," Christine fought back the urge to scream at the way he was avoiding contact. "I talked to her earlier. Explained things. I told her about everything." She paused. "Almost everything. She doesn't need to know about the Executioner… or our run-ins with Laura."
"Good." He answered, then she watched the glowing eyes lower, realizing Erik had gone back to sit on his bed. "You should head off to sleep."
Christine slowly walked towards the orbs, until she was sure she was in front of him. "Can I at least have a hug first?" she asked.
It took a few moments, but she finally felt arms slip around her waist, tugging her closer to the sitting form before her.
She smiled as she felt his cheek press against her abdomen, hands moving up her back, fingers gliding gently over her spine.
She closed her eyes, leaning into the contact …
… and suddenly the grip loosened.
Within seconds, all contact was gone.
Christine felt cold.
For a moment, he seemed as eager to hold her as she was to be held. What had happened?
Why do you keep pushing me away, Erik? Do you really hate physical contact that much? She realized asking him these questions would be futile.
"Good night," she whispered softly instead.
"Good night, angel," he answered.
Christine sighed softly, then headed back to her room.
What had happened between that first kiss, and this night? He had left her gasping for breath a month ago, but now...
But now that he has me, he doesn't want me...
Christine entered her room and curled up beneath her blankets, feeling rather undesirable.
She frowned as she recalled her time with Raoul – at least HE had enjoyed touching her.
Mercy Drive, Halfway House
Madeline hummed quietly to herself as she finished unpacking her meager belongings. It was nice not to be behind bars for once.
As she continued going about her business, she felt a presence at her back.
She froze, dropping the shirt in her hands back into the duffel bag on her new bed.
She slowly turned around, her eyes growing wide. "No… no … please…! Why can't you just leave me alone!"
"I find you far too interesting to leave you alone." The silky voice of her former lover mocked her. "I told you I'd find you, Madeline. You should know by now that I'm good to my word."
Madeline wanted to speak, but her voice left her.
And then she felt it.
The darkness.
It seeped into her mind slowly, so very slowly. It was agonizing. What are you? He could hear her question even though she could not voice it. You… you're not human!
She screamed out silently, her mouth opened but her throat closed. How? How is this possible?
She looked up at him, not even sure how she had fallen to the ground. She shook her head desperately as she wrapped a hand around her throat.
What was happening? What was he doing to her?
Madeline was denied answers as the cold icy darkness utterly consumed her.
END OF EPISODE 21