Author's notes: Well, this was a quick update! Caution: This is not the end, people! And I want reviews, plenty of them, before I update again! Mwahahahahah!

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Chapter 21 – the Final Plunge

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Any kind of pity, sympathy, or other positive emotion reserved for Raoul vanished from Christine's mind. She saw only the foolish fop that walked into the jaws of death and had done so needlessly. Couldn't he take a hint?

Besides, his hair could be only described by the word "abysmal" at the current moment. She actually mentally recited the lines Erik was saying just as he said them – they were the same.

"I had rather hoped that you would come! And now, my wish comes true! You have truly made my night." She felt herself yanked towards him for a moment, but she was so close that she didn't really lose her balance. Raoul continued with his semi-heroic ramble.

"Free her! Do what you want, only free her! Have you no pity?"

"Why Monsieur, what a passionate plea!" Erik mocked.

"I know – he's useless." Christine muttered, but wasn't sure whether Erik heard her or not.

"I love her!" the fop called again, "Does that mean nothing!"

"Jackpot." Christine muttered.

"I love her! Show some compassion!"

"The world showed no compassion to me!" Erik bellowed. Christine felt the urge to hug him, but resisted it, for the time being. Murderous Erik might be hot, but she didn´t fancy the idea of being used to went his anger.

"Christine! Christine! Let me see her!"

"Be my guest, sir." And Erik made a move towards the nearest lever. At that moment, Christine knew she must act. Gently but swiftly, she grabbed his hand, so he turned towards her.

"No." she said simply, "We have no time for games. Leave him, let us go."

Erik simply looked at her, but it seemed that he understood. From what Christine could read from his expression, he hadn't realized that lingering might put her in harm's way until now and understood the wisdom in what she said. Lowering his arm, he nodded only slightly to her and quickly went to grab the copy of Don Juan she herself wanted to take.

"But Christine…!" Raoul called from the portcullis, where he still stood, waiting for what was to come. At that exact moment, Christine lost her patience and took out the knife she had been concealing in the lower part of her skirts, since she didn't want Erik finding it and it was doubtful that during the performance, she would be rid of all her clothing.

She held it in her right hand like a dagger, and even Erik seemed to be surprised at this course of action, though he saw what she had done at the graveyard. "Listen, Raoul." She could think of no suitable insult, so she simply used his name. "I am attempting to save your worthless neck from a Punjab lasso, and I heard that being strangled is not a pleasant death. So leave before I make good on the threat I made when you messed with my plans last time."

Raoul wanted to say something, but then his eyes lost focus and he collapsed into the dirty water, quite unconscious, revealing a slim figure behind him, her fist still clenched – she had delivered a nasty blow to his head. This being the second one in the span of a few days, it was questionable whether he would suffer brain damage. Then again, there was probably no greater damage to make than the one already genetically present there.

Meg whipped her long hair out of her face and let out a breath of relief. "That takes care of him." She said victoriously, then looked up. Her eyes widened when she saw the lair in its full glory, but Christine wasted no time and immediately threw herself at the lever that raised the portcullis.

Realizing that time was against them, Meg sprinted through the water to the shore, soaking the lower part of her pants. By the time she set foot on solid ground, Erik was breaking the nearest mirrors. Splitters were everywhere, and some flew dangerously close to Meg and Christine.

Meg sidestepped to avoid one of the larger shards and grabbed Christine for support. But the other girl hadn't been expecting it and lost balance. If she fell alone, perhaps she would have been able to regain the balance. But Meg´s weight dragged her down. Erik turned at the sound of Meg´s surprised shriek and, quicker than the eye could see, moved to grab Christine's right hand, which was still outstretched, but he only brushed his fingers against hers.

The last thing he saw was Christine's beautiful face, surprised and unable to stop the fall. Then, there was a large splash of water before the blackness of the lake returned to the peaceful, glass-like state, undisturbed by anything.

At that exact moment when she touched the waters, she opened her eyes, releasing a pant as if she had plunged into the deepest sea, and recognized that instead of water, air was surrounding her.