Freakstar: I now accept all reviewers! But facepalm Spellcheck didn't catch that comm!

Goldenpuppies: They didnt forget...and conflict is coming, but not about that!

Invaderoperaghost: Thank you!

The pathways he led her down this time were not rough, but smooth hallways of stone. A musty smell lingered here, stirred up by their haste. Once they reached the end of the hall, Christine knew exactly where she was - she was staring into her room. Thinking he had tricked her, she spun on her heel and glared at Erik, opening her mouth to let out her anger, but his swift gloved hand was quicker than she - holding his hand over her mouth, he gave her his instructions.
"Go in, and layer a few dresses on yourself. No bags, no luxuries - just clothes. Wear as many as you can, but also be sure you can still run decently. I'll be waiting."
"You'll wait here - outside the two way mirror?" she whispered in horror. He let out a low chuckle.
"My back will be turned all the while." he said lightly.
"Promise?"
An amused smile tugged at his lips. "I promise. Now go; you have little time. Make sure the door is locked." he said, and even before she reached the other side of the mirror, his back was turned.
Feeling terribly self conscious knowing that he was on the other side of the mirror made her dress as quickly as possible. She put on her Don Juan costume - it was light and thin, easy to wear under clothing. On top of that she out on a long, flowing light black dress. Then, spotting a blue dress that was Meg's from her old wardrobe, she put it on, knowing that Meg's dresses were larger than her own. Meg would never miss it; she only wore these plain dresses before she became Populaire's latest diva.
After that, she tied her hair with a black silk ribbon and ran back to the mirror, where Erik stood, still with his back to her.
"Are you quite finished yet?" he asked softly.
"Yes."
He turned around only a bit, and held out his hand. "Come, we have much farther to go before dawn."

Brisk, chilly wind blew into Christine's face as once again they reconnected with the rest of the world. Much to her surprise, she saw that the sun was sinking quickly in the sky.
Just as he said, Erik had brought them to the stables.
"What now?" Christine asked softly, looking around cautiously.
"I took this fine stallion before; I don't believe they'll be missing him too terribly." Erik replied, stroking a black horse. Next to that horse stood a pure white one - Cesar, another horse Erik had taken once. Some how they had gotten it back - and in better shape than he had been before, though that part was kept silent.
"Come, it's nearing twilight. If we're lucky, we'll have night to cloak us in secret. Until then, we must ride hard and fast, not letting anyone take a second look at us. You'll sit in front - that way you can hide their view of my mask." He said, already saddling the horse with great care. But then he stopped, bent down, just about to fasten a buckle, when he looked up into her eyes. "Christine, are you sure about your choice? There will be no going back after we begun...unless I say it. You'll be under my control; are you sure this is what you want?"
Christine smiled. "You mean, this is the point of no return?"
Erik looked away, but was unsuccessful in hiding the coy, yet sheepish grin that tugged at his lips.
Slowly, ever so slowly, she reached up and touched his cheek, gently making his face turn towards her once again. In confusion he stared at her, awaiting what she'd do or say next. Staring into his eyes, she whispered with more passion than she originally intended to, "We're already passed the point of no return. Erik...when I said I love you...I gave you my heart. I meant it. I'll follow you to the depths of hell if need be."
"But my dear, you already have." He replied back, then leapt onto the horse with ease. As she slid into the saddle in front of him and they started a quiet trot, she was left to ponder what he meant by those words. She was riding with her angel that she knew and loved, yet, even if it was slightly still unknown to her, she was riding with a man that was nearly a stranger. No one, after all, could be an angel and a murderous man at the same time, now could they?
A chill ran down Christine's spine, though she couldn't decide if it was because of the night breeze or the cold thoughts that now dwelt in her mind.

Down alleyways and passed tall village homes they galloped at break neck speed, going so fast that the world simply seemed quite the blur to the sleepy Christine that bobbed up and down on the horse as she rode side saddle, nothing holding her on except her grasp about Erik's back and his own firm arm around her waist as he guided the swift horse. Surely they'd have to stop this, or the horse would be dead in a few hours, but still the continued on.
Christine looked up at the night sky. Oh, it was beautiful! Void of all clouds, the sky stretched out before her like a black velvet blanket, thousands of diamond like stars blinking, scattered across it. The full moon led the way, giving the horse a pathway for it's wild hoofs to gallop upon. Had this been a leisurely night, she would have deemed it the perfect evening. But this...no, this was far from perfect. Christine was fleeing everything she had ever known, every possession and true friend she had ever known...with the exception of one...
She glanced up at her angel's face, now all too real as lines of wary and fatigue settled in on his forehead and under his eyes. He remained emotionless and blank, as if this meant nothing to him; as if he was out for a stroll to clear his whirling thoughts, instead of being the target of a manhunt...a monster hunt. How could he stay so calm and poised at a time like this? What was he thinking of? Was he of clear mind, blocking all unwanted thoughts? Or was he thinking only of her - fearing what might be ahead, but hiding it as to not alarm her.
Either way, she wished she could ask him, to break the long silence that stood stiffly between them, despite the fact that they were so close to each other. Yet something in the way he looked made it known to her that she was not to ask anything of him yet. Not yet...

Christine fell asleep after not too long, and lost consciousness of everything that was happening, though she had a feeling she missed little. The next morning she vaguely remembered stopping to rest the horse by a river for it to drink. Christine slept on the tall grass during this. She remembered something covering her...a cape? Thinking it silly to presume such a thing, she shook her head, trying to clear the thought. But then something else dwelt in it's place...the angel that she once thought she knew...was he still in Erik? Hidden deep down?
Why did it seem he acted so cold and detached from her if just days ago he promised that he loved her? He loved her, that much she was positive of. But she could always spot that weakness in his eyes before - but now that seemed to be missing. Whenever she gazed into his eyes, they were blank, like an locked iron door that stood as a barrier to anyone who tried to see his emotions within. But why?
She longed to ask him, but even now she knew that in doing so it would be her undoing, even if she didn't fully understand why.
"I am surprised, Christine - I didn't know any woman could sleep as you did through the night." Erik said suddenly, extending his hand to help her from the long, soft grass that had served as her bed. She looked at him, frightened and confused. "Why? How did I sleep?"
"Heavily!" He nearly laughed as he said this. "Why, we made four stops last night - poor thing here needed resting badly after our flight. Every hour or so we had to stop. So, I'd gather you in my arms, slide of the horse, and find a soft place for you to sleep at while I built a fire to keep you warm. And then, when the horse was well rested, I'd gather you in my arms once more and ride on. Just once during the night did you stir during that whole ordeal. Have you always slept so sound?"
Christine blushed. "Only recently...I have been getting very little sleep - so when I do, I suppose I sleep heavily. Forgive me for causing you all the trouble."
But Erik just let out a hint of a grin. "Nonsense, my lady - a pleasure to serve you." He said, then walked away to prepare the horse while Christine wondered if that had been genuine, or of pure mock.