Author's Note: A bit of Erik's darker side being exposed here...but I think it's important that Christine start to see more of the monster as well as the man. Hope you all enjoy it!
Christine had hit the last note when she realized he had stopped playing. Erik was watching her, mouth set in a firm line. Christine felt herself twist a little under his scrutiny.
"What is it?" She bit the inside of her lip, unsure of what he was going to say. He got up and took his chin in his hand. She struggled a little, embarrassed. "What are you-?"
"Chin up," he said, bringing another hand to her back, straightening it. "Your back has to be straight." His hand lingered at the spot between her shoulder blades. "You have no idea how your posture affects your singing," he chuckled. Christine glared at him and shoved him away from her. She brought her arms to wrap themselves around herself.
"Don't touch me," she spat. "Don't ever think you can touch me." Christine felt herself shudder as he looked at her. He sang so sweetly, I nearly forgot who he was, she shook herself. As he took a step towards her, she felt the color drain from her face. She raised a hand. "Don't come near me."
"Don't ever think, Christine, that you can order me." Erik's eyes narrowed and something dark lit his face as he saw her blanche. His anger clouded his rational mind, and something else entirely took over. With a swift movement he grasped her wrist and brought her to him, crushing her into him. "You don't understand your position here, so let me make it clear-"
"Let me go!" Christine squirmed but couldn't free herself. He shook her, forcing her to look at him.
"Let me make it clear: you live here because I chose not to kill you. Make me regret that," His eyes burned into hers now, "and it will be a very bad day for you." He felt a thrill as she shuddered in his arms. "Do you understand me, Christine?" He squeezed her wrist and heard her cry out. "Do you?"
Christine let out only a small whimper, trying to match his gaze. "Let me go." She tried to pry her wrist free. In response he gripped it harder.
"I've clearly explained the rules, Christine. You have no control over things, and it's useless and tiring if you fight me." He easily twisted her arm behind her back, eliciting a cry from her. "Don't make the mistake of thinking I'll ever let you go," Erik whispered into her ear. "You belong to me."
"Shut up!" She writhed, even though it hurt her so to do it. Christine knew she'd make him angrier, but didn't care. The pain and cruelty had pushed her to her breaking point. In surprise, Erik had loosened his hold and she yanked herself free. While he was still, she moved away and turned to face him. "You're a monster." She'd said the words, but could never have anticipated his reaction.
He walked deliberately towards her, mouth in a grim line. His eyes however, were on fire. They terrified her, and she took a step back in fear. I'm going to die here. She closed her eyes as he kept advancing, and soon she felt his hands grip her shoulders. But, instead of the iron he'd held her with before, his hold was somewhat...softer. She looked up to his unreadable expression, but only for a moment. Erik soon shoved her away.
"Go to your room, Christine." Erik looked away from her so she could not see him trembling. His voice was crystal, betraying none of his turmoil. He hadn't heard her retreat, and could still feel her there, so he slammed his fist into the wall. "Go now," he growled. To his relief, he heard her hurried steps, and a door slam. His hand shot up to his temple. She's a bother, isn't she, Erik? Tempting you, faking kindness so you'll let her go. What's the use in keeping her?
He pulled out the wire he always carried with him. Uncoiling it, he held it to the light. It wouldn't be hard. A little tug, that's all. You'd be free. Erik felt the wire, and for a moment could see Christine's terrified face as he-
"No!" He dropped the wire as if it were a venomous snake. "Damn you, I won't do it," he cried, gripping his head. Why not? Why prefer torturing yourself with her? His inner voice had stopped taking an angry and accusatory tone. Is it because you still haven't accepted what you are? You were never born human, Erik. "I know," he growled. Monster. Not the first time you've been called that. "I know. But we were very cruel tonight. I was." He laughed. "Isn't it for the best, though? Make her understand the gap between us." Make me understand it, too.
Erik remained in the den that night, staring at the wire. He fought with himself, hated himself, but woke up feeling that same distrust and anger burning deep inside him. He sat on the sofa and waited to see if Christine would come out.
Her fears validated, Christine had spent most of the night locked in her bathroom, but before that she listened with baited breath at her door. It was all icy silence and whispering, though.
"Damn you, I won't do it!" It was the only thing she caught through the walls. He'd said it with such force and anger that she'd decided it would be best to lock herself away from him.
The door locked behind her, she curled up on the bathroom rug and leaned her head against the cool tile of the floor. Everything in her felt heavy and she was immobile. All she could do was think until she fell asleep, so she did. She kept thinking about this man. Erik, he called himself. Saves me, then captures me, then threatens me. But he sings. She nearly laughed at her stupidity, her assumption that his voice and skill could compensate for his actions against her. It doesn't, she told herself, and it never will.
Christine felt all of this and understood it, but as she began to drift off, she remembered his face as he'd pushed her away. It was different from before and she couldn't read everything, but there was something she'd recognized. Pain.
A/N: Thank you all for your support! It means a great deal to me.
