Chapter Sixteen

DISCLAIMER: OK; I don't own phantom of the opera. Plain and simple

Meg came back with the doctor; but he waited outside; she wanted to see if Karen was with Erik or not. She was so Meg nodded as if she had told her something; and closed the door.

"Karen says she's feeling better. She had somebody cut the corset off. We no longer need a doctor. Thank you Monsieur for coming anyway."

Erik brushed some hair out of Karen's eyes as she lie on the infirmary bed; catching the breath she had been denied earlier.

"I'm just glad you didn't suffocate." He told her; caressing her cheek. She smiled and kissed him. The door creaked open; and Karen told him to hide behind the costume rack. Which is what he did; he hid behind the costume rack; and was able to watch and see who it was.

"Karen, Are you alright?" Erik saw it was Raphael who had come to see about her. "You hit the stage pretty hard. Do you have a concussion?"

"No Raphael." She barked. "I don't need you to come see about me. Your not someone I want to see; I quit wanting to see you after you left thirteen years ago."

"You still haven't forgiven me?" She shook her head.

"It doesn't matter anymore." She barked again. "I'm engaged to another-more loyal-man. I'm officially off the market to you." She saw something she's never seen in Raphael before; fire. He began to yell and swear.

"What the hell? I leave for a few years and when I come back your leaving me for another man?"

"A few years? 13 to be exact!" She yelled. But he walked over to a mirror and broke it with his fist. Shattering glass went everywhere; and his knuckle started to bleed.

"You know what? I'm glad your not mine anymore! Anyone who would want a woman like you must be either very desperate; or very stupid. Your a horrible woman!" He was so mad he didn't even know what he was saying. He knocked things over; and grabbed a knife from one of the drawers. He held it to her throat; but Erik came out from hiding and held his sword to Raphael's throat.

"Touch her and I'll kill you." His voice was hallow; and his eyes were stone cold.

"You are the man aren't you?" Raphael spoke smugly. "The one that has taken her from me."

"I've taken no one." Erik corrected. "You, Monsieur, left her.You lost her; and I found her. I have not stolen her." Raphael backed away from Erik; and got close enough to Karen to cut her before either one of them could make a move. Erik nearly cut his arm off before he grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the infirmary.

"I'll get you Karen! I'll kill everyone you've ever cared about so I'll be the only one left!" They heard him threaten. Karen held her bleeding wound and the blood dripped down her arm and all over her hand. Meg met them as they ran to the mirror. She had Iris on her back; and when she asked what was wrong; Erik grabbed her arm too and dragged her to the mirror. Once they were all in Christine's dressing room; Erik used his skeleton key and locked the door from the inside.

"Erik what's happening?" Meg asked again; Iris had her arms locked around Meg's neck and her leg with the cast was sticking out from Meg's side; while the other one dangled.

"Long story. I'll explain later; come." He slid the mirror open and had Meg go first. Meg and Iris climbed into the mirror and soon enough into the boat. Karen's arm was bleeding so bad that her entire right hand was covered in blood; and blood was running down her arm. Once at Erik's home; Meg sat Iris down on Erik's swan bed and returned to see him bandaging up her arm.

"What's happening Erik?" Meg asked again. Erik explained it all to her. How Raphael got mad because he and Karen were engaged; and how he threatened to kill her, Karen, and Iris. "My god. So what do we do?"

"Stay here. I don't know how long; but this will be the safest place. So you can make yourself at home until I can figure it out." Erik worked mostly on bandaging Karen's arm; and once it was done; he asked if he could offer them a drink.


They sat in the den; Iris was fast asleep; and they were discussing what would happen. Erik was going to keep them safely hidden until something happens that keeps them from getting hurt. Karen was the most silent; just drinking her tea and listening to Meg and Erik discuss what would happen.

"I've never seen him like that." Her voice was shaking; and so was her body. "He's never-His friends had always said-"

"Karen, I've been wondering." Meg brought up. "Why do you think he left your ex-best friend? If he had gone to the trouble and run away with her; what do you think..?"

"I don't know." Karen replied.

"Judging by what we saw tonight." Erik added. "He might have killed her. But we don't know that for sure." Karen was silent; with fear. Raphael was a determined man; if he made a vow; he would do all he could to make it true. She did not fear for herself; but she feared for Erik, Meg, and Iris. They would be hurt because of her; and she wasn't able to think of life without her friend, sister, and the love of her life. She excluded herself from the conversation; just listening as Erik and Meg tried to figure out why Raphael had come to Paris looking for Karen in the first place.

"I'm going to bed." Karen told them; setting her cup of tea down on the tray and walking out of the den and into the bedroom. One single candle burned; making a small light it the room. Iris slept on her back; because of her cast. Karen layed down next to her and closed her eyes; wanting so badly to fall asleep and make that night end.


Erik had gone back after they all were asleep. Madam Giry was walking through the halls looking for Meg and Karen; but when she saw Erik; she crossed her arms and refused to talk to him.

"Ok; I deserve that." Erik started; but then shook it off. "Look. Meg, Karen, and Iris are staying with me."

"Why?" Madam Giry asked; setting the candle down on the table.

"Because. Someone threatened their lives and I'm not letting them die. Meg and Iris are important to Karen, so they are important to me. Meg is your only daughter right." Madam Giry nodded. "So that should make a bigger difference if she's dead or alive. I'm protecting them."

"I want Meg here."

"Do you want her dead? If she stays here; she will be murdered. I'm keeping them until things change; until it is safe for them." Madam Giry hated having to intrust her daughter's safety in the Phantom; but as he said it; it sounded like the best idea. So she allowed him to guard Meg and the others.


see? if Karen and Erik weren't Engaged; Raphael wouldn't have exploded like he did. Just trust me :D