Chapter Nineteen

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

"Erik." Karen called softly; searching the rafters and the dormitories. The Opera Populaire seemed to be completely empty; Madam Giry wasn't there; Raphael; Erik; anyone. The ballet girls were missing; and the halls were quiet. The only thing she could hear was herself whispering Erik's name. It was as if the entire Populaire had gone silent; allowing Karen to hear anything and everything that approaches her. She was afraid; but she wouldn't let her fears overcome her. She kept going; even though her gut kept telling her to return to Erik's home and wait for him.She felt an arm around her waist; she kept praying it was Erik; but she somehow knew it wasn't. Erik wouldn't approach her like that if she had disobeyed him; he would have grabbed her arm and taken her back down with him. She swallowed and glanced back at who it was.


Erik ran through the halls; knowing how stubborn she was; he should have known better than to leave her down there. All he could do at that point was hope she didn't get caught by Raphael; and look for her.

"Erik!" He froze; someone had seen him; he prayed it was Karen; but when he glanced over the side of the rafters; he saw Madam Giry waving him down. "Erik! Tell me Karen is with you!"

"No; I'm looking for her. Why?" Madam Giry told him everything she knew; everything she saw.

"She was with Rapheal; I saw him tie her arms together and take her out to the forest. No one else saw it as a big deal. But he was the person who swore to kill her isn't he?" Erik nodded. "What are you standing there for? Go!"

"Show me where they went!" Erik demanded; jumping off the rafters and sliding down to her by the ropes. Lucky for him his gloves prevented rope burn. Madam Giry lead him to the forest; where there sat a cabin by the lake.


Karen's arms were tied behind her back; but fear did not pass her face. She remained stone cold; and he stood before her with his sword.

"Tell me; where have you been hiding for the last few weeks?" Karen kept her mouth shut; not looking at him. He knelt down beside her and wrapped his arms around her and felt her up.She hated that feeling; but it would have been different if it was Erik instead of Raphael. She wanted to cry; but she wouldn't let herself; she wouldn't let the tears out from behind her eyes.

Just when it all seemed to be worse than death; Erik came through the door with his sword.

"Don't touch her." He bellowed. His hand clasped firmly around his sword; and death in his eyes.But Raphael seemed not afraid; as long as he had Karen; Erik was helpless. Raphael's sword was to Karen's throat; close enough that Karen could feel the coldness of the blade. Raphael's hand held onto Karen's hair so she could not slide away.

"Lose something? You should really keep a tighter hold on your women Monsieur. Little girls often like to run away." Erik moved closer; but so did Raphael's blade. "No, no, good Monsieur. The closer you get to me; the closer Karen gets to dying."

"You wouldn't." Erik clutched his sword. "If you killed her; you wouldn't have her."

"I can have any woman I want.But you; it seems Karen is the only woman in the world who could love you." Erik wanted to attack; but he couldn't get any closer.

"Why do you not wish to fight me like a man?" Erik asked; staying in one spot. "Why do you wish to hide behind a woman? Are you that much of a coward?" He glanced at Karen; whom he could see was struggling to keep up a strong appearance. "Let her go and fight me."

"Why should I? I fight the way that works best." Karen gulped; and brought her unbound leg and kicked him in the gut; his hand opened and the sword dropped. Long enough for Karen to move; but he quickly regained his stance and fought Erik; man to man. Their metal clashed; Raphael sliced his arm; and blood came gushing out.

"Erik!" She screamed. "No! Erik!" He refused to leave her so quickly.

The two fought hard; Karen couldn't help no matter how much she wanted to. Erik's arm bled so much that he quickly ran out of fighting energy. He was too weak to keep fighting. "Raphael stop!" Karen screamed. "I'll do anything; just leave him alone. Don't hurt him anymore." Raphael stopped his blade and looked at Karen.

"Anything? Including being my wife?" Karen's held back tears came pouring out as she nodded. Erik watched as he untied her; and she went to his side. Raphael grabbed Karen's arm and pulled her into a kiss; a kiss that broke Erik's heart. "Now; get him out." Karen nodded and walked over to Erik. Kneeling down beside him and whispering.

"I'm so sorry." Tears came pouring out of her eyes; and dripped onto the floorboards. "I love you..." Raphael exited for only a minute; the minute Karen kissed Erik. "I've got a plan." Erik held onto her; not wanting her to go. "I'll be back to you soon. This is temporary."

"Don't let him touch you.." Erik begged. "Please.."

"I won't. I promise; I'm coming back as soon as I can. Have Meg fix your arm." He held her one last time. "I love you. You and only you." Erik nodded and left; Karen fell to the floorboards crying. She knew her plan; but she couldn't help herself. Raphael grabbed her by the forearm and dragged her into the back room. Erik couldn't leave her; but he had to. He had to get his arm bandaged if he ever planned to save her. He started back to the opera Populaire; trusting Karen; and knowing she knew what she was doing.


Karen stayed there past midnight. Waiting for the right moment; and collecting information as she tried to pretend to face her fate. She planned out most of her plan while gathering information.

"Why did you leave my best friend and come in search for me?" Karen asked. Raphael smirked and ate the dinner she prepared. It was a salad so it didn't call for much real cooking.

"She was a wonderful lover really; but she and I weren't meant for each other."

"Why did you leave her?"

"She was pregnant. I found it as too much of a commitment. But I would be a horrible person if I left her for that." Karen listened; memorizing everything he told her. "So; I killed her; and made it look like an accident." Karen dropped a plate and it shattered into a million glass pieces.


wooo another cliffie! I'm so evil:D