Chapter 15 Broken

Crossfire? Monster? Angel? Erik?

Everything jumbled in her mind again as Christine fought to understand what had happened. She clenched her eyes shut, trying to work through the memories.

On the bridge...Don Juan Triumphant...Erik was there...singing...holding...kissing ...me. The shots...blood...mine? His? Fly my Angel...darkness...pain. Tears ran down from her eyes into her tangled hair.

Where is he?

"Oh Christine...let me fetch the doctor. He can give you something for the pain love."

Christine opened her eyes in time to see Raoul dash out of the room yelling down the corridor for the physician.

No don't drug me...tell me what happened. Tell me my Angel is alright. Christine felt a wave of nausea at her next thought. If he is gone, oh God, if he is gone I want to die.

The door opened in a flurry of activity as Raoul returned with an older gentleman that Christine recognized.

"Mademoiselle Daae." He spoke loudly and slowly as though she were mentally challenged. "I am Doctor Leroux, the Opera physician, do you remember me? Wait! Don't try to move, just blink once if you want to say yes and twice for no. We don't need you to tear these sutures again."

Christine grasped for the man's hand, desperate for answers. She succeeded and slowly pulled it to her bandaged neck and face, hoping her eyes could ask her question.

"This?" He pointed to the wound. "You want to know how this happened? Later my dear, now is the time for you to rest."

Christine's eyes widened as he took a syringe and bottle of morphine out of his bag and began to prepare it.

Oh God no...not that again...not back to the darkness...to the nightmares.

"It is alright love." Raoul appeared by her side again. "I will be here to protect you."

Christine flinched as the needle found its mark and the burning liquid made its way up her arm.

The room began to spin. I must know...must know...

She pulled on Raoul's arm, trying to get his attention. He leaned over her and with every ounce of effort she possessed Christine forced the question from her body in a harsh, low whisper.

"Erik?"

Then the darkness claimed her.

Dr. Leroux regarded Raoul for a moment. "Monsieur le Vicomte, it is imperative that she remain quiet. Trying to speak now could only cause more damage and hinder any chance of her regaining any sort of speaking voice."

"No worries, Monsieur." He looked at his sedated fiancee. "Erik will not be spoken of again."