VII. Zuri's Sacrifice
After hearing Erik's tale she sobbed sadly from such sadness that Erik had suffered himself. Looking down at her paper she found that some of her words were blurred from the tears. "Erik."
"Yes Zuri."
"I'll be back."
Erik watched her disappear only to reappear with a stack of papers and a candle. "What are you doing?"
"Watch." She replied then placed the papers including her interview in the fire grate and lit them on fire with the candle.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"This secures that your secret is safe. I will carry it to my grave."
"Your crusade."
"It doesn't matter anymore. I got to know you and that was what I wanted more than anything. To meet the famous opera ghost."
"So, what are you going to do now?"
"Well I would like to stay if you would let me. That is if you want me."
Pulling her hard against him he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Whispering in her ear he said, "The only way I can let you stay down here is if you sacrifice your life in the light." Secretly he thought that Christine wouldn't do it. Why would she?
"Fine."
"What?"
"Fine. I'll do it."
"Do you know what you are saying? To sacrifice your life in the light is to never go out in the world of light again. To stay in the darkness till death. No human does that."
"I will."
"I don't need your pity."
"I don't pity you. I want you. I...love you."
"Are you insane? I raped you. I'm a monster."
"You raped me. I can live with it if you at least some feeling for me."
"You're not Christine."
"No. I will never fill Christine's shoes. I don't have any talents unless you count cooking, sewing, knitting, and the rest of the things that women do." Pausing Erik let her continue. "I'm not special, but I love and want to be loved like anyone else. I'm not pretty."
Violently, Erik pushed away from her. "You idiot. You are very beautiful. Have you not noticed your beauty?"
Shaking her head she continued, "Erik, i'm too thin. Everyone tells me so. I'm not curvy enough."
Pulling her hard against him once more he said, "You're a fool to listen to these people. I've seen you naked so I would know your curves too well. Don't you think?" Nodding she let him continue. "You have plenty of curves."
"Why are you angry?"
"Because...I don't know."
Bending her head to look at her feet she said, "Oh."
"It's because you are the first female company I have had in two years. You are the first woman I have had in bed. I think you are quite beautiful."
"Erik."
"Yes."
"I think you are very handsome."
"You do?" He said in an amused tone.
"Yes."
"Well, maybe I will keep you down here."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now get into bed."
Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate it. I hope you like the chapter.
