Chapter 4

(Samantha's Point of View)

Last night was so wonderful with Erik. Our lessons went exactly as he planned and for the rest of the evening, he sat with me as I fell asleep.

"Erik, why does everyone think I'm crazy because I can see you?"

He smiled softly, "Because they don't believe in me like you do."

"You'll always be real to me."

He smiled and kissed my lips softly, "My little Samantha, you will always be mine."

"Bring me back to your world, Erik! Let me leave this horrible life!"

"In due time child, in due time."

I hugged him tightly and felt his muscles. Suddenly I realized I was caressing his neck and I felt his hair stand up on end.

"Samantha..." he whispered.

In that moment, I had never wanted him more than I did then. I looked him straight in the eyes and reached my head up to his lips and pulled myself closer to him. I suddenly realized what I was doing and backed away from him.

"Erik, I'm sorry. It's just...I've always wanted...I couldn't help it...I..."

Before I could finish, he put his arms around him and brought me closer to him. As I felt his arms wrap around me, I began to breath heavy as he lifted me up and began to carry me towards my mirror.

"Samantha, since the day you were born I have dreamed of making you my own."

"Erik..." I whispered breathless.

He held me firmly as we walked through the portal to his world and brought me into the room I remembered seeing in the movie. I gasped as I looked around at the intimate beauty of his domain. Candles lit everywhere and music scattered across the floor. Sketches and paintings of me surrounded his organ and his black mask was lying on his desk.

Erik put me down on my feet and took my hand to let me explore his world. The dark majesty of his bedroom to the depths of the lake.

"This is all so amazing." I said breathless.

"Samantha, come look."

He held out his hand and once I had taken it, he lifted a flap of a sheet over a mirror and I gasped as I looked at myself. I was dressed like Christine, in her corset and white gown. I looked down at myself and touched the dress. It was real.

"Samantha, you are Christine. You always were. You are my destiny."

I looked into his eyes with longing and he went over to the organ and began to play, "The Music of the Night" for me. As I closed my eyes, he sang me into a sweet tranquility. As my knees finally gave way, I felt Erik catch me and begin to carry me to his bedroom.

"This is the night we have dreamed for all our lives."

He placed me gently on the bed and kissed my forehead with intimate love as he whispered,

"Don't ever close your eyes again..."