My angel

I do not own P.O.T.O

I woke to the smell of smoke. As I opened my eyes, I saw bright red and orange flames. I tried to scream, but no sound came from my mouth. I got out of my bed and looked to the place where my husband slept. He was still sleeping. I shook him and woke him up. He was shocked and he jumped out of the bed. He took my arm and told me to get out. I ran down the halls and tried to escape the flames. Fire shot up towards me and caught the edge of my nightgown. I ran faster and down the staircase to the front door. I burst through them and ran from the burning house. I put out the flames on my nightgown and fell to the ground. I sobbed into the grass and waited for my beloved husband to come out. He didn't come. Memories flashed in my head of my angel of music. Suddenly, he appeared in front of me. He knelt down and held me in his arms.

''Shhhh, it's alright I'm here.''

I watched as the flames grew higher in my house and finally, from the second floor, an explosion came. My angel shielded me from the sparks and I started to cry again.

''Raoul.'' I sobbed. ''Raoul, come back.''

My angel stroked my hair and when the flames died down, he allowed me to go near the pile of ashes that were once my house. I cried and looked over what had happened. Then, when I saw Raoul laying amidst the ashes and rubble, I finally broke into uncontrolable sobbing. My angel held me once again and calmed me with his soothing voice. He took me away and back to his home, far away from here, under the opera house.

''You must rest.'' he told me. I closed my eyes and after a while, I fell asleep. When I woke again, Mme Giry sat over me. I tried to sit up, but she told me to keep lying down. My head ached horribly and she gave me some medication to ease the pain.

''You know, if it weren't for Erik, you would still be up there in the middle of nowhere.''

''I know. I misjudged him and I regret it now.'' I said, my voice starting to get hoarse. She leaned over and pulled up the covers on me.

''You must rest now, mon cheri.''

''Where is Erik?''

''He is out, doing things. He will return later.''

''Alright. I just wanted to thank him for what he's done.''

''Alright. Now, rest some more.''

I closed my eyes again and drifted off to sleep. When I woke again, Erik was sitting over me.

''Angel.'' I whispered. I sat up, not caring how much it hurt, and wrapped my arms around him. He stroked my hair and I thanked him for what he had done. He didn't say anything. He just continued to stroke my hair and hold me in his strong embrace. I thought back on the night when Raoul had taken me away for good. I missed Erik terribly, but I thought I had loved Raoul. All that time, I had thought that I had truly loved Raoul, but the truth was, I loved Erik. Our eyes met and I stared at him with adoration. I leaned towards him and kissed him fully on the lips. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt the tears running down his face. We broke apart and for once in a long while, I felt safe. He held me in his arms and sang to me, knowing that I loved him. Raoul would have wanted it to be this way. If he were still here, I would have told him not to worry, for Erik would take care of me. I would be happy with my angel at last. We could both start a new life together. Nothing could stop us.

Fin