Watching

Disclaimer: I do not own P.O.T.O.
Christine got out of her car and walked through the forest. When she reached the other side, her gaze rested on the beautiful lake in front of her. Geese flew across and glided on the water. There were several people there. Christine walked over to a spot under a tree and set her things down.

''Christine!'' someone yelled. She turned around and saw Meg standing by the edge of the lake. She was wearing a bathing suit. She motioned for her to come over and the njumped into the lake. Christine laughed and ran over.

''Come in! The water's great!'' Meg shouted.

''Let me just go get my bathing suit! I have one in the trunk.''

Christine ran back to her car and grabbed her bathing suit. She looked around first and then got changed in the back seat. Then, she grabbed a spare towel and ran back through the woods. She dropped her towel on the grass and jumped right into the lake. Both of the girls laughed and swam around. Later, when it was darker, Meg asked if she wanted to go to a bonfire.

''I'll see if I can come. I'll meet you there.''

''Ok, see ya.''

Christine went back up to her spot under the tree and layed down on her towel. After a few minutes, she put on her skirt over her swimsuit and grabbed her stuff. She headed back to her car and reached into her purse for her keys.

''Crap.'' she muttered. She put her stuff in the car and headed back to go find her keys. She walked back through the woods again and started to look for her keys. Suddenly, she heard a violin playing. She looked around and tried to find out where it was coming from. It was beautiful. She sighed and continued looking. She finally found her keys lying on the ground under a tree. She picked them up and headed back to her car. As she got in, she suddenly felt like someone was watching her. She looked around quickly and drove off. The figure stepped out of the shadows and watched her leave. He picked up his violin and started walking.

One week later, Christine was getting ready for another day off. She fixed up her hair and ran downstairs to check for mail. She only had one letter. She opened it as she walked up the stairs.

Christine,

If you want to hear the violin playing at the lake again, come up there at nine on Saturday. Do not bring anyone else.

Anon.

She looked at the letter again and set it down on her table. 'Who could that be from?' she thought. She sat down and read until it was time for her music lesson again.

''What am I singing today?''

''What?...Oh!...I don't know. Let's just talk today, ok?''

''Alright.''

Christine and Erik talked for a while and Christine told him about the violin playing up near the lake.

''And then, I got a letter that told me to go up there Saturday and I could hear it again. Isn't that strange?''

''Well, I...uh...yes. Christine, I was just wondering...uh..do..you..ha-have...a...b-boyfriend?''

''No, I don't. No one really likes me, anyway. I'm not all that beautiful.''

''Yes, you are! You're beautiful!''

Erik shrunk down at his sudden statement. He sat back down and looked away. Christine put her arm on his shoulder.

''Erik, you're so nice.''

He smiled at her words. He turned back around and looked at her.

''Thank you. Anyway..uh...I have no one either.''

''I can't imagine why. You're so...cute.''

He smiled again and Christine blushed. He set his hand over hers on the desk and then pulled them back. He jumped up out of his seat and grabbed his folder.

''Well, your lesson is over. I'll see you next time.''

He hurridly walked out the door and down the hallway. Christine came out after him and walked to her car. She drove off and headed home.

Saturday night, Christine changed into a white skirt and lace top to match it. She got in her car and headed off for the lake. When she got there, she walked quietly through the woods and gazed at the lake. It was so pretty at night. She sighed and walked over to a tree. Soon, she heard the beautiful melody of a violin drift through the air. She layed back and listened to it. She closed her eyes and felt like she was drifting off somewhere else. She opened her eyes slightly and then she sat up. The music was right above her! She looked and there was someone sitting on the tree branch, playing the violin. It looked like a boy. She stood up and called out to him.

''Hello.'' she said. He stopped playing and looked down at her. Suddenly, she came back to reality.

''How did you get my address? How do you know my name?''

He jumped down from the tree and looked at her.

''I've been watching you, Christine.''

The voice was so familiar. She moved towards him and he grabbed her wrist.

''Let go of my wrist.''

''I'm afraid I cannot do that.''

''Just let go of me!''

He grabbed her shoulder and started to drag her towards the boat that was on the shore of the lake.

''Hey, let her go!'' someone shouted. Christine turned around and saw a boy standing there. He ran over towards Christine and the other boy dropped Christine and ran. She fell to the ground and let out a small shriek. The boy ran over and helped her up.

''Thank you for saving me. What's your name?''

''Ralph. Why was he attacking you, anyway?''

''I don't know.''

He walked her back to her car and made sure she was gone before he walked over to his car.

Christine drove home and walked in the door. She sat down on her couch and sighed. Suddenly, the phone rang. She got up and picked it up.

''Hello?''

''Hi, this is Ralph. You left your purse in the parking lot. I just wanted to return it to you.''

''Oh, thank you. I'll stop by and pick it up. Where do you live?''

Christine drove to his house and rang the doorbell. Ralph answered and invited her in. He handed her back her purse and they talked for a few minutes.

''Well, now you have my number. Call me.''

He laughed and gave her his in exchange.

''By the way, what is your name?''

''Oh, it's Christine Day.''

''Well, Christine Day, I'm glad I met you.''

''So am I. I'll see you later.''

Christine got into her car and sighed. As she drove off, she didn't notice the figure watching her from the shadows. She drove home and layed down on the couch. It was warm inside so Christine opened her window. She stuck her head out the window and gazed out. It was October and the leaves were blowing gently around the streets. Christine stuck her head back in and walked over to her bed. She yawned and layed down on her bed. She didn't feel like changing, so she just slid under the covers and fell asleep.

Christine sat up in bed and looked out the window. It was broad daylight out! She looked at her digital clock and gasped. It was noon! She picked up the clock and looked at the settings. She was very sure she had set it. Suddenly, as she was pitting it back, she saw something. The wire for the clock was cut! Christine started to panic. How could anyone have gotten in? Then, she looked at the window. Of course! It was open! She jumped out of bed and slammed it shut. She almost started to cry out of fear. Then, she walked over and put her alarm clock in the garbage. She got ready for work and tried to forget about it, but she couldn't.

''Christine, you're late!''

Mrs. Giry was harsh when she was mad. She folded her arms and tapped her foot on the floor.

''I'm really sorry, but my alarm clock...wasn't working. Please, it won't happen again.''

''No, it won't. Now, get to work. Next time this happens, you're fired.''

Christine rushed over to a table and a woman walked over. Christine started to do her nails. Her gaze shifted over to the entrance of the salon. Erik was standing there. He was watching her. They both smiled and he walked away. Later, at closing time, Christine was walking out when she heard something. She turned around and saw Erik. He was leaning against the wall and smirking. Christine walked over to him and they talked. She told him about the lake and what happened.

''And then, he wouldn't let go of me! Well, this boy named Ralph came along and saved me. And I left my purse there too! He called me and I came over to get it. He's so nice. And then, the next morning I found the cord to my digital clock cut! I think someone snuck in my window and cut it!''

''I can't believe that! Who would do such a thing? I'll watch out for you, Christine. Don't worry, I'm here for you.''

She showed him where she lived and they stayed at her house for a while. Her lesson was tonight, but neither of them cared. It started to get dark and Erik left. Christine sighed and leaned against the window, watching him leave. She sat down on her couch and read her book for a while, before going to bed.

'Christine was walking down a road. It was cobblestone, so it was probably in the past. Christine was wearing a ballerina costume and a small jacket. She had her hair pulled back in a ribbon. She looked in the window of a shop and looked at herself. Then, she kept moving. She wasn't controlling her movements. She kept walking down the winding streets, until she came up to a bunch of tents. She guessed it was a traveling fair. She walked through, until she came up to one of the tents. It read 'Freak Show' on it. She walked inside and saw that this tent was connected with many other tents. She walked into the first one and a gypsy led her and several other girls through. They were all ballerinas. They were shown all kinds of odd and weird things. Finally, they came to a tent that read 'Devil's Child'. They stepped inside and a gypsy man showed them over to a cage. A boy with a burlap sack on his head, sat in the middle of the cage. He was playing with a little stuffed monkey. The gypsy man stepped inside and kicked the monkey out of his hands. The boy fell to the ground and the man started to beat him with whip. He ripped the sack from the boy's head and all of the girls screamed except for Christine. She felt pity for this boy. The other people laughed and threw things at him. The boy started to cry and he put the sack back over his head. Everyone else started to leave. Christine wrapped her small hands around the bars. The boy looked up at her. He had amber eyes just like Erik. He moved towards her and set his hands over hers. The gypsy man grabbed his money off the ground and started to count it. The boy's eyes were so pleading. Christine tried to fight back her tears. The gypsy man moved away from the cage and left. Suddenly, a flash of light came down on them and Christine was somewhere else. There were masks everywhere. They were surrounding her. There were voices too.

''Take the mask off.'' they whispered.'

Christine sat up with a jolt. She started to scream. She was panting, now and sweating. She put her hand to her head. 'It was just a nightmare.' she thought. She got out of bed and then, started to panic. She looked up at her clock. It was noon! She got ready quickly and raced over to the mall. She ran into the salon and saw Mrs. Giry standing there. She looked very mad. Christine ran over and started to babble things.

''Mrs. Giry, I-''

''I don't want to hear it. I'm sorry, Christine, but I'm going to have to fire you.''

Christine looked over at Meg, who put her head down quickly. Christine felt tears well up in her eyes. She ran out of the salon as the tears stung her eyes. She leaned against the entrance to the mall and then walked out to her car. She drove home and then out to the lake to calm herself down.