Chapter Forty-Four: Why Can't The Past Just Die?
Later that night, Erik found himself unable to sleep peacefully, his dreams plagued with images of that fateful night when his petit ange had been so cruelly taken from him.
He was back on the balcony, Christine's lifeless form clutched tightly to his chest as he wept into her hair.
Suddenly, the redhead's eyes opened and Erik flinched backwards in shock, accidentally dropping her in the process.
Slowly, she sat up, glancing down emotionlessly at the blood soaking her side, then she got to her feet.
"Mon Coeur?" Erik whispered in disbelief, his golden eyes filling with tears.
She looked at him and Erik bit back a cry.
Her eyes!
Her beautiful sky-blue eyes, once shining with life and laughter were now dull and glazed over.
Her face bore an expression of pure hatred as she stared at him, her jaw contorted in an ugly snarl.
"You killed me," Christine accused, her voice harsh and grating.
"No!" Erik protested, her words ripping at his heart.
"It was the Fop, he shot you..."
"You failed to protect me," the redhead responded evenly.
Christine walked forward, reaching out to caress Erik's cheek.
"It should have been you..." she murmured inaudibly as her body slowly faded from existence, vanishing completely a few seconds later.
"CHRISTINE!" Erik screamed hoarsely as he bolted upright, his face streaked with tears.
Breathing harshly, he forced himself to calm down.
Climbing out of bed, he donned a black woolen cloak and silently stole out into the hallway.
Making his way through the twisting corridors, his mind was focused on one subject.
Did Christine really blame him for her death?
As he entered the chapel, Erik was struck by a stained glass window depicting the Holy Mother with the Christ Child.
Overcome with a sudden surge of emotion, he collapsed to his knees at the foot of the altar and began to pray.
"Réquiem ætérnam dona ei Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in pace. Amen."
Finishing his prayer, he then rose gracefully to his feet and walked to the very back of the chapel where there was a small wooden door.
Opening the door, Erik stepped into the little room where his love's casket rested, not realizing that someone else was already inside.
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