Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own POTO... All I own is an overactive imagination.
Summary: ErikRaoul slash.
Warning(s): homosexuality (that's what slash is people), violent (because Erik's not alright in this one)
Pairing(s): ErikRaoul
A/N: Well, I don't know what to tell you. I might have to put this story on hiatus, which I really don't want to do, but sleeping less is definitely not working for me because I still need more time. I'm working on this project that's literally taking up all the free time I have. I have until November 01 to finish a really large project. Technically, I need 250 hours between now and then to be able to be reasonably close to done with it. 250! It's killing me. So let's see. That's 25 days (don't know when I'm posting this but it's 25 days right now) before the deadline. That means 10 hours a day. I don't have 10 hours a day to work solely on this project since I still have work and sleep! So, I don't know if I can keep writing this fic until after Halloween. We'll see. I might be able to write Chapter 18, but I don't know. No promises. I hate hiatuses though.
Story Note: Hm… last chapter was longer than I thought it would be. This one might be on the short side, but I don't know. We'll have to see in the end.
Oh and 'mildish' sort of got lost in Erik's insanity. At least Raoul's insanity is funny. Erik's is scary.
o.o.o.o
Imaginary Friends
Chapter 17 – Rescue
o.o.o.o
By: Lucifer Rosemaunt
o.o.o.o
Last time: Both Raoul and Erik are captured. Erik had been so close to kidnapping Raoul, but it wasn't meant to be. There's too much intrigue going on. Too many people with ulterior motives and poor Raoul's in the middle of it all. Erik learns the truth about Raoul's past and about what's been going on in the opera house. Just as the chapter is ending, Erik receives a note at the Chagny estate. What?! Who knows he's there? o
o.o.o
Raoul shivered. He could not tell how long it had been since he had been locked in this mausoleum but his legs had hurt so much from standing that he had long since sacrificed preserving body heat for the sake of resting his legs. His knees had started locking. Either way, it had gotten so cold that it was not like he'd had much warmth left.
He curled up against the door to limit the amount of contact to the floor but through his breeches, the cold was seeping through his body. He had stopped trying to suppress the shivers that wracked his body and when he was not gritting his teeth, they were chattering. Raoul was starting to hate winter, snow, and cold on top of hating the managers and the Comte.
Why don't you get up and walk around? Erik suggested. He was reminded of the underground lake incident.
Raoul shook his head. No. I don't want to, and this is colder than that time.
You need to stand up Raoul. Erik insisted. And it can't be since you're dry right now.
I don't need to do anything besides getting out of here. Raoul argued. And I don't want to stand up. I don't care what you say.
You'll get sick if you stay seated. Erik tried to talk some sense into him. Just walk for a little while.
Raoul ignored him and focused on rubbing his hands together to keep them warm. He cupped his hands and breathed into them. It was helping somewhat but it also made his hands damp, which made it that much colder whenever he stopped.
If you stay seated like that, you're liable to lose the ability to consummate your marriage. Erik taunted. Not like you'll need it at the rate you're going.
"What?"Raoul exclaimed aloud. The sound echoed in the enclosed room. That was uncalled for.
Well, then get up before it falls off.
Raoul shook his head. You don't joke about things like that. It's not funny. He lectured sternly, but he struggled to get to his feet. Why is it always cold?
Wintertime weather? Erik offered.
Raoul narrowed his eyes but succeeded in finally standing up all the way. He pulled his coat tighter around himself, but there was almost no body heat to preserve in the first place. His body protested against moving, but since he had gone through all the effort of standing up, he was not about to sit down anytime soon. He tried to ignore the fatigue that had settled in sometime while he was seated.
That's not what I meant. Raoul replied. Can't we find trouble in warmer places? Like maybe next time, we'll 'accidentally' fall into a hot spring or maybe be locked in a poorly ventilated room with a boiler in it.
Erik laughed and Raoul joined along weakly.
You say that now. Erik said. If we were stuck in one of those places, you'd be wishing you were someplace cold.
With arms wrapped around his body, Raoul slowly walked the twelve steps towards the far wall before turning back to walk towards the door. It was slow moving. He tried not to breathe too deeply. It felt as though his lungs were being frozen from the inside when he did.
I highly doubt that. Raoul replied, I'd like to go to place where I can't see my breath turn to ice in the air.
Erik scoffed. Now that's an exaggeration. You can't see anything in here much less your breath.
Well, Raoul countered, if there was more light, I know I'd be able to see it.
His feet were hurting and he tried not to wince every time he moved.
Why don't you hop?
Raoul paused walking long enough to ask, What?
Hop. Erik repeated.
Why would I hop? Raoul asked skeptically before beginning to move again. He was tired but he had to admit that it did feel a little better to move around. He could almost feel his blood moving around his body. It was the slightest bit warmer.
If you hop, it takes more energy and your feet will probably feel better.
Raoul sighed but shrugged. He started to hop and almost immediately, he heard Erik snickering. Did you just suggest hopping to make fun of me?
No. Erik burst out laughing.
Raoul immediately stopped.
I promise, Raoul. Erik tried to stop laughing but he simply could not contain himself. I could have suggested running but you can't run very much when a few steps later you have to turn around. This way you use the same amount of energy in a smaller space.
Raoul admitted it sounded like good logic. He was starting to feel warmer. He unfortunately had to breathe in more and his throat was beginning to hurt. He started to hop anyway.
Erik started to laugh again.
Still hopping, Raoul frowned. Stop laughing. This was your idea!
I- he cleared his throat. I'm not laughing.
Raoul scoffed. He tried to wiggle his toes and was glad to know that they responded. You're laughing and I'm getting tired.
Don't stop. Erik tried to sound serious. This is for survival.
Survival. Raoul repeated skeptically. It was hard to believe Erik when he was obviously laughing at him.
Yes. You're just like a rabbit. Erik started laughing loudly in his head.
Raoul sighed frustrated and stopped hopping. He was out of breath and tired. He settled with walking really slowly.
When the laughter finally died down, Erik apologized. I'm sorry. I really hadn't meant to laugh.
Stop suggesting things that will make you laugh at me then. Raoul sulked.
I promise I won't. Erik was silent for a moment before suggesting. Think about warm places.
The first thought that came to mind was the beach. Raoul thought back to his childhood and the times when he had spent whole days on the beach by the water. He had been content then by himself with only Erik to play with.
It was different now. He was no longer carefree. He was no longer content. Raoul had been feeling his rather self-imposed isolation from others more distinctly now than ever before. It was nothing against his brother, but he wanted something more. Even his brother had relationships outside of the family.
When he had seen Christine, Raoul had actually truly been happy. Honestly, he had been surprised and then happy. She had been one of the closest friends he had ever had in his lifetime. It was probably due to the fact that he had somehow grown more distrustful of others as he grew older. Yet, it had been surprisingly easy to give up pursuing her romantically for the ghost's sake.
I wonder why that is? Erik mocked.
Raoul replied. I'd been busy with the opera house and then I remembered why you were always so annoyed with her.
Erik was silent for such a long time that Raoul paused in his journey towards the door to wonder if Erik had disappeared again.
No, I didn't leave again. Erik answered finally. Not yet at least. I was just waiting for you add something else to that list of reasons.
What other reason?
Erik patiently answered. The ghost.
Raoul thought about it. It was true that he had been rather distracted by the ghost's presence, but it was more than just his presence. There were also the memories that he had somehow raised. When he had not been busy with the opera house, specifically the managers and Carlotta, he was thinking about the opera ghost or avoiding Christine. The ghost was intriguing though. How could Raoul not think about him? The man was talented beyond anything Raoul had ever seen in his life. He sang and played instruments and Raoul was sure that he could do a hundred other things just as well. The fact that the ghost reminded him of Erik was just an extremely confusing bonus to the whole situation. Raoul could just imagine all the stories that the ghost would be able to tell.
The stories he could tell? Erik asked incredulously. He said with obvious annoyance. You focus on the fact that he could probably tell good stories!
What? Raoul defensively answered. He probably can.
I think… Erik said frustrated, I think you should just go back to hopping and I'll just laugh at you again. We'll just ignore this whole conversation so far.
Raoul asked, Why are you so annoyed?
Wrong question to ask. Erik replied tersely.
He paused in his walking again to focus. He knew it had something to do with the ghost, so what would the right question be? It took him a moment, but he remembered a question he had forgotten to ask before.
What did you mean by lovers' spat?
What? The surprise and confusion in Erik's voice was actually honest. That was not the question you're supposed to ask.
Well, Raoul argued, it's the question I want to know the answer to nonetheless.
Why don't you keep walking? Erik countered.
Raoul started to walk again. He winced, but ignored the stiffness. You said, 'you're having a lovers' spat.'
No, I didn't.
From the sound of his voice, Raoul could guess what he was implying. Well, maybe you didn't say it exactly like that, but you know what I mean.
And you know what I meant. Erik retorted.
Me and my fiancé? Raoul guessed.
Raoul, Erik said sternly, you aren't stupid so stop acting like you are.
Raoul argued. Well, it doesn't make sense if it was about me and the ghost.
You've been obsessing about him the moment you met him. Erik pointed out.
I have not. Raoul pouted.
You have.
He reminded me of you! Raoul yelled. How could I not be obsessed with him?
So you're obsessed with me? Erik asked teasing Raoul.
That's not what I meant.
I don't know. Erik replied in a light tone. It's okay to admit you're obsessed with me. I am your fiancé.
Erik, if you're not going to be serious, I'm going to ignore you again. Raoul threatened.
Erik paused and Raoul waited to see what he would say.
Erik finally said overly serious. Are we having a lovers' spat?
Raoul yelled aloud when Erik started to laugh again. I'm glad you're having such great fun at my expense while we're about to die!
Don't be so dramatic. Erik sighed. You're warmer, right?
Raoul ran through a mental check on his body. He was feeling warmer, and his conversation with Erik did distract him from noticing how tired he was. He decided that staying mad at Erik would be counterproductive to staying alive. So he asked again, What did you mean?
I'm just saying that you are not so much a people person, right? Erik started.
Raoul tried to protest. I do well in society. I know the proper rules of etiquette and no one's complained ever before.
Erik stopped him from continuing. He tried again. You try not to associate with others.
I wouldn't exactly say that…
Erik cut him off again. You generally don't seek others out to speak with them unless absolutely necessary.
Raoul paused. Well, yes that's true.
But you often sought out the ghost. Erik guided.
It was opera business.
Really?
I did need to speak to him about his letters and his demands. Raoul said slowly.
Yes, Erik responded, but weren't there other ways to get his attention besides the ways we did?
Yes. Raoul conceded.
It was also rather poor etiquette to attack him. You've never been that frustrated before. You've never once lost control like that.
Raoul did not reply. That was true. No matter the situation, he had learned that it was a weakness to show his frustrations. He did not know why he had acted as such with the ghost.
Erik said simply. You trust him.
No, I don't. Raoul immediately replied, but he was not sure. He could not trust the ghost though. He did not trust anyone but family and maybe a few servants. How could he possibly trust the ghost?
Instinct? Erik suggested. He reminded you of me.
But I know he's not you. Raoul stated.
Do you?
o.o.o
Erik stared at the butler. "What did you say?"
"The note is for you." He reiterated and walked towards Erik.
Erik shook his head. "That can't be possible. No one knows I came here."
He held out the note until Erik took it. "It seems that somebody knew you were here."
Erik was about to argue that no one would know since he had not known he was going to himself when the butler cut him off.
"Stop arguing and read it already!"
He had not known the butler for very long, but Erik was certain that the man never raised his voice. He grabbed the letter and skimmed it hurriedly. It could not be good news. Upon reaching the end, he said abruptly, "I need a horse."
The butler nodded and motioned for Erik to follow him. He walked quickly through the kitchen to the stables with Erik directly behind him. He had barely indicated the fastest horse they had when Erik quickly mounted on it.
Before Erik could bolt off, the butler grabbed the reins and the note. Erik looked at him with annoyance and the butler knew he was very close to being kicked away.
He ordered nonetheless, "Bring him back."
Erik nodded once before kicking the horse and bolting forward.
The butler read the note again and wondered what they would do. It was from another anonymous sender, but it was obvious to him that the Comte had sent another note.
"What has happened?" The cook asked.
When the butler turned around everyone was standing behind him. He took a deep breath before answering, "Raoul's been kidnapped."
He realized the seriousness of the situation was probably tainted with the false alarm from before because somewhere in his mind he almost believed that come morning, Raoul would suddenly emerge from his room blissfully unaware of the alarm he had put everyone through. They saw the expression on his face and knew this could not be a false alarm.
"And Erik?" The young maid asked.
The butler could not help but find humour in the question. It was a nervous feeling and a humourless situation but he could just think of the ghost's reaction knowing that the young maid had called him so familiarly.
"He's gone to retrieve Raoul."
The gardener frowned. "Isn't it a trap?"
The butler nodded. "Let's go inside everyone. We need to prepare for their return." He bustled them inside the house. "We do not know the state they will return in."
o.o.o
"Bravo! Bravo!" The Comte stood and clapped loudly at the end of the opera. He had not realized that the Daae girl was so talented. When Carlotta had approached him with the proposition to becoming the new patron, he had been intrigued. He was not interested in opera very much, but he could appreciate the costumes and the dancers.
He liked to see the young girls prance about the stage in rather scandalous clothing. Carlotta had been kind enough to allow him unlimited access backstage when he had visited from time to time. He could care less about their singing, much less her singing. He had simply never realized that operas could sound like that.
Andre waited for the box to empty save the Comte and Firmin. He was pleased to see the Comte enthralled with Christine, but from the look on Firmin's face, he knew that they probably did not want that. They would have the Carlotta problem all over again if the Comte became infatuated with Mlle Daae and broke their deal. Andre tried to distract him from his musings, "Are you going to check on the Vicomte now?"
The Comte looked at the man. He did not like the sniveling fool, but it did not matter to him. He was here to gain publicity and profit. And now perhaps that young opera singer. "No, why would I do that?"
"Perhaps he is worried that the weather has grown increasingly worse. I doubt you had him kidnapped inside a warm room did you?" Firmin asked. He was angry and annoyed with the Vicomte, but if the man died, then the opera house would surely suffer.
Laughing heartily, the Comte shook his head, "What lesson would he learn if he were warm?"
"I thought so," Firmin mumbled.
"And," Andre ventured to ask, "if he dies?"
"I told you I would take care of both the Vicomte and the opera ghost. Did I not?" The Comte asked disdainfully. "Since we have no attachment to what happened, people will be made to suspect that it was a duel between the ghost and the Vicomte. Both will lose of course. Problem solved."
"What if you cannot catch the ghost?" Firmin asked.
"Do not doubt me, Monsieurs." The Comte stared them down. "Did the ghost disturb us tonight?"
Both men shook their heads. One show was hardly winning the war though and both knew that. It was merely a small victory for them that Box 5 had been empty and no incidents had occurred onstage.
"Then what are you worried about?"
Though they shared a look, neither manager could think of a proper response.
The Comte waited impatiently for them to say anything. He looked at them pointedly and then towards the stage. The managers knew what he wanted, but they feared what would happen if they allowed it.
The Comte however was rewarded when Firmin finally asked the question he had been waiting for.
"Would you like to meet Mlle Daae, Comte?"
o.o.o
It was cold and the snow was falling heavily. The wind was blowing furiously making his ears ring with its howls. The horse's mane whipped into his face.
Erik noticed none of it.
He pressed harder and the horse protested before running faster. It snorted unhappily.
He needed to get to the cemetery. He needed to be in the cemetery. He needed to save Raoul.
That was the only thing he allowed himself to think about for the moment: saving Raoul.
His mind was screaming in panic, but his face was set with a grim expression.
A cold pit of dread had settled deep within his core and he could not shake it. He could not rid himself of the thoughts that plagued his mind. Raoul was going to die. If Erik did not hurry, Raoul was going to die.
And if Raoul died, then all of Paris would burn to the ground. It would be Erik's funeral pyre for the brat.
He laughed harshly. The sound caught in the wind and seemed to multiply. The snow was laughing with him, at him. Erik glared. He wondered who would die first. He could assume that the managers were the root of all his problems, but there was someone bigger than them. It had to be the Comte. The letter had been anonymous, but Raoul was supposed to be meeting the Comte. It cannot be a coincidence.
The Comte would be the first to die. Erik laughed again. No, he would be the last, but Erik would start his torture first and prolong it until the very end. Perhaps he would skin him alive and then force him to watch as Erik slowly dismembered the managers and Carlotta. Oh, her screams would sound joyous in his ears. He believed they would sound as the wind sounded right now.
That was if Raoul died.
If he managed to save Raoul, then he would leave Paris alone. He would simply kill the Comte, the managers, and Carlotta. He could care less about the rest of the city if Raoul lived.
Erik told himself that Raoul would not die. He could not die – not when there was a chance that Erik could make up for every bad decision he had ever made regarding Raoul, not when there was a chance that Erik could mean something to him.
Erik realized now why he hated hope so much. He had been disappointed too often in his life to think that hope was a good thing, but the butler and the old maid had made him hope. They had in a way, accepted him and he could hope that Raoul would too. Maybe he did not have to go to the extreme as kidnapping Raoul. Well, beside the fact that he had to kidnap Raoul back from his current kidnappers. If Erik could see Raoul freely, then maybe he could avoid Raoul hating him for taking him against his will. Maybe he could make Raoul remember. That was only if he could retrieve Raoul.
Erik shook his head. What was he thinking? He could and would take Raoul from them.
o.o.o
Raoul leaned against the door. I want to sit down.
If you sit down, Erik began, you might not get up again. You'll fall asleep.
I fell asleep when I was standing up! Raoul yelled. I can't do this. My legs are about to give out.
Raoul swayed dangerously on his feet. He wondered what was worse: dying from the cold while asleep or from head trauma from passing out. He knew both would be rather effective, but Raoul rather liked the idea of dying in his sleep.
He leaned against the door and slid down slowly.
Try to stay awake. Erik begged.
Raoul nodded, but he knew it was a losing battle. He was so tired.
Outside the mausoleum, two ruffians sat under a makeshift shelter that had been propped up against a mausoleum directly across the one Raoul was currently trapped within. They sat with the mausoleum wall to one side facing each other. Each was holding a loaded gun.
One of them groused, "The Vicomte has it good. We're stuck out here in the wind while he has the shelter of that mausoleum." He picked up his pistol and aimed at the mausoleum. He pretended to shoot at it. "We can kill him and tell the Comte it was an accident. Then we can spend the night there waiting for this supposed ghost."
The other responded, "Don't talk stupid. It's probably worse in there. At least, we have a fire. And, we get more money if both of them are alive. We're not killing the Vicomte. You know that." He looked around suspiciously, "It's getting late anyway. We wouldn't have time. The ghost should be coming here soon. Remember what the Comte said."
"Of course I remember. I believed those rumours about the ghost. I was listening."
The other man nodded. They had been forced to listen to all the stories about the ghost and his misdeeds. They were supposed to learn from them; rather it seemed that the Comte wanted to frighten them. They seemed to be just what they claimed to be, ghost stories. He did not believe in ghosts, but he had seen swindlers who could do the most amazing tricks. He would be ready.
They had chosen this particular mausoleum for a good reason. There were only these two buildings in a large radius. They were far enough apart that several tombstones lay between the two. There was a single tree by Raoul's mausoleum and only low headstones in the area. There were also no statues. If the man claiming to be the ghost did come, he would have nowhere to hide. It would be impossible to sneak up on them and if they went into battle, he was confident on his skills. The ghost would either have to stay, fight and fail or run. He was ready for a chase.
o.o.o
Erik sneaked towards the fire he saw in the distance. The note had given him the exact location of the mausoleum.
He knew it was trap. He had known it the moment he read the note and yet he had forgotten to bring any sort of weapon. He cursed his own idiocy. He had been so furious that he really only thought to kill whoever had kidnapped Raoul with his bare hands. That would have worked well enough if there had only been one person, but as he approached, he saw that there were two people. With two people, it would be harder.
It was not impossible, but he needed to first make sure Raoul was alright. If Raoul was already dead, then Erik could focus on killing the two guards he saw by the fire. He chastised himself for his repeated assumption towards Raoul's death. He had to believe that Raoul was alive and well, at least relatively well.
Erik walked a perimeter around both mausoleums to check if there was anyone else hiding. He snorted to himself. There was no place for another person to hide. If he had not believed it to be trap before, he would be forced to believe it upon seeing the layout of this portion of the cemetery. Any approach towards those two guards and he would be shot before he could get within arms reach.
He had tried to climb the mausoleum that the guards had set up their makeshift shelter, but it seemed as though someone had watered the building before the snowfall. It was slick with ice that was impossible to climb. It only told Erik that those two men were not as stupid as they looked.
This did not look good. The only good thing was the fact that the snow was falling less hard and the wind had died down somewhat. Beyond that, Erik was at a loss for what to do when an idea came to him.
He snuck around to the building where Raoul was supposedly held. He had already seen that there was only one entrance to the mausoleum and that was guarded. Erik climbed on the roof to watch the reaction of the guards.
Throwing his voice to make it sound like it came from within the mausoleum he said, "Let's go."
Both guards stood up in alarm. One of them was spinning around and looking frantically for where the voice came from while the other simply stared at the mausoleum. Erik was pleased. He had wondered if his voice would reach, but in the silence of the cemetery and because the wind had lessened, they could easily hear him.
Erik hoped that Raoul would not ruin his ruse.
"Can you walk?" Erik called again.
Running towards the mausoleum, the first guard frantically called to his companion, "He's in there. We have to get him."
The other caught up and held his partner back. Standing a few feet in front of the door now, he said, "There's only one entrance. We'll just shoot them both when they come out."
Erik frowned. This would be harder than he thought. He knew one of the guards had believed him, but he could not tell if the other guard actually believed him or knew he was watching.
Raoul had been dropping in and out of consciousness. He had regained consciousness those few times only because Erik had been screaming at him to wake up. So he was startled when he heard two voices at the same time and they both sounded like Erik. Raoul sat up straighter. Erik?
Shh! He immediately responded.
So, Raoul sat waiting. For some reason, at the sound of that voice he felt wide-awake. He struggled to stand up when he suddenly heard a voice in the mausoleum say 'Can you walk?' Raoul was so shocked that he fell back against the door trying to see where the voice had come from.
He's throwing his voice.
Raoul still tried to peer into the darkness. He was certain that the door he stood behind was the only entrance or exit for the mausoleum. He could have sworn though that the voice had been right beside him. He realized what Erik had said. The ghost.
It sounds very much like him. Erik answered.
Even though Raoul knew he would not know, he asked. Do you think he's here to save us or do you think he's teamed up with the Comte?
Erik sounded slightly panicked as he answered, but Raoul thought he was simply hearing things.
I don't see any other reason for him to be here. Unless he's here to mock us or finish the job himself. He spoke louder with each word he uttered, and Raoul could no longer ignore the alarm in his voice. Maybe this is part of their plan to get rid of us. Maybe the Comte enlisted the ghost to do his dirty work and this is it for us! We're going to die a painful death at the hands of the ghost.
Raoul frowned. He thought about Erik's usual behaviour before he yelled. Is that supposed to make me feel better? Why are you doing this to me? We're going to die.
Erik answered calmly, all trace of the panic in his voice gone. Raoul, I'm disappointed in you. Do you really believe that the ghost would join the managers and the Comte to go against you?
Raoul was about to respond when Erik interrupted him.
You don't need to answer that. The answer is obviously yes. It was a rhetorical question. Now, you know as well as I do that those men out there could have easily killed us.
Raoul nodded. His struggles had not been very affective against their combined strength, and since he had been locked inside the mausoleum, they could have shot him since there was nowhere for him to hide.
Erik continued. So think logically. Why send the ghost to do it when they can claim a ghost did it without actually having to go through the trouble of getting the real ghost?
Raoul shrugged. Then why is he here?
To save us. Erik responded confidently.
Raoul stared at the doorway. His freedom was dependent upon a man he called a monster.
You could help him out, you know. Erik suggested.
Raoul pushed himself up and began to pace hopefully loudly enough for them to think there were two sets of feet walking. He did not know if they could hear such small details, but he had to try.
He spoke and hoped his voice carried through the walls. He also hoped he was not ruining whatever the ghost had planned. "Yes, I can walk."
Erik let out a relieved breath. Raoul was okay. He just needed to fool the guards into opening the door now.
Raoul paced some more before asking aloud, "What about the guards?"
He silently wondered if the guards would fall for this routine. He could believe that the ghost was right beside him if it were not for the fact that he knew otherwise. It felt good to hear his voice. Actually, it felt good to hear anyone's voice. Raoul had honestly thought that he would have to spend the night or maybe several nights stuck in this mausoleum before anyone could find him.
"They're nothing." The ghost's voice replied confidently, and Raoul could not help but make the comparison of the ghost to Erik. They even spoke with the same confidence.
From the roof, Erik watched as the guards whispered to each other. He could not hear them. The guard that he was less certain believed him headed back towards the fire. Erik wondered what he was doing when he saw the man lift up a key. This was his chance. He could ambush the one with the key, then separate the two, and kill them one by one before returning to Raoul. He slowly climbed down the mausoleum side while talking. "No one can capture the opera ghost."
Raoul waited anxiously. He heard shuffling outside. Maybe the guards had believed them and decided to open the door. He prepared himself to lunge out the first moment the guard opened the door. At least this time, he expected a fist. He also knew that he would no longer be outnumbered. The ghost was here. The ghost would help him escape.
Erik was so concentrated on keeping his voice inside the mausoleum that he was almost shot. It hit the mausoleum and he dropped to the floor and rolled towards the back of the mausoleum.
Raoul started at the sound. Tell me that was thunder or something?
It sounded like a gunshot. Erik said hesitantly.
Followed by a thud. Raoul finished. He waited anxiously by the door. You don't think he's…
Only silence answered him.
Erik knew could not move towards the front now. He could not ambush them since they apparently knew where he was. He did not know how they had seen him, but he had a feeling that he had been set up once again. He should have known that the guard would not have opened the door.
His heart beat erratically and he tried to think. There was nowhere to find cover. The only cover would be moving away from Raoul. Erik knew he could not stay hiding behind the mausoleum though. They would be coming for him soon, but he could not run away. He would only lose his chance to save Raoul. For all he knew, although Raoul had responded, he might by hurt badly. He did not know if Raoul could last through the night.
Erik looked around frantically. He had to make his choice. He could run away and come back later or he could stay and find a way to get to Raoul.
They were trying to surround him. Footsteps from his left and his right alerted him of their presence.
He had run away from Raoul all his life.
They would be turning the corner soon.
Erik could not leave.
He quickly climbed up the mausoleum again. If they tried to climb to attack him, then he would have the upper hand.
"Where is he?"
Erik pressed low. He peaked over the edge to see what they were doing. He barely pulled back in time to dodge the bullet that had been aimed at his head.
Hearing the second shot, Raoul banged against the door. He wondered what was going on. A second shot meant that the ghost had not been hit with the first one. Raoul was suddenly terrified for the ghost. He struggled in vain against the door.
It's useless. Erik tried to tell Raoul, but Raoul banged on the door harder. He already had a bruise in his left shoulder from earlier. So he ran at the door with his other shoulder.
What if they kill him? Raoul yelled panicked.
Erik had not moved. He was trapped. He could not wait them out, not while he was lying on the roof. He could jump down the front of the mausoleum, but then what? There was no place to go. He could not open the door to free Raoul. He could not find cover. There was the tree though. He could break a limb from it and use it as some sort of weapon. Erik wondered how desperate he was. He was going to fashion a weapon from a tree branch. The only thing he did know was that he could not last very long before the guards figured a way to shoot him down.
He slid himself towards the front of the mausoleum. He barely pressed himself up when a third gunshot rang through the dead of the night. He was wide since it hit neither him nor the mausoleum. Erik did not know why until he heard the guards speaking.
"Don't shoot him." One ordered.
"What were you doing then?"
Erik slipped towards the front of the mausoleum and crouched low.
"I'm not aiming at him," the other retorted.
"It's dark. How do you know what you're shooting at?" The second man asked.
"I just do," he motioned for his partner to go around while he climb up the roof. He nodded in agreement and left to go around. The first man began climbing up. He kept the conversation going, "He needs to be alive and whole."
Erik reached out towards the tree. He grabbed a branch when he glanced back just in time to see one of the guards standing behind him.
The barrel was pointed at his face, and Erik stepped away from the edge of the mausoleum.
He had underestimated these men and their intelligence, but they had underestimated him as well. He had been captured once today already. He would not be caught again without a fight. Erik narrowed his eyes.
"Well, ghost," the man taunted him, "you seem less frightening with a gun pointed in your face."
Erik was planning to grab the man's arm. He was certain that he was faster than his opponent. Before he could act, the man shook his head and pointed behind Erik. Erik glanced behind him trying not to lose sight of the guard before him. The second guard was in front of the mausoleum with his gun trained on Erik.
"I wouldn't try anything funny." The guard in front of him said.
Erik did not know if he was fast enough to avoid the second guard's bullet. The thumping of his heart seemed loud in his ears.
"Shut up!" The guard on the ground yelled.
Erik wondered who he was yelling at when he realized that it was not his heart that was thumping.
Raoul was throwing himself against the door. Three gunshots and then absolute silence. He did not know what to think, but since absolutely nothing had been going well tonight, he feared the worst.
His shoulder began to hurt, so he started banging on the door yelling, "Leave him alone! Don't hurt him!" He repeated those sentences in hope that they would listen to him. The ghost could not die, not because of him and not when he had so many questions to ask now.
Erik smirked. At least he knew he mattered somewhat to Raoul.
"Do you know why we caught you?" The guard asked conversationally.
Erik did not reply, but he had not needed to.
"Well, it's quite easy when you have the perfect location and you know what your prey wants."
It was odd to hear someone talk about others as prey. Erik had only ever been the predator. He had never been prey, had not allowed himself to be one since he had freed himself from the gypsy carnival. These were not ordinary ruffians. They had done this many times before, and Erik had to wonder what kind of men the Comte associated with. He had not expected it from a wealthy man, but then again he should not have underestimated them.
"And you want what's beneath our feet."
Erik knew that was true. They new exactly what they had to defend, but Erik knew something else. He could not be caught again. He would die or save Raoul.
He waited until Raoul banged on the door again before making his mood. While the second guard on the ground was distracted, Erik grabbed the guard's gun from him before grabbing the guard himself. They struggled and Erik tried to push them down onto the roof so that he would not be shot but the other man was making it impossible. Luckily, the guard on the floor did not shoot in fear that he would hit his partner.
They struggled. Erik was stronger but he could not seem to get the upper hand. Even if he did break free with the gun in hand, he would have to worry about the second guard shooting him before he had a chance to turn. From the corner of his eye, he saw the tree and an idea came to him. He pushed their struggle towards the front edge of the mausoleum towards the tree. He positioned them so that the guard's back was at the edge of the building. It had the added bonus of providing a shield from the guard on the floor. Hoping he would not die, Erik pushed them both off the building.
Surprised, the first guard could do nothing but scream as he plummeted backwards. The mausoleum was not very high, but the height had not been Erik's initial worry. He had been worried about finding a place to take cover after he hit the floor. The landing was not bad if not a little jarring, and Erik managed to use the tree as cover as the second guard began shooting at him. He breathed a sigh of relief. He had taken one guard out.
He glanced at the man on the floor. He had landed on his back but luckily only on snow. He was groaning pitifully and rolling to his side. He crawled away slowly towards his partner. Erik saw that the gun had fallen much too far from him to reach. From this position, he could try to run to the back of the mausoleum again, but there was a good chance he might be shot in the attempt. At least now though, Erik felt he had a better chance. He still did not have a weapon, but he had one less guard to worry about since the first guard had managed to move away from him before he had stopped moving altogether.
Erik focused his attention on the second guard. This man he knew he could take care of. The man's shot was horrible. Erik knew it was too high. He was just wasting bullets.
It took him too long to realize what the man had been doing. Before he knew it, a loud crack got his attention. Erik looked up just in time to see the large tree branch falling on him. He was soon buried under the surprisingly large branch and a pile of snow that had fallen from the tree along with it.
Erik struggled to pull himself out of the pile when the guard walked over to him. Erik was sure he was going to die. Instead, the guard knocked him unconscious.
o.o.o
In the time when late night and early morning mix, a carriage pulled up to the front doors of the Chagny estate.
A cloaked man exited the carriage and before he even reached the entranceway, the butler pulled open the door with a chastise, "What took you so long to retrieve the Vicomte?"
The butler looked outside. He stared uncertainly at the cloaked form.
Philippe stepped into the light and asked worriedly, "What has happened to my brother?"
o.o.o.o
End Chapter
Word count: 7,111
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A/N: Don't forget to R/R (Read and Review)!
Don't know if there's a hiatus or not. All I know is that I think I blacked out a few times editing this (I'm so tired).
Chapter review: Erik is not very happy with me (that's putting it lightly). That's two times now that he's been captured, but at least this time he's with Raoul! He was going a little insane there. I blame it on stress (he blames it on me). And Philippe is back. Craziness. He has the greatest entrances, don't you think?
Thanks to you awesome reviewers!