Unmasked Love

Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews. I am SO SORRY for the looooong wait. I feel so bad about it! But I have a chapter prepared for your enjoyment, and Thanksgiving break is coming up soon, so more updates for you!

Erik: Hurry up; this needs to be finished before I turn 40

Me: But you're almost four-

Erik: Shut up! I know!

Me: Yes, master hides with laptop typing away

Christine looked behind her watching Erik angrily smash his mirrors. She gripped Raoul's shoulders tighter. When Christine thought she couldn't last another second with out saying something she would burst.

Raoul broke the silence.

"Christine, now we are rid of the monster. We can officially start our new lives together! Hopefully we can just forget all of this and build our family with out any "Angel of Music."

The young soprano took slight offence at that. She never considered Erik a true monster, nor did she ever want to be "rid" of him. She wanted him to stop killing, and to not be obsessed with her. Christine couldn't help but feel incredibly guilty leaving Erik, especially after he had confessed he loved her. She very well knew that he loved her, yet; somehow it seemed different, more lovingly when he said it then when he expressed it. And, as much as she hated to admit it, she knew that she loved Erik, more than anything, even Raoul. But this strange love for him was different from her continued childhood relationship love for Raoul. It was more passionate, dark, mysterious. Every time Christine heard her Angel's voice she felt as if she was in pure heaven, but as soon as he left, she felt a craving and wanted more.

Raoul's love for her made her have that warm, soft feeling inside. She was comfortable whenever talking to him, and he was so easy to talk to.

She loved having those long romantic dinners with Raoul, taking walks with him in the snow, holding his warm hand. It seemed as if she could not ask for anything more, but she almost felt as if, perhaps-

Christine was torn out of her thoughts when Raoul began shaking her.

"Christine? Christine are you all right?" Raoul asked, his voice full of concern.

"Oh, um, yes, I'm fine. I suppose I'm just tired and flustered after all that has just happened."

Raoul nodded his head. "Little Lotte, as soon as we get to my brother's estate, we shall get you a hot bath and a nice soft bed for your much needed rest."

Christine smiled weakly. "Thank you, that sounds perfect," she whispered.

Raoul helped Christine out of the gondola and they continued their journey to Christine's dressing room mirror. When they arrived and were about to swing the mirror open, the young couple stopped dead in their tracks.

Through the mirror they could see that everything was in flames. Christine's comb was a pure ball of fire on her smoldering vanity. The multiple roses that Erik had left her were no longer burning, but black and flaky skeletons of a once beautiful red rose. Christine was in shock. She stared at the fire before her as they consumed her life. The few pictures she had of her father, a few sheets of his music, and 3 of his favorite books, now gone. As Christine watched her jewelry box that contained two necklaces, three bracelets, two pairs of earrings, and her mother's diamond necklace, the only part that Christine had left of her burst into flames, she collapsed on the cold and damp stone floor. Christine began to sob and shake uncontrollably.

"Raoul," she said, her voice shaky, "it's gone, everything is gone! My parents, jewelry, clothes, music, everything is-" Christine was cut off by a sob that had escaped her throat.

Raoul dropped to his knees beside Christine. He couldn't think of anything to do. This was the only way out that he knew of. Raoul tried to think of any other option, but he knew in his heart that there was only one man, or one monster that knew every way out. He drew in a deep breath.

"Christine, lets leave." He said, not wanting to admit the real reason that they had to go back.

"Where will we go? We cannot stay here until the fire burns out, that could take hours! And we simply cannot-Oh," She said, as she realized where they were leaving to.

"Do you think that he will still be there?" Raoul asked, unable to even speak his name.

"I-I'm not sure, he might have left." Christine replied.

Raoul nodded and they quickly made their way back to the gondola, trying to get to Erik's house as quickly as possible, causing Raoul to drop the stick into the water twice. When they finally arrived, they stared in shock at-

MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Cliff hanger! Now, to those who reviewed, I promised Erik would do something nice for you. So these next "reviewer" comments are from the deranged maniac himself.

BlackTippedRose: Kloolk thanks you for the reviews, and since I know you are a "Me hater", I give you the right (willingly, mind you) to make me do something incredibly stupid in the Forbidden Questions.

NobleAngel015: Kloolk will update the next chapter as soon as possible. Now, what to do for you, hmmmm, AHA! Gives you 3 de-thorned roses with black velvet ribbons tied around them

Helena: the Authoress sincerely thanks you Gives autographed photo

Lothiel: Oh yes, it will most definitely be EC. I wouldn't have it any other way! Hands over 100 francs

Okay guys, one more thing. I have an idea of where I'm going with this story, but it's not the greatest, so if ANYONE has an idea, please send it in! so hit that little review button right below this. ::puppy dog face:: PLEASE? For me?