Hello, my lovely fanfic-ers! I missed you, there was a lot of drama involving me, a funeral for my grandfather, school, my internet being incredibly uncooperative, and well…my laziness in general. So there's my excuse for not updating since like, April. I'm SORRY! Okay, I have one more favor to ask. I'm in this little bet thing with BlackTippedRose. The bet is who can get more reviews for our story (hers being Trapped In a Stairwell) in three days. The loser has to write a story of the other's genre. So, if she loses, she has to write a romantic drama, and if I lose (which won't happen), I have to write a parody. Either way, somebody gets to write a very bad version of something that they aren't used to writing. We're doing this for your enjoyment, because we're oh-so-nice. So, review, and don't make me write a parody, because you know I'll suck.
Froggle Boggle-Wow. That was…energetic. You'll just have to see!
Lucius's Mistress- Who knows? I might throw in a twist that will ruin their lives forever….but probably not.
Draegon-fire – Nope, the last chapter did in fact have more than just review thanking. Go ahead, re-read. Tell me what I can do better!
Virginie-I liked your idea, so I used it! I think it's more evil of me to let him know that Christine is rejecting him than letting him die thinking that he was "saving them". :D
Your Momma (a.k.a BlackTippedRose)-wow. Nice penname. Thanks for the oh-so-helpful review. BTW, I'm winning the bet. You'll see. :P
LonesomeGurlAngelofDeath- Gah…I'm sorry! I'm not killing Raoul right off, and you'll see why. But I'm pretty sure that he'll die a "tragic" death. Maybe. Depends how evil I'm feeling.
LadyAlyafaelyn- Book references and Raoul bashing are what I do best! Glad you like it::does happy dance with you!::
Shadow of Darkness (Crow)- Aw, thanks so much! That means a lot to me! If only I could speak French….I don't start until September! Until then I'm stuck with good ole' English.
The-Phanatics- Hmm…that's a good idea too….
Unknown masked love- It's okay! Except that was probably bad for you since I haven't updated in two months… And your penname reminds me of my story title! Er…nevermind.
On with the story!
Christine panicked. "The torture chamber? How could he have gotten in there?" she asked, frantic. Erik sighed. "He must have gone up the way to your room and stepped on the false step. He would have fallen straight through to the chamber." Her eyes grew wide. "W-What exactly h-hap-happens in the t-t-torture chamber?" she questioned, feeling shaky.
Erik frowned. "It's a room covered with mirrors. There's a small light that is turned on, and naturally the mirrors reflect the light-"
Christine cut in, "I don't need the entire scientific explanation, what's happening?" she practically yelled.
He smirked, but then grew serious again. "The mirrors reflect the light, and it grows incredibly hot in a short time. The person then suffers, and usually experiences hallucinations. There's also a noose, convenient if they wish to end the torture sooner than dying of thirst," he said, feeling a bit proud of himself, but remembering that this was not the time nor place to be proud of his murderous abilities.
It was rather fortunate that he remembered his surroundings, for Christine had just fainted. Erik scooped her into his arms, as he had done not so long ago, and laid her down on the bed, also as he had done not so long ago. He desperately wanted to stay with her until she awoke, but she would be devastated if something happened to the Vicomte. Erik ran out of the room and went up the ladder to the torture chamber. He looked inside, and there was Raoul, a few mere feet away from the noose. He inwardly groaned. If only the boy had a bit more strength! He could have hung himself, and the Vicomte could have been done away with. Of course, there would be suspicion of how he died and why Christine had suddenly disappeared. Erik supposed that maybe it was for the better if he lived.
Erik hoisted himself up and took a last breath of cool, fresh air. He walked in and felt Raoul for a pulse. He was still alive. Erik picked him up and threw him over his shoulder and came back out and down the ladder. He carried him over by the cold lake and laid Raoul down by it. After making sure Raoul inhaled cool air for a few minutes, he splashed water onto his head, face, and chest. Wetting a Persian scarf, he wrapped it around his neck to bring him back to consciousness faster.
Remembering Christine, he dashed back to her to find her sitting up and crying. She looked up and ran into his arms. "He's dead, isn't he?" she wept.
"No, he's just passed out, but I am nearly positive he will come back soon, if he has-," Erik was cut off again. Christine had already sprinted out and found him by the lake.
When Erik followed, he saw she was pushing the Vicomte's hair out of his face, almost lovingly. His temper flared, but he tried to stay calm, focusing on the fact that she had known him since they were children, and they used to be engaged. Erik hoped that this was the only reason she was concerned for his life.
Christine removed the scarf and wet it again, drenching it in the cool water, and placing it on his wrists for a few moments, and the back of his neck again.
With a sudden jerk, Raoul awoke, and Christine looked relieved.
"Raoul? Raoul, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"Incredibly…warm." He rasped.
Christine looked up at Erik. "Do you have fresh water? If you don't, that's fine, but if you do…", she trailed off.
He nodded. "Of course…yes. I'll return shortly.", he said and left the room, leaving Christine and Raoul alone.
Christine splashed more cold water onto Raoul. "Does that feel better?", she asked.
Raoul nodded. "Much better, especially since you're with me now."
She felt a stab of guilt. "Raoul…there's-there's something I need to tell you. You see, I was thinking…and now…now when I say I love you, I don't mean it in the way that you think anymore, and I-,"
"What are you saying, Christine?", Raoul asked.
A tear fell down her cheek. "I love you as a brother, or a dear friend, but not as a lover."
He sat up. "He put you up to this, didn't he? Your so called "Angel of Music" told you to say that, and threatened your life, didn't he? I should kill him, but I won't. We need time to escape! Come Christine, we can hide before he gets back! I will not let us go through this again! I knew that coming back down here was a mistake! Oh, if I could I would kill him in the most painful way possible, and-," Raoul stopped, suddenly aware of the towering shadow over him.
"Ah, I see you have gained your strength back, Vicomte," Erik said smoothly, "but perhaps your mind can't comprehend things quite as clearly as before, for I believe that you have mistaken Miss Daae. Perhaps you can reword it in a way that our dear friend here would understand?" he said, nodding to Christine, and handing Raoul a glass of water.
"No Raoul, he did not threaten me at all. This is truly my decision. I do not wish to marry you anymore, my place is with Erik," she said, her voice stronger.
Raoul's mouth hung open. "But Christine-,"
"Raoul, you will go out, and find a new girl, one better than I, and perhaps a higher social rank. Phillipe would be pleased if he were here. Besides, think of the scandal!" she said, expressing a small smile. She hoped he wouldn't point out the scandal of their broken engagement, and luckily, he didn't.
Raoul opened his mouth to speak again, but Christine put her finger to his lips. "Please…don't speak. Nothing you can say will change my mind, I want to stay here."
Erik was practically jumping from joy, ecstatic that Christine really meant the words she was saying. Somehow, Erik managed to keep a straight face.
"Now, once you are done with your water, sir, I will escort you up to call you a carriage to take you back to your estate. Keep in mind that if you speak of one word, to anyone at all about anything that happened tonight that the newspaper doesn't know, you will be immensely sorry. Is this clear?" Erik said sternly.
Raoul nodded.
"Good. I shall give you a few minutes, and then we will be off," and Erik left to get his cloak.
Christine helped him stand up and hugged him.
"We shall still remain friends. You were too much a part of my life for me to let you go now.", she said.
Erik returned. "Are you ready?", he asked Raoul.
"No, I will never be ready. But that doesn't matter anymore, does it?" Raoul said without emotion.
"No, I suppose not," Erik said, and motioned for Raoul to follow him through a passage that Christine and Raoul had not noticed before. The short trip was silent, except the occasional warnings about where and where not to step, in order to avoid the torture chamber again from Erik.
When they reached the street, Erik tipped his hat and disappeared, leaving Raoul to call a carriage for himself.
Wooooo! An update! Was that sufficient enough? Hopefully the next update will not take two months, and maybe only a few weeks. So, press the lavender button down there and review so I don't have to write a parody, and BTR has to write a mushy love story. Doesn't that sound entertaining?