A/N: Nov. 18, 2006 It has been SEVEN months...but here it is, a new chapter! I bet you all thought I had given up. Well, a promise is a promise, and I promise this story will have an end. I'm truly very sorry for the delay. It has been a rough seven months (check my profile). Thank you to all my faithful readers! Without further ado--

Chapter 13: The Midnight Hour

I rubbed my eyes as the phone kept ringing. I checked the caller ID, but it said it was a blocked number. Curious, I opened the phone to see who could possibly be calling me at this hour.

"Hello," I grumbled into the phone, still groggy with sleep. There was no response.

Again, I said with more force, "Hello? Is someone there?"

I listened, but there was silence.

"Seriously, last time-- is anyone there?" I sighed. If this was a joke, it wasn't funny.

"Christine?" Came a timid, but urgent whisper.

"Randall? Is that you? Why are you calling me at one in the morning?"

"I just wanted to... check up on you..."

"An odd time to be checking up on me. There are other hours in the day. Hours that are better for calling people," I said in annoyance.

A pause, then, "I think something may be wrong," was his response.

"Randall, are you in trouble? Do you need money or something? Should I call the police?" I started to panic, thinking the worst. "This is getting a bit ridiculous if you won't tell me what is really going on."

"I don't know...I don't even know where to begin. I just want to make sure you are alright." He did sound desperate, but I was still annoyed and let him have it.

"Of course I am alright. Or I was until your call woke me up. I've had a really long and pretty much bad day. I don't need you making creepy phone calls to me at night from a blocked phone number and then being silent when I answer," I yelled out at him through the line. I could tell something was really upsetting him, but if he wanted to play mind games, he could count me out. I wasn't in the mood.

"I know, Chris, I know... I'm just nervous. I get the feeling someone might be following me," he went silent for a second, then whispered, "And maybe you as well."

"Why would you think someone would be following me, or you for that matter?" I asked honestly. I had guessed someone from Randall's job might be giving him problems, but I couldn't figure how I would be involved, especially since we weren't even really dating anymore. I could sense Randall's hesitation as he answered me. He still wasn't telling me everything.

"I'm not sure, maybe they aren't. Tonight. . . I was out walking tonight in the Commons, and I could have sworn there was someone trailing me. I'd turn around and see a dark blur, then look in front of me and it was there again. I just had a bad feeling... I couldn't explain it."

"Randall, you know how dangerous it is to walk through the park at night. It probably was someone trailing you-- a robber or drug dealer or something." I wasn't even convinced that's all it was, but I hated to think the worst.

"Maybe... The other day, someone sent me..."

"Sent you what? A threat or something. Really, you should just go to the police, Randall," I sighed hoping he would take my advice if something were as serious as that.

"I can't!" he shouted. Then calmly, "It's... it was probably nothing. Never mind... But...But, you haven't...noticed anyone new hanging around you, or following you? Maybe someone at the Opera or--" he trailed off. "Anything putting you out of ease, or anyone who made you feel nervous?"

I was silent for a moment, pondering Randall's outburst and questions. At first I was going to dismiss his worries. I had been fine on my own. But when I thought about anyone new around me, my mind snapped to Erik. My new friend had recently and mysteriously shown up. Surely it was just a coincidence. How could Erik possibly be connected to Randall in some way. Erik never said anything about him. It didn't make sense. Besides, Erik never made me feel awkward. He was never creepy or disconcerting. Mysterious yes, but a threat? He had always made me feel... great! He made me feel better about myself. Sure, Erik had appeared recently and was taking some sort of interest in me, but none of that seemed to be too odd. He was certainly an enigma and I didn't know much about him, but that didn't mean his intentions were malicious or some sort of sick game...did it?

I instantly felt guilty for thinking ill of Erik. He had been nothing but helpful and encouraging. He had been the only one who made me feel better about...everything recently. And Erik could have been coming to the library for ages. Maybe I just hadn't noticed him there except that first time. After all, I had been looking like an idiot, so I obviously noticed someone staring at me. Any other night I would have just gone on my way. Plus, I was single. So another guy was taking an interest in me-- that wasn't so unbelievable either!

My silence must have spoken more truth than if I had voiced all these thoughts out loud because Randall sounded even more panicked.

"There is someone isn't there... Someone you've noticed? Have they spoken to you, asked you anything about me? Please, Christine, this is important!" he nearly screeched.

"Randall, really, calm down... there... there isn't anyone creepy hanging around me. I was just thinking about some people at the opera. I mean there are a few company members who are rude or that I don't like...but nothing odd or unusual." I hoped he would believe that much.

"Are you sure? That's it? Please tell me," he said with an edge to his voice.

"Is there something else you want to share with me?" I questioned him.

"No... everything should be fine. I probably shouldn't even be calling you... I just wanted to be sure you were alright. Maybe... maybe I should come over, you know, look around your place," he offered.

"I assure you that I'm safe. I live in one of the safest neighborhoods in Boston." I sighed briefly into the phone. "Look, Randall, it's really late. I'm so exhausted, and on top of it all, I have to work tomorrow. So it will be another long day. I just want to go back to sleep, alright? Maybe we can meet for coffee later in this week, okay? But, I think you just need to get some rest too. Just be smart, and stay calm."

"Maybe you're right. Just please be careful. If you notice anything off... tell someone. Call me, or let Meg know, or the police."

"I will be fine. I'm always so busy, I'm always with people. There's nothing to worry about. Now I'm going back to bed. Call me next time at a more reasonable hour."

"Okay...I'm sorry." A pause. "Goodnight, Christine." Then a click and he was gone.

Although I really didn't think I had anything substantial to fear, the phone call left me feeling uneasy. Randall had been acting strange for quite sometime, even before I had first met Erik. I had been around him plenty of times, alone for the most part, so I figured if he was out to get me as Randall figured someone was... he would have done something? He wouldn't have been nice to me, or complimented me, or tried to give me advice. He wouldn't have even shown himself or told me his name!

Randall was being paranoid. Who knew what type of stuff went on at his office. Someone at work must have been messing with him, trying to scare him. He hadn't been working there for that long and had recently been promoted, so maybe it was some sort of weird initiation thing. A corporate hazing, if such a thing existed.

Either way, I had too many other things to worry about then to let Randall get to me. There was a reason I broke up with him, so I wouldn't have to deal with all his drama. I was in theatre. I had enough drama of my own.

As it always seems to do, the morning sun rose earlier than I wanted it to. After I had hung up with Randall the night before, I had some trouble falling asleep. My mind would not shut down. Thoughts of music, singing, Randall, and Erik floated through my head. I didn't want to stay awake dissecting everything new in my life, but my brain had other plans.

I was finally able to get some sleep, although I had trouble getting comfortable enough to sleep deeply. I turned frequently in my bed, and was unable to peacefully have any dreams. As my alarm rang, I quickly shut it off, but reluctantly sat up in bed. Before Randall had called , I had begun to feel more at ease with my situation. I had felt better because at least I had come up with an idea-- ask Erik for help and advice on my singing, which at the time had been my main concern. But after our conversation, I still kept hearing that nagging voice in my head ask, "But, you haven't...noticed anyone new hanging around you, or following you? Anything putting you out of ease, or anyone who made you feel nervous?"

Again, my guilty mind set off a small warning signal about Erik. I didn't want to think Randall's words held any truth. Just before falling asleep I had convinced myself that Randall was overly paranoid, and someone was playing a joke on him. But in the daylight hours, I started to feel uneasy. What if meeting Erik wasn't a coincidence? What if he did have some other motive?

I didn't want my brain to be stuck on those types of thoughts. But sometimes a girl's brain can overanalyze every situation. It gets stuck on things and picks and picks to the point of exhaustion and then some! And that is where I found my self as I went to get some reinforcements-- namely, Meg.

I relayed the story of Randall's phone call, but left out the parts about Erik that were playing through my mind. I didn't want to worry her, and I didn't want someone else to confirm what my brain had been pondering. Luckily, Meg came up with her own take on the situation, one that I wasn't quite sure I believed, but was better than the alternative.

"Okay, he is clearly trying to just scare you to get you back!"

"What?' I asked momentarily confused thinking she meant he was paying me back for some sort of trick I played on him.

"Randall. He's just trying to scare you so you'll feel unsafe and cling to him. It's a typical guy thing. Make the girl feel weak and scared so the man can be the protector. It is so obvious!" she explained as if I was dumb for not getting it in the first place.

"Maybe," I countered. "But Randall was acting weird even before we broke up. And he is still acting strangely."

"Yeah, but I'm sure it was nothing more than stress at work. Now he is just cashing in on his earlier behavior so he can win you back," she laughed. "Is anyone following you or creeping you out? Ha, probably on a daily basis, this is Boston, full of creepy people. He just said that to make you jumpy. Now you'll look at everyone and be nervous! Especially guys, potential boyfriends at the Opera! Even, what's his name? The guy at the library! Better be careful, according to Randall, he's an axe murderer!"

It took me a second to register that she was referring to Erik, and to realize that she was making a huge joke out of the whole situation. It relieved some of my stress. Meg had a point. I had never thought badly about Erik until Randall mentioned something. So of course I was becoming momentarily paranoid as well, and nitpicking every new person I had come into contact with. It was like when people read about the symptoms of some illness-- instantly they begin to think that they must have that disease despite all evidence to the contrary.

"Meg... I'm glad we had this talk," I said with a smile.

"Wow, you actually agree with me? Usually I give you my take on things, and I think you just nod to get me to be quiet!"

"Well, this time, I think your point is very valid. I'll let Randall be dramatic. In the meantime, I have to go to work today."

An hour later I was headed out to the library for my shift, a longer one than usual. Since I had been missing so much to be at rehearsals, I wanted to work double to pick up some of the hours I had skipped. The weather was beginning to drop significantly, even for the end of September. I was always disappointed when the air began to get cold. Even though I had lived in New England my whole life, I was still a warm weather girl a heart. The air wasn't freezing though, just chilly, so I didn't mind the walk.

I arrived at the large gray stone building in the heart of the city and entered through the older front side entrance. I always came in through the front because I liked the atmosphere better. It was what was considered the "old" library and had murals painted on the walls, and a tile mosaic on the floors and ceiling of the entrance. It felt very classical, like I was stepping back in time. Plus, the back entrance was always less populated and very quiet, the way a library should be, in my mind.

I began my shift and went through most of the day with hardly any action, work related or otherwise. I hadn't expected Erik to be waiting for me in the front foyer the minute I walked through the doors, but I was 20 minutes away from leaving and I still hadn't seen or heard from him. Maybe it was foolish of me to think that he would be there at all, but that had been our pattern as of late. It had been a week since I had seen him at all, and with all the hype I had created for him in my head over the last night and early morning, I really wanted him to be there. And not just so I could see if he knew of anyone who gave voice lessons. I just...missed him.

I finished my final rounds, disappointed in Erik's lack of appearance. I checked my watched and glanced out a nearby window. It was eight o'clock, and the sun was already down. It wasn't like Erik to not show up. It wasn't like we planned on meeting... but he felt late, as if he had missed our unspoken meeting.

My shift was over and I started to head out. The walk to my apartment was a good distance, and I figured I had better go to the bathroom before going out into the cold night. The nearest restroom was located in the lowest level of the library, down an old vaulted ceiling corridor that always made me fell like I was traveling in some secret cave-like passageway.

When I was finished, I began my journey back up through the catacombs, as I sometimes referred to the basement. The halls, in keeping with the "old library" feel, were not lit with the newer fluorescent lighting of the other half of the building, and so the tiny halls were very dim, which I felt added to the ambiance. I was alone, as the building was just closing for the night, so I was startled when I thought I heard someone come up behind me. I quickly turned, expecting to see a security guard or someone else doing their final rounds. But no one was there.

I shook my head and turned back around, but froze in my tracks as someone seemed to materialize right before my eyes.

"Good evening, Ms. DuBois. A brisk night for a walk... but perhaps you will indulge in one with me?"

It was Erik. And he was right on time after all.

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