Chapter 2

Christine could not sleep, ever since her and her papa had come to live with Madeline a month before. She had been scared of the woman from the start.

Christine could tell that her papa was worried for Madeline, due to the worry lines starting to appear under his eyes. Christine giggled at the memory of her mother telling her it was just Papa's old man face, but instead of getting angry, her papa would just laugh along with them.

Christine sighed at the happy memory as she gazed at the crescent moon outside her window.

All of a sudden, the sweetest sound Christine had ever heard entered the room and Christine scratched her bushy head in curiosity.

It was the sound of a heavenly violin playing. "But it can't be Papa," she said aloud. "He is sleeping right next door."

In addition, she realized in a shock natural for a small child that this mysterious musician was far better than her papa.

Ever so quietly, she eased her way into the hallway and followed the haunting sound to the attic stairs. Christine had always been terrified of the dark, and the attic was pitch black! But curiosity out won her fear. Plus, Christine thought, shaking her head at her foolishness, I have a candle to lead my way.

Slowly and silently she made her way up the stairs until she reached a small door where she could hear the full sounds of heaven's music on the inside and the sound of someone crying.

Christine peeked into the room to see the back of a small boy holding a violin to his chin and Sasha, Madeline's spaniel, lying at his feet. From what Christine could see, the boy had jet black hair and was incredibly thin and tall for someone obviously so young.

The boy stopped to wipe the tears from his eyes and Christine blurted out, "Please don't stop playing! That was beautiful!"

The boy froze up and spun around and Christine gasped at what she saw. The boy was wearing a full white mask that surrounded pink lips and glowing golden eyes. The boy seemed to understand her shock and pulled her into the room, closing the door behind her.

Christine was scared when the boy held her arm in a vise grip and said in a angelic voice, "What are you doing in here?" When Christine didn't answer, he let go of her arm and said quietly to himself, "If she knows the girl knows about me, she will beat me till I am blind!"

Christine wrinkled her nose and asked "Who is 'she'? What do you mean if I knew about you? Who are you?"

The boy gave her a sideways glance and Christine was under the impression that this boy thought she was stupid. The boy sat down on a cot that served as his bed and motioned for her to sit. She did so, folding her arms across her chest giving her the look of a spoiled child not getting her way.

The boy had to smile at this and thought, She's kind of cute, in an annoying way.

The boy sighed and said, "My name is Erik Destler. I am Madeline's son."

Christine stared at him, shocked, and said, "You're Madelines son? But she said to Papa and me when we came here that you had gone to heaven when you were born."

Erik sighed and said, "She says that to everyone who comes to stay, except Marie Pruette. She knows the truth and always argues with my mother to admit it and give this act a rest."

Christine pondered over this for a second and thought, So that's why they were arguing when me and Papa came here! Marie was annoyed with Madeline over Erik's existence!

Christine looked at Erik and said, "My name's Christine. You should know your mother scares me, and now I know how awful she really is." Christine slowly touched Erik's hand in comfort and said, "Is that why you were crying?"

Erik at first looked shocked that she willingly touched him. Then he lied defensively, saying, "I was not crying! I, uh, I had something in my eye!"

Christine smiled, showing pearly white baby teeth and said sarcastically, "Okay, I believe you."

Without warning, Christine looked at a clock in the corner and said, "What time is it? Papa promised to teach me how to tell time, but lately he has been too busy to teach me."

Erik took one look at the clock and replied, "It's 6:47 AM."

Christine jumped up all of a sudden and said, "Oh no! I have to go to sleep! Me and Papa are going to the local fair at 8:30 AM and he said to get plenty of sleep!"

She rushed to the door but turned back to Erik and said, "I promise not to tell on you. I would never do that. I'll come back soon!"

With that, she rushed out the door.

Erik and Sasha climbed into bed, the old spaniel nudging his feet with her furry head.

Christine and Erik both had the same smiles on there faces as they drifted off to sleep.

I decided to kind of start out Erik and Christine's relationship as boy meets girl, girl thinks boys cute, boy finds girl cute but is too proud to admit it kind of thing. I tried to make this chapter longer too. Please R&R.