For some reason, I didn't get an alert saying that I'd updated chapter 11, so I'm assuming you didn't either. Chapter 11 is up, which you should read before you read this chapter :) Thanks for reading! Please review!

Chapter 12

Something felt horribly wrong about the night. Christine couldn't place it. There was just a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Christine?" The 'angel' called Erik interrupted her thoughts. "Pay attention, child," he instructed gently. He was trying not to be as strict with her. "Now, again."

Not fully focused on the lesson, she tried again to no avail. She just could not sing the song correctly, although she would have to perform it at the coming recital. "I'm sorry," she said with an exasperated sigh.

"Christine, dear child, what is wrong? Are you feeling well?" Erik stared at her through the mirror anxiously. What could be troubling his sweet angel?

"I don't know what's wrong with me tonight.. Something just doesn't feel right. Maybe it's just that I'm tired."

"Should we end this lesson?"

Christine quickly yelled, "No!" Then, more calmly, "Please, no. Could we just.. talk?"

It would be the first time they'd ever simply talked. "Of course."

She needed to get her mind off of worry, as that was all she ever seemed to do. There was actually something she wanted to talk about, and she found it would be best to discuss it with her angel. "I'm in a sort of... situation."

He found the way she initiated the conversation interesting. A situation? "What do you mean?"

"There's this guy I've been meeting with lately at the park. He's really easy to talk to. I never thought I'd even have time to go to a park, due to being so busy all the time, but when you told me to go, I went and met him."

"Ah, yes. Derik," Erik said. Being an 'angel' knowledgeable of what was going on in her life was all too easy, as he already knew many things about her.

Christine was always impressed with the fact that he seemed to know everything. It made him being an angel even more believable. "Yeah, Derik. He's a really good guy. But, I was just wondering..." She laughed before continuing, "Did you send him to me or something?"

Erik stared at her with soft eyes. What should I say to that? Finally, he decided, "No. It seems it was just coincidence and good timing."

"Angel, can you read minds?" Since he had the ability to know what was going on in her life, she assumed he knew what was going on in her mind, too.

The question was so abrupt that Erik froze. He was quick to come up with what to say, though. He smoothly replied, "Christine, I can do many things."

She smiled, satisfied with his answer. "So, you know about my other friend? My online friend?"

"Ah, yes, Phantom." Luckily, all of her questions seem to revolve around me. That made him feel wanted, which was yet another quality he loved about her.

"Yeah, he's so wonderful. I wish I could meet him, although I guess you already know that, too."

Her words made his heart soar. "Maybe you will, someday.." Why do I always say things I shouldn't? Phantom cannot possibly meet her someday.

"I do hope so," she said with a fond and longing smile.

There was some silence before Erik finally asked, "What of Raoul?" He wanted to know, once and for all, if there was ever a chance of them forming a relationship, although he'd already received the same answer time and time again.

Christine sighed. "He's just a friend, Angel, nothing more. He's not my type at all. Phantom and Derik are more my type than he is, which is strange since I barely know them."

"What makes you say that? It seems to me that you know many things of both of them." What more does she want?

"Well, maybe so with Phantom, but I've only just met Derik. Really, though, I only know some things about them. I don't their age, where they live.. I don't even know what Phantom's real name or what he looks like."

"Why is that important?" Why must she care for outward traits?

"I guess I'm just curious." Christine shrugged unknowing to the fact that Erik wasn't liking what she was saying.

Erik closed his eyes and sighed. Three personalities were tiresome for the twenty-five year old. "Well, Christine, I am afraid this lesson must come to an end."

Christine nodded reluctantly. She really did like talking to him. It made him seem less intimidating. "Ok. Thanks for talking to me."

"Anytime, my dear."

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow night. Bye, Angel."

He basked in the title she bestowed upon him. "Good bye, Christine."

She left the practice room feeling better than before. No longer was there a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Without her knowledge, Erik was following making sure she made it back to her dorm safely.

Christine walked outside and lifted her head towards the sky. The summer evening air was relaxing. She hummed to herself while walking back. Few cars were on the road, but... one did catch her attention.

Loud music interrupted her humming, and it was getting closer. She turned her head towards the sound and saw an old-looking navy blue Buick. It stopped beside her, and someone rolled down the window. "Why, hello. Out for a stroll?" the one in the passenger's seat asked with a smirk. He definitely looked like he was bad news.

Christine hesitantly murmured a 'Hi' and kept walking.

The car followed.

So, she began to walk faster, trying not to panic or show weakness. The car kept her pace, and then, before she could cross the street to head to her dorm, it turned and blocked her path. Uh oh, she thought, fear taking over full force. All of the windows were rolled down now, showing that there were five men in the car.

"Hey, we weren't done talking," one of them said.

"Why don't you get in?" another one asked, although it didn't seem like a question.

"Yeah, we could show you a good time," yet another said persuasively.

"No," Christine replied as firmly as she could, her heart hammering in her chest. She attempted to move around the vehicle, but one of the car doors opened. Oh no, I'm in real trouble..

"Honey, that wasn't a question. Get in the car willingly, or we force you."

–

Erik watched everything from his distance. It seemed Christine was trapped. His rage was boiling over. How dare they? With only icy hatred on his mind, he marched forward to save his beloved.

One of them was getting out of the car as Erik raced forward. Without a word, he stood in front of Christine protectively, his eyes flared in rage.

Christine gasped when she saw who it was. She couldn't speak, though. Her fear and shock were still too overwhelming.

Erik's tall, overpowering body was positioned in front of hers, and he spoke with fierce warning tainting his tone. "I would get going if I were you," he said, addressing the person who was standing outside the vehicle.

"Man, we were just having some fun with her," he said, smirking.

"Yeah, don't spoil it," another added.

"It seems to me that she is unwilling to have fun, so leave." Erik's eyes were filled with anger.

"This has nothing to do with you, so get the hell out of here. You don't want to make us mad," the driver said in a low voice.

Erik then slightly opened his jacket to reveal a knife. It glinted in their eyes.

"Ok man, chill," the one outside the car said. It seemed Erik's silent threat was enough for them.

"We're leaving," the driver finally said. There was no way he was going to fight for the girl.

With that, the one standing got back in the car, and it sped away with a screech leaving a horrified Christine and a still-angry Erik in its midst.

Erik finally calmed down after a few moments of silence and turned around to see that Christine wasn't moving. She was frozen in fear. "Christine," he murmured.

She blinked and began shaking uncontrollably. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I-I can't believe.."

Erik looked at her with utmost concern. "You're all right now. You're safe," he reassured. Oh, how he wished to hold her..

Suddenly, she looked into his eyes and dropped her belongings before moving forward and throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "Derik... Oh, thank you," she breathed. "Y-you'll never know how much this means to me..."

It was the first time he'd ever received a hug. Erik stood completely still for a moment in shock. But then, after hearing her touching words, he returned the hug and stroked her hair soothingly. "Shh, my dear. Please don't cry. They are gone. I would never let anything happen to you."

Christine fully believed that. She truly felt safe with him there. Continuing to hug him, she thanked him again. "Thank you.." Realizing that the hug was going on far too long, she backed away and rubbed her wet face feeling embarrassed. "Sorry about that," she apologized sniffling. "I guess.. I was just really scared. That's never happened to me before." Then, realizing something else, she asked, "Why are you here? Not that I'm not grateful.."

That caught him off guard. Damn, why am I here? He thought about it frantically before regaining control and replying, "I walk at night. It is a hobby of mine."

"Well, thank goodness.." she whispered. Then, Christine shook her head. "I don't understand why people have to be like that."

"Nor do I," Erik said truthfully, for he really didn't know. What he did know was, "The world we live in can be very cruel indeed."

It seemed to Christine he was speaking of more than the current situation. "Yeah, apparently so.."

"Why were you out so late?" Erik asked staying in character while trying to erase the previous incident from her innocent mind.

"I just came from a voice lesson."

"Ah, yes, I do remember you saying you had a lesson. With the great voice teacher, I take it?"

"Yeah," she replied, calming down. There was silence, and Christine took an undesired invitation to leave. "Well, I guess I should get back. My roommate is probably beginning to worry." She paused before emphasizing her next words. "Again, thank you so much. You really saved my life." In order to lighten the moment, she laughed a little.

"You are welcome, Christine. I'm just glad I was here."

"Me, too... Well, I'll see you on Thursday, right?" Please still want to, she thought while gathering her things off the ground.

"Yes, you will," he said. Then, with a bit of awkwardness, he suggested, "Perhaps I should walk you to your dorm. Just to be safe."

"Good idea," Christine said, gulping as the incident replayed through her mind.

Erik walked with her to her dorm, which didn't take long. Once they were at the door, he said softly, "Well, goodnight, Christine."

She found she didn't want to leave him, but she had to. "Goodnight, Derik. And.. thank you."

When she returned to her room, Meg wasn't there. Good, she's probably with Chad.. She really didn't want to relay everything that happened, at least not to Meg. Perhaps to someone else, though... Putting her music and purse on her bed, she hurriedly sat at her desk and turned on her lap top to get on Instant Messenger. Phantom was on, to her utmost relief.

MissDaae7: Hey Phantom.

Phantom: Hello Christine. How are you?

Erik looked at the computer screen almost able to feel Christine's worry over the evening. My poor angel… I could have killed them for what they did.

MissDaae7: Actually, I'm not so well. I'm not really ok at all. Something bad happened tonight. A car full of bad strangers tried to pick me up. And when I say bad strangers, I mean 'bad' strangers.

Phantom: Oh no. Christine, are you alright?

MissDaae7: Yes, I am now. A friend of mine really helped me out.

Phantom: If I could thank him, I would.

MissDaae7: Yeah, I can't thank him enough. I'm ok now, just a little freaked out, I guess. I was coming back from a voice lesson when it happened.

Phantom: I see.

MissDaae7: You know, this semester I'm really realizing that it's not such a good idea to walk alone at night.

Phantom: That is a good observation.

MissDaae7: I'm thinking, maybe having voice lessons at 9:00 every night isn't such a good idea. Maybe I should schedule them for an earlier time.

Phantom: I think that is a wise decision.

Erik felt horrible for what had occurred. I am a fool for having lessons so late. I should have known it was dangerous. He mentally cursed himself. Yes, a change in lesson times was an excellent idea.

MissDaae7: Maybe I should tell him it'd be better to have lessons in the mornings.

Phantom: An excellent idea. But, when is your first class?

MissDaae7: 8:00 am

Phantom: So, it would have to be rather early.

MissDaae7: I was thinking 7:00 am could be a good time.

Phantom: Yes, 7:00 sounds reasonable. So, your next lesson will be tomorrow morning?

MissDaae7: Well, shouldn't I tell Erik?

Phantom: He is an angel. He will know.

Christine smiled at the lap top screen. Yeah, he's right.

MissDaae7: I don't know why I feel this way, but I can't help it... Why couldn't my angel stop those guys? I thought I would always be safe with an angel in my life. I just thought, after all of the stories my mother and father used to tell me, Erik would always be there for me.

Erik now felt even more horrible. He thoroughly reprimanded himself. Wait...

Phantom: You said that a friend helped you?

MissDaae7: Yeah, it was crazy that he was even there.

Phantom: Well, perhaps your angel sent this friend to you.

Christine smiled for a second time at the lap top screen. Phantom was gifted with always knowing what to say.

MissDaae7: Yeah, maybe you're right.

Phantom: I am sure of it.

MissDaae7: Well, now I feel bad for doubting.

Phantom: Do not feel bad, Christine. Doubt is normal.

Christine nodded and yawned, exhausted from everything that happened.

MissDaae7: Well, thanks. You've really helped, as you always do. I think I need some sleep. I suppose I'll be waking up early for my lesson.

Phantom: Yes, get plenty of rest. Goodnight, Christine. Do sleep well.

MissDaae7: Goodnight, Phantom.

Christine got ready for bed and fell asleep almost immediately, her final thoughts being of her angel, Derik, and Phantom and how much they meant to her.