Chapter 4- Justifiably Certain

Christine's heart was beating wildly against her chest. Erik? He was here.. In her apartment.. Uninvited.. It was like a nightmare, an unbelievable nightmare. How can he be here, like this, after everything? They'd said their goodbye's! They were moving on, both of them. He'd said it...and she'd believed him. He broke into my apartment.. And he's blocking the only way out..

There was only one explanation for this... Don't freak out, her mind urged. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her pulse.

Erik watched her from his distance, studying her emotions as she took it all in. Shock and disbelief were displayed openly in her expression. But then, suddenly, her face became unreadable. She was trying to act brave.

She began looking around, obviously trying to locate something specific.

Perhaps he could help her out. "I suppose you are looking for this?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out her cell phone.

Christine bit back a gasp. If his actions were this calculated, then that meant that his intentions were inevitable... This can't be happening! Not again!

"Christine, I know you are jumping to conclusions. Please don't do that. I only took your cell phone so that you could devote your full attention to this meeting."

He sounded so calm, so focused. "How in God's name-? You broke into my apartment... What in the hell are you even thinking?" There was anger in her tone as she tried to suppress her panic.

"I told you. We need to talk."

"We already talked! At the mansion! There's nothing else to say! You need to leave. Right now." Come on, listen to me...

"No." Before she could yell at him more, he said, "I'm not leaving, not until I've had my say."

There was really no choice but to listen to him. "...So you'll leave after you've had your say?"

Erik looked into her eyes. "Of course."

There was no way out of this for now, so she might as well just give in. "Ok."

"Alright, now that that is settled.. Please, sit down."

He sounded like a formal host or something. Hell, he even looked like one in his black suit. She distantly wondered if he had even changed clothes or showered since their encounter days ago. Christine sighed and moved to sit on the end of the couch farthest from him.

Pleased, Erik said, "Good. Now, I need to reveal some important information to you." He paused before saying, "Nadir is trying to manipulate your mind." After a second, her brow furrowed. Erik frowned. "And it looks as though he is succeeding."

How ridiculous! "What the-? I haven't even seen Nadir in, like, months!"

"Yes, well, what did he say to you months ago?"

He's still holding a grudge against Nadir? Christine stared at him like he was crazy, wondering why on earth he was still fixated on this after a year. "Lord, I don't know! I mean, it was nothing important at all. It was just small talk."

Unconvinced, he asked, "There was no mention of...the past?"

She rolled her eyes. Seriously? "No, there was no mention of it! God, I can't believe you came all the way down here for this."

"What about your father? What lies is he feeding you?"

Christine's jaw clenched at his accusatory tone towards her father. "Nothing that I don't already know! You kidnapped me, it was wrong, you're probably going to go to hell for it, and blah blah blah. But it's in the past! Get over yourself already!"

He didn't say anything to that.

"Geeze, and here I thought you'd changed.. That you were more mature now. But I was obviously wrong. You're still blaming everything on other people." And he continued to stay silent. Christine was becoming more frustrated by the second. "I told you to leave and never come back! Remember that? Obviously not... You know, you could be in prison right now! But I gave you a chance! I gave you your freedom!"

"And I thank you for that. Your benevolent nature has always been very appealing."

His creepy compliment made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. "Well, are you satisfied now? Can you just go already? My roommate will be back soon."

"And what about this roommate of yours?" Erik asked bitterly. "Is she the one who has convinced you to find a boyfriend?"

Christine blinked, totally not expecting that.

Her confusion was aggravating. "How much does this 'Garrett' mean to you? Has he become your lover, Christine?"

The detest she heard in his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Erik was angry. And Christine remembered from past experience the things that could happen when he got angry... This she couldn't take lightly. "That guy is not my boyfriend, Erik. He's just a friend. Or, I don't think I can even call him that. He's an acquaintance and that's it. Seriously, there's nothing going on between us."

Studying her, Erik saw the true fear she was trying to hide. He realized he needed to calm down. "Fair enough. I believe you." She looked relieved. "One more question... Do you still sing?"

She sensed the hope in his tone. He wanted her to say 'yes'. If I lie, he'll leave... "Yeah, all the time."

The remembrance of her voice was enough to bring back every memory of the past... She became his life so quickly. He had gotten to know her both inside and out. And once he became fixated, there was no turning back... And that was how he knew now.. "You're lying."

Oh no! "Wha- No I'm not," she insisted.

Erik shook his head decidedly. "You cannot fool me, Christine. I know you better than that." He sighed. "Your voice had so much potential, too. It is regrettable." He gazed into her eyes then, loving that he could still read her so well after all this time.

A battle waged in his mind. It had actually been ongoing since their conversation began... Christine was still so lost in this world, so fragile. Her mind was too easily manipulated, that much was clear from the way she answered his questions. She still needed his guidance.

But she doesn't want me... She does not see things the way I do.. It was unfortunate but true. He'd known she would be stubborn, though. And frightened, and confused. Yet he'd still made the choice to come..

It was that confusion in her eyes. He had a feeling it would be there, and it was. What was concerning was that she had allowed him to stay this long without much protest. If he -the man she said was probably going to hell- was able to stay this easily, then who's to say that she wouldn't allow any other man to stay, even if it was dangerous?

No, she is not safe. Whether she knows it or not, she needs protection...

"You said your roommate would be arriving soon, yes?" Erik asked softly, thoughtfully.

Christine nodded adamently. "Yes. So that means you need to go. She can't see you."

Hmmm.. That was interesting. "Why can't she see me?"

"Because you kidnapped me! And you were never convicted for the crime!" Duh..

"So, let me make sure I understand you. Although I have broken into your apartment -which is also a crime- you still do not plan to, how did you say it.. have me convicted?"

Christine was becoming more and more paranoid that Meg really would arrive soon. It was time to reassure him so that he could finally be fully satisfied and leave. "No, ok? I don't want you to go to jail. I just want you to leave and go back to the cabin!"

Erik actually smiled. "I want that, too. But Christine... I won't go without you."

She let out the gasp she had suppressed earlier. "What?" She stood from the couch shakily. "Y- you can't be serious.." She couldn't hide her panic anymore as sweat began to form on her forehead. I have to get away from him! Tentatively, so as not to alarm him, she started moving towards her bedroom. I have to get in there and lock the door!

He could sense her intentions. "I didn't think it would come to this." Erik took a small step towards her. "But you made it so easy." Another step. "I cannot move on, it is impossible. I need you in my life, Christine." Then, without hesitation, he ran at her, all the while removing a cloth with Ethyl Ether from a plastic bag in his pocket.

She screamed bloody murder at his speed and attempted to dart towards the safety of her bedroom.

But Erik grabbed her hand before she could reach the doorway, and he wrapped his arms around her from behind so that she couldn't obtain her goal. He forced the cloth under her nose as she screamed and struggled against him.

Her fight wavered quickly until her body finally became limp.

Erik gathered her into his arms and looked down at her tear-stained face.

"And you need me," he whispered.