Chapter 15

Nightmares Return

Erik and Christine returned to the opera later that week and Christine could tell something was bothering him. One night after rehearsal she confronted him.

They were in the lair when and Christine approached him.

"What troubles you?" She asked wrapping her arms around him.

"There is nothing wrong Christine." Erik said turning away from her to light a candle.

"Erik you are a very good liar, but I can always tell when you do so. There is something bothering you, why won't you tell me?"

He didn't reply.

"Erik please tell me?"

"No."

"Erik!" Christine grew impatient. "Why not? You are mine and I am yours, why won't you trust me?"

"It's not that that! It's just… rah!" His temper was rising.

"Then what is it?"

He sat down roughly on padded chair, putting his face in his hands. He remained silent thinking.

"Erik... please?" Christine placed her small hand on his shoulder. "You can always trust me."

Erik calmed and looked up at her, face bare, mask in hand. Christine kneeled down to his level.

"I was thinking on the night we had together near the sea… what if you had a child with my face, everyone would know. Everyone would see… and you would be shunned from the world!," he continued to stare at the ground, "I personally know the pain of separation from the rest of the world I don't want that to happen to you."

"Oh Erik…" She wrapped her arms around him once more, "Any child of yours would be loved and beautiful in both our eyes."

Christine was always awed by how much Erik knew, but how little he understood some things. She guessed with so much tragedy in his life he had good reason to.

Erik sighed a bit more confident, though still a little fearful. He got up silently, picked up his violin and played without a word. Christine was a little sad he didn't talk to her more about it, but she knew that music was probably the best thing for him right now. She sat back and listened to his genius poor out through the mournfully beautiful notes.

* * * * *

The next day Christine and Meg fought the Parisian crowds, doing what girls do best, shopping.

Christine felt the best she had in a long time. The rain clouds off in the distance did not bother her, because at that moment she was out in the sun with her best friend in the world.

Erik had given them specific instructions to spare no expense and find the best dresses they could in the city. Nadir and Erik had a surprise for the both of them.

"So I've been hearing some gossip about you and Nadir, Meg!" Christine giggled, just happy to find fun in the small things again.

Meg gasped, "Who told you?!"

Christine laughed the look on her face friend was priceless. "Oh you know as well as I do, word gets around!"

Meg blushed and smiled, "I love him Christine and I don't care what the others think!"

"Does he love you back?"

"Yes he does, he told me so. I know we have only known each other for but a month, but it feels like I've met my other half!"

"Oh Meg! I'm so happy for you!"

Meg smiled. "Let's try in there!" She said pointing to small dress shop.

The two scurried across the street and into the store. A tiny bell sounded as they entered. It was small, and looked new, but what struck them most was how beautiful the dresses were. There were some older styles and newer styles, but all looked magnificent.

"Good morning ladies!" a woman cried from a back room. "I'll be with you in a moment, feel free to look around.

Christine and Meg poured through the displays of the dresses; some where simple, but elegant. Others over the top, yet somehow remained stylish.

A few moments later a young woman entered the room. She looked only a few years older than Christine.

"Hello, my name is Danielle," she seemed a bit out of breath. "Welcome to my shop."

The three women hit right off as they looked through the shop together. Danielle had just opened up shop a few weeks ago and business had been a little slow. She had just gotten married to a doctor the previous year that had a small practice somewhere in the city.

After both Christine and Meg had gone through several dresses, Meg and Christine had a new sister.

"Oh! I just remembered I just finished two new dresses, they're in the back room! I'll be right back."

She returned with one of the most beautiful dresses the two women had ever seen. The dress was a pale gold, with a full skirt. White lace accented the dress at the hems and waist. The sleeve hugged the arm starting at the top of the shoulder, where delicate lace hug loosely at the elbow. A silver ribbon laced through the fabric at the collar and at the bottom of the skirt. Pearls graced the torso, as decretive fabric covered the whole skirt.

Christine put the dress on, and looked as if it was made for her. The other two stepped back to take it in.

"Christine!" Meg cried, "You look absolutely wonderful!"

Meg found a white dress with pink ribbon accents. Small diamonds lined the dress, and dotted out a beautiful pattern on the skirt. The long silken sleeves reached all the way to her wrists, where a small bit of lace covered the tops of her hands to her knuckles.

They paid Danielle, said their farewells to their new friend, and left.

"Christine, let's go over to the hat shop over there!" Meg pointed to a shop across the street.

"You go Meg," Christine responded, "I'm going to head to the café. Meet me there when you're done?"

Meg seemed a little reluctant to let her go, but nodded.

The rain clouds came over head as the two separated. Meg glanced over her shoulder and watched her friend head towards the café. Why was she worried about? Christine would be fine.

A cold rush of air graced Christine's face as she passed a dark ally-way. Something made her freeze in her tracks.

"I am the stranger staring
At you and what you're wearing."

A voice came from the darkness.

"May I undress you with my eyes?

Peel off your insecurities
Shed away your impurities
Expose yourself for what you are

Let's drink up the blood of young innocent love
Without End!
Living life totally lost inside you
Without End"

She turned to the alley and step forward a bit, she had no idea why. She wanted to turn and run, but something drew her nearer.

Then a hand grabbed her dragging her totally into the darkness. A rough hand muffled her scream of terror. She was dragged back to a dark abandoned room, far from the peering eyes and ears of the streets.

The hot breath of someone sang in her ear.

"My thoughts are unrelenting
So why aren't you consenting?
Tell me all things that you desire
And as my first confession
You are my last obsession."

She was pressed against the hard cold, stone wall and she beheld the face of her attacker. It was Raoul. His once beautiful had been cut short, just like in her dream.

"Why did you do this to me Christine? Why?" His eyes were soft and pleading.

"I'm sorry Raoul," She sobbed back, "I never meant to hurt you."

Suddenly he was filled with anger, "Never meant to hurt me! Look what you've done to me!"

Christine sobbed.

"It all started with the chase
I was running in place
Always striving and straining
And never obtaining
What should have been mine
From the beginning and Im
Always hoping to win you
To safely continue in...
Love, Trust!
Crushed to dust!
And I gave you all that I had!
And I STILL LOST

I dread the defeat
Fairytale incomplete
It's so tragic, depressing
Do you love me?
I'm still guessing.
I've grown tired of the dance,
And the death of romance,
I'm bleeding, I'm dying,
And you're hardly trying!

Love, Trust
Crushed to Dust
And I gave you everything that I had
And I STILL LOST

Lets make believe that you want me.
As much as I want you!
Lets make believe…

I've found you now
But yeah...I STILL LOST!"

Lost in his rage, and his denied love for Christine, Raoul had been driven mad. He forced her to the ground and defiled every inch of her, tearing her dress to shreds. She was defenseless against him, even has he entered her. All she could do was sob quietly on the ground beneath him.