yes i know i'm an evil person for doing that to poor christine! I know i totally just butchered all nice views of raoul, but i'm evil like that and i am attempting (key word there) to make an interesting story. please don't form an angry mob and attack me! Anyway i am open to your criticism and I am apologizing in advanced for those of you who may not like this next chapter, but i am a learning writer and really just working on advancing my skills (which are somewhat limited....sometimes...well most times...). well please keep reading and please review!

thanks!

phatnomgirl27

Chapter 16

Uncertainty

Meg stepped back out into the streets. The rain had begun to fall, sending people running for cover. She had spent more time in the shop than she originally thought. She ended up spending little more an hour in there chatting with the shop keeper, and having fun trying on the different hats. She pulled her hood from her clock over her head as she started to walk heading across the street to the café. It was empty.

Meg turned around, getting panicked. The cold rain plastered her gold hair to her forehead. The streets were empty now; she didn't know what to do. Her heart pounded in her chest, where was Christine? Had she just gotten tired of waiting and returned without her, no, Christine wasn't like that. Meg had a heavy weight in her stomach; a sickening feeling wracked her body. She just knew something had happened to her friend.

The blonde stepped out into the middle of the street, "Christine!" She called for her friend, "Christine!"

Her hood fell back as she screamed for her friend. How could this have happened? Meg kept turning circles not sure where to go, she was at a loss at of what to do.

Meg searched to area for nearly an hour in the cold rain. Meg wandered in circles feeling helpless, when suddenly a figure appeared from a dark alley way. It was Christine! Her dress was ruined and torn; she was literally holding it to keep it up. Her corset and other under clothes were gone. She was wet and sobbing.

"Oh Christine!" Meg cried, "What happened to you?!"

Christine couldn't respond through her tears.

"Here," Meg said taking off her cloak wrapping it around her.

Christine heaved a great sob as they started they're way back home.

* * * * *

Once they reached the opera they immediately headed for the lair, Christine wept the whole way. When they arrived Erik wasn't there, which made Christine cry all the more, so Meg sat with her friend, wrapped her arms around her and waited.

Time passed and soon Erik returned. He found the two women near the organ, just sitting on the floor, Christine just rocking and crying into Meg shoulder. The moment Christine saw Erik, her violent sobs slowed, but tears continued o fall.

Christine stood and just let Erik hold her, not saying anything, just cried softly.

"What happened?!" Erik demanded.

"I don't know." Meg whispered, "I don't know."

"Christine what happened?" Erik asked softly.

She managed to slow her tears enough to speak.

"Raoul… In the alley… he… he… he," She started sobbing harder, but managed to choke out, "He… took me… but… I… got a-a-away."

"Shhh," Erik soothed.

A few tears escaped Meg's eyes. So many terrible things had plagued her friend, it just never seemed to end.

Erik carried Christine to her room and lay her down in her bed where she fell into a troubled sleep, exhausted.

When Erik came back out, Meg could see he too could not stop the falling of tears. He sat down head in his hands, seeming to have forgotten Meg was there, but suddenly his pain turned to rage.

"RAR!" He yelled out at the lake, "I'll kill him! I should have killed him when I had the chance!"

He picked up an expensive looking Persian vase and hurled it at the wall, it broke into a hundred pieces with a loud shatter.

Meg stepped back, frightened by his outburst. He turned on her.

"It was you!" He walked angrily towards her, "It's your fault you should have done something!"

She backed up against the wall, "I-I-I couldn't do anything, I-I'm sorry," he was inches away from her face, he pinned her again the wall. "I-I'm sorry… I-I-It's n-not my fault."

Meg looked into Erik's burning eyes, she could see the internal struggle between reason and madness in his mind. Suddenly Erik relaxed again.

"No it's not. I'm sorry Meg," he sighed. He walk away overwhelmed, "I truly am sorry, sometimes I can't control myself and my anger takes over."

He sat down in a large chair defeated. Erik had come such a long way from the person he used to be, but sometimes situations brought out the monster he once was.

Meg was silent.

"I... I just don't know what to do." Erik said, "Who knows what he did to her, it sickens me just to think about it." He let out a long sigh and went silent.

* * * * *

It was late and Meg had already gone back up to the world to get some rest. Erik sat in his chair thinking.

"Erik," came a small voice. "Erik?"

Erik rose from his seat and went to Christine. She was sitting up in the bed, her tears were gone, but she looked so tired.

"Christine you should rest more." Erik sat next to her he went to stroke her check, but she flinched and pulled away. It broke his heart seeing her like this.

"Oh Christine," Erik sighed, "What did he do to you?"

Her chin trembled and a single tear ran down her check, but she held strong.

"It hurts Erik, everything hurts." A few more tears escaped as Erik held her close.

Erik hated seeing her like this.

"Play for me Erik… please?"

Erik retrieved his violin and began to play. The haunting melody filled the room, it soothed Christine, and she fell into a calmer more restful sleep.

* * * * *

A month went by, and every day was a battle for Christine, but she was able to tell her story of how she escaped from Raoul.

Once he was finished with her for the moment, Christine spotted the exit. Raoul was slumped over on an old chair, his back to her. As quietly as she possible could, Christine got up, and then bolted for the door. Raoul shot up out of his chair; the door knob was old and rusted making it hard to turn. On the dark floor Christine saw a piece of wood. It looked like a broken leg of a chair; she grabbed it and swung it at Raoul like a bat, ramming him the stomach causing him to fall to the floor.

By the time Raoul regained himself, Christine had opened the door and fled to freedom.

The traumatic experience had taken its toll on Christine; there were days when she would not even get out of bed, just sleep right through the day. Days like that always worried Erik, but there were also good days. Where she'd get up and visit and sometimes even smile, but these smiles were rare now.

Yet everyday Christine grew stronger. Her friend Danielle sometimes came to the opera to visit her, and brought her dress to her.

Although the scandal with Raoul was kept under wraps away from the public, the small group of friends were gravely worried about Christine. Though Christine was always known as the small, young, delicate little girl, inside she had much more strength than many gave her credit for.

* * * * *

It was the second month Christine had gone with out her usual womanly cycle. Concerned about the possibility that she may be with child she went to a doctor and he only confirmed her fears.

The terror she had gone through was still fresh in her mind, but she also remembered her time with Erik. The undeniable question haunted her, who was the father? Underlining that fear was how would Erik react?

Unsure of what to do, Christine confided in Meg.

"Christine you must tell him!" Meg cried.

"I know Meg, but he was worried enough when the possibility of his child came up. Oh Meg what am I to do, I won't be able to hide it long and the world will eventually know too."

"Christine." Meg said softly, "You are stronger than you know," She put her forehead against Christine's, "and I know you know you have an operating brain inside that head of yours!"

They both laughed a little at that.

"Now, set aside everything else," Meg continued, "and what does your heart say?"

Christine thought for a while, thought she could not come to a conclusion of who the biological father is, she knew that Erik would be the real father, his child or not.

"Thank you Meg," was all Christine said in reply.