Chapter 16

Nadir's car; Aunt Giry's house; Erik's house… July 27-28

Christine's POV

The morning sun rose slowly as the car we were in drove through the familiar streets of Plymouth. There were few cars on the road and no people on the streets. Stores were closed. Most normal people were probably still in bed asleep, away from the worries of the world. But, not me. Would I ever be away from the worries? No, probably not. But the sun would rise, anyway.

Perhaps, this was the path my life was meant to take. The poor, unfortunate, parentless Christine who had everything swiped from her, even virginity. The girl who would only see pity in others' eyes. Yes, that was me. That would always be me.

I sighed and turned my head to the voice which spoke. The voice of the only person who could understand my situation.

"Where do you wish to go, Christine?" Erik asked.

Where did I 'wish' to go? Well, I could not go by my wishes. I knew where I 'needed' to go, though. I needed to leave my friends. I'm sure they are sick of me, the only girl in the group. We'd had our adventure, and we'd conquered. Now, it was time for it to end. So, with a sadness my voice would probably always have, I answered. "Home."

There was a pause before he said, "Very well. Where is 'home'?"

I directed him until the car pulled into the drive way of my aunt's house. I gulped. My only family would probably hate me. I turned towards Erik and forced a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Well.."

"Well.." he repeated.

There was something I knew I needed to give him. It hit me in that moment. I felt so close to the man. And, when I thought hard about it, I knew there were probably deeper feelings than I was letting on. Without more thinking on the thoughts that couldn't matter, though, I reached into my purse and brought out something tiny. "Here," I said, handing it to him. I physically took hold of his wrist with my good hand before placing the pin in his hand. It was one of the many tokens left behind by my parents. This particular one was a red rose pin. Painted red for the petals and green for the stem covered the silver. I usually always kept it with me. "It was my mother's."

He stared at it long and hard before looking at me with an unreadable expression and speaking. "Christine, I cannot take this."

"No, please Erik. I want you to have it. It's yours."

--

Erik's POV

I stared at the small pin. It was the only gift I'd ever received. And, I knew it meant so much to her. There was no way I could take it without a guilty conscious. I looked at her and found I was surprisingly close to tears. "Christine, I cannot take this."

She did not want it back. I am sure she saw it as a parting gift.

Parting.

I did not wish to part! I want her as my gift. I looked at the pin again and closed my eyes in order to bottle the pain inside my heart.

The woman I loved was leaving. The only person I had ever loved was leaving. "Daroga would wish to say good bye." Anything to keep her here for more time.

"When he wakes up, please tell him that I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Erik, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, too."

Then, she did something I would never forget. Her hand reached out and touched the mask on my face. "You know, you don't have to wear it around me."

All I could do was stare at the beautiful angel I would never see again. A sad smile came to her face and she began to open the car door. "Well,-"

"Wait!" I exclaimed, louder than I meant to. Wait for what? Wait forever? Yes, that's it. I could not think of what to say. My mouth was dry, my heart was hammering, and I felt tears trying to escape. It seemed my entire life rested in her lovely hands. And, that life would disappear as soon as she walked away.

She stopped and looked down. "What?" was her whisper.

There was nothing I could say without revealing everything, and I would not do that just to simply get hurt, no matter how much keeping it hidden did so, anyway. Unrequited love would not be spoken of. "Nothing. I only thought you forgot something."

"Oh."

"Christine."

She looked into my eyes one last time.

"Take care of yourself. Do not continue living your life in fear. You have so much to give." They were the truest words I had ever spoken.

"Thank you.." She stared at me a moment longer before turning her head. "Well, I guess this is good bye. You take care of yourself, Erik." Her eyes became wider with honesty. "It really was so nice getting to know you." She then got out, closed the car door, and walked away. My life was over.

--

Christine's POV

I was on the verge of tears. Each step to the door of the house felt like I had massive weights on each of my feet. I didn't truly wish to leave. But, it was too late.

I slowly retrieved the house key from my purse and turned my head towards the car once more. They hadn't left yet. I slightly waved and unlocked the door.

Stepping inside, I knew I was leaving my heart behind with a certain masked man in the car. There was just nothing I could do to stop it. I leaned against the now closed door and buried my head in my hands. Yet another wound to Christine Daae, I thought sadly. Nadir and Erik were better off away from my sorry case.

But, I had to pull myself together. I'd just conquered my worst nightmare, and I was safe. Erik said I had so much to give. So, I needed to get on with life. I had college to attend soon. I needed to practice singing. I had some serious apologizing to do with my aunt and cousin.

Speaking of the family, it seemed I wasn't as silent as I thought I'd been upon coming inside. Suddenly, two gasps could be heard from the staircase.

"Christine!" Meg came rushing to me, her mom following.

"Hey, guys," I awkwardly said.

They both hugged me frantically. "Christine, we didn't know what happened to you! And, your note!"

"I know. I'm so sorry for that. I was just still so hurt over everything.." I quietly added, "I couldn't live with him still alive and well.."

"We know, Christine," Aunt Giry said. "We heard all about your heroic and dangerous experience. It is all over the news."

"Wh- it is? Really? I didn't know.."

"Yeah, you wouldn't know, because all of the news people came after you left," Meg said while grinning. She really looked happy to see me.

"You were so brave, Christine." Aunt Giry led me to the kitchen and warmed some tea.

"It wasn't only me. I would never be able to do that. Not alone. I had help from two other people."

"We know that. But, even with help, we cannot believe what you did. You ended your own pain by doing the boldest of things. You will be known as a hero. You know that, don't you?"

"I don't feel very heroic…" I forced a smile and hugged them both. "Thank you so much for the welcoming. I think I'm going to go to my room now, if that's ok?"

"Of course, sweet heart." Aunt Giry was always so kind.

I felt horrible. Having myself referred to as a hero was not what I wanted. I just wanted things to return to normal. Now, if the whole town knew.. And, Kentucky, too… When would it all be over?

I threw myself on my bed and cried the tears I'd kept bottled in for the past two weeks into my pillow.

--

Erik's POV

I do not know how I managed to drive home. Nor do I know how I managed to get Nadir inside. Also, I do not know how I managed to fall asleep and wake up. Now, however, I was awake lying in the bed I normally never used.

I felt as if I would literally keel over any second. I'd been close to death before, but never this close. I felt I could almost see the 'light'.

I welcomed death. I would wait to see if it came.

But, I could not do it in peace, for there was a knock at my closed bedroom door. Nadir..

"Yes?"

"I was wondering where you put my pain killers. I feel horrible."

Damn. I realized the medicine was with me. Actually, it was right beside me on the bed. "They are in here. You can come in."

Nadir entered holding his shoulder with one hand and a glass of water with the other.

I handed him the pills, and he removed his hand from his shoulder to take two of them. Once they were taken, he walked towards the door. But, just before he exited, Nadir turned towards me. "Are you alright, Erik?"

I crossed my arms and defensively said, "I'm fine."

Nadir's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and he didn't leave. "No, I sense otherwise. What is wrong?"

"Daroga, do you even notice that someone is missing?"

"Christine? Of course I have noticed. I assumed she would return to her home."

I sighed and turned my head away from his inquisitive eyes.

"Erik, what is it?"

"She is gone! That is 'it'."

"Yes, she is gone. We came to this conclusion. Why does it bother you so?" Then, he gasped. "Erik, do you wish she were here?"

There was silence. I refused to speak of my feelings.

"It is true. You are upset by this. Why?" There was more silence. "Tell me. I would like to hear it from you before making my own guesses."

"Is it that unnoticeable?" I turned my head back to him.

"That you have feelings for her?"

I momentarily closed my eyes.

"I wondered on more than one occasion, actually."

"Then, why is it so surprising? Do you really believe I am void of feelings?"

"N- no.. It is not that."

"Then, what is it?"

"You have never felt anything for women, Erik. You cannot deny that."

"Most women do not gather my interest."

"But, Christine does."

"Yes. Yes, Daroga. Alright? Are you happy? I am in love with the girl! I feel as though I will die without her!"

"Allah, Erik. Love? Are you certain?"

"Yes, I am certain," I snapped back.

"Well, we will just have to do something about this. I cannot allow you to die so easily, old friend."

"What do you propose we do about it, Daroga? There is nothing we can do. She is home. We are home."

"Well, I am not home.." He smirked.

I didn't acknowledge the humor of his words. "You get my point. We are all where we want to be."

"Except for you, Erik. You are not where you want to be. What if she is not, either?"

I shook my head. "She wanted to go home. She told me she did."

Nadir clamped a hand on his shoulder and winced. "Just as I could somewhat predict your feelings towards her, I could predict hers, as well. She is not void of feelings, herself, you know. I believe she feels something for you."

I blinked and looked at him. "Do not toy with me, Daroga."

"I would never 'toy' with you. I am only speaking what I think."

"Well, your thoughts are inaccurate."

"How about we just see about that?"

"What?" I was becoming more and more alert with each passing word.

"We will call her."

"No, we will not."

"Yes, we will. I cannot allow you to feel so miserable without knowing for sure. You will thank me for this. Now, allow me to obtain a phone book." He left the room, and I stared after him in disbelief.

Then, I realized that he was serious. I stood from the bed and chased after my insane friend.

I promise the E/C is coming. I'm sure it's pretty obvious by now, though haha. I hope this chapter was ok.

Thank you so much for such sweet reviews :) They really made my day! I'm so glad you didn't seem to think the previous chapters were too horrible.

Review, review!

-Lauren