Christine

I thought about his questions for a while. I knew the answers, yet didn't know how he would react. I came back because I loved him, but the question was: Would he accept me back into his life? He told me once he loved me, that last fateful night I had seen him...Was that statement still true?

I turned back toward him to tell him my answer, but found him nowhere in sight; he had disappeared like a wraith in the night. I sighed. I should have suspected him to do that. He wasn't really the social type; he preferred to be alone. Yet I couldn't help thinking that he didn't mind my presence, rather enjoyed it. He never acted as if he didn't want me there, except for that night, but that was a different matter. entirely.

I sighed lightly again and started to follow the dark corridor that led me here. I wasn't going to come all this way without even talking to him. Who is he? I didn't even know the man's name; the only thing I knew was that I loved him and wouldn't leave without at least getting a few answers, and maybe persuading him to let me back into his life.

I came into the candlelit chamber again, my Angel sitting at his organ. He appeared to have just finished a piece, for the notes still echoed softly against the walls. I walked slowly up to him, a bit nervous, yet I didn't know why. We had been friends, teacher and student, for so long I shouldn't fear talking to him, but I was more nervous than I had been in my entire life.

I walked silently up behind him, putting a hand gently on his shoulder. He didn't move, almost didn't notice my presence next to him, yet felt him flinch ever so slightly at my touch, almost a bit startled, "Hello, my Angel," I said softly, keeping my hand on his shoulder.

I stood on his masked side and he turned toward me a bit, then back in front of him, "Hello, Christine," He replied.

I was silent for a bit, unsure of what to say, then sighed and finally spoke, "I have the answer to your question," I said softly, "Why I couldn't forget you like you asked me to do."

He turned more toward me now, obviously intrigued. He was silent, though looked into my eyes with that piercing stare of his, curious and pleading as he longed to know the answer.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves before I met his request. I moved closer to him, meeting his gaze, "I couldn't forget you for obvious reasons. You were, and still are, my teacher and lifelong friend; I couldn't forget you after all you've done for me." I paused for a moment, turning away for a bit then back to him, "And because I love you,"

Erik

I stared at Christine for the longest time, then turned my face to the ground. Well, that answered one of the questions I had, yet the other still lingered in my mind. Did I love her after all that had happened?

She crouched down to my level, tilting my face back toward her, "Please don't push me away again," She said mournfully," Why can't it be like it use to be?"

I shook my head, "Times change," I replied, "Now you know who I am and why I hid from you."

She stared at me, placing a hand on my mask, "This is no reason to hide," She whispered.

I closed my eyes at her touch, but before I knew it, she had curled her fingers around the edge, pulling it off before I could stop her. My hand shot up to my face by habit, and I turned my face to the ground, ashamed.

She looked at me sadly, "As I said before, this is no reason to hide from me, "She repeated, kissing my hand on my face, "Please, Angel," She pleaded, curling her fingers around mine as if to pull them off.

I kept my fingers pressed on the side of my face, staying silent for a while, "I let you leave for a reason, Christine," I said softly, looking up at her, "You deserve a life better than this. I've lived my whole life in darkness; I don't want you to have the same fate."

Her chocolate brown eyes looked into my sapphire ones, "Will you at least tell me your name?" She asked gently.

I never broke her gaze as I thought for a moment. I hadn't had a name in so long... "Erik," I replied softly, "turning away from her, "My name is Erik."

She nodded and continued to stare at me, "Well, Erik, will you answer me one question?" She asked softly.

I looked at Christine," And what might that be?" I asked.

She sighed and turned away, then back at me.

"Do you love me?"