Haha... This was fun again. Thank you so much for the critique! I'm trying hard to please everyone, but I find that it's somewhat difficult with the plot I have in mind. I warned beforehand that it's dark and all that jazz but I usually write like that and my Erik is usually off-his-rocker... But yeah,you'll witness that much in this chapter :P. Tell me what you think once more, and I'll post the next chapter soon whilst on vacation for it just rained the entire day we were away so I had more than enough time to write.

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~The Phantoms Flutist~

Chapter 10:
Hide and Seek

The car ride seemed to be the longest car ride I've ever been in... the ring was strangely heavy on my finger, as if it burned my skin simply by staying there. I couldn't keep my eyes off of it, it was like a strange object but all it was is a ring. A plain, golden, yet very expensive-looking ring that could be all the more intricate, but it has its purpose. If I betray Erik today... yet keep his ring on my finger, will the outlook be not so bad if I fail yet again? Oh, the decisions. It was hard to restrain myself from crying looking over to Erik who was regally sitting on the other side, his head held high as if he just accomplished something major. Ugh... I thought to myself over and over again... Why me?

I wish I wouldn't come back. I hope I won't go back. I wish this ring would come off my finger! I unconsciously toyed with it a lot, spinning it on my finger, but it never seemed to come off then, it was like it was stuck. If I tried any more, it might swell my finger and that would be very suspicious, of course, and the unwanted questions would come at hand.

We arrived at the familiar mall, the shops, the people excited me to no end, the ring held almost no damper on my delight. I couldn't wait to see Meg and Raoul's faces again, at least.

"Drop me off at the bookstore, right around the corner," I told Thomas specifically, and he stopped right at the Borders entrance. I stepped out of the car, and Erik grabbed my hand.

"I put some money in your wallet, I trust t would be enough, and I put my number on your phone in case you need anything," he explained quietly. "I trust you, Christine..." He whispered, pressing my hand firmly.

"I'm only seeing Meg, it's nothing big..." I rolled my eyes and tried to pry my hand out of his grasp again.

"I love you, don't forget that." He added as he let go reluctantly. I nodded to myself, and then slowly shut the door.

I tried to gain as much confidence as I can as I walked into Borders with the familiar smell of books and knowledge coming to mind. I smiled to myself, overjoyed to see this all again, in the favorite mall, in my favorite store where Meg and I would spend hours on end reading almost every book that looked somewhat interesting while having a cup of coffee on our right side. I went up the escalator, looking back to see the black car driving away, and saw the cafe with the familiar menu, and the repetitive faces loom before me yet again.

A brunette with a short pixie cut with her black hair and slim figure leap up from a table and raced over to me, careful of her coffee that sat next to a book. My heart fluttered as I was swept into the arms of my best friend, and she almost ran me over with her momentum.

"Oh, my God, Chris, where have you been hiding all this time! My mother says your living in a mansion, but I find that so hard to believe and then-" She stopped and grabbed both my hands before I could take them away. "What is this?" She asked curiously, holding up my left hand, and I looked away, my eyes glowering with exhaust.

"It's nothing," I replied taking my hand away immediately.

"Oh, but it is something because it's an expensive ring... Is it Raoul's? Oh, my God, does he ever shut up about you! Christine this, Christine that... It must be his! So soon..."

"It's not, it's my mother's ring... she gave it to me and I never seemed to find it until now." I excused quickly.

"I think you're lying!" She accused playfully.

"I think I'm not, and there's nothing more I can say. Meg, just let go of the subject and I need coffee."

She glared and then let go of my right hand. "I think people are staring anyway," She cautiously looked around and then patted my back again.

"Well, how's the living in the mansion? That's pretty odd considering whoever owns it is a foster parent." She noted speculatively as she waited in line with me at the coffee stand.

"It's... not what it's cracked up to be," I replied shortly, not wanting to get onto this topic. "Look, Meg, I'm serious. Can we just get off of this 'new house' ordeal? I just want to catch up with you more than I do me. I don't want to think about it." I said, rubbing the back of my neck nervously, waiting for her answer. She's more curious than I am...

"If that's what you want to do, that's fine."

"Thanks," I replied, feeling slightly relieved as I ordered my mocha latte, and smiled slightly to lighten my mood to the cashier.

I walked with her to a table where she had a stack of books spread amongst the table, and I stood at the emptied seat. How could I ask about Raoul without having to say it aloud...? An idea sparked in my head, and I grabbed my phone. I typed my question down on the phone and showed it to her.

Is Raoul coming? Don't ask about why I'm using a phone.

She arched an eyebrow and laughed lightly before grabbing her own phone and typed in her reply.

Yes, but we're meeting him at the movie. I'm going to ask anyway... why are we using a phone?

I rolled my eyes... once more, always curious.

Because my guardian is... really creepy... he's always cautious about me and him, so I didn't tell him he was coming.

God, was it just so much easier to lie through words then speaking them directly. I smiled reassuringly and she nodded acknowledgedly.

That is kinda creepy... why would he care?

Because he does a lot.

Is he young?

I think.

Does he love you or something? Jealous games?

"Meg!" I screamed aloud, slapping her hand playfully, adding more onto my lie. I didn't want to get more than one person involved with my plan. I mean, I love Meg as a sister and she's always been there for me, but she is horrible at lying.

"What? I'm just wondering!"

If you say he's creepy, loving you would fit right along in there. Why else would you have stayed in one place like that for two months?

"I know you better than that, Christine. Honestly. I can read you like a book. So... is it true or not? Did he give you that ring?" She asked lightly turning her head to the side, looking like a begging puppy.

Yes. I typed in shamefully, shaking my head and leaning it against my hand. I don't know what to do.

"Is it that hard?"

He's supposed to be my guardian, Meg... Well, that was part of the reason, at least. Not to mention he's insane, ugly, and pleads at my feet helplessly. He could be a very brilliant man if not for his face... and well, body. He would be handsome, and old-fashioned and something like my dream man if it were not for the megalomaniac details.

I see... She replied furrowing her brow.

"Do you?" I asked, raising a brow sitting up straight.

"Not really, I mean how could you? If you need me, though, call me, okay?" She pressed, wrapping her arms around me once more.

"I don't know if I can... when I last went with Raoul, he took my phone away, when I get back," I grimaced inside my head, looking to my ring again, "He might take it away again..."

"That's stupid," She replied, sipping at the remnants of her coffee.

"Exactly what I said," I rolled my eyes, checking my purse just automatically to see if it was there.

"Want to start walking to the movies? I was thinking we could see something 3D... like that new Ice Age movie, or perhaps... Star Trek? I dunno, make your choice when we get there." She hinted as she lifted me up from my chair, always having a peculiar love for the movies.

I followed her out of the store and out to the theaters which was near the food court... I felt more cautious then ever before, considering I'd be with Raoul... and Erik had no idea. What could become of me if he finds out? If he is watching right this very minute somehow in some way, then what will he do if he finds that I'm trying to get a way to escape? My heart fluttered already... I just needed to get to Raoul smoothly and effectively. Just as I thought of that I was immediately taken into someone's arms which weren't clothed in black, instead, bare arms. I looked up after letting out a startled gasp to see Raoul smiling stupidly down to me.

"God, Raoul! Just scare the crap out of me!" I exclaimed turning around, very serious, but he took it as a joke, laughing that laugh once more.

"Sorry, Christine, didn't mean it to hurt that much..." He laughed, shaking his head, and wrapped his arms around me, and for once, I felt safe... But not quite. Meg smiled, patting his shoulder just as good friends. We were all once together as best friends until Raoul and I were together much more, talking on the phone until the late hours and I went to homecoming twice with him before my father died. I love him as a brother and as a friend, and I don't think I'll ever let him go... I just can't.

"So... what movie will it be, girls?" He asked, wrapping his arm around my waist, my heart still pumping, looking around me repeatedly.

"I suppose it's up to Christine."

"Star Trek sounds fun," I noted lifelessly, looking for any figures in black again and again, but never found them.

"Yeah, that looks good," Raoul agreed automatically, looking at my cautiousness, and I looked to Meg for her not to say anything. Luckily, she didn't and we walked through the queue and ordered our tickets before going up the escalator.

"Are you alright, dear?" he asked into my ear as I looked over my shoulder while rising up.

I stared into his eyes and shook my head in the negative, my heart fluttering and I felt like I could cry into his shoulder right now.

"The man is insane," He whispered quietly so I could barely hear it over the loud voices in the food court, "You need to get out somehow..."

"I know," I whispered, choking back tears. He rose up, straightening himself from looking around. At least he was as cautious as I was.

"How did you convince him to let you go for today?"

"I told him I wasn't seeing you." I choked, looking around me again.

"You're only calling for it, then..." He shook his head, "Christine you have to come home with me today, for a few days maybe, but I fear for you and this... man."

"I'm going to hurt him so." I whispered, shaking my head, thinking of him crying and pleading at my feet again. "I'm betraying him right now and he could be watching, Raoul, I'm so scared..."

"I know..." he kissed my hair as we walked into the theater place, and he took me to the popcorn stand, whispering affectionate words into my ear so only I could hear them to calm me and rubbed my back so I wouldn't cry in public. "Try to enjoy the movie. Just like old times, you know?"

"I'll try."

"Maybe he'll let this go."

"Maybe..."

We went into the theater with Meg watching us like a hawk and smiling stupidly from her phone and probably texting everyone she knew. I didn't care right now. I was busy taking deep breaths and listening to Raoul repeatedly whispering into my ear.

We found our seats in the usual middle, myself sitting in between them two, and they were talking as if nothing happened and I sat there possibly looking like a deer stuck in headlights, and watching the commercials, studying each and every slide.

"What do you think, Chris?" Meg asked, leaning over to me, placing her head against her hand.

"Sorry... I wasn't paying attention." I replied. She laughed shortly.

"Always in the opposite world." She replied, still smiling, beginning to stuff her face with popcorn as the previews began.

Raoul squeezed my hand again and I tried to pay attention to the future movies and to wrap my head around the movie as the drama began but I couldn't seem to. All it was to me was pictures, explosions, lights, and moving figures, and there wasn't any threat of any sort to Erik watching in the dark theater. I was almost calmed down when the most action began at the end of the movie, and almost had a hint at the intricate plot, but it was impossible.

The happy ending was dimly lit, the usual love story ended and they kissed happily ever after, and Raoul leaned over to kiss my cheek as he used to, as if to make me feel better about happy endings.

"He hasn't done anything," He whispered into my ear and then leaned further over before the lights flickered on, and sneaked a kiss on my lips once more, and I shut my eyes, taking more of it in before he pulled away. I couldn't help it but lean further over and kiss him back, for it just might be our last kiss... ever. I might as well enjoy it. I held onto him like the world was ending, and I couldn't stop looking into his eyes, his bright blue eyes that glowed as the lights came on.

"I'm so... screwed, Raoul," I shook my head again, and he rose from his seat.

"You know... that Captain Kirk or whatever... was really hot." Meg sighed, as she wiped the popcorn from her lap and threw it lazily onto the seat.

"Shut up, Meg," I said playfully.

"I was just noting!" She smiled again. I looked at my watch... it was nearing four o'clock. I had a while before Erik was expecting me back. I smiled decently and walked out of the theater, Raoul's hand never leaving my waist.

"We could leave now, if you want." He muttered as we were going out to the mall, "Buy a few outfits and then we'll leave, and you could stay over for a few days until Mrs. Giry comes."

"I don't know, Raoul... If he were to find out, he'll kill you..."

He sniffed, "kill me?"

"I don't know... he was going to that one night at the opera."

"I could call the police."

"Do you honestly think that that will stop him? Don't even bother," I rolled my eyes.

"Trust me, okay? I'll get my brother in on it and everything, it will all be fine by the time I have this over. And you can stay as long as you want, and you'll be out of his sight."

"I'm not so sure about this, Raoul..."

He huffed and looked out the vast expanse of shops at every corner, "Just... go ahead and buy outfits. You have enough money, right?"

I looked into my messy purse filled with things that I hardly needed, including a brush, tons of pens that I've collected and other select pack-rat items and my cheap wallet, and inside that $2 wallet lied $100.

"Oh, my God..." I whispered.

"You've got to be kidding me." Raoul said into my hair, looking over my shoulder. "You're not kidding, are you?"

"Hell, no." I replied and stuffed the money meticulously back into my wallet with a shaky hand, and looked to Raoul with large eyes.

"Banana Republic...?" Meg hinted sneaking up from behind, startling me again.

"Maybe," I shrugged, "Something cheap, Meg, I don't want to use this money, really. Department store. That's where I always get my clothes."

"Nordstrom's, then," She sighed and then we walked to the most expensive department store I've ever known, while feeling like if I turned around his glowing yellow eyes would be right there and he would take me back to that damned house and lock me in my room and force me to sing like his little canary and I would find that purpose for the ring... and it could be illegal... I just wanted to run and never turn back, but Raoul's insistent hand on my back was something to keep me grounded in reality. This was the real world, this was happening.

She took me to a section that she knew was cheap and began to hunt down clothes and throw them at me to judge, to the underwear, and to shoes for obviously one pair of flip-flops was not enough for a few days.

I was suddenly like the mall was instantly crowded, like people were filling the place and I couldn't breathe because he could be anywhere. I felt so exhausted at the check-out, looking probably as pale as a ghost and I handed the cashier too many twenty-dollar bills, and she looked at me strangely, as if I was some drunk teenager coming to the mall with her friends to keep her stabilized. I probably blushed as I walked away from the cashier and then looked around again.

"We need to hurry," I pressed, my heart thumping on my chest, looking to the clock on my phone for it was nearing 6 o'clock, and Erik was supposedly going to pick me up in thirty minutes where I left him.

"Chris, you look really pale..." Meg said hurriedly, fanning me with a piece of cardboard.

"This is horrible," I added dimly, "I ruined this outing and it might be my last one ever..."

"Don't worry about it, Christine, we want to help you," Meg added rushing to the exit in the back of the large store, people surrounding me, and the world almost began to spin as my heart seemed to leap out of my chest instantly and take flight, and I looked around curiously, again. We were almost there... Almost...

We were in the parking lot now, my bag falling into the large Nordstrom's bag and Meg was almost dragging me to Raoul's sleek Volvo. He opened the front door for me and helped me inside, and I leaned my head against the seat looking to the ceiling.

"Can I come with?" She asked. "I'll just call my mom and she can pick me up from your place," She added hurriedly, jumping into the back seat.

Raoul shrugged and got into the driver's seat, holding my left hand tightly.

"What is this?" He asked sounding just like Meg.

"Don't ask." I shut my eyes to block the light. Raoul grabbed a bottle of water from the cup holders near the seat and handed it to me, opening the lid and placed it near my lips. "I'm just too flustered right now, really..."

"I understand," Raoul said, placing the water bottle into my hand and I swallowed gulp after gulp into my throat and relieved the sudden burning.

He took off out of the parking lot racing by a few cars carefully, though, to not disturb me, as I seemed to linger on the point between conscientiousnesses. He reassured me over and over, and I lost count of how many words he said, and lost my mind between exiting the mall parking lot and heading near the highway. It was a peaceful, relieving sleep, dreamless and simply hovering.

And a rude awakening.

The car jolted to a stop on the side of the road and my head seemed to almost banged to the front and I awoke.

"Christine, don't worry... I was probably speeding or something." I looked curiously to the clock and then to the rear-view mirror to see a black car, once more with blackened windows with lights on the top, signaling it was a police car. My heart began to race again and I felt just like I did before I went to sleep, though it didn't seemed to be long, for it was only thirty minutes into the drive.

The gruff-looking policeman headed near the car and looked in to see us staring at him intently. "Do you realize you were speeding down that last road?" He asked in a strict New England accent, not pronouncing his R's, with a ragged beard and hat. He wasn't what you would begin to think of a police officer.

"Yes, I'm sorry, sir."

"Why do you think you've been speeding? I see you are a young driver."

"It's just... we're in a hurry." He looked to me, and patted my hand again, "She's very ill and we were heading to the hospital."

He pointed to the opposite way, "The hospital's that way," He answered, glaring his eyes.

"Nice move, Raoul," Meg hissed from the back seat. I gave her a dirty look and she shut her mouth.

"Chagny, are you?" The officer asked.

"Yes sir, I am." He replied in his charming-way with a tint of fear, "How did you... know?" He gulped.

"I've been commanded to arrest you for kidnap."

"Kidnap...?" He asked softly, looking to me with big eyes. "How could I have kidnapped someone?"

"Who is that next to you? The 'ill' one?" He looked to me with a thick eyebrow arched.

"Why do you need to know?" Raoul asked suspiciously.

"Step out of the car, Mr. Chagny."

"What?" He asked in disbelief, completely losing his composure and staring back to me again before looking to the threatening officer.

"You heard me. Now, step out or I shall take serious action."

"I didn't do anything!" Raoul rebelled, which was obviously a stupid move, but how would he know? It's not like there's etiquette to being accused of something you obviously didn't do.

"You are lying to an officer and you have kidnapped Ms. Daae."

"She came with me!" he rebelled opening the door. How did he know my name...? I looked to the black sports car parked behind us and I think my stomach did a few back flips. Wait a minute... that's Erik's car.

"You too, Ms. Giry."

Just as he said that, a black figure began to emerge from the familiar car. "I'm sorry, Christine!" I heard Raoul say, sounding as if in pain. I began to unbuckle my seatbelt, finding no other way, and I opened the door quickly, faster than I knew I could ever move. It wasn't hard to run... but it was extremely hard to hide. I ran up the hill of the highway which led to a forest, running and receiving scrapes on my legs, and branches tugged at my hair. But I didn't run long.

Frail, and bony arms were around me and I couldn't help but begin to rebel, pulling at my limbs to hold them from being restricted, but he was much too strong. It didn't take long for me to run out of my own strength, either, as he pulled me away towards his car.

"Christine lied to me." He said into my ear as he dragged me off into the car, leaving the "police man" there to fend for himself.

"Don't!" I hissed, pulling and reaching for the locked door but there was no use. I was in the backseat, and he, in the front. I pulled on the handle and banged against the window but it was not any use.

"Christine lied to me!" He hissed once more, and glared at me. "She promised to return and that boy was not going to be there..." He was talking to himself in third person, "And Erik trusted her... No, that was a mistake." He agreed with himself and drove even further away.

"Don't hurt him," I pleaded brokenly, shutting my eyes and began to cry once more into my hands. "Please..."