"Kiss me and make the sorrowful pain go away
Kiss me and tell me everything will soon be ok
Kiss me and hold me closely tight to you
Kiss me and whisper sweet words that are true
Kiss me and lay us on my bed
Kiss me from my toes to my head
Kiss me here and kiss me there
Kiss me all over and everywhere
Kiss me softly and kiss me hard
Kiss me while you caress my hips
Kiss me repeatedly on my lips.
Kiss me, kiss me even more
Oh Christine how my love for you shall soar." -Excerption from the diary of Erik
Erik's POV
The New Year's ball had been one of the best nights of my life. For the first time in my horrible existence, I had a date to dance with, a date to show off to my employees, a date that stayed by my side the entire night. Even when we returned home, our date did not end. Christine and I made love, and laid within one another's arms until we fell asleep. Spring was certainly around the corner, but I still had plenty of time to enjoy her company. Though, my exposed skull didn't hurt me the entire night of the ball, over the next few days it pounded me worse than ever.
For nearly a week, I was laid up in bed with a pounding headache, and no way of making it any better. Christine, being the darling that she was, kept giving me hot towels to place over my exposed skull in hopes of soothing my pain. Most of the time it worked, but right when the warmth went away was when my agonizing pain would return. I felt terribly sorry for Christine's boredom, and felt a little better about it when she brought in her new kitten. At least there was something here to occupy her mind while I rested. She named the orange and white colored cat "Skimbleshanks," and spent most of the day playing with it. Christine went back and forth from playing with the cat to helping me with my pain, but nothing was worse than when she herself got sick.
I remember it ever so clearly. I was laying in bed one morning, pressing on my exposed skull with a hot towel when all of a sudden I heard Christine running towards the bathroom. I laid there listening to her vomiting and cringed at the thought of her having the stomach flu. But this however, was unlike any stomach flu I had ever seen before for when Christine emerged from the bathroom she seemed perfectly fine. She even came over to tend to me.
"Are you ok?" I asked.
She simply nodded, and shrugged her shoulders.
"Yes, something must have just disagreed with me is all."
How I wished for nothing more than for my pain to go away. I lay there most hours looking up at the ceiling, wondering if this was ever going to stop. Christine even contacted the doctor about my pain, but he responded by telling her that it was going to be normal until everything healed. To make matters worse, Skimbleshanks had taken a liken to me. One morning Christine sat him down on my bed to run into the kitchen for another towel, when the small ball of fur crawled up into my arms and purred. When Christine came back and found Skimbleshanks all curled up with me, she found it absolutely adorable. Why? Why did animals like me so much? Christine was his owner, and yet, he was crawling up with me.
I was relieved when my pain started to go away little by little. Christine on the other hand found no relief in her illness, and vomited every morning for the next week. It worried me to a point where I wanted her to fetch a doctor, but she insisted that she was fine. Indeed, the stomach flu makes its rounds on more than one occasion in the winter, but I feared for her like a delicate flower.
It had been two weeks since my injury, and I was able to say that my pain was mostly gone. I awoke one Saturday morning with only a slight headache, and that damn cat curled up beside me. After throwing on my robe, I picked Skimbleshanks up by the nape of his neck, and placed him down beside Christine's sleeping form. For the past couple of days her condition had gotten a little worse, and so I was now taking over from being the patient to being the caregiver. She complained of having stomach pains, and I was going to do anything but lay around with just a slight headache. My angel needed me, and therefore, I was going to be there for her.
Deciding to let her sleep, I walked out to my desk and began working on documents I hadn't been able to fill out while I was ill. I was writing information down on the first one in the stack, when all of a sudden, Skimbleshanks appeared out of nowhere and pounced onto the neatly stacked pile. The papers fell to the floor, and I growled in anger. Of all thing! Of all things to get Christine and I had to give her a cat! What made me even angrier was when he began to play with the Christmas ornament Christine had made for me. His small paws teased at the tiny bell attached to the chapel, and I quickly pulled it away before anymore damage could be done. After New Years was over, Christine had packed away all the Christmas decorations, but I stopped her from taking away my Christmas ornament. I told her that I wanted to have it out all year long, and placed it on my desk thinking that it would be safe there. I was obviously wrong.
I picked Skimbleshanks up by the nape of his neck, and looked him right into his yellow glowing eyes.
"I have rules here, cat! Let me make one thing clear. If you even touch this ornament again, you'll be out in the snow before you even have the chance to hide! Christine might think you're a playful ball of fur, but I know otherwise. Your mother had to be trained, and I'll do the same to you."
With that, I threw the kitten across the room, only to see it land in my arm chair. When I went back to writing, I was glad to finally have a moment of peace to myself, but I spoke too quickly. Five minutes didn't even pass by when I began hearing a clawing sound. I turned! That damn cat was clawing my arm chair!
"That's it!" I growled, biting my lip to hold back my screams that wanted to come. If I woke Christine I would feel terrible for the remainder of the day! I stormed over to my chair, picked the ball of orange fur up and placed him into the tall and empty laundry basket.
"You've messed with the wrong man, cat. Christine might have stayed silent to you, but I'm proud to let you know that you've messed with the infamous "Trap Door Maker." If I can build a torture chamber out of mirrors, I sure as hell can keep a cat boxed. When you've learned your lesson I'll think about letting you out."
With that, I placed the lid on the basket, and stormed back over to my desk. If there was anything I was going to be glad about, it was seeing that damn cat leave Coney Island with Christine in April.
"Erik?" I heard a weak calling of my name from the bedroom, and rose to see what Christine needed. I turned the corner, to see her curled up in bed with a hand clasped over her abdomen.
"How are you feeling?" I asked. "Is your stomach still bothering you?"
"Worse than ever." she replied.
"Do you want to vomit?"
"Not right now." she pressed her face down into her pillow, and sighed. "Come spend some time with me."
I approached her, and took a seat at her side, massaging her feet like she once did to me.
"I'm sorry you are sick." I cooed. "This is why Coney Island isn't good for you, Christine. The winters here only get harsher, and with that comes illness. It's in the air, and passes from one household to the next."
"I like it here, Erik. Everyone gets sick once in a while."
"Not like this. Look at you, Christine, it aches me to see you in such agony."
Christine clenched at her stomach, and looked at me.
"It's not that bad."
"Maybe not, but you do need something to eat. Your energy must be kept up at all times."
I stood up, and placed my quilt over her.
"Tell me what you want, and I'll whip it up for you right now."
She giggled, which only caused her to cringe in pain.
"Anything?"
I nodded.
"What ever Christine wants, Christine gets."
"French toast would be nice."
I smiled.
"Wish granted."
I let Christine rest, and buzzed around the kitchen, preparing the breakfast she desired. When I returned with a small stack of the French toast, I sat at her side, massing her feet as she slowly ate. Christine was quiet for the remainder of the day, and I was able to work in peace. That night, I finished my work, and walked into our bedroom to offer her dinner, but she was fast asleep and I didn't want to wake her. And after letting the cat out of the box, I too, retired for the evening. I laid there in my bed, closing my eyes and waiting for sleep to take over. I don't remember how or what time it happened, but at some point during the night, I heard my name being frantically called.
"Erik, Erik!"
My eyes fluttered open in the darkness, to the sound of silence. I was so exhausted that I closed my eyes again, but that's when I heard Christine's voice call for me. She was in pain! A great deal of pain.
"Erik…"
I heard Christine call out for me before, but never like this….I didn't hesitate a single moment, and turned on the lights.
"Erik…"
She was laying in bed, clenching the sheets and moving her legs about underneath the blankets.
"Christine? What's wrong?"
"Something doesn't feel right….." She groaned. "I feel….I feel sticky."
I tried to calm her down, but her pain kept her moving about. I pulled away the blankets, only to try and comfort her, but when I did, the white bed sheet was covered in blood. Her night gown was stained, and her thighs had blood dripping from them.
"Christine!" God! What was wrong with her? Why was she bleeding from in between her legs? She had the stomach flu! The stomach flu! This doesn't happen! I've had the damn flu several times and never had this happened to me! My angel was in agony, and losing a substantial amount of blood. I didn't waste anytime, and threw my cloak on before wrapping her up in the quilt and carrying her out the door. She huddled into my chest, and I kept her wrapped up to keep the cold off of her. I hurried through Phantasma, and into Coney Island to reach the infirmary. I never pounded on a door so hard in my life. I pounded on the door, never stopping until the doctor opened the door dressed in his night clothes.
"What is it?"
"She's bleeding…." I cried. "My friend needs help."
The doctor immediately let me in, and led me down a hallway and into a larger open area where nurses were walking around tending to other patients who were laying in beds that were scattered all about. He called for a nurse, and came rushing over carrying a small fabric gurney. I was trembling as I laid her down and watched her being taken away. I tried to follow her, but the doctor wouldn't let me.
"You have to stay here."
"I need to be with her! I need this! Don't leave me here alone!"
"I'll come for you as soon as I can." he replied, throwing on his stethoscope.
There was a chair set up against the wall, but I didn't sit. I couldn't! I paced the floor back and forth, constantly checking my watch…the pocket watch Christine had bought me for Christmas. It brought tears to my eyes having to look at it. Time seemed to go by ever so slowly, leaving me in this strong medical smelling ward.
"God! What's taking them so long." I growled out loud looking at my watch. It was three in the morning, and I had been standing here for almost two hours. When I couldn't take it any longer, I approached one of the nurses that were passing by.
"Excuse me, I'm trying to find out some information on the woman I brought here a few hours ago."
The woman dressed in white looked up at me in shear terror, and hurried away.
Damn my looks! Why is it that my mask frightened everyone? Another nurse walked by, and I called out to her, hoping she would talk to me.
"Excuse me, I'm trying to find some information on the woman I brought in here."
"The brown haired woman?" she asked.
Finally! Someone was communicating with me.
"Yes, is she alright?"
"She's still in surgery. Could be that way for a while. It's best that maybe you go home and come back in the morning."
No! I wouldn't leave her. I refused to leave! What if they needed me? What if the doctors needed my help, or my blood. I would give! I would give Christine everything.
"I'll stay." I said. "But could you tell the doctor something?"
She nodded.
"Tell the doctor that Mister E said not to hesitate on asking him for anything."
"Ok."
I grabbed her shoulder before she could walk away, and made close eye contact with her just to let her know that I was being serious.
"Anything. I mean it. If he needs blood, money, information….Anything."
"Ok." she seemed a little frightened, but how else was she supposed to feel? I was a monster in everyone's eyes.
I paced the floor for a while more, keeping watch over the time. I wasn't sure how much longer I stood there alone, but when I heard my name being called, I looked over to see the doctor walking towards me.
"Mister E?"
"Yes? How is she?"
He braced my arm gently, and pulled me out of the ward.
"Come, I want to speak with you in my office."
I was sick of wasting time! I wanted to know now! I wanted to know how Christine was doing!
Once we entered his office, the doctor shut the door, and offered me a cup of coffee.
"I don't drink coffee."
"Tea perhaps?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"No thank you. I just wish to know how Christine is doing."
"She should be alright. She's lost a lot of blood, and is very weak."
"What's wrong with her?" I asked.
The doctor took a sip of his coffee, and eyed me.
"How long has that been going on?"
"What?"
"Her pain?"
I ran my fingers through my hair, and tried to think.
"Um….I've been ill for two weeks, and I was sure it was the stomach flu. It started off with vomiting and a few days ago her pain started. I thought it was normal, but tonight…..when the bleeding….God, what's wrong with her? Is it something I did?"
"We ran a few tests, and should have the results back in a few days. We took some blood, and urine samples from her."
"I can't take her home?"
The doctor shook his head.
"No. It's best for her to stay in here until we find out what caused her bleeding. It's the best for her health."
"She'll be afraid." I argued.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, and you'll be able to visit her any time you want."
"How about now?"
"The anesthesia is going to make her weak and woozy for a while, but she should be awake."
"Just make sure she receives the best medical care. What ever it costs, what ever the money….She must receive the best."
"And she will." the doctor promised.
With that, I walked out of the office, and across the ward to where Christine's section was. It was draped off with a white privacy curtain, and I entered behind it to see Christine laying in a hospital bed. She was in a hospital gown, and hooked up to all sorts of needles. It broke my heart, but I knew it was for the best.
"Erik?"
Her eyes opened halfway, and her voice weakly spoke in a soft, calm tone. I leaned in, and pressed a kiss to her cold forehead before taking a seat at her bedside.
"How do you feel?" I asked. "Are you warm enough?"
"I guess so. I don't feel so well though."
"Doctor said you're going to be ok."
"What's wrong with me?"
Her glassy eyes met with my own, and I knew I couldn't lie. I wanted to tell her what was wrong with her, but I didn't even know.
"The doctor ran a few tests, but he won't know the results for a few days."
She cuddled into her pillow, and closed her eyes.
"Can we go home?"
"Doctor says you need to stay here for a few days. They don't know what's wrong with you yet, and they don't want to risk sending you home just yet."
"Is it the stomach flu?"
How badly I wanted it to be the flu, but I knew it wasn't.
"Let's hope so."
"Maybe it's food poisoning."
I covered Christine up with her blankets, and rubbed her hand.
"You shouldn't tire yourself out, Christine."
"But what if it is?"
"It can't be. I ate everything you did. If it was food poisoning I would be laying right next to you."
"Maybe it's something else then, maybe it's…"
"Christine." I cooed. "Leave the diagnosing to the doctors."
"Stay with me?"
"Of course, I won't leave you."
When Christine closed her eyes again, I stood up and kissed her lips as she slept.
"She's going to be asleep for a while." came a voice.
I turned around to see a nurse standing there with a basin in her hands.
"How do you know?" I growled.
"Because the second dose of anesthesia is setting in. She'll be asleep at least until the early afternoon. You should go home and rest, it's been a rough night."
"I won't leave her side."
"Then at least let us offer you a bed to rest in. I'll wake you the moment she wakes up."
"I want to be here when she wakes." I said. "I'll sleep in the chair."
"Like I said, she's going to be asleep at least until the early afternoon. I'll wake you in three hours if you'd like?"
Why? Why wouldn't this woman leave me be? Why was she so concerned about me? I was feeling a bit tired though, and it would be nice to lay down for a while. Finally, I agreed, and the nurse led me to a privacy drape that was a few rows over from Christine's. I removed my jacket, and laid down before covering myself with some of the blankets.
"I'll wake you in a little bit." she promised, closing the drapes.
"Thank you."
I wasn't sure what was wrong with Christine, but all I could hope for is that the results would come out fine, and we would soon be back at the flat…
Ok everyone, please review! What happened to all my reviewers? Thanks again everyone!