BANG! BANG! BANG! I crashed my fist into Dominic's door, praying he would still be awake. Oh, god. Let him be awake! My mysterious pursuer was searching for me in the dark corridor. "Please…Christine," The poor creature seemed winded after my flight. "I…I'm so sorry. Please, give me a chance! Please!" I wanted to tell him who I was, but that was to no avail. I heard a mumbling from within the room, and Dominic thrust the door open. I dashed inside, and slammed the door behind me.

"Ryder! What on Earth-?!" He began , but I gestured like a mad person out the door. I managed to convey that someone was following me. "What!? Ryder, stay here!" he ordered. He retrieved a poker from his nearby fireplace, told me not to move, and went off in search of my hunter. When the door was closed, I pressed my ear against the keyhole, silently praying he would be safe from my stalker. But, soon enough, instead of sounds of a battle, I heard hushed voices of two men.

"Dominic..." One said. It was my pursuer. "Please do not stop me. She's just passed here! I saw her!"

"Erik, listen to reason. Christine's been in England for five years. You know she vowed never to come back to Paris. That wasn't HER!"

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" The man bellowed. Many tense seconds passed before either spoke again. "I sang for her. And she WAS THERE. She..hadn't changed."

"Calm down. Erik, that wasn't Christine. That was a young woman, an aquantance of mine, whom you scared the daylights out of.

She is a mute. A MUTE, Erik. Christine could talk. Rhyder cannot." What I heard next escapes my memory, but I do remember one thing the stranger said. "I want to see her."

"Erik, I know you do, but she's--"

"No, Dominic. Your friend. She looked just like her... Please, I'm begging you, just for a moment..."

Nothing was said for a few moments more. Dominic cleared his throat, and sighed. "Very well. You will see her."

"When?"

"At the opening of the Opera house. The Ball. In three weeks."

"Dominic, I will not attend the ball." He sounded appauled that one would suggest that ridiculous notion to him. "You know what happened last time. It will be a disaster!"

"If you want to see her again, then that's the time you shall!" That was the first time I had heard him angry (And lord knows it wouldn't be my last).

"Fine." The man named Erik growled. And Some low words were whispered, and faded with retreating footsteps. "Remember: Beware the Red Death. Do not fool me."

With those words, Dominic was alone. I heard him release a defeated sigh, and walk back towards his room. I scrambled away from the door, and plopped myself onto his bed, and pretended to sleep. So many thoughts where whizzing around my brain, I couldn't have looked asleep with all my alertness. Erik?

Dominic chortled. "Ah, mon petite amoureux, let me carry you to bed."

He lifted me into his warm and shielding arms. Wasn't his brother's name Erik? Was that his brother?

"You know, Rhyder, when the Opera House opens in a few weeks, there's going to be a ball." He whispered to my seemingly unconcious form. "I know you can't hear me, but I would be honored if you could go with me. This is silly. I'm talking to a sleeping person. Well, Rhyder," he paused at my door, shifted me in his arms to open the door, and laid me down on the bed. "This is where I drop you off." He lay me on the bed, and to my horror (without showing it), a sleeve on my dress rolled down, showing my scarring. Dominic paused, and quickly and quietly adjusted my clothing back to its proper way. Then he kissed me softly on the forehead. "Goodnight, ma belle au bois dormant. "Sleep well, dear princess." He ambled to the door, and closed it silently.

All my thoughts about Erik subsided. Did he just...He DID!!! I leapt out of bed, and danced a little jig about my room. He kissed ME!!! YAHOOO--

"Ooh." A croaking sound passed my lips. Did I just...speak? I tried again and again to replicate the sound, but I couldn't. I knew it was too good to be true. But I spoke a sound! I was making progress!!! The doctor was true. I would be able to speak again! I was so happy, and at the same time so exausted. I laid back down on the bed, ready to confront any dangers or hardships ahead of me.

Or so I thought.

Hello, my darlings! Just so you know, Here's all the French in there:

Mon petite amoureaux = my little sweetheart

Ma belle a bois dormant = my sleeping beauty

Thank You for reading, and don't hesatate to review! I get inspired that way. :3