CHAPTER 2 :

Modern-Day : Christine's House - Bedroom

Christine's eyes snapped open and she stared around, dazed. Had she fallen asleep? Probably so. Propping herself up with an elbow, she glanced at the digital clock at the bedside. '7pm? Seriously?' she thought, squinting at it. 'Yup. Seriously.' she groaned inwardly - had she really slept for that long? The last time she checked, it was only 2pm in the afternoon!

"Might as well take a shower..." she muttered. Still half consumed by sleep, she slowly got off the bed and smoothed out the duvet before heading towards her personal bathroom with a towel and necessary things tucked inside. Hot water would do her a power of good. After a few moments, Christine stepped out and the hot steam drifted from behind her. Closing the door, she sat down by her bed and stared at the ceiling, not knowing what to do. Then, her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered and Meg's bubbly voice sounded over the speakers.

"Hey, Christine! I tried calling you earlier, why didn't you pick up?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. Christine hesitated and while on the line, she checked the 'Calls' list. True, Meg had tried dialing for over three times.

"I...I fell asleep. Sorry."

"Oh, well, okay then," Meg sounded unsure but it immediately evaporated and was replaced with excitement instead. "Anyways, I'll just get straight to the point of why I am calling you. Since tomorrow is the start of the summer holidays, wanna go out tomorrow?" Christine felt the edges of her lips curving upwards - it seems as though Meg had impeccable timing of calling.

"That sounds great! When and where do we meet?" she asked, all of a sudden feeling eager. She heard Meg's soft laughter before she replied.

"Slow down there girl! We could meet at 8am in the morning at CafeAhoy. Sounds suitable?"

"Sure, guess I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!"

"Bye, girlfriend!"

Christine killed the call and turned her head to the window - the sun had not set yet. Perhaps it was time for her daily jog around the pavement. Getting up from her resting place, she opened her white wardrobe and picked a suitable outfit - white shorts, sneakers, tank top and a thin waist jacket, all of them in a foam-white color. She entered the restroom again, locking the door firmly behind her.

Modern-Day : Erik's House - Private Study

Erik's eyes bore into the bright, shiny plasma screen - Christine had not left the house yet. Which was strange as she was usually punctual in her daily jogs around. 'Maybe she's having a chat with someone on the phone...' he nodded to himself - he'll wait. After a few more seconds of 'worth-it' waiting, a slim slender figure appeared in one of the boxes that he had been checking for so long - the pavement.

Standing up from his chair, he swiftly got dressed and he took a black shoulder bag which contained the necessary items from his desk. He shot a glance at the computer again, just to make sure he wouldn't get the wrong person. Confirming it, he spun around to the door and like a graceful panther, he left his house.

Moder-Day : Around Christine's House - Near the Pavement

"I don't believe in miracles, I never did

Nothing ever happens here, so sick of it..."

The catchy lyrics burst in Christine's ears as she started her second round around the her house. It was unusual really, that no beads of sweat were dribbling down her temples even after the long distance of slow running. Slowing down slightly, she adjusted her earphones and pushed in her iPhone deeper into her pocket for the fear that it may just drop out. The streets were deserted, with no one dashing around or children playing. Everyone had left to the safety of their homes. Everyone with the exception of Christine.

"I-I-I told you

I-I-I need to

Get-get myself into something new..."

Christine sang the beating words mentally in her head and she turned a corner towards a bench near the pavement that circled around the park. She stopped and kneel(ed) down to tighten her shoelaces when a cloth pressed itself roughly onto her face. Struggling wildly, she felt her world drifting to darkness and her eyelids drooped. But her kidnapper had not seen the earplugs and phone lying on the stone ground that had fallen out during Christine's desperate attempt to get away. The music playing silently through it.

Erik remained pressing the drug-scented towel to her nose and when he was certain that she had passed out, he retrieved a needle from his bag which was filled with a mysterious looking liquid. Gently, he inserted the sharp point to her pale skin and waited till the anesthetic did its work. A feeling of guilt speared him as he stared at her, unconscious and oblivious to the world. But, it had to be done. She needed to see that.

"I'm so sorry, Christine..." he whispered, lifting her into his arms and he walked over to his black Jaguar that was packed a few meters away. It was interesting, that Christine did not seem to notice a black figure waiting in the vehicle. But then, he knew that she didn't really take note of others. Dumping his bag to the back of the seat, he slowly placed Christine in the front passenger seat and he himself got into the driver's chair.

'I'll take you away from this world filled with cruelty, and away from that insolent boy,' he grimaced at the thought of his sweet Christine's arrogant boyfriend - Raymond de Chagny. How she had managed to stand his proud and boastful behavior, he did not know. But what he did know was that she deserved better. His blood began to let little bubbles rise to the surface - did they have any intimate moments? Did that foolish kid try to take advantage of his innocent and pure Christine? He shook his head, she was with him now. And no one else would ever have her.

Accelerating, he sped off, eyes dark and face expressionless.

E/N : Well, this chapter sucks. I think my writing skills are dropping. Somehow, my other fanfiction is so much easier to type out and my writing there seems so much better. Oh, don't you just love mint cookies and ice-cream?