Everything hit Erik like a train when he saw how still Ella was. Her face was drained of color, and if it weren't for the fact he could see her breathing, he would have assumed she was dead. Meg was sitting beside her friend, and it was clear she had been crying. He knelt next to the bed and took Ella's hand, watching the shallow rise and fall of her chest. "How is she?" he asked thickly.
"The doctor just left," Meg whispered. "He…he said…" Her voice trailed off, unable to finish.
Antoinette put her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "If Ella can make it through the night, then she has a good fighting chance."
"If?" Erik repeated. "What do you mean if?"
"The sword thankfully missed anything vital," Antoinette informed him. "The doctor did his best, but it was hard for him to close the wound, and it took him quite a while. It's been stitched shut, but she lost a lot of blood in the progress."
"How long has she been unconscious?"
"She was drifting in and out until the doctor arrived, but he gave her a sedative to help her cope with the pain. There is no way to tell when, or if, she'll wake up."
Erik's fingers toyed with one of Ella's silky curls, as he tried not to break down. "Oh my poor angel, how much more suffering must the world put you through before it leaves you alone?"
"What happened to Archer?" Meg asked, fear audible in her voice. "If he comes up here, while she's like this, I mean he could…He's hurt her so much already, what if he does even more damage?"
"He won't," Erik replied bluntly. "The police were summoned, they took him away. It was his sword, her injuries, and as far as anyone could tell, they were alone. There is no way he can deny he did it. However, I doubt he'll stay behind bars or even tried. After all, the police just shrugged when he kidnapped her."
"But look at her!" the dancer protested. "Ella's on the verge of life and death! Archer should be tried for attempted murder!" It remained unspoken that Ella still could die. No one was willing to admit that fact.
"Meg, Erik's right," Antoinette said softly. "Archer is son of one of the most respected men in all of France. His family could bribe the police with massive sums of money and think nothing of it. Honestly, his name alone is probably enough to get him off."
The blonde wiped her eyes. "So what happens now?"
Erik clenched his jaw. "If he dares to set foot in my opera again, I will kill him, no matter the consequences."
Ella blinked away the blinding light. She was so confused to where she was; she couldn't see much of anything. Looking around, she finally spotted a young, red haired man. Something about him seemed very familiar. He gave her an easygoing smile. "Hello Ellie."
"Tristan!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. "Oh Tristan I've missed you so much!"
"Why?" He seemed surprised. "I never left you. I know I might not have been there physically, but I've been in your heart the whole time."
"Where are we Tris?" she asked. "Is this heaven?"
"That doesn't really matter," her brother replied evasively.
"Am I dead?"
Her brother sighed. "That, Ellie, is up to you. I'm supposed to be here to tell you that it isn't your time, that you need to go back. But if you don't want to go, I can't make you."
"Can I stay here with you?"
"You need to think this through Ellie." Tristan put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You can come back here, when it's your time, but if you decide to stay, you can never go back there. Don't you have someone waiting for you?"
"Erik," Ella whispered. "Tris, he's done some things that he might regret, but I love him."
He smiled at her. "I know you do. He's a fine man and cares for you very much. I don't think my baby sister could have found a better person to love."
She stared at her brother for a long while, torn on what to do. "I don't want to leave you Tris; it's been so long without you. I missed you so much. But I can't leave Erik. He's been abandoned by everyone he's ever loved. Oh what do I do?"
"It's your decision Ellie. I can't make it for you."
"Do you know why I'm here?"
Tristan nodded. "Yes Ellie, I know what Archer did to you."
"I almost married him!" she screamed. "He stabbed me, but a month ago I was considering marrying him!" Ella began to sob. Her brother hugged her and let her cry. "It just shows I can't make major decisions like this! Bad things happen every single time! I can't win!"
"You have to choose something. We can't stay here forever."
"What do I do Tris? Tell me which to pick, give me advice, help me!" Ella cried. "I don't want to lose you again, but I don't want to lose Erik either! Is there any way I can have both of you?"
He shook his head. "Ella it doesn't work like that. You can't have both of us, not for now. In time yes, but not until then."
"Then what should I do?!" Ella crumpled to the ground, crying. "I just don't know!"
Her brother sat down next to her. "Ellie, I will always be there looking out for you. I always have and always will be. Never forget that. There is a man who loves you very much waiting for you. If you go back to him, there will come a day where you are meant to come back here to stay. Once that day comes, we can be reunited."
She raised her eyes to meet his. "Tris, have I ever told you that you were the best brother the world could offer? What happened to you wasn't fair."
"Life's not fair," he replied softly. "But it's not about whether you're treated fairly, it's how you treat others despite what happens to you. Had I had the option you do, I would have leaped at the chance."
"Tristan, I love you," Ella whispered. "But you're right. I do need to go back to Erik."
He kissed her forehead. "I know Ellie. It's not your time, and you know it. But I'll see you someday."
The light blinded her again. This time, as it began to clear, Ella became aware of an agonizing pain in her stomach. A tenor voice singing a soft melody reached her ears, and she could feel a leather clad hand holding her own, a thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "Erik?" she whispered.
He leaned in and kissed her brow. "Rest mon Ange. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."