Disclaimer: Erik and Christine belong to Gaston Louis Alfred Leroux. (Yeah, I know his full name.) Erik's diary belongs to Erik.

Christine sighed, plopping down onto the small couch in Erik's sitting room. She had been down here a week with the strange man with the face of a demon and the voice of an angel who had become her jailer, and she was slowly coaxing him towards letting her go free. She was earning his trust, bestowing upon him little acts of kindness. She was a good actress, and was using her skills to lull Erik into a false state of security, hoping that by gaining his confidence she would also gain her freedom.

Erik himself was currently out grocery shopping, leaving Christine alone in the house by the lake. During these times he usually locked her in her bedroom, but had lately been permitting her to wander about the house, excepting certain rooms which he kept locked. Christine looked about her, trying to find something with which to amuse herself until Erik returned.

Suddenly, Christine's gaze landed on a little black leather bound book resting on the coffee table. She didn't recall seeing it there before, and was curious as to what it might be. Picking it up, Christine flipped to a random page and gasped. She had been expecting printed words, but was greeted instead with Erik's spidery, childlike handwriting. Leafing through the book, she discovered it was all written in the same hand, using the same blood red ink. Curious, Christine flipped through the book until she found the date on which he had brought her here and began to read.

November 23

What joy! What ecstasy! Christine has seen Erik's face, yet has allowed him to kiss the hem of her dress! She tells him he may show her his face without fear, and if she should shiver when looking upon him, it is because she is thinking of his great genius! Oh, silly Christine, Erik knows you say this only out of pity, but perhaps in time it shall be true? No, Erik mustn't hope. Erik must never hope, for it is all too easy for Christine to break his wretched heart if he should hope!

November 24

Surely the angels have smiled upon me! Christine, without even knowing it, you have caused your poor devoted Erik such pleasure as to make him weep for joy. I was sitting in a chair by the fire, when all of a sudden Christine walked past me and as she did so, her hand brushed mine! Oh, how Erik trembled at his angel's divine mercy! She did not mean to do it, of course, she did not even notice Erik's sublime happiness as he sat trembling in his chair, but she did it all the same! It was the first time a woman has touched me and not pulled away, shuddering with disgust. My own mother never kissed me, never! And sweet Christine has brushed her hand to mine! At last I know what it is like to feel a woman's touch! Oh Christine, such a gift Erik shall cherish for the rest of his life!

Upon reading these words, Christine's eyes filled with tears. "His own mother refused to kiss him? The poor man!" Christine thought, "No. If I begin to pity the creature now, I'll never be able to leave him! Oh, he is pitiable, to be sure, but he is also a monster." She quickly wiped away her tears and continued reading.

November 25

Oh, horror of horrors! Erik has made his angel unhappy! She cried in her room today, refusing to come out. Erik went out and bought her favorite pastries this evening. Perhaps she will forgive him if he apologizes at breakfast and leaves her to herself all day?

November 26

Today, Christine has taken me to Heaven and back! I had been hiding from her all day, scurrying about the house in the shadows like the rat I am, when loneliness overcame me and I peeked in at where she was sitting by the fire. She saw me, yet did not run away! Instead, she beckoned me to come closer! She asked me to tell her a story, so I sat at her feet and wove her a tale of mystery and wonder, and when it was over, she smiled at me! A real, genuine, smile! And then, do you know what she said to me? Do you know what the dear angel has said? She has said, "Erik, that was lovely." Lovely! She called my story lovely! And Erik nodded very meekly and said "Thank you," like he should and went to his room and cried, for her kindness made him so happy.

Once again, Christine found herself tearing up at his words. Had her smile really had that effect on him? "How is it that a smile and a simple compliment are enough to cause him to cry for joy?These are but ordinary acts of kindness that most men take without a second thought, but Erik weeps with happiness when I bestow them upon him. Does what I say and do truly mean that much to the poor man?" A solitary tear made it's way down her cheek and landed upon the diary. Christine turned the page and continued reading.

November 27

Erik is living in a dream! Today, the dear, sweet girl has made Erik's dreams come true yet again! Erik was tired, so tired, yet once again, Christine requested his presence by the fireside. He was telling her a story, but he was so exhausted that as he did so he fell asleep. When he awoke, Christine was still there, and there was a blanket draped about Erik's body! And Erik had not suffered a single nightmare! Oh, if Erik could but spend each night upon the rug at the foot of Christine's bed, he would never have nightmares again for as long as he lives! He dreads going to bed each night, knowing the horrors he shall face, but Christine's presence is enough to drive away the nightmares. Oh, if only!

Christine was sobbing openly now, tears streaming down her cheeks. Poor Erik! She'd had no idea that he suffered from nightmares. "How could I be so cruel as to abandon him now? It would break his poor heart!" she thought. She was about to keep reading when she heard a voice from the doorway.

"Christine?" Erik said, "Put down the book. You should not be reading something that makes you cry so. What are you reading, child? Let Erik see."

A/N: Oh dear! What is to happen next? Please review!