A/N: Hello everyone! I managed to upload another chapter and I'm introducing a new character. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I'll try and upload the next one soon.
Chapter 31: A New Friend
Closing the book, she let out a big breath. She had just finished the last of the six books that Erik have given her. It had only been a few days and she had already read six books, drawn over 20 sketches, cleaned as much as she could of the tent and washed all the plaids in the tent. Now finished with the books, she wondered what she was going to do. Erik still won't let her out of the tent and he didn't spend much time in the tent. He would see her only when he needed to get something from the tent; he slept in another tent. By the fourth day, she had enough of this. Sitting on the bed, she waited until he would show up. After a few hours of waiting, the tent flaps opened as Erik entered the tent. He didn't say anything, but walked over to this trunk and opened it.
"Have you finished all the books?" He asked, not looking at her.
"Yes." She answered, trying to get the courage to ask him for more freedom. Staying silent, she watched him get whatever he needed and headed towards the flaps to leave. "Erik!" He stopped and turned to look at her.
"Yes?" Taking a deep breath, it was now or never.
"I-I was wondering…if I could, well maybe…" She couldn't get it out.
"What is it Christine?" He asked, losing his patience a little.
"I want more freedom!" She blurted it out. "I-I'm sorry. It's just…I am so bored here. I'm lonely, I have no one to talk to here. You are rarely here and barely talk to him whenever you are here. I don't know what's going on with you, but I am dying of boredom here." She explained. "I know you probably don't trust me because of before, but I give my word that I won't try and escape." She paused. "Please Erik." He stood there, thinking. He knew she was getting bored and that he wasn't around much, but there was a reason for that. She was right, he really didn't fully trust her, but perhaps there was enough trust to let her roam around the camp.
"Alright, I will let you have a little more freedom." She thought she didn't hear him correct. "You can roam around the camp; you aren't confined to this tent. But you still will be watched and any thought of escaping and you'll be back to staying in this tent without a second chance. Understood?" She quickly nodded.
"Yes, thank you Erik." Getting off the bed, she rushed over and gave him a hug, not able to stop herself. Dropping whatever he had in his hand, his arms wrapped around her waist. The feeling of her in his arms again…he had missed that feeling. Resting her head on his chest, she let out a peaceful sigh, feeling like she was where she belonged. Feeling his arms loosen around her, she pulled back to look up at him, locking eyes with him. Kiss her…he wanted to kiss her again, feel her lips against his.
"Erik!" Hearing someone calling his name, he pulled away and lets his arms falls from her waist. Stepping back, he grabbed his things off the ground as she stepped back a couple of steps. Straightening up, he looked at her.
"Thank you again, Erik." Not saying anything, he turned and left the tent. Left alone in the tent again, however she knew now that should leave the tent. Though she could leave the tent now, she decided to wait until tomorrow morning. The day was already late and the sky wasn't darkening outside. With the excitement of now able to leave the tent, she knew she would sleep good tonight.
By the next morning, Christine was ready to leave the tent. After getting dressed, she stopped by the tent flaps. Taking a deep breath, she suddenly felt nervous. You can do it, just open the flaps and walk outside. Taking another deep breath, she opened one of the flaps and for a second, was blinded by the sun. Letting her eyes adjust to the brightness, she looked around that camp. She remembered how the camp looked like when she first arrived and it hadn't changed. As she looked around, she noticed everyone staring at her and it was stares that didn't make her feel comfortable.
"Makes you want to hide back in the tent, doesn't it?" Turning around, she saw a woman approaching her. Her blonde hair falling passed her shoulders as she stopped in front of Christine. "But I am sure you are used to it."
"Yes, but I'm not used to…hateful stares." Christine glanced around at all the stares, noticing Rhona staring as well and it wasn't a very nice stare. Meg looked over at Rhona, seeing the look she was giving.
"Air ais dheth Rhona! An Taibhse Tha e aingeal air ais! (Back off Rhona! The Phantom has his angel back!)" Meg shouted to Rhona and Christine could see daggers being thrown. She didn't know what Meg exactly said, but whatever it was, it couldn't have been nice. Looking back at Christine, Meg completely ignored Rhona's glare. "Do not worry about Rhona. She may share a bed with Erik, but he doesn't belong to her. Come, breakfast is being served and I'm sure you are hungry." Taking Christine's arm, they two walked passed all the staring eyes as they made their way to the mess hall. Entering the Hall, more staring eyes and Christine almost wanted to rush back to the tent. Seeing how uncomfortable Christine was becoming, Meg looked around for the one person who could help. "Taibhse! Faigh do na h-Alba thairis air Rubha Robhanais an seo! (Phantom! Get your Scottish butt over here!)" She shouted, not caring that all heads turned to look at them. Now Christine really wanted to hide back in the tent. Her cheeks turned bright red as she saw all eyes on her and Meg.
"I am slowly regretting asking you for this favor." He appeared behind them, making Christine jump at the sound of his voice.
"What favor?" She turned around to look at Erik.
"Erik didn't want you to feel lonely and thought you could use the company." Meg answered. Christine looked back at Erik, surprised that he did this.
"You did this?" She asked him, wanting him to say it.
"I have." He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Even a Phantom can be nice." Phantom? No, he couldn't be…could he?