Chapter 6: Escape plans

"LET ME OUT! YOU CAN'T KEEP ME HERE AGAINST MY WILL! YOU KNOW WHAT I TAKE IT ALL BACK YOU'RE NOT MY FRIEND ANYMORE!" I face palmed myself, I sounded just like a child what the hell was wrong with me. This man was making me lose my mind and to be honest I didn't mind it. He may be crazy but he was also intriguing my curiosity was getting the better of me. I looked around the room, one way or another I was going to get out of here. Figuring out how was another story though.

Erik's P.O.V

"YOU KNOW WHAT I TAKE IT BACK YOU'RE NOT MY FRIEND ANYMORE!" I suppressed a laugh, she was so childish. This woman was entertaining, but I could afford to let my guard down. As childish as she was she had a smart look about her, she was crafty. She'll break out of that room, and when she does I'll be lying in wait to prevent any further mishaps. Though she was trying, I couldn't afford for her to escape she'll ruin everything and I'll never have Christine.

"Christine…" Just the thought of her name sent chills through my body. Her angelic voice and innocent looks were enough to drive me mad. That poor excuse for a man, the Vicomte, threatened to take her from me. Perhaps if I pushed Claude in his direction, his attention may shift. I mean she was beautiful enough…WHAT AM I THINKING! I shook my head, she's bewitched me. I can't allow myself to stray from my plan. Taking a deep breath I climbed up the stairs to the wing that led to her quarters. If I bargain for her freedom then perhaps she'll help me.

"Mademoiselle I am coming in." Unlocking the door I stepped in only to discover that Claudine was not there!

"How in the hell…" Frantically I started searching everywhere for her, she wasn't in the wardrobe, under the bed or anywhere to be found.

"BONZAI!" I looked up to see Claude falling towards me. She crashed into me for a moment I saw nothing but black. That didn't last long, I saw Claude running out of the room down the hallway, I shot up and ran after her.

Claude's P.O.V

"Shit, shit, shit, shit!" I was cursing under my breath the entire time I was running, if he caught me I was dead! I knew that he would be back on his feet quickly so I had to think clearly, I knew exactly where to go. I raced past the room that held his organ if I kept heading straight I knew eventually I'd find the lake. I knew there was a lake here because of the mildew smell that drifted in the air.

Once I reached the lake I looked around.

"WHERES THE DAMN BOAT?!" I could hear him running down the hall that I had just ran down a few minutes ago.

"Screw it I'm going in!" I dove into the water, it was freezing! But the cold didn't hurt, my freedom was in sight. I started to swim towards the stair case I was near the middle of the lake when my dress had gotten caught onto something. I started to struggle, let me just tell you something, I did not stay calm. I panicked which caused me to go beneath the surface of the water. I resurfaced and tried to call for help but the water spilled into my mouth causing me to choke. I started to feel tired and my legs slowly ceased to kick. I was sinking further and further below the surface. It was strangely calm.

Erik's P.O.V

I had nearly caught her but Claude jumped into the water, I had to admit her wit was awfully quick. I watched as she began to swim away, I ran over to my boat which was hidden out of sight thankfully or I wouldn't have been able to catch up to her. She was a fast swimmer and graceful at that, but then something happened she stopped swimming. For a moment I thought she had come to her senses but something wasn't right. She was struggling to keep her head above the water, she must have been stuck.

I should've left her to die but something in my chest wouldn't allow me to leave her. It was this same feeling that made me save her on the roof. Damn it! Why was she making me feel this way? Without wasting another minute I jumped out of my boat and into the freezing depths of the lake. I was almost to her when she went under the water again, this time however she didn't reemerge.

"When will she stop being so much trouble!" with that being said I dove in after her. It was hard to find her, the water was dark and deep. After a few minutes I finally found her, I tried to tear her dress free from whatever it was caught on, eventually I gave up and tore what I could… which was pretty much everything. I resurfaced with her and started to swim towards shore.

"Why are you so damn heavy?" I muttered under my breath as I reached shore.

Claude was unconscious, I put my ear to her chest she was breathing but it was very short and shallow. I looked down at her long hair was now covering her face she looked… beautiful… but now was not the time for admiration. I sat up and lifted her head slightly back and began CPR. I had almost given up when she finally opened her eyes and spit up the remaining water in her lungs. She was gasping for breath and trying to regain her senses. Acting quickly I ran to my room and grabbed an extra blanket. I wrapped it around her, not only because she would be could but her dress was torn to the point where here upper thigh was visible.

"Claude… are you alright?" I was beyond pissed but that didn't stifle my worry for her, besides her Aunt would have my head if anything happened to her.

"I'm fine, though you should have just left me it would have saved us both the trouble." She looked at me.

"Come let's get you dried up and warm before we discuss anything any further." I help her to her feet. She'd almost lost her balance a few times here and there but otherwise she was fine.

"Thank you though." I looked down at her, she had thanked me for saving her life… well that was a first.

Hey guys! So I know Erik is way out of character but I like it! So you may have questions about Claude's little "Bonzai" Scene, what she did was climb up onto the canopy of her bed and then jump off. If you don't know what a canopy bed is heres a link

1454/38852/16631552_1_

I hope you enjoyed this chapter Poppets! Don't forget to read and review!

-Kara