Chapter Fourteen – Loneliness

Now at home Christine sat at her kitchen table with a warm cup of coffee in her hands. She looked up at the clock it said half-past three. How long would it be before Erik came back? She wondered. Her coffee may have been warm but nothing could compare to the warmth of Erik's hands on her skin. She sighed and took the book from out of her bag beside her chair leg. In her hands she held the brown book with the golden title "Famous Victorian Killers and their Crimes" she flipped through pages until she came to the chapter about Erik, she stared at the page but didn't read it. Finally she turned the book over and placed it face-down on the table so that it would still be on the same page when she picked it up again.

Christine left the kitchen and went up to her room. She stood in the centre of the room but didn't know what to do, her room was tidy, it didn't need any cleaning and she wasn't tired enough for an afternoon nap. She sighed and turned to look at herself in the mirror on her wall but instantly regretted that she had. For there was the wicked grin and the eyes of fire staring through at her. "No!" she shouted and turned away quickly. Staring at the carpet she took a few deep breaths "Not real! Not real! Not real!" she repeated quietly. Straightening back up she moved her hair out of her face and turned slowly to look at the mirror. She let out a sigh of relief when she found herself facing an ordinary mirror. When would that bloody devil go away and leave her alone? But already knew how he would leave. Only if Erik's curse was broken would he and she be free. Still taking deep breaths Christine sat down on her bed and buried her face in her hands. It was now that she finally knew how much she truly loved Erik, being apart from him was like she had been ripped in half. And to think that she had actually tried to kill him. She felt like crying but managed to hold back the tears.

The sudden sound of a motorbike jolted her out of her misery, she leapt to her feet and hurried to the window. There was Erik pulling into her front drive and getting off the bike. Christine ran from her room and raced down the stairs to the front door. She pulled the door open and a gush of wind blew her hair back as she saw Erik."Erik! Oh, Erik" she cried and ran to him. "Christine!" he exclaimed as she ran right into his arms "What's the matter, my love?" Christine didn't answer she just clung tightly to him for dear life. Erik took her up into his arms and carried her back into the house. Christine kept her arms round his neck and buried her face in his warm neck breathing in the sweet smell of his rich cologne. Erik carried her into the lounge, sat down on the sofa and held her on his lap. "Now tell me what's wrong." Christine rested her head on his shoulder as she spoke. "Oh Erik, I can't bear being alone without you. I need you with me all the time, we can't be apart. Please don't leave me alone again, please I beg you!" her voice was raising and going up an octave in panic. Erik hugged her close to calm her "Shh, Christine, shh" he whispered "I'm here, don't panic, I'm here."
Erik could not believe that his absence would cause this. Then again Christine herself hadn't been sure when he had told her in morning he had to go. And could it have been him begging her never to leave him this morning. Why did this world they live in have to be filled with madness. Then Erik could guess what had probably upset her. That fucking devil must have made another appearance to her while he was gone. Oh that fucking bitch was going to be the death of both of them. It all depended on if his plan was going to work tonight. "Come on Christine, I think you need a warm drink" he said kissing her head. He helped her to her feet and walked with her to the kitchen with his arm round her waist.

Christine now felt better that he was here, the warmth had returned to her body and she felt safe within his hold. "I had just made some coffee actually, would you like a cup?" she asked. Erik smiled "Yes please, that would be nice. While you make them I'm just going to get my helmet and my bag from outside." Christine nodded and he left the room. She picked up the half full mug from earlier off the table and emptied the contents into the sink. She then stepped over to the coffee machine and found that the coffee in the jug was still warm. She filled two mugs and placed them both on the table just as Erik came back into the kitchen. He sat with Christine at the kitchen table and took a sip from one of the mugs. "Delicious" he said.
His eyes then spotted the book lying face down on the table. "What's that Christine?" Erik asked pointing. Christine turned her head and slid the book in front of her. "I was at the library today and I was trying to see if you were in any of the history books." Erik grinned a toothy grin "And did you have any luck?" he asked. "Not with most of the books I found. But I found a whole chapter about of you in this book." She picked it up but kept her finger in where the chapter was and handed it to Erik. He took it in his long fingers and read the chapter. Christine sat and watched him intently, sipping her coffee. His expression was fixed and didn't change as he read. When he'd finished his smile returned "Well, well, it seems that someone was able to pass the full details of that night."Christine nodded. "It's a good thing that my name is not mentioned in there. Because if anyone who knew me today read that book, there would be some confusion and maybe questions, especially if they knew I was with you." Erik nodded "I always knew it was a good thing I changed my surname. If I didn't it would then be the same for me."

When they had both finished their coffee Erik rose to his feet, put both mugs by the sink and held out his hand to Christine. "Come now my dear, we need to get ready" Christine took his hand looking confused "What for Erik?" she asked. Erik led her up the stairs. "We're going out tonight." He said as they reached the top landing. "Again?!" Christine cried out in surprise. Erik nodded "Yes, we are." They entered Christine's room "Where are we going?" she asked. Erik didn't answer straight away he smiled widely and took her face in both is hands "Ah, now that would be telling wouldn't it, my love? Anyway you'll find out when we get there. Put on something very beautiful because it's going to be formal."
Christine was by now very puzzled. She undressed, pulled on her dressing gown, gave her hair a nice brush though and contemplated whether to pin it up but decided she'd just leave it loose. Then after applying some nice make-up and perfume she looked through her wardrobe for something formal to wear. She had a lot of nice dresses to choose from but finally selected one. It was long in length, a dark indigo colour and the type that you could easily eat and breathe in. Standing in front of the mirror she stepped in, slipped her arms through the arm holes and gently pulled the small zip up at the back. She then put on a black cardigan with sleeves that came to her elbows. Finally she pulled on some black stockings and stepped into some black heeled shoes. Now looking in the mirror she looked formal enough for wherever Erik was going to take her.
The door opened behind her and Erik walked in wearing a black suit, black bow tie and shiny black shoes. His hair was still back in its ponytail and he had removed his glasses. His smile lit up his face when he saw her. "Oh Christine, You look so beautiful, just like the angel you are." Christine smiled "Thank you" she picked up her hand bag and stepped over to him. He put his arm round her and they both headed down the stairs towards the front door.

Author's Notes
Wow! I can't believe this next chapter got completed so quickly.
It's Not Long now till the end.
Keep leaving your reviews! :D