Hey guys :) Hope everyone had a good Christmas and are enjoying their new year so far :) Here's a new chapter for the new year :) As usual I only own my own characters :) Any character from Phantom I don't own although I wish I did :( On with the show :D
Heartache and Pain
Chapter seven: What is this feeling?
Charlene's POV
I stood in shock as I heard the words spill out of my mouth. I saw Erik and my ex look at me with bewilderment and I ran out of the store as quickly as I could. I simply couldn't face the questions right now. I soon stopped running and looked around to realise I couldn't see Erik in sight. I just hoped Erik won't get himself into trouble or anything; I know I hate my ex but I am afraid of what Erik might do to him. Why am I concerned about what Erik could do to harm someone? I shouldn't be concerned about Erik's welfare should I? As I looked around I saw someone approach me and I instinctively backed away from them.
"Ah Charlene so nice to see you again. I noticed your mysterious masked man is not here to save you this time. Now I get to sample many more of your delights and no-one can stop me this time." My eyes widened as I recognised the voice of the figure in front of me; I recognised the man in front of me as Stephen. I shook my head wildly as I stepped back even further with tears pouring down my face; why did I leave Erik? I wish he was here to protect me right now; but before I could think any further I realised I had hit a dead end and I closed my eyes waiting for the inevitable to occur.
Erik's POV
I stood staring as I saw Charlene run out of the store. She was probably as shocked as I was when she yelled out like that. After paying for our purchases I decided my search for her would be more beneficial if I drove around the neighbourhood rather than walk as I'd make more progress quicker if I drive than if I walked. After getting to my car and loading our purchases I started it and drove out of the car park; but where would she go? Would she go back to the flat or would she go somewhere where she can seek peace and quiet away from the chaos of the world?
After driving around for what seemed like hours I had just about lost all hope in finding her and my heart sank almost immediately and I had to turn into a side road for a moment to prevent myself from crashing the car. Suddenly, my sensitive hearing picked up a noise that almost shook me to the core. I couldn't tell who was making the noise but whoever was making the noise they sounded like they were in pain; but who or what could be harming Charlene? Luckily I wasn't far from the source of the noise and I got out of the car to quickly but quietly get to the area where the noise was coming from. What I saw horrified me; it was one of the men from the night Charlene was raped and he was trying to have his way with her again. I swear some men just don't know when to give up. I could see Charlene's will to fight waning and I knew I had to do something otherwise he could potentially injure her further or kill her. I ran towards them shouting towards the man.
"Get away from her!" I saw the man look towards me and drop Charlene roughly to the ground; deep down I hoped she was alright and she hadn't sustained any lasting injuries to her already fragile physical and mental state. I just don't know how she will react to this latest attack on her and I hoped she hasn't sustained any lasting damage after her ordeal.
"Ah our mysterious masked man who saved her that night; tell me have you shown her the horrors that lie beneath that mask? Tell me why are you so protective of her? Am I led to believe you have developed feelings for her?" Stephen questioned coldly. I looked at him coldly knowing I couldn't let my emotions or supposed feelings get the best of me.
Charlene's POV
After closing my eyes I felt pain as he grabbed me roughly by the arms and before I knew it I felt a cold breeze and I heard the characteristic ripping of clothes; yet again he was to have his way with me. But before he could proceed any further I heard a voice that I knew well and I opened my eyes in shock. There as clear as day was Erik standing with his arms by his side in a stern-like stance and the look in his eyes made me shiver a little. But before Erik even said another word I was thrown roughly to the floor and I saw darkness as unconsciousness consumed me once more.
Erik's POV
As I continued to stare at the guy waiting to see who would make the next move I saw him edge towards the supposedly lifeless body of Charlene and I grabbed him roughly by the arm and threw him towards the entrance of the alleyway. I wouldn't let the bastard harm another hair on her head; not if my life depended on it. But why am I so protective of the girl all of a sudden? This girl who has been hurt and traumatised like I have has captured my heart when I thought it was surrounded by ice. But will I welcome or ignore these feelings? Are these feelings that I am currently experiencing genuinely love and does Charlene have these same feelings for me too? I shook my head and when I realised I had rendered the guy unconscious I went towards Charlene's body and picked her up gently; it was as if I was treating her like she was made of glass or something. I carried her back to the car and after wrapping her in my coat to protect what's left of her modesty I drove her back to my flat so Nadir could treat her wounds. I just hope all the hard work to help this girl hasn't gone completely to waste. I eventually arrived and I carried her inside knowing the car would lock itself after a few minutes; just a new security feature I had added to the car recently.
"Nadir! Nadir where the blazes are you?! Get the first aid kit immediately! Charlene needs urgent treatment!" I exclaimed quickly. Whilst waiting for Nadir to turn up with the first aid kit I took her upstairs and laid her gently on her bed. I looked around her body for any obvious signs of injury but the only serious injury she had sustained was a nasty looking head wound; it was probably caused by Stephen when he threw her to the ground. Whilst pondering I looked up when I heard the door open and knew it must be Nadir with the first aid kit.
"Hurry we need to treat this head wound; who knows what untold damage it has caused." I explained quickly. I saw Nadir nod and went about cleaning the wound to ensure it didn't get infected; I was glad she wasn't awake as the disinfectant used on the wound would probably sting quite a lot. Also I am not sure how comfortable she would be about us treating her wounds for her. After cleaning and bandaging her wound we left her to rest for a while as she was probably tired after her ordeal.
Charlene's POV
I don't know how long I had been out for but when I woke up I felt a weight on my legs and when I looked at the side of my bed I could see Erik sleeping soundly on it; I also noticed I was still wrapped in Erik's coat which he must have wrapped around me last night to protect me from the cold. But the thing that intrigued me the most was the mask that was slightly askew on his face at this current moment in time. I glimpsed a little of his deformity and thought it didn't look so bad. But what did the rest of his deformity look like and what was the cause of it? Something hit me though and I thought deeply for a moment; the mask and everything about Erik looked similar to what the Phantom of the Opera was like. But I thought the Phantom was a myth; could Erik be a descendent of the Phantom or something? I shook my head a little knowing it was my imagination running away a little again and decided to think nothing more on the matter. I looked around and saw Erik was still asleep and when I looked at the time I realised how late it was; it then made me realise how hungry I was too. But I decided to let Erik sleep and so I tried to get myself out of bed as quietly and slowly as possible so I wouldn't disturb him. I finally managed to extract myself from under the covers without disturbing him and I crept towards and out of the door so I could go downstairs to make myself some breakfast. I knew where everything was and before I knew it I had some toast and a cup of orange juice prepared within the space of five minutes. I sat quietly contemplating at the table whilst eating my toast. My thoughts however kept going back to the mask on his face; why would he wear it? There had to be some logical explanation as to why he wears it and I don't think it is because he is a fan of the show for some reason. I don't think he is that eccentric to be going around wearing an exact replica of the Phantom's mask. Yet again I shook my head as hundreds of thoughts and theories ran through my head; so much so my head started to ache and I held a hand to my head.
"I see you're up Charlene...what's wrong? Does your head still hurt? I shouldn't have let you up so early; you could feel some effects from the head injury you sustained last night." Erik explained matter of factly. At that moment all of the memories of last night came rushing back all at once causing me to whimper slightly. I jumped slightly when I felt a hand on my shoulder and when I looked up I saw Erik staring at me intently with his bright blue eyes; I never had seen his eyes before and I felt myself almost getting lost in them.
"Will you allow me to take a look at your injury to make sure you have fully recovered from your head wound?" I nodded and sat in my seat whilst he had a look over the wound that was on the back of my head.
"Have you had any headaches or dizziness this morning?" He questioned and I shook my head.
"I am glad to hear that; would you like to talk?" Erik continued. That question caused me to think for several long moments; do I really want to talk about anything?
"Would you feel more comfortable talking to Christine?" He asked. I shook my head rapidly; I couldn't bring myself to talk to her no matter what.
"Why is it you don't want to talk to Christine?" Erik questioned curiously. I just looked at him with an emotionless look on my face. Suddenly, I looked up when I heard the phone ring.
"I better go get that." Erik explained quickly. For around about five minutes I heard frantic talking coming from Erik but I couldn't really tell what he was talking about. I then saw him run about rapidly and before I knew it he had his coat on and was about to leave out of the door with Nadir alongside him.
"I'm sorry Charlene but something urgent has come up; but Christine will be here to look after you whilst we're gone. Please try not to give her too much trouble. I hope by the time we get back you will be friends." Erik explained kindly and with that they were both out of the door. Great now I was left to stay with Christine for the rest of the day.
"Mother I wish you was here to explain this feeling I am experiencing." I thought to myself.
"Oh hello, I'm glad you're up and about. Have you had any breakfast yet?" I heard Christine question curiously. All I did was nod.
"Please Charlene; I need to know why you hold so much hostility towards me. You know the relationship between Erik and I is completely professional right? I like him as a friend and colleague; nothing more." She pleaded. I looked at her and for once I could see the fact that there was complete trust in her eyes.
"So you're not his girlfriend?" I questioned quietly.
"No, he's just my friend and colleague; nothing more." Christine replied whilst smiling a little. We then just sat and talked for what felt like hours and I realised I made my first real friend since the incident. We were so into the conversation between each other I didn't even hear the door open until I heard two voices approach the door of the sitting room.
"Erik you're back!" I exclaimed happily and I didn't feel shocked at all saying those words.
"I am glad you're pleased to see me and I am also glad you are friends with Christine now. Did you have a nice day together?" Erik questioned kindly.
"I did thank you." I replied happily.
"I'll get dinner ready whilst you relax." Erik explained and with that he went towards the kitchen with Nadir in tow.
"So Charlene, you know there was that incident where you met your ex; would you like to tell me more about him?" Christine questioned suddenly. I looked up at her with a shocked expression on my face; what had brought this on all of a sudden?
"I would rather not talk about it; I erased all memory of that relationship as it is too painful for me to recall." I replied quietly. All I saw Christine do was nod in reply but before she could say anymore I heard Erik call our names and I ran quickly in the direction of the kitchen as I knew dinner was ready. My eyes widened at the sight in front of me.
"Are we celebrating something? I have never seen you cook so much food before." I questioned curiously.
"Not really, I just decided to go all out with our meal. I enjoy cooking and haven't cooked a spread like this in a while." Erik replied. I thought nothing more and helped myself to some of the food from the table.
After eating dinner I sat on the sofa to watch TV.
"Would you like to talk about anything?" I suddenly heard Erik question and when I turned around I saw him leaning casually in the doorway. He was just wearing a t-shirt and jeans and yet he looked so handsome; even with the mask on over the right hand side of his face. I felt my face grow hot and I stared at the floor hoping the feeling would go away.
"I'm feeling kinda tired actually." I replied.
"Goodnight." I continued and after hearing Erik bid me goodnight too I went upstairs hoping for a dreamless sleep that night but I couldn't have been more wrong...