Hey hey I'm on a roll :D Here is another chapter for you guys :D Hope everyone is liking the story so far and thanks to everyone who is supporting the story so far :) All reviews welcome and any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated :D I guess you know the drill already but I will say again; I don't own any of the characters from Phantom of the Opera but I do own my character Charlene :D Anyway...on with the show guys! :D

Heartache and Pain

Chapter ten: Light at the end of the tunnel?

Erik's POV

After seeing Charlene leave out of the flat and getting a stern talking to from Nadir I decided to go after her in the hopes she hasn't done anything rash in her current emotional state. But where am I going to find her? I didn't see which direction she went in and she could be anywhere by now; especially in her current state. But where would she go when she is as upset as she is? I presume she would want to calm down at she is deeply upset right now. Then the most horrid thought popped into my head; what were to happen if in her grief she decided to end her life again? Last time I remember she tried to end her life in a stream that happened to be near the alleyway where I first met her. Could she try drowning herself again? But when I arrived she was nowhere in sight. I had to think a bit bigger now; where else was there some sort of stream or lake? I then remembered there was something in the park that was like a largish lake. Could she possibly have gone to the park to calm down then perhaps developed suicidal thoughts? If she did I had to act quickly before it was too late to save her. I had arrived at the park and saw the lake. I didn't realise how big the lake was until I looked at it; how was I to find Charlene now? Then the thought popped into my head; if Charlene wanted to commit suicide then she would pick the most secluded part of the lake. After half an hour or so of looking I was about to give up all hope when I heard a noise almost like a small splash and I ran towards the source. I saw a body sinking and without thinking twice I pulled them out of the lake. I saw Charlene lying on the ground in front of me and was surprised with the fact she didn't put up any resistance when I dragged her out. Maybe she didn't realise it was me pulling her out or she surrendered to death's warm embrace as she lost the will to live. I just hope I could get her to forgive me for what I did and I could perhaps forgive her for what she did to me by pulling off my mask. I felt for a pulse and could feel it but only faintly and knew I had to give her medical attention immediately. But I knew this was beyond Nadir's medical expertise and so I took her towards the nearest hospital in the hopes they would be able to help her.

"Please you've got to help me!" I exclaimed urgently.

"Sir please calm down and explain to us what happened." A nurse explained whilst trying to calm me down as best as she could.

"I'm sorry. I just care about this girl so much, I can't bear to lose her. She tried drowning herself in the lake in the local park. I am Erik Destler, a rape counsellor; I am helping this girl heal from her recent trauma. This is the second time she has tried to kill herself. Just please, do all you can to help her. If I lost her I don't know what I'd do." I explained passionately.

"We'll see what we can do. I see you care about this girl very much, I just hope she knows and feels the same back." The nurse replied. I just nodded as I placed her down on the stretcher that must have appeared within five minutes or so of reporting to the nurse.

"We'll inform you when there is a change in her condition sir. Why don't you get something to eat whilst you're waiting for the young lady to wake up?" The nurse explained. I nodded in agreement and after thanking her I saw her go off in the direction of a corridor. I presume she went in the direction of the room where they took Charlene to. I went in the opposite direction towards the canteen as there was nothing more I could do until she woke up.

It had been around about two or more hours since I took Charlene to the hospital and I was pacing around the waiting room after I ate something in the canteen; I guess I had the hopes I would hear some news on Charlene's condition if I waited here long enough. I then saw a nurse coming into the waiting room and she looked like she was looking for someone so I ran towards her to see what she wanted.

"Are you Erik Destler?" The nurse questioned quickly.

"I am yes; please tell me she's alright." I replied quickly.

"If you'll follow me sir I'll explain her condition on the way." I then quickly followed her towards the corridor.

"Luckily she had just lost consciousness after trying to drown herself and there appears to be no lasting damage after her ordeal. She is currently sleeping at the moment but hopefully she should be waking soon. Anyway here is the lady's room now; I'll leave you two alone to talk and once you are done we should be able to discharge her." The nurse continued and with that she left down the corridor. I quickly entered the room to see Charlene lying on a bed; I could see her breathing lightly and all I could do for a moment was just stare at her. I then sighed a little when I realised it was my fault she was in this predicament and I knew I would do anything for her. I now finally realised my feelings for her were genuine and that I couldn't live without her. But what were to happen if she didn't return my feelings? Could I live with myself and accept the fact she didn't care for me? I wasn't sure if I could accept that fact and I would just have to be honest with her if I am to win her heart. I then heard the rustling of sheets and I set myself down in a chair beside my bed as I knew she was about to wake up. A moment later I saw her eyes open and I waited on bated breath to see what her reaction would be.

Charlene's POV

I don't know how long I had been unconscious for but I panicked and sat up quickly when I realised I was in hospital. But how did I get here? The last thing I remember was darkness surrounded me as I tried to drown myself in the lake and a figure that I thought was an angel pulling me out. I then promptly burst into tears as I realised my plan to join my parents was yet again thwarted; but who pulled me out? I didn't actually see who pulled me out so I was quite curious to know who helped me even though I didn't want nor need their help.

"Charlene! I'm so glad you're awake!" I heard a voice suddenly exclaim happily. I looked towards my right where the source of the noise was coming from and saw Erik sitting in a chair by my bed. What was he doing here?! I said to him I never wanted to see him again yet here he was sitting by my bed.

"I am so glad I got to you in time. When I pulled you out of that lake I thought you were a goner but then I saw you breathing and knew I could still save your life." Erik explained further. So he was the one who saved my life?!

"Well I didn't need saving and all I wanted was to join my parents as I have nothing to live for!" I yelled angrily in reply.

"Please Charlene, hear me out. The reason I saved you was because I couldn't bear to lose you and I have never truly cared for a person like this before. I know you might never forgive me for what I did to you and I'll understand if you want to move out of the flat. If you do want to move out I'll make sure you can live comfortably and then I will come out of your life; you will never see me again, ever." I just sat there shocked and I could sort of tell he was waiting to see how I would react to his plea. He said he couldn't live without me; does that mean he actually cares about me as something more than just a friend or am I nothing more than a good friend to him? But what could I say in response? I tried to explain hesitantly.

"Erik...I..." But before I could go any further I paused and looked up towards the door. For a moment I thought I heard a voice that belonged to someone from my past; the past I wanted to forget. I shook my head when I realised I must have been imagining things. Yet again I tried to explain myself and I continued.

"Erik I don't know what you want me to say in response."

"Just say something, anything, whether you say you hate me or you love me I don't mind. Just please don't leave me in silence any longer."

"I...I...I...what was that?" I questioned suddenly as another noise disturbed my train of thought. But before Erik could reply to my question the door burst open and I looked at the three figures with a hint of fear in my eyes...