Nothing But A Lie

Chapter 30

The sun had just started to set when Nadir pulled into Erik's driveway, and he chuckled at Sasha's excitement. The dog whined and panted, unable to sit still in the back of Nadir's old Toyota, his tail wagging out of control and his nose pressed to the window.

"Someone's excited to see Erik, huh?"

Sasha barked loudly in answer.

Nadir had been worrying constantly about Erik since he got that phone call, and had been texting him every day since. All Erik had offered were short, sometimes one-word replies that held no helpful information. It was frustrating, and only made Nadir worry more, so when Erik had texted him earlier that afternoon to bring Sasha home, Nadir had felt a rush of relief. Now, he would get some answers.

As Nadir was just about to ring the doorbell, Erik stepped out of the front door and closed it behind him, having been expecting their arrival. Strange… usually Erik preferred to talk inside, but Nadir didn't question it. Sasha jumped on Erik happily, and Erik murmured sweet greetings to him in return, giving him pets. Nadir's heart warmed at that, but then he noticed Erik's state. The man looked fatigued, and his fiery eyes smoldered with a mixture of sorrow and rage.

"Are you going to tell me what happened, Erik? You've missed two days of work." Nadir kept his tone soft, not wanting to set him off.

Sighing tiredly, Erik sat in one of the patio chairs, continuing to pet Sasha as the dog curled up at his feet. "I have been keeping up with the students online. I am not behind on anything."

That was good, at least. Nadir sat in the other chair across from him. "Is it… the woman? Is she okay?"

"Physically, she is all right, for the most part," Erik said tightly. "However I am not so confident in her emotional state."

"What happened to her?" Nadir was almost afraid to know. From the look in Erik's eyes, it was very, very bad. He hadn't had that look in a very long time. It made Nadir pale to see it again.

Erik's eyes shut, and a long, tense minute passed before he could bring himself to speak on it.

"It is abhorrent." His mouth curled in disgust, and his hands balled into fists. "A man did unspeakable things to her. That is all I can tell you. That… and how it is taking every effort I have not to hunt the man down and snap his neck."

Nadir could guess the level of violation the woman had faced based on Erik's demeanor alone. He felt sick to his stomach, and he shook his head. "You can't do that, no… but what do you mean? He is not locked up? Who was he to her?"

Erik gave a chilling laugh. "A predator. Nothing more. And he was out on bail the very next morning." His dark humor sobered, his thin lips pressing together for a moment. "They called me to tell me later that day, as he took her phone from her some time ago. I… I cannot bring myself to tell her he is out. She is so fragile, Nadir."

"I'm sure she is. That's horrible, Erik. I am so sorry."

Nadir had assumed this woman was in some sort of accident; he'd had no clue that it was this bad. The poor girl… and Erik. Nadir could see how badly he lusted for the perpetrator's blood, and knew just how capable Erik was of doing so. But he had come so far! He could not give it all up now. He deserved better than going back to that darkness that used to dictate his entire life.

"Is she home now?" Nadir then asked, not wanting to bring all of that up.

Erik gestured to the house behind them, avoiding Nadir's eyes. "She is. With me. I will keep her safe."

Nadir's eyes went wide. "She's… living with you? Erik, do you think that is the best idea?"

"Of course you think I have bad intentions. Why would you not? You know better than anyone just how capable I am of horrid things."

"No, I wasn't–"

"No, you listen to me, old man," Erik seethed, "I would rot long before harming a single hair on that girl's head. I live for her. Don't you understand? I have never felt this way my entire pitiful life. And she—"

"Erik, I don't think you'll hurt her, okay? That's not what I was trying to say at all. I just don't want to see you get hurt. And this all seems to be moving very fast."

The old man seemed to be telling the truth. Erik relaxed a little, sighing and rubbing his temple tiredly. "It is not like that, Khan. She only needs me… platonically. I will be that for her, and I will never ask anything of her in return. She cannot know how I really feel. It would scare her."

"You can't know that," Nadir said sadly. "Obviously she trusts you. Otherwise she wouldn't be here. That has to mean something."

"You'll understand once you meet her," Erik scoffed, already knowing what kind of judgment awaited him. "I would invite you to do so now, however I am not sure if she has any desire to meet someone new at the moment."

"I can come back some other time," Nadir said, beginning to stand.

Erik stopped him with a gesture of his hand. "Oh, sit down, old man. Let me ask her."

Nadir sank back down in the chair, huffing. He would have left anyway, but curiosity held him there. He very much wanted to meet the woman who'd had such an effect on Erik.

Inside the house, Christine was curled up in a blanket on the sofa in Erik's living room, shivering ever so often. Erik kept his house almost as cold as the hospital.

All day she'd been watching some random sitcom to help keep her mind blank. Though the show was meant to be a comedy, she couldn't seem to find it funny. She often wondered what Erik would think of it, but he'd spent most of his evening in his office, probably working. She'd wanted to sit in there with him, or ask him to sit with her as she watched TV, but had been too nervous to do either. She'd thrown herself on him enough for one day.

Christine hadn't noticed the front door open, so when a fluffy golden thing jumped on her out of nowhere, she shrieked a little.

"Sasha," she heard Erik scold as he walked in behind the dog.

"Oh, it's Sasha!" Christine gasped. He sniffed at her face and then licked, and she smiled. Actually smiled. "Hi, buddy. Welcome home. I'm Christine. Oh, you're so sweet. Yes, I love you too! We're going to be best friends…"

Erik watched them for a moment, amused. Sasha had always been a social, friendly dog, but it was clear he could sense just how beautiful Christine's soul was. He usually did not just attack new people to this extent.

"Come, Sasha," Erik commanded, leading him to the backdoor and letting him out.

"He's so sweet, Erik," Christine said thickly as Erik returned to stand near her.

"That he is. He obviously thinks the same about you."

Christine wiped her hand across her cheek. "Heh, yeah, my face is still wet with kisses."

"May I ask something of you, Christine?" Erik asked, slightly hesitant.

She looked at him curiously. "Sure, what is it?"

"My friend–my oldest friend, Nadir, is waiting outside to meet you. That is, if you are all right with that. He is a harmless old man, I assure you."

Christine felt immediately anxious at the request, and she bit the inside of her cheek as she thought. Not only was she shy to begin with, but right now her appearance was much less than ideal. Her stitched head wound still had a small bandage over it, and though her bruises were healing, they were still visible on her face and neck. She hadn't bothered fixing her hair in anything other than a ponytail, and she still hadn't changed from the plain sweatpants and sweatshirt the hospital had given to her.

She really did not want to meet Erik's friend right now. But then… here she was, in his house and under his complete care, and he was asking her permission. It seemed very backwards.

"Very well," Erik said abruptly. "I can send Nadir home. I am sorry for asking this of you so soon."

With that, he turned and strode toward the front door.

"No!" she stopped him, standing from the couch and stuttering, "No–I… I was just thinking how… bad I look right now. It's kind of embarrassing, but I can meet him. It's fine."

Erik observed her in a way that made her stomach flip. "'Bad'?"

"Well, yeah… I mean, look at m–"

"I am. You are perfect." It was the truth. She was exquisite in every way, and no bruising or bandages could hinder that.

Her cheeks got hot, and she looked at the floor, unable to take the intensity of his eyes on her, which was stupid. He was only trying to make her feel better. "Oh, um–thanks, Erik. That's really nice of you to say."

"I am not saying it to be nice. I am being honest." Too honest, clearly, Erik realized too late.

She stood awkwardly, wringing her hands together and taking a deep breath. "Okay. I can meet him now."

Erik dipped his head and turned to go to the front door, and she could tell he was pleased. How badly she wanted to ask him if he would hold her hand through it, but she resisted. It would probably embarrass him to do that in front of his friend. But she could feel her heartbeat begin to accelerate already, and her breathing quickened as she watched Erik open the door, wave the older man in.

He was much shorter than Erik, and rounder in shape, but still manly. His dark brown skin was beautiful and smooth despite his age, and he had a kind, handsome face and a greying beard that was neatly groomed along with his hair. She recognized him immediately.

"Dr. Khan!"

He was her academic advisor, and he'd helped her with registering for her required courses every semester since she started college. She smiled at him, and then remembered her appearance and paled, hoping he wouldn't ask her what had happened.

Nadir's black eyes widened in recognition and horror. This was the girl who'd been through unspeakable things? This was the girl Erik had fallen so desperately in love with? Christine Daae: a student. The very student Erik had been giving voice lessons to since he started.

Oh, no. He should have known Erik would fall for her lovely voice!

Nadir turned to Erik, whose blazing eyes held a silent warning. Nadir swallowed, turning back to the young woman and forcing a smile, pained at the sight of her healing face and neck.

"Christine. It is great to see you."

"It's great to see you too… How do you know Erik?" Obviously they both worked at the university, but Erik had said oldest friend earlier.

"Actually, I've known Erik since he was in high school. I was his guidance counselor."

Christine gasped, eyes going wide. A million questions filled her head, and she suddenly wished she and Dr. Khan were alone. How badly she wanted to know what Erik was like back then. Was he always so tall and skinny? Had he always worn a mask? Did he have a girlfriend back then?

She shook those questions away, shaking her head in awe. "Wow, that's so cool."

Erik cleared his throat, looking pointedly at Nadir. "I am going to go check on Sasha. Make yourselves comfortable." He then turned and strode to the backdoor, exiting promptly.

Nadir understood Erik's intention immediately, the prideful look in his eyes easy to decipher. He was giving Nadir a chance to speak with Christine alone. The gesture saddened Nadir just a little, but the more practical side of him found it necessary. There was a clear power dynamic here: professor and student, and Nadir had to make sure that there was no advantage being taken.

Christine returned to her spot on the living room sofa, and she sat carefully, glancing in confusing to the direction Erik left. Nadir sat on the other side, facing her. He seemed uncomfortable, and she was unsure whether she should try to break the silence or not. She was more concerned with the reason Erik felt it necessary to leave so abruptly.

"How is school?" Nadir eventually asked, attempting to keep it casual.

School. It was very difficult to think about school without thinking about everything else that had happened with it. "It's f-fine," she answered lamely, chewing on her lip to hide the way it trembled.

"I, uh… I heard you gave a moving performance last Friday night. Congratulations. I would have gone if I'd known it was your night to perform. I thought yours was Saturday. I guess I got them mixed up, and I watched the other–"

Nadir stopped chattering when Christine began to cry quietly, lowering her face and covering it with her hands. Her shoulders shuddered with sobs and he immediately regretted what he'd said, although he wasn't sure why it had caused such a reaction… and then he wanted to hit himself.

Friday night. That's when Erik had called him. Allah, he was an idiot.

Did she know that he knew? Should he comfort her? Play dumb?

Before he could decide, she was wiping underneath her eyes and taking a deep, shaky breath.

"S-sorry. I'm fine, really. Just been through a h-hard time."

Nadir swallowed down his own emotion, offering her a gentle smile. "I understand, Christine. If you ever need to talk to someone, I am a licensed counselor. I'd be more than happy to help you in any way that I can."

She sniffled, trying to smile at him in return and unsure if she succeeded or not. "Thanks, Dr. Khan. I don't want to talk about it right n-now, but I'll keep that in mind."

"Completely understandable. And Nadir, please, Christine."

"Nadir, heh..."

"Now, Christine, I have to ask," he lowered his voice a little, "Are you here because you want to be? Or has Erik… pressured you at all?"

Blonde eyebrows came together. "What? No. Never."

"He has never made you feel uncomfortable in any way?"

Christine blinked rapidly, offended on Erik's behalf at Nadir's questioning. She felt an overwhelming urge to protect him. "Why would you ask me this? I thought you and Erik were friends. Don't you know him at all?"

"Of course I do. I know him better than anyone. But I know he is… a complex individual. He can be quite abrasive sometimes."

"Well, yes, but-"

"Please do not misunderstand me, Christine; I am not trying to upset you or Erik. I just want to know that you are safe and–"

"I am safe," she snapped insistently. "Finally I'm safe. And it's all because of Erik. I wouldn't feel safer with anyone else. I know it."

"Okay, Christine. I believe you. I'm very sorry if I upset you. It wasn't my intention. It's just… Erik is your teacher, you see? I have to ensure the relationship is not a cause for concern."

She took a deep breath and nodded, well aware that she was overreacting, that Nadir only cared about her safety. She needed to pull herself together, but the thought of him trying to take her away from Erik for any reason filled her with panic.

"It's okay. I get it," she murmured shakily. "Erik has only ever helped me with my singing and now my… my situation. He'd never hurt me. He never has."

"Good, good. That is all I needed to know." Nadir rose from the sofa slowly, feeling he'd overstayed his welcome by quite a lot. "Well, I think I'll head out now. Again, please let me know if you ever need anything, Christine."

She stood too, following him to the front door and wondering if she should apologize for her rudeness. In the end, though, all she said was, "Okay. Thanks, Nadir."

He offered her a warm smile and a gentle squeeze to her arm in goodbye, and turned to leave.

"Wait! Nadir, um… Can I ask you one thing?"

He faced her once more. "Of course."

She lowered her voice to a near whisper. "Why… um—why does Erik wear a mask?"

Nadir's smile turned sad. The poor child didn't know. And there was no doubt Erik would murder him happily if he told her anything. "It is not my place to say, Christine. You'll have to ask Erik about it. I hope you understand."

Her shoulders fell in disappointment. "But I don't want to make him sad or mad... I don't want him to think the reason matters to me. It doesn't."

Oh, she is so naïve, Nadir thought. All he could offer her was a shrug, and a quiet, "Tell him that, and maybe he'll talk about it with you."

Christine swallowed, unsettled by the look in Nadir's dark eyes. There was remorse in them, but also fear. What was he afraid of? Was he afraid for her? Afraid for Erik?

Before she could ask, Nadir left without another word, leaving her standing alone and confused in the entryway.

At dinnertime, Christine made use of Erik's kitchen to make a simple pasta dish that she used to eat often in her old apartment. She very nearly cried at the familiar smells and routine that cooking it brought, and for the simple fact that she was free to eat whatever she wanted again. When the food was ready, she loaded her plate much more than necessary out of spite.

Then, she ate in silence at the table, avoiding Erik's watchful gaze all the while. He sat with her, but did not eat with her despite her offering him to do so. She wondered why, trying not to let it hurt her feelings. Maybe he didn't trust her cooking.

But then as she thought more about it, she realized she hadn't seen him eat ever. No wonder he was so thin. How was he alive?

She took a few sips of water after finishing—she'd eaten every bite—finally meeting Erik's eyes.

"Um, Erik," she asked him shyly, "Why don't you eat? I just noticed you never do."

Long fingers tapped self-consciously against the table, and then he was the one avoiding her curious eyes. It was unfortunate that she had discovered more of his freakish nature so soon.

"That is untrue," he argued. "One must eat to survive, correct?"

"Well, yeah. That's kind of my point."

"I just happen to be able to survive on very little food is all. It is unnecessary for me to eat often."

She squinted in confusion. "But… don't you get tired? Or grumpy?"

"Never," he lied, too quickly it seemed, for she shook her head a little.

"No wonder you snap at me so often during lessons."

Erik looked at her in shock, and she felt her cheeks heat.

She was about to apologize, but before she could Erik changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I have been meaning to ask you about your schooling."

"Oh." She didn't want to talk about it. What if he thought she was lazy for not wanting to go back? She had always been a hard worker and a good student, but right now she couldn't bear going back to normal. She wasn't normal. Nothing was. She wanted to hide here, with Erik to keep her safe, for as long as he would allow her to.

"I am not implying that you must return, Christine," Erik then said softly. "I only want to know what you wish to do."

She released a trembling breath, and her words shook as well as she whispered, "I don't want to go back. I… I can't go back yet."

Erik nodded once. "That is understandable. I have acquired notes from your doctor as well as your therapist excusing your absences. I will have Nadir contact your professors and request that you complete your assignments online for the remainder of the semester, except for your lessons with me, of course. We can continue those here."

His words filled her with hope. "You mean… I won't have to drop my classes? I won't get behind?"

"I suppose it would depend on what your professors say. However, I would not worry about that." If they were half decent people, there was no question they would approve. Khan speaking with them should be enough, but if he had to convince those people himself, he would without hesitation.

She thanked him profusely, feeling much better with that weight lifted off her shoulders.

Later, as Christine put away the leftover food and started washing her dishes, Erik tried to stop her. She would not, and he tried to get her to at least leave them in the dishwasher, but she kept insisting stubbornly. He'd already done so much for her, and she wouldn't leave his kitchen a mess after using it. After seeing that she would not relent, he'd stalked away toward the den, muttering something she couldn't understand.

Surprisingly, she felt relieved to be alone to think as she finished up the dishes. Her conversation with Nadir has been a nagging thought in the back of her mind all evening, and she had been trying to gather the courage to just ask Erik himself about his mask. What was the worst that could happen? She knew he wouldn't hurt her over it. And maybe if she asked him just right, he wouldn't be angry at all. Maybe he'd be kind and calm as he explained it to her or showed her. He had been very sweet and gentle with her since… that night.

Unwelcome memories came, and she had to shake them out of her head before concentrating very hard on drying the dishes, putting them away, and leaving the kitchen. Before she could change her mind, she joined Erik in the den.

The lighting was very dim inside, just as it had been that afternoon when he'd shown it to her. A thick drape covered the one window in the room to block sunlight, and since it was night now it gave the room a darker feel. He sat at the glossy-black, baby grand piano bench, his back to her. Sasha lay at his feet contentedly, a pretty patterned, dark brown rug underneath him. The relaxed dog didn't seem at all bothered by the dark melody Erik played absentmindedly, but it sent a shiver through Christine as she listened. It reminded her of that time she'd entered the practice room and he'd been playing that frightening music.

She shook away that strange memory and took another step forward.

"Erik?" she called softly over his playing, and he paused, turning his head a fraction toward her. "Um… can I—I mean, is it okay if I ask you about something?"

Sorry to end it there, but I wanted to go ahead and get this chapter out for you guys. As always, thank you so much for reading, and please let me know what you think by leaving a review!