Christine

Raoul moved us into the dry passageway.

As soon as the corner was turned, I let my tears flow freely. I started sobbing, wailing, and crying out as loudly as possible. Raoul pulled me into his arms, hushing me softly, cooing stupid nothings. I only sobbed louder. There was nothing that would silence me—Nothing short of Erik.

"Oh, Christine, hush..........It's okay, honey.....you're safe, it's over!"

I looked at him mutely—how could he think that would comfort me? Saying it was over would only worsen my feelings! Oh, God!

"Christine, you're safe... It's all over. No one can hurt you, no one will find you—your fears are far behind you. I'll keep you safe from everything! You know I dearly love you."

I looked at him for a moment; before my tears again streamed down my face, and I was sobbing again, over and over.

Erik.....How could this happen to us?



Erik

She is gone.

Truly gone—and not coming back.

Heartbreak is my destiny—no matter what I do to change it.

This time, though, I have not died—Not yet, at least. I am still alive....Though I'm not sure if it is better to be alive or dead, if in either case, I do not have my Christine........Not my Christine, anymore....Now she is Raoul's Christine.

Was this what happened to that other Erik—the one who left Christine?

He lived on while she left. Then she returned, passions mixed. Then he left.....

I do hope that will not happen to me....

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I do not know how much time has passed since I saw Christine, or since I left the house.

A knock at the door—could it be Christine??

I got up, and ran to the door—Where did I put my mask?

Nadir's smiling face greeted me, and I glared at him. "Why the happy face Nadir? There is no reason to be happy." Nadir quirked an eyebrow at me, "I don't understand, Erik......What happened?" I looked at him for a long moment, before saying flatly, "Her Viscount took her." Nadir's eyes bugged, "Then what are you doing here? Why haven't you gone to save her?" I looked at him flatly again, "She doesn't love me—so I set her free. Her boy took her home with him."

"Oh, Erik......I am so, so sorry." "Aren't we all..." I mumbled, shuffling to the kitchen. "I don't believe she doesn't love you—I saw the way that girl looked at you." I looked at Nadir, "It's not possible. No one loves Erik." I shuffled to the parlor, and sat down. "It is extremely possible, Erik. And the people who matter love you. Christine loves you—that you must believe." I refrained from snorting at his talk, and simply folded my hands in my lap. "Indeed? Who loves Erik, then?"

"I do."

I looked up at the sound of another voice—one I knew extremely well.

"Madame?" I looked up to see that Madame Giry was, indeed, in the hallway. "And, Erik, I love you..." Nadir mumbled. I looked at him, shocked, "Though you make it hard to be civil sometimes." "I-I love you as well...." I mumbled. "You are not alone, Erik. That you need to know." Madame said.

She came into the parlor, sitting down beside me. "She's gone..." I mumbled, feeling my eyes become watery. "Oh, Erik.....Honey....." Madame whispered, scooting closer to me. "I do not know what to do without her...." I continued softly, trying to keep my voice soft. "Erik, listen to me, you will get through this. Do you hear me? You must. I know it is hard to lose a loved one, but you are a strong one—You can survive." Nadir's voice was soft, but filled with resolve. "But I don't want to live without her!" I cried, struggling to keep my voice down. "She will come back, Erik. That girl was madly in love with you—I don't know how you missed that.....She just needs a little time, maybe.....Maybe her warring emotions made her confused?" Nadir offered softly.

Madame coughed, "Perhaps our Christine did not know what to believe—You must have made quite an impression on her during Don Juan. You said you set her free, yes?" "Yes..." I said dully. "Did you ask her if she loved you?" "No." I replied. "Well, then! You assumed, Erik!" Nadir smiled at me, "She'll come back, Erik—She just needs to evaluate her feelings, and sort out her emotions." He patted my arm. "She'll return, Erik..." Madame finished, rubbing my shoulder.

Why couldn't I share their hopefulness? Why couldn't I believe she would come back?