Erik

While in the hospital, I had a chance to practice walking on my ankle. It didn't take long to heal at all. Every once in a while, I would wince from a sudden weight of too much pressure.

The doctor stated that I was to use one crutch for long short walks around the city or the neighborhood. As for my face, It was completely torn. There was no way of getting it back to normal. Unfortunately, my bone structure on my face prevented any sort of plastic surgery.

All I wished was that my face did not look as bad as I thought it would be.

I was taken out on a wheelchair and through the front. Cory had offered to drive my car to the hospital so I could get home.

They weren't going to remove my bandages until two days later.

As they rolled me out to the lobby, I found Christine's group of friends sitting in the lobby.

"Hello kids," I greeted as I rolled past.

They looked to me, looking a bit shocked by my appearance. Jesy swallowed before speaking. "Mr. Destler, you're getting out of the hospital today?"

I nodded, letting a sigh escape. "Well, yes. They refuse to take my bandages off until two days from now."

Ella shifted a little. "Do you know what it may look like, or have any idea?"

My head shook. "No. The only thing I am praying for is that it's not that bad."

They nodded, not knowing what else to say. Cory pointed outside. "Uh... You're car's out front Mr. D. Would you like for me to bring it around for ya?"

I glanced out the door, seeing my car parked not too far away. "No thank you. I think I can manage getting to it."

Ray turned in his seat. "So, how is your ankle holding up?"

"Eh, it's fine I suppose. I m going to lay off of it for a while," I started, lifting it slightly.

The only one I hadn't spotted was the boy, Raoul. Thank goodness he wasn't there. I despised his face, and everything about him. A doctor emerged from the side door, wheeling a patient along. It was Christine.

Her friends stood up abruptly, rushing to her side. Ella knelt next to her. "Hey girl. How are you feeling?"

She rolled her eyes, managing a smile. "Like I have been trapped in a hospital room for three days."

They laughed with her, and took the flowers from the nurses following them. Ray took the back of her chair. "Well, your ride is here. Ready to go home?"

She nodded, "Yes. I can't wait to be home." A smile crossed her lips, but faded quickly after spotting me. "Oh, bonjour Monsieur Destler."

I rolled towards her a little, "Bonjour Christine. How are you feeling?"

She shrugged. "Alright. Je pouvais sentir le pire. I could feel worse." That beautiful language, accent and beauty went together perfectly.

"Well, I hope you recover soon." Seeing my Christine with a broken arm, leg and scarred by terrible burns, it made my heart drop.

My princess nodded, giving me an awkward smile. "Merci Mr. Destler. I hope you recover as well."

Her friends started getting anxious, and I saw Raoul appear from behind them. "Christine, Je pouvais sentir le pire?"

"Oui. I agree Raoul. Au revoir monsieur Destler. Get well soon," she nodded, and was pushed out to the parking lot towards a limousine.

My nurse pushed me through the parking lot and towards my car. I put my crutch in the passenger seat, and climbed in the drivers. "Thank you nurse. That is all I will be needing."

"Get well Mr. Destler. Recover well. We will see you in two days," she reminded me through the window.

I nodded, giving her a smile. "Thank you nurse. See you in two days."

Rolling up my window, I started driving down the road and towards my home. Since I only had sight in one eye, it was a bit more difficult to drive, but I managed to make it home safely.

It felt nice to be home in a familiar environment. Though I wished to be at school in my old classroom, teaching and inspiring my students. Sadly, it wasn't going to happen. I grabbed my crutch and limped in, closing the door behind me.

A sigh of relief left my lips. "Home sweet home." I went to my couch, settling down on it.

I set a pillow on my coffee table, propping my ankle up. A cup of ice water sat propped up on my knee. The sun seeped through my windows, giving me precious light. "Gee, it's great to be home."

For those short two days, I exercised my ankle without using my crutch. I played music and composed more music, thinking about my Christine. In fact, she was my inspiration. After the horrible incident I had with her, it was torture being separated. In knew she didn't feel it, but there was a connection between us. She just needed to look deeper.

After two long days, I returned to the hospital. I was nervous about getting my bandages off. For, I was unsure of what to expect.

"Hello Mr. Destler. How are you feeling today?" asked the doctor as he approached me.

I shrugged, feeling myself begin to tremble. "A little nervous I suppose."

He chuckled, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry Mr. Destler. Everything will be fine."

I nodded, managing a smile. "I hope so."

"Are you ready to remove the mask?" he asked.

"Yes," I breathed. My eyes closed as I felt his hand grab my bandages. "Just do it slowly please."

He nodded, removing one layer at a time of bandages. "Now, Mr. Destler, do not worry if it is as bad as we thought it to be. Would you like a mirror?"

I thought about it for a moment, deciding no. "No thank you. I think I will judge by your expressions."

He nodded, removing the final layer of bandage. The air blew against my right side, feeling relieved. But the reaction from the doctor's made me confused.

"Oh my gosh!" squealed a lady nurse.

Even the doctor was surprised. "Oh my gosh. It's hideous!" he backed away, holding one of the nurses.

"Where is a mirror?" I asked, desperate to see myself. "I demand a mirror!"

They handed me one, but backed up again. What I saw in the mirror would have caused it to crack. Tears ran down my face as I started at my hideous face. Looking up, I noticed the doctor and nurses gone. The mirror slipped from my hand, shattering against the floor.

"I'm a monster," I put a hand to my twisted face, covering it up. "I have to get out of here."

With swift speed, I stumbled out of the hospital room. My hand slipped from my face, causing a nurse to drop a tray of needles. "AH! Oh my gosh!"

The entire area gasped, backing away from me. "It's horrible! Get away from it!"

My feet carried me out of the building and towards the front. Mothers with their children gasped at my appearance, while their children screamed. I felt more tears trail down my hideously scarred face. It was then I ran for the hills and into the city.

All who laid their eyes upon me, shielded their eyes, shunning me. People were throwing anything they could find at me, keeping me as far away from them as possible.

I stumbled upon an alley, and hid there, but tripped over a stone into the sewer water. It smelled awful, but I kept going. Eventually, I stopped behind a garbage can, feeling lost and confused.

"Why?" I asked myself. "Why do people shun me?" My reflection was in sewer water, and even I hated it. But I was to live with it for the rest of my life.

The same torments and remarks the public threw at me scarred my mind. They brought new tears and feelings to me.

"You are nothing, Erik," echoed a strange voice. "The world hates you."

I grit my teeth in anger, dragging my hands through my hair. "Stop it."

The voice refused to listen. "All hate you because of your face. They have harmed you, beat you, shunned you. And you deserved it!"

"No! Stop with these untrue words," I covered my ears, pacing for a short time.

The taunting voice didn't cease. "But, you can make them pay. Let them really know you."

"What do you mean?" I asked the unknown source of the voice.

"Make all see that you are not what everyone thought you once to be." It's bewitching voice taunted me so.

"No. That is not right! I am no man of that sort!"

A laugh filled the alley. "What about, your true love, Christine?"

It suddenly caught my attention. "Christine. What about Christine?"

"You want to show her you have strength, even with your face." Christine's flawless face appeared in the water, making me kneel at her picture.

"Christine my love," as I touched the water, her face rippled away.

The voice taunted me once again. "Give her everything she wants in life. Give it to her, show your power, and she will love you forever."

It was then the voice ceased at last. All happiness was drained from my heart, and replaced with anger, hatred, and darkness.

"I will give Christine everything, and all that the world has done to me will pay and see the power I wield," my anger rose more and more. "You'll see Christine. We will be together, forever. I will give you everything you deserve. Then, you shall be mine."