Christine

A month of being trapped in a sewer started messing with my head and my appearance. I wasn't surprised if my health was destroyed. My skin was almost as white as a pearl, I had lost quite a bit of weight and my finger looked worse than ever. I had lost feeling not only in my finger, but in my entire hand.

My tears didn't seem to cease. I was dehydrated and terribly hungry. I hadn't showered for there was no washing facility.

When I tried walking, my limbs were weak and trembled violently. My head spun, making me dizzy. It seemed there was no hope for me.

Erik appeared at the entrance of my room with a strange look in his eye. "Hello my love."

I felt my heart skip a beat at the sound of his voice. "What do you want?"

"I have to leave for bit today. So, you will be alone for awhile."

Relief flooded my heart. It was the best feeling I had felt since being trapped in that hole.

"I don't want you to be too worried about me when I am gone," he placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Don't worry. I won't be thinking about it," I threw my insult at him.

He sighed, residing next to me. "Christine, I am growing impatient with your attitude towards me."

"Really? I would have thought after a month you were used to it."

His hot breath streaked down my neck, a rather uncomfortable feeling. "Don't use that tongue with me," he growled. "Or there will be consequences."

"Consequences?" I faced him. "My imprisonment isn't punishment enough?"

"How else am I to keep you safe?"

I stood up, wobbling on my legs. "Look at me! Look at what you have done to me!"

He examined my crippled body, seemingly unmoved. "I've turned you into my wife."

"You've turned me into a wreck!"

"I have to keep you here! We were meant to be," he took my hands.

I snatched them away. "No we're not! You're living a fantasy!"

"NO! You're thinking a lie! You are mine and mine alone!"

It was then I saw deep in his eyes. They were different, as if he was looking through someone else. They were dark and clouded. It was then I saw he had been deceived.

"Erik, what has gotten this idea into your head?"

He shook his head, disappointed. "You still refuse to give in. That will change."

He threw me down on the floor and stormed off. His eyes were enraged. I could barely support my upper body as I attempted in holding myself up.
But, something nagged at me. He wasn't the same. Erik had changed, somehow. I didn't know what from, but it was serious.

"You can't keep me here forever!"

"Watch me! Make yourself comfortable my love. Forever is a very long time!"

With those words, he fled the lair in his boat and through the gate. His threat was enough for me to stand with support from the walls and other furnishings amongst me.

I desperately searched through my wearied vision for a way out. There was no other passage except for the gate. Out of frustration, I threw a gold object at my iron cage, when I noticed a sign of hope.

In the gate, a large hole was hidden by the murky water, except for a few stranded pieces. My heart fluttered with joy. I straggled through the water, the smell filling my nose. I didn't care. Freedom was ahead of me.

I was knee high in sewage when I reached the gate. My legs were about to give out beneath me.

"Come on. I can do this. This may be my only chance."

This gained my legs a new form of strength. I knelt down, drenching myself in the sewage. I still had my wedding dress on. Erik never gave me a chance, or a choice to change out of it. My clothes had gone missing: coincidence? I think not?

Most of the hole was underneath the surface. It was just big enough for me to squeeze through. I gathered my breath, shut my eyes tight and dove under.

With only hands, I felt amongst the hole, moving through it with little difficulty. As I emerged, part of my dress tore around the sleeves and skirt. Honestly, I could care less about the dress. It was only a reminder of my suffering.

I trudged through the river, suddenly realizing something vital. Where am I going?

I reached the shore, weaker than ever. But I continued my journey. A long spiral staircase stood before me. A light came from its top.

Freedom!

With my little strength I had left, I climbed the towering staircase, trembling with every movement I made.

At the top, I reached what seemed to be a maze of tunnels. It was near total darkness. Luckily, the light was my guide.

I followed the light, seeing it growing
brighter and brighter the further I travelled. My freedom was closer than ever.

A few moments passed, though it seemed like hours. My feet started tripping over one another. But, at last! I reached a glass barrier connected to a familiar room. It was the dressing room. The lights shined brighter than ever.

I broke through the glass, slicing my hands upon it. Luckily, I couldn't feel anything on my left hand, it was numb to the bone.

I stumbled to the door with great difficulty, trudging through the familiar darkness of the backstage, across the stage and through the maze of chairs.

The doors to the lobby were so close. For my legs, it was too far.
Every limb of my body trembled uneasily, near collapse. My eyes welled with tears, blurring my vision. I could see the light through my watered pupils.

"Almost there... Almost there..."

My hand reached for the handle of the front door. The familiar knob was cool against my palm. I twisted the handle when I was blinded by sunlight.

"I made it..." I shakily spoke. "I'm fr-..."

I lost my voice and collapsed from exhaustion. It was too bright to see anything. But, many familiar silhouettes appeared in my vision before exhaustion took over, sending me into a deep, dark sleep.
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I appreciate every one of you reading my story. It's comkng to an end in a few chapters. According to my readers, I am writing another fanfiction, which I am writing happily. Thank you all for supporting me! Luvs to all from ME!! God Bless!