Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom; I'm just a phan. I still wish that I owned Erik, though. . .*Sigh* Author's Note: Thanks to all those who have reviewed so far, you guys are what inspire me to write more. Anyway, this chapter will shed some light on Chapter 1, and hopefully, raise many more of it's own. Feedback: Please! (keep up the good work people! :) *Christine's POV* He looked so weak, just lying there; prone. It made me want to cry, I wanted nothing more in that moment than to take all his pain away for once and for all. Of course, that was impossible. He had been hurt far too deeply for my good intentions to efface all the suffering he had endured. I walked back over to the bed - my bed - and I fell to my knees, seizing his hand in my own and sobbing. I prayed, I prayed more fervently than I ever had before, for God to spare my angel, to let him come back to me now that I had found him again. I prayed for forgiveness, because I knew that the whole mess was my fault. When I had finished, I opened my eyes, only to find him still unconscious. I stood, and resumed my silent vigil, my thoughts drifting back to a few hours ago, when my life had changed forever. ***Flashback*** I ran on instinct; I ran in fear. I didn't know where I was going, but it didn't really matter: my life lost its direction two months ago when Erik made me leave him. I ran because the pretenses were all that held Raoul and I together. Certainly, he had charmed me, but he had preyed on my weakness, he had used my fear and indecision to make me believe that our love was real. Now, free of my fear, I could see clearly. Raoul had freed me, but not from Erik. He had freed me of my fear and indecision; he had allowed me to see beyond my doubts. I loved Erik. It was deceivingly simple, actually. Of course, nothing was truly simple anymore. Erik had loved me so much that I had become lost in his emotions, and my own. With time and distance, it all became clear: we were destiny, we were meant to be. Without his voice, his quiet presence - without him - I was nothing. Raoul gave me every material possession I could have ever wanted, but I was dying on the inside. He wrapped me up in furs, and covered me in jewels and gold; it was only then that I found the true meaning of living within a fa�ade. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't hate Raoul, actually, I loved him - as a friend, a brother. I told him everything, I told him that I couldn't marry him; I told him how I felt and what I thought. Suffice it to say, he didn't take it too well. Raoul didn't hurt me physically; he hurt me deeper than any injury ever could. After I had finished explaining, he sat silently for a long moment, his head in his hands. Finally, he stood up, an intense fire burning in his eyes. "You will be mine," he hissed, grabbing my arms and pulling me tightly against him, "even if I have to destroy your 'angel' to get you to myself." With that, he let me go, and simply walked out of my house. I suddenly felt faint, I was filled with a primal fear, not knowing what else I could do; I ran. ***End Flashback*** As my eyes opened, I stared out into the darkness that filled my room and walked over to light a candle. As I struck the match, and held the newborn flame to the first candle in the ornate candelabra by the door, I heard a bitter weeping coming from the other side of the room. Hurriedly, I rushed to his side, reaching out to touch his forehead. His fever had broken. "Erik. . ." I whispered, my voice heavy with relief. He tried to speak, but he was too weak, and he could not. He seemed upset by that, and I moved my hand down his cheek, until my fingers covered his soft lips. Suddenly, he seemed relieved, as if my touch had cured him. "It's alright, Erik," I whispered, "you were injured, but you're going to be okay. You simply need to rest; I promise I won't leave you while you sleep. I will explain everything when you wake." He nodded feebly, staring up at me in shock. Impulsively, I sat next to him and took his hand, and speaking in a tremulous voice, I added, "You need to get better. . .for me. Please rest." His eyes lit up, and he spoke, the words coming with great effort, "For you, the world, Christine." I smiled, feeling my heart swell, and gently, I said, "I know, Erik, but you need to rest for me. . ." He sighed contentedly, and his eyes closed slowly. In a few minutes I heard his breathing deepen, and I knew he was asleep. I sat there, his hand still in mine. I had no will to leave his side, but, more importantly, I didn't want to. I watched him sleep; his chest rising slowly as he inhaled from underneath shiny satin. He was smiling, and I grinned. His dreams must have been sweet, indeed. My dreams, however, were nothing so certain. Erik was my light, even if he believed himself to be nothing but darkness, he shone for me like the stars of the night sky. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, but, again, it wasn't that simple. ***Flashback*** I continued to run, bumping into pedestrians, who screamed at me, and shot me angry looks. I didn't care, they didn't matter at the time. I didn't stop until I stood before the Paris Opera House. It was cold, and snowflakes were beginning to fall in the fading evening light. I stood, staring up at the building before me, a white aura beginning to cling to my black velvet cloak. Knowing that I had found my way home, I ran towards the Rue Scribe entrance. When I got there, the door was already ajar. . . ***End Flashback*** I placed my free hand on Erik's unmasked cheek, and knowing he would recover, I drifted off to sleep, understanding that in the morning, I would have to tell him everything. For now, though, there was quiet and I found peace in my dreams. . .with my angel. To be continued. . . |
| Light in the Darkness |