Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom of the Opera. . .yet! (Hey, a girl can always dream, can't she?) :) Author's Note: I know, I know; I should be punjabbed for forcing you, my dear readers to suffer this delay. Alas, I try! Here, with my deepest apologies for my 'dragging this out', is Chapter 17. The Raoul's POV part is deliberately strange; I am trying to show his final plunge into madness. Many thanks and much love to those who have reviewed, and I hope everyone enjoys Chapter 17! Feedback: You know you want to review! *Raoul's POV* It was heavenly, this civilized, glorious utopia in the middle of my unending nightmare. It was like an oasis - it was an oasis - a place where the thirsty could glut their souls on thought and reflection and come to terms with themselves and the world in which they were condemned to live. Thirsty; yes, I was quite thirsty. My spirit was begging for relief, my soul was screaming out in the night for some recognition, any slight acknowledgement: anything, anything. . . Perhaps it had been an illusion; a terrible fantasy caused by an overactive imagination. Yes, maybe my oasis was all that was truly real. There was no blood on my hands, no darkness. . .I was still Raoul, still Christine's Raoul. . . No, no, no! I shook my head violently, but the thought of her would not go away. In my mind, she plagued me; she sang and she danced to music I couldn't hear, she floated and she called to me: she was always beseeching me, imploring me, always. . . Enough! I had to let her go, I had to move on. I could not exist forever on memories, however sweet, alone. I knew that there was only way out: yes, yes it was the only way. . I could not do it; I could take no more. I could not live without her. I would not. . . I sat down on a low stone bench. Trembling, my fingers searched blindly for the gun. I soon felt the smooth steel, coldly comforting and totally understanding. I knew exactly what I had to do. . . My eyes closed, I concentrated on my final moment. I concentrated on. . .voices? Happy voices, almost familiar: distant, but approaching. Slowly I tightened my grip on the weapon and I stood to face those who would so brazenly and callously intrude on such a private moment. Pure ignorance - such fools - they caused me great anger, inexplicable anger. . . And, suddenly, I was once more blinded by the rage I could not deny. *Erik's POV* We arrived at the park near midnight; it was pitch black save the lamps that lit the path. Christine was luminous, she was beaming and laughing and clutching my arm as though she would never let it go. So long I had dreamed of this moment, and yet I had never even dared to dream it would come to pass. "Erik," she said, as we walked towards the spot of my proposal, "I shall never forget this place. We can leave Paris forever, and somehow, part of me will always be here." I nodded understandingly. "I feel the same way, cherie," I said simply. "Ah, but I am glad we are leaving," she sighed, leaning against me as we walked, "I am glad it is just going to be you and me from now on. I am glad we shall finally have a place of our own." I smiled. Teasingly, I said, "Nadir promised us no palace, you know." "He didn't have to," she said softly, warmly, "we don't need a palace to be happy." I could feel my heart swell and I wrapped an arm tightly around her, "Yes, but if I could, I would give you the entire world. I will build you a grand palace, the greatest the world shall ever know, if you want one. You need only ask; a single world and I will give you anything you desire. I will gladly give you everything I have if it will make you smile." "I don't want you to, Erik," she whispered, "I just want you." I was about to speak when I heard motion; there was someone stalking us in the bushes. I stopped, and saw a rather large figure among the shadows, Christine looked up at me nervously, "Erik?" "My love, you must stay behind me," I said urgently, stepping quickly in front of her, "and be prepared to run back to the carriage in a moment if I ask you to. You must trust me now, Christine." "I do. . ." she said, before she was interrupted by the imposing shadow. "Christine?" *To be continued*. . .I am very, very sorry about the cliffhanger! |
| Light in the Darkness |