Copyright Rachel Gardner
 

Christine made her way down underground passage in Rue Scribe, it was alarmingly dim and since her eyes were not a custom to the dark, she was having trouble walking. Taking the large bronze key that Erik had given her, she unlocked the gate which was the entrance to his lair. For a while she stood by the shores of the underground lake watching the inky black water.There were no ripples, no movement and no breeze.

She called Erik's name softly and waited. Nothing. She wondered if perhaps he was out.

A faint voice interrupted her concern.

"Christine, i'm over here." It was Erik's voice but she could not make out where it came from.

"Where."

"Here." She stumbled in her attempt to locate him. She slipped and a hand shot out and enclosed her arm gripping it tightly, pulling her upright. He released his grip and she felt a mixture of relief and anticipation. Still he was utterly invisible to her.

"What now?" said his voice in the darkness.

"I can't see where you are or where i'm going," she added,"I'm not used to the dark."

He sighed and said,

"I forgot about that....one does when you are so used to these little things....give me your hand." She hesitated and he said,

"I know my hands are....bony and...cold but I can't really help that."

She let him take her hand and he quickly hurried her to the house which was only just visible by the dim glow of candles. As they entered she found in despair that the house was no better than the outside. He seemed to sense her thoughts even in the darkness,abruptly lighting the gas lamps. She could see him now. He gestured to the couch and she sat down feeling very uncomfortable indeed. Not a word was exchanged between them he sat in his armchair and looked at fire unaware of her watching him.She decided to get some sleep feeling suddenly weary.

* * * * *

Christine awoke to find herself lying on a small couch. She raised her eyelids a little to look at her surroundings. She became aware of a pair of eyes resting upon her.

Raising her eyelids slightly more, she made out a faint shadow of a man whose gaze under his mask never left her. As if sensing her presense,he slowly walked over to the couch and knelt down beside it so he was level with her face, he reached out to touch her face but drew back suddenly he sighed and turned around and went back to studying a little red leather book with gilt edges, Christine drifted back into a deep sleep.

Presently the sound of an organ pierced her dreams. Looking around she saw that the room was lit only by two gas lamps turned down low, apart from that the room was almost entirely swallowed by darkness.

She rose and slipped noiselessly off the couch. She opened the adjoining door which connected the drawing room with Erik's own room.

Peeping round the door music,flooded her ears, she entered and Erik gave a startled jump and jerked up his head, obviously taken aback by Christine's unannounced entrance.

He spun round to face her. His features suddenly softened.

"Did you sleep well my dear? ."

Christine made no reply, instead she stared at the floor. He withdrew waiting for Christine to give some sort of reply.

She nodded but didn't dare look up into those eyes.

" Yes, you must have been very tired Christine..especially after talking to M.Vicomte de Changy on the roof-top last night...you didn't think did you that I might have actually seen you,but I did.....I thought I knew the meaning of pain...until last night...

I saw both...you in his arms.....him kissing you....God I can only imagine what it must be like to kiss a person...to embrace them ... but it comes easily to him since he has had so much practice...it almost broke my heart...you never knew how much I wanted to....to kiss you...and yet I was so afraid to even hold your hand...I always dreamt of holding you...loving you...but alas my happiness was short lived, I knew you couldn't love this and I was right...I hope you savoured the moment with your Vicomte because dead or alive, you won't see him again!"

A deathly pallor spread over Christine's face, her features betrayed her. He continued,

"I prefer dead." He was breathing deeply and Christine was too terrified to answer.

"Did you think that I would let you leave with that boy....I couldn't I ....you knew how I felt about you and him......so I followed you up there."

Christine gave way to unspeakable terror.

"Erik..."

He made a move towards her,she could see the fury deeply embedded in his eyes.

"Erik...I....Raoul was an old play fellow of mine and....."

Was all Christine could manage to say,for Erik suddenly snapped,

"And some how you ended up in each others arms...spare me the feeble excuses Christine do you think that i'm that much of an ignorant fool...do you seriously believe that I think your actually telling the truth,judging by you little reverie last night I find that hard to believe."

"It didn't mean anything.... you have my word."

"Your word well that's all right then...but then again your word doesn't count for much does it."

Erik cried and buried his face in his hands.

Christine was torn between despair and pity.

Erik turned round to face her , his eyes dark with pain and misery and spoke

in an almost breaking voice.

"Do you believe, Christine that he was prepared to face me...to kill me even just to protect you...even if he is only a young fool...then again he has a...a handsome face one

which you can look up to and smile at...he can take you in his embrace...and can l...l

love you..."His voice trailed off and then he raised it again,Christine remained silent as he spoke,fighting back tears.

"I remained listened to you, I listened to you while you deceived me...I thought you loved me...obviously I was wrong...I always thought that you were honest...but..."

"Erik i'm sorry..."

but Christine was cut off by the bitter sarcasm in Erik's voice.

" No Christine sorry doesn't cut it, how touching it is to know your sorry! ,too late now my dear, too late....but how sweet of you to tell me now...it must make you feel good about yourself knowing that at least you've saved yourself a final confrontation!"

"No Erik I am truly sorry."

He glowered at her.

"Christine where you are concerned you are probably thinking up a nice little scheme now to rid yourself of me and leave with your Vicomte...after all who'd want to stay with a deformed monster like me!"

"No!"

Erik paused, then said fiercely,

"Christine I thought you loved me.....oh what a fool I must have been...what a fool I must have been to actually begin to believed that you loved me...!" Erik continued to speak while Christine stood dumb with horror, again he spoke,

"Oh, I see now, I see that you are no different from the others."

Christine had no idea who these 'others' were, but was pretty sure that they had caused him a great deal of pain.

He turned away from her, and strode over to the mantel piece poured himself a glass of Tokay, instead of drinking it he stared at the blood red mixture, chuckling slightly to himself, Christine wondered if he had taken leave of his senses.He caught the expression on her face and took a step toward the couch, she jumped back like a frightened rabbit, he gave a great sigh and exclaimed,

"What is it about me that frightens you so Christine?" he said gently.

No reply.

"You know its strange, how once you could have thought me angel and now..."

he broke off a harrowing sob issued from his throat.

"Well...you didn't realise I was deformed monster did you?"Christine felt a sudden urge to comfort the weeping man,she reached out to take his hand but he firmly caught her wrists. He lifted his head, his black silken mask soaked with salty tears. He looked down at her delicate wrists and drew away from her back to the mantle piece.He took a sip of the Tokay.

"Erik...please."Christine hated to see him be consumed by his misery.

Erik's cold, hard,unfeeling eyes came to rest upon her. His appearance suddenly changed, his eyes where no longer hard but full of compassion.He dragged himself over to the couch,so that he could see Christine's face.He noted that Christine seemed afraid,sensing her fear he said in a gentle tone,

"Christine,if you where to marry me people wouldn't stare,they wouldn't even glance

at me, you could do anything you wanted with me, I wouldn't hurt you i'd be very gentle...please Christine...please."

But Christine's terror equalled her compassion, and soon salty tears flowed down her rosy cheeks.She bent her head in the hope that he would not notice them.

This infuriated Erik who roared,

"Dammit Christine why are you crying, is life with me so unbearable...you are afraid of me and yet I am not really that terrible,you shall see....you shall see...I only wanted to be loved for myself."

Christine opened her mouth to speak but she could not think of an adequate reply, instead Erik said,

"Why do you cry you know it gives me infinite pain to see you cry." He continued,

"Is love something I should be denied, because of this...this hideousness,its ironic

that I was graced with being a genius but was never granted beauty...I am cursed never to hold someone,love someone....be happy."

There was an awesome silence between the two,during which Christine shifted her eyes to the glass of Tokay teetering on the edge of the mantel piece.

"Damn you Christine, why don't you answer me,what are you looking at me like that for?"

There was no reply, he was furious Christine could tell that from his face.

Suddenly without warning ,perhaps just a darkened glimmer in his eyes he ripped off his mask.

"See, this what i'm thwarted with..this infection,feast your eyes...go on! Laugh until your hearts content."And with that grabbed the back of her head and forced it into the fire place.Erik roughly pushed Christine's face up to the flames.She winced in pain and gave a small whimper.

"Your cowering now aren't you eh? Your frightened now...you should be i've committed murders and tortured people,so Christine are you still going to push me...?"

The heat was already beginning to make her face sting.

"Erik,please....your hurting me..its burning hot..Erik."

She could do nothing except try to twist away from the flames, watching the irregular patterns dance before her eyes. He spoke again.

"Oh,i'm hurting you am I, I daresay...you who have dared to deceived me and lie to me once more...how dare you Christine..how dare you!"

Christine answered cruelly,

"And what about when you deceived me Erik...what about when you told me that you had been sent from my father...when you said you where 'the Angel of Music'."

He was caught off guard by this response, which Christine had said so bitterly,he glared down at her at her face,her terror stricken features and seeing the mixture of pain and fear in her eyes groaned and loosened his grip on her neck.

"Forgive me Christine...I didn't realise...I swear I never meant to hurt you...."

Christine seemed to go limp like a rag doll.

"I wouldn't hurt you Christine...i'm sorry...I didn't mean to,I love you..."

She went limp.

"Christine?" She murmured something he could not make out and slumped into his arms. He gently took hold of her head and laid it on his shoulder. He was alarmed at Christine's sudden swoon,but not at all phased by it.He put an arm round her shoulders(as if intending to give her a kiss) and began nursing her in the crook of one arm, as one might do a small child.Christine felt herself swooning but forced herself to stay awake.Erik lifted her chin forcing her to look into his dark eyes.He raised his hand to stroke her cheek, but let it fall to his side swiftly. He drew away without any form of emotion and advised Christine to get some rest.

* * * * *

Christine opened her eyes, she was lying on the couch again with her head propped up against a cushion.She looked across at Erik who was sat in armchair facing the fire place, the half drunk glass of Tokay still balancing on the mantel piece.She looked at him through half closed eyes and wondered if he knew she was awake. He did. For he turned round and took a stride toward her. She rose as he came over and reached out with her hand. He saw her movement and yet he seemed to be thinking about something.His brow creased.Puzzled. She slipped off the couch and walked over to where he stood.

"Whats wrong Erik?" He looked at her for a moment then said,

"Christine my dear, you know the gold ring I gave you."

"Yes."She replied without hesitation.

"Well, where is it?" He said in concerned tone. She looked down at her hand and her features became suddenly pale.

"I...I'm sure I had it when I came here." She waited for his reaction.

"Well my dear you seemed to have mis-placed it, for as you see it is not on your delicate finger..."

She turned to run, but he grabbed her arm firmly.She gave a cry of horror and shook herself free of him.She bolted and ran. He followed her with a quickened pace.

She fled into the room which held the organ. His room! Finding that there was no place she could hide she backed up against the wall,she heard his furious voice shout,

"What are you running from me for?" She covered her head with her hands and braced herself for an unpleasant encounter. Finally finding her in his room he came up to her and asked furiously,

"Where is your ring Christine?"You know I can only protect you if you own the ring..."

She tried to speak but no words came out.Crouching in the corner of the room Christine watched him pace around before he said,

"Well?" Christine was now terrified and answered in a small voice,

"I...I must have lost while..."

"While what..oh yes i'm forget while you were sharing a passionate kiss with your Vicomte...don't try to deny it Christine...how could you do that to me...how..how could you lie to me..you knew how much I....I...I cared for you."

"Erik..your scaring me,please don't shout."She said hopefully.

At these words his anger seemed to evaporate.

"Yes, I seem to scare a lot of people..."he said in a solemn voice.

"Why have you lost the ring I gave you? you know that it was at the price of your liberty...so.."

"I'm sorry... but he cut her off sharply.

"So, I cannot retrieve it for you and so you shall stay here with me." He replied in a definite tone.

He continued.

"Yes ,you shall stay here with me and will we find it together and in time you will grow to love me as I have you, stay with me Christine."

"I can't." She replied.

"Stay with me and I will treat you like a queen and we can sing all by ourselves,just the two of us.I will be very gentle Christine,I promise. I won't harm you. Just stay with me." He went down on his knees and sobbed aloud. Christine's heart was full of pity for the masked man who was now sobbing before her.His eyes under the mask where red-rimmed and full of tears.Christine wondered inwardly if she should comfort him or leave him be.Erik resumed speaking.

"Do you want me to plead and beg you to stay, I shall if only you stay with me,please Christine...."

"I can't."She repeated over again. She thought of Raoul and how terribly jelous Erik was of him. His despairing tears at once turned to tears of rage.

"Oh...of course how stupid of me....you want to stay with your beloved Vicomte...you can and you will stay with me, yes Christine you will!"

He said this in such a tone of utter despair and rage that Christine dared not contradict him. But fear over came her and she said,

"Well what about the managers of the opera,they won't let me just disappear?" Hoping that this excuse was enough to side track him.

"They can't even run my theatre let lone run around after young opera singers,besides they'd get a bad look out if they came snooping around, a bad look out!" He said boastfully.

Christine knew that usually contemptuous phrases like that meant something awful was going to happen.She asked him in a fearful tone,

"Why do you say those sorts of things Erik, what do you mean by a bad look-out?"

He replied coldly sensing her inquisitive nature.

"You need not concern yourself with such matters,i'd doubt you'd find them particularly pleasant." Christine decided there was no point in asking him anymore questions and settled back down on the couch. After hours or perhaps minutes, Erik went back to his little red book,his now quiet profile was studying each page with an accuracy one would not expect in such an over-powering creature.Christine made an effort to get up but only succeeded in making herself more weary. Since Erik had found out by accident that Raoul loved her too he had become extremely aggressive toward her. She flopped back down on the couch again.She saw him flinch and half turn his head in her direction.He got up and crossed over to her expecting her to shrink from his touch but she sat frozen beside him.She said nothing and instead turned her attention to his clothes. She had never seen him wear anything apart from his tuxedo and his tailcoat.He had always seemed to her to be cloaked in shadow. He caught her expression and said icily,

"What are you staring at me for?"

"Sorry Erik...I just...what about your clothes?"

"What about them?"

"Well....don't you get hot walking around in that tailcoat all day?"

"Not like one would expect Christine...I don't feel heat or the cold."

He waited for answer which evidently Christine was not going to give. He snapped suddenly mistaking her uncertainty,

"I'm not mad Christine,I only own a few simple things."He took a few deep breaths to stabilise himself then said,

"Come Christine I have something to show you."

And so saying he lead her to his room like a shepard leading a lost lamb. As they entered the room Christine noted absently that he seemed to grow increasingly gleeful like a child when offered toys and sweets.

He strode over to music stand in the middle of the room with the notes of Dies Irae many times repeated,stroking the staves as if they were striving for his affection. He turned his attention to Christine and motioned with his hand for her to take a seat on a stool in the corner of the room. Carefully he picked up a small black leather bag perched on the side of the organ. Proudly holding it aloft he promptly emptied of all

its contents. Two bronze keys fell out of it, he picked up the second of the two keys and he fondling it lovingly he turned to face Christine.

"Look Christine this is the key to a room....a room you soon find out is exceedingly dangerous."

He put out his hand for her,she was reluctant to take it and he snatched it away before she had time to speak.

"Oh i'm so sorry...I quite forgot me hands were'cold and bony'...thankyou for reminding me." The sarcasm in his voice had returned.

Opening a small door in the room next to his he revealed yet another door which apparently had no relevance to any of the other rooms.

"This room is called the 'torture chamber'."

He said abruptly. Her horrified reaction on her face told all and on seeing it he said,

"You needn't look like that Christine,its only a room."

"Then way did you hide it from me Erik?" He muttered something under his breath,something she could not make out.

Christine's curiosity better of her and she asked in a inquisitive tone,

"May I see inside the room Erik...I want to see the room you've kept from me so long!"

"What is it about this room which intrigues you so Christine...I tell you it is a torture chamber and yet you still wish me to unlock its secret to you."

She replied before she could stop herself,

"Please can I see it..." He looked at her for a minute then

said,

"No...no you can't."

"But why Erik....?" She said looking bewildered. But he had already turned to leave,thinking that she was out of his line of vision she tried the door again.He saw her and completely oblivious to his presence she continued to try the door. Creeping up to her he firmly rested his hands on her shoulders. She did not drew away from his touch,nor did she cry out instead she turned to face him.

"Oh...Christine...Christine..." he uttered.

She turned away from his gaze and instantly the moment was gone. He said in a sharp tone,

"Christine come back to the drawing room," she was reluctant to leave and remained motionless. He spoke again in a furious tone,

"You really don't want to bring my wrath upon yourself Christine...you will be very sorry if you do."

Resigned she left the torture chamber and hurried back to the drawing room lest she be abruptly dragged away by Erik. A curious observation of this event might have suggested that Erik was luring Christine into another of his horrible inventions to tempt and confound some poor soul who mistakenly wandered onto the banks of the opera lake.

* * * * *

Once again Christine found herself confined in the Louis Phillipe room after Erik had, had the satisfaction of revealing his horrible new invention to her.The 'torture chamber' seemed more formidable now than it had done before hand.She got up and crossed to the door.She tried it.It wasn't locked so she ventured out into the hall-way.It seemed he had gone out, but there was no note this time to explain his absence. The door to his room was locked and so were a number of others, except the drawing room. She clenched her fists and hit the door she knew lead to the outside world hard. She felt the hot salty tears run down her cheeks. She slumped on the floor. She sat there crying into her white,lace handkerchief for what seemed like an eternity. She listened inattentively to the noises that seemed to issue from the wall. It was he! She dried her tear stained eyes and tried to make herself look as appropriately dressed as possible.

Erik strode in. She prayed to God that Erik wouldn't notice her red eyes.He took of his black felt hat and cloak swiftly taking his ease. Christine hid her hands behind her back to stop them trembling. She moved back a step but in her hurry she stumbled and as quick as a flash ,his head turned round to stare at her. His eyes burned.She saw sparks fly from those eyes and uttered a cry like an animal in pain. Seeing that it was only her, he relaxed and hung his head. There was a long silence. He sighed and spoke softly,

"I'm sorry for letting you see that Christine I didn't mean to frighten you.....I went to see my banker I fear my salary is over-due."

He stooped and looked up at her.Feelings of dread swept over her.He knew, he knew she'd been crying.She bit her lip.

"Have you been crying?"

"No...no of course not ."Replied Christine in a tone she tried to render firm.

"You have haven't you, your trembling now I can see it, your shaking Christine."

She tried to remain calm and replied,

"There's a draft in here, I was feeling cold."

"Cold?" She knew by the tone of his voice he thought it strange. Then with dawning comprehension he realised she was lying.

"Your hiding something from me Christine what is it? Don't think I can't tell when your lying...I can see it in your eyes."

"Nothing I...I...I..." She couldn't get the words out.

She shivered unexpectedly at the thought of his anger. Almost immediately she wished she hadn't, he was furious.

"Your shivering now, your shivering with repulsion, with terror...why are you so afraid of me? i'm wearing my mask....can't you.....can't you...forget about my face?"

"Its not as simple as that Erik." She said in a compassionate tone.

"What do you mean by that Christine....what exactly do you mean....come on tell me!"

"Look Erik i've told you I can only despise you if you don't give me my liberty...."

"And i've told you that you can come and go as you please....why do you have difficulty understanding that Christine....your not a prisoner here."

"I'm not your prisoner Erik...and yet you lock all the doors in the house..so how can I possibly leave?" He did not answer for a long moment.

"I have every right to lock the doors in my own house....and if that means locking you in too....so be it!" Sullen Christine could think of nothing more to say.

"Raoul was right maybe I should have flown before....."

"Pardon? What did you just say?" Erik spoke as if he could not believe his ears. Anger in his voice was rapidly rising.

Realising her mistake Christine said in a terrified tone,

"Nothing...I said nothing."

"What did you say Christine surely you can tell me?" Then he spoke again.

"Oh I understand."

"Understand what."

"I understand perfectly."

"For pities sake Erik what?"

"Its all clear to me now....."

"What is...." She said in a bewildered tone.

"Don't you dare deny it Christine! I know what you said....and i'm sure you know what I mean!"

She remained silent.

"Whats on your mind Christine...happen to be thinking about your beloved Vicomte."

She opened her mouth to speak but he raised a hand to silence her reaction.

"I knew it....I knew it.....all the while you were down here with me, you were thinking about the Vicomte....you'd thought i'd forgotten...but I didn't....I know he's your lover...you don't even bother to deny it....oh he's brave all right but incredibly stupid...

and then there's you....thinking I wouldn't find you up there....you've lied all along to me Christine.....you lied about my face.....and you've lied about your love for me....

I thought you cared for me.....I saw the way you looked at him while he kissed you....oh yes lets not forget the kiss,the crowning achievement on your betrayal.....it was a very passionate kiss...very romantic...very touching." His words stung her and she felt tears trickle down her cheeks. He sighed.

"Don't cry Christine, I can't bear it."

"Why, are you doing this Erik?" She felt her eyes blur.

"Why? Because Christine i'm simply making you aware of your situation with him....shortly there won't be one.....not after I kill him anyway....I have to admit i'm a little out of practice....but since he is young and impressionable, he won't take long to die." Christine swallowed hard. Then gaining courage she said,

"No! I won't let you, he hasn't done anything to you....why must you kill ....him he only loves me that isn't a crime." Erik lashed out at her, misery filling his eyes.

"But so do I! I love you more whole heartily than that young fool....his death will mean our love can bloom.....without someone who can interfere we can be happy."

"No Erik...you'll have his murder on your conscience for the rest of your life no matter how much you try to hide it." He looked at her and shrugged,

"I've had many more murders on my conscience Christine....why are you protecting him? Oh that's right because you 'love' him.....he's going to die one way or another.....he's really starting to irritate me....I think I might kill him now!"

"No!" Christine gasped.

"Yes,i've made up my mind I will kill him now....it will be quick death.....I promise you he won't feel a thing."

"Erik, how can you do this?"

"You want to know Christine...truly well he has everything I ever wanted, handsome features, success, wealth and he has...."

A pause.

"He has you or rather had you....I will not let him take you away from me......you are the only shred of happiness I have left......I can't bear the thought of losing you."

"Why kill him Erik.....he hasn't done anything to you....why can't you let him live."

"He's a thorn in my side Christine....its annoying me......I was extremely patient with the both of you.......did you think you were safe up there with....him.....but it wouldn't of crossed your mind to even think about me......not up there.......not when you were there in his arms........when all you could think of was him........so Christine I must kill him......you'll understand in time.....he's not worthy of your love Christine.....he deserves to die." She was getting angry.

" Erik when will you see reason? Why can't you realise that your taking a human life for nothing apart from selfish revenge....your a human being for God's sake doesn't that mean anything to you? Your killing an innocent person.....why because he loves me...how can you kill him for it....its insane."

"Very easily i'm afraid Christine, I kill without any emotion at all... nothing....no feelings nothing."

"I know you have feelings Erik, i've seen them." His eyes flashed.

"You talk about my feelings, my duties toward humanity.....you forget Christine that I was branded a monster by 'caring'......'compassionate' human beings why should I care when I kill them.....they never once cared about me when they laughed in my face.....spat at me.....beat me until I was half dead."

"Who beat you?"

"Nobody Christine, just leave me alone." She knew that he was and always had been reluctant to tell her his feelings, this being the case she saw no point in going into it.

She took a deep breath,

"Erik....if you kill Raoul I will kill myself....I swear it." His eyes widened but he remained remarkably calm,then he said,

"And exactly how would you go about that Christine?"

"I'd find a way...somehow." Her gaze moved around the room and came to rest on a rope, a noose knotted at the end of it. He followed her gaze and knew exactly what she was going to do. She made a swift lunge for the rope attempting to bring it round her neck in what looked like an effort to kill herself. Instinctively darting forward Erik grabbed her wrists forcing them firmly to her side. The rope dropped harmlessly to the floor, while Christine crumpled in a heap tears welling in her eyes. She felt herself grow cold then boiling hot. Her vision was blurred again and she felt herself falling.

Her head would have almost hit the floor with an extremely powerful force if Erik had not put an arm round her shoulders to hold her up.

"My God Christine you could have killed yourself......then again that rope in your hands is somewhat useless.....don't cry come on....."

"Please....don't kill Raoul."

"Christine don't you see....he is a young fool who isn't worthy of you....I am doing you a favour....he has the life I never had and he loves you....you have no idea how I felt when I saw you up there with....with him....i'd never hurt you Christine.....you know that....don't worry I won't let anything happen to you ever....besides I have a great desire to see how he fares in physical warfare.....then again he shouldn't be a particularly hard opponent.....I wonder if he's as weak as he looks." She flinched at his words he saw her.

"I've told you it will be a quick death....he won't struggle....he won't even know its happening....honestly Christine your worrying about nothing." She snapped at him,

"Nothing! your going to kill him....am I just supposed to sit here without saying anything in his defence."

"It won't make any difference what you say, i've made up my mind....you can't love us both Christine....its either him or me.....therefore I am left with no desire to spare his life, since its obvious i'm going to lose you to him."

"No!"

"No? Admit it Christine you loathe me.....you can't bear to be near me.....you won't even touch me.....you've never pulled away from the Vicomte when he tried to take you in his arms have you? yet if it was me doing so you'd be utterly repulsed."

"I wouldn't Erik."

"Don't lie to me Christine! don't you think i'm hurt enough after watching that little reverie on the roof-top."

"I'm not lying Erik."

"How can I believe you Christine....all you've ever done is lie to me....fine if your not lying to me....if i'm not utterly repulsive....surely it won't bother you to just touch me...."

She swallowed and lowered her gaze to the floor.

"You can't can you....you can't....and yet if it was your Vicomte standing here you'd tell him how much you....you love him."

Tears fell from his eyes again and Christine reached out to him. He backed away.

"There's nothing you can do for me."

"I don't want you to be miserable Erik....please let me help you."

"I don't want your pity nor your help Christine....I don't ask for a friend....I ask for a wife....but of course there is a problem with that equation aswell, the Vicomte intends to make you his wife too."

"I can explain to him...." She trailed off. He snapped,

"Explain what, that you could well be engaged to a monster....a freak of nature.....a deformed thing!" His rage was now adamant, deep fury was embedded in his eyes again.

"I do care for you Erik....truly I do."

"No you don't Christine....you pity me....you feel sorry for me....that's not love."

"Erik...."

"Who are you trying to convince Christine you or me."

The pain in his voice filled her with misery, she couldn't bear to see him hurting so.

He turned away from her staring into the fire.

Quietly she walked up to him.

"Erik."

She gently rested her right hand on his shoulder, then gaining courage she moved her hand down slowly, hoping that she could take his hand. His fingers enclosed over hers briefly before he jerked his hand away.

"Stop it Christine....I know you find me repulsive....did you have to torture me....why Christine why?"

"I thought it would make you feel better Erik."

"Make me feel better how exactly.....your only thinking of the Vicomte.....you only want to save his life."

"Erik."

"Christine you don't seem to be able to comprehend.....I want him to suffer as I have suffered, knowing that the only thing he ever loved dearly has gone from his life."

"I don't understand." He laughed coldly.

"Well my dear, its very simple you see, I want him to feel pain pure and simple.....I want him to feel heartbreak.....I want him to feel misery, all the things which the human race inflicted upon me."

Christine felt tears slip down her cheeks. He gave an exasperated sigh.

"Christine you have to know your own mind....I can't live like this any longer....I can't possibly continue like this any longer....I have as much right to feel love and passion as anyone else....even if I am a monster."

"Erik...please don't."

"Christine the Vicomte de Changy will be no more....if it upsets you don't think about it.... but at least I do not need any more reassurances....not after tonight anyway."

He laughed so hideously that Christine was too terrified to even ask what she should do. He crossed over to the door and began putting his black felt hat and cloak on.

Bidding her a goodbye he left the room chuckling to himself. She heard a door slam in the wall and he was gone. Christine decided there was nothing more that she could do except pray that Raoul would have enough sense to avoid his adversary or at least have some sort of weapon ready to fend him off.