My Name is What?

Delilah

The room was silent. Not a single sound was heard, except the heavy breathing shared among us all and the rippling of the lake. My legs were trembling-well- my entire body was. The feeling I had was unknown to me. I couldn't figure out if I was afraid, shocked, relieved, or all of them at the same time. I was proud of myself for finally telling Erik how I felt, but now I was slowly regretting it as he stared at me with an expression I couldn't decipher.

After what felt like eternity, Erik spoke with a hoarse voice. 

"You what?" he questioned. 

"You know exactly what I said Erik," I answered with as much confidence as I could. Slowly he stood and shook his head. 

"I don't understand. How could you love me? I'm a monster, trapped in hell and face to prove it. You wouldn't understand the darkness I've endured and the life I have lived. I am a broken soul," he said quietly. I started crying, and felt the hot tears run down my face. 

"Erik, you aren't alone. I know what darkness is, I know what you are feeling. I know what it is like to share a passion for an art and be shunned for it. I feel your pain, I am in love with you and it is all of you. Your deformity means nothing and shows only beauty to me. Your soul is not broken but only cracked. I can be the one to fix it," I try to explain. 

He shook his head again and began pacing around the room. I could see the anger begin to fill his system and knew he was going to yell. 

"YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE! I have a mangled face and been beaten for it! I have had to live in hiding all of my life! You don't know what it is like and you don't love me!" 

I felt my blood begin to boil and grew angry myself. 

"How dare you!? How dare you accuse me of lying to you!? Would I have kissed you if I didn't!? NO! I do know what it is like! I can prove it to you if your arrogance and ego would let me!" 

He went to his knees and muttered in disbelief. 

"But Christine..." I heard Raoul whisper from behind the gate where he stood. Madame took the liberty of sitting in one of the deep red plush seats in the lair and listened as all of this went on. 

"But what?" I snapped to him.

 "But what about me? What about us?" he asked. 

"Us? What do you mean?" I said in shock. 

"You love me Christine! Not this creature who belongs here to rot." 

I chuckled in disgust.

"Oh Raoul, I never loved you. You were my last connection to my father and betrayed his name. I looked to you as a brother or friend. You do recall that I never said yes to your proposal correct? The only monster here is you." 

He shook the gate and screamed.

"Christine you belong to me!" 

Madame Giry stood against his words.

"She belongs to no one and especially not you. Now leave here now. There is no use in fighting." 

He huffed in reply but realized he lost the fight and made his way out of the catacombs. I hoped I would never have to see his face again.

Erik continued to sit and stare at the ground. 

"How can you show me that you know what I feel? Making the Vicomte leave does nothing for you or me." 

Madame walked to him and made him stand to face me. 

"The Vicomte is the reason for Christine's pain and suffering for the last few months. What she just did was for your sake," she explained. He jerked his arm from her grasp and looked to me. 

"That still doesn't prove anything. What he has done to you does not mean you know my pain." 

I looked to my the ground and then to Madame Giry. She nodded her head, she knew what I wanted to ask. I had to tell him, it was the right thing to do.

"Delilah," I whispered. 

"Who?" he asked. 

"Delilah," I said again, "it is time that you met her."

"Who is Delilah?" he questioned. 

Madame walked to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. 

"Delilah is the reason Christine is here and why she loves you." 

He looked confused, "What? That doesn't make sense." I grabbed his hand and Madame's. "The time is here, but you have to trust me," I looked to his honey eyes as he nodded. 

"Okay."

 Madame took Erik's other hand and we all stood in silence. I closed my eyes and spoke aloud, "Delilah, I'm ready to make my choice."

A/N: I can't believe the story is almost done! I'm pretty proud of this chapter and I hope you all like it! Thank you so much for all of you who have enjoyed so far.

[4/18/20: revising this has been a doozy but I have to say I'm giving my 21 year old self the feels. High five 16 year old me lol]