Stories of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 16: A Means to an End

Several Months Later

"I'm worried Erik." I sigh as our carriage bounces.

"About what?" He looks at me over the news paper he had been reading.

"I mean, we haven't heard from my father or Christine in months. I fear what they have planned. Our wedding is only a few weeks away and I'm worried they might do something to stop it." I respond, folding my hands in my lap.

"Though they may be planning something, think of it like giving you time to heal. You are walking much better than you were a few months ago. Besides," Erik folds up his paper and sets it beside him, "Your father won't be doing you anymore harm, Kane."

"I-I know. I know." I look away from him and out the window of the carriage.

Erik said he had some very important business to attend to today so we decided to have a day out. Erik can take care of his business and we can do more planning for the wedding.

It's going to be a small wedding, namely only Erik and I, and Madame Giry; that is if Christine doesn't some how crash it. I wouldn't be surprised by that. Then again, there are few things that would surprise me now.

The feeling of his hand on my arm brings me back into reality. "Everything will be alright, I promise." He says lovingly then presses a kiss to my forehead as the carriage rolls to a stop. "I will be right back, don't get out of the carriage. I do not trust some lowly men to not have their way with you."

He steps out of the carriage and walks into a slightly run down building with the coachmen. We are on the poorer side of Paris, so everything looks old and run down.

I sit calmly in the carriage until two rather ruff looking men stop next to the carriage. I sit back farther in my seat, trying to hide myself in the shadows.

"Well isn't that a fancy ride?" One slurs, obviously having had to much to drink at the local tavern.

The other laughs and elbows his friend in the ribs, "I bet some fancy lady is inside." He licks his lips. "Man, would I love to get a taste of one of 'em."

I push myself deeper into the shadows of the carriage, almost holding my breath.

Suddenly, the door flies open and the two men step into the carriage.

"Well aren't you a pretty lady..." He leans over me, while the other pulls on my skirts.

I scream and try to kick them away but the one leaning over me slaps his hand over my mouth.

I struggle to escape as his eyes roam over me like an animal eyeing it's prey. He picks at the strings of my dress while the other hikes up my skirts. He quickly, as if having done it many times before, unlaced the front of my dress and bound my hands with the cord.

I mentally sigh for the fact that I have a corset on underneath. My flailing legs finally connect to one man's groin and he doubles over.

The man leaning over me harshly slaps me then takes my chin tightly in his hand, making me look him in the eye as I blink back tears of pain.

"I'm going to make you my slave." He sneers. I try to push his hand away with my bound ones but that only earns me another harsh slap to the cheek.

"You're coming with me." He growls.

The other man pulls the lace from my shoe and ties my feet together.

I scream again as he ties a dirty gag around my mouth then throws me over his shoulder.

Just as he steps out of the carriage, I hear a door slam and Erik start, "Kane are you..." But he stops."Put. Her. Down."

I hear him draw his sword, he made sure to have it with him when we left the opera house.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" His voice drops, anger beginning to seep though.

I beat on the man's back in an attempt to get him to put me down.

"Put her down." Erik sneers. "Or I swear I will kill you both with my own two hands."

The man slowly sets me down then shoves me to my knees, taking a fistful of hair and yanking my head back. The cold feeling of metal on my neck sends chills down my spine.

"You are not in the position to be  bargaining." The man says. "I have your girl, and all I have to do is slit her throat and that's it."

Glancing at Erik, I suddenly reach up and snatch the knife out of his hands, bringing my hands up and catching his wrist with the knife and getting him to release my hair.

Erik takes the chance and moves in front of me and holds the two at sword point.

"I would highly suggest you two get out of our way before I run you both through and leave you here to die on the street." He says, his voice deep.

Erik is beyond furious now. The two men seem to tell and back off down the street. Erik picks me up and sets me back inside the carriage. I sit down; tearing the gag off and taking a deep breath, trying to slow the pounding of my heart and ragged breathing.

Sitting down next to me as the carriage starts to move, Erik pushes the hair out of my face.

"You're okay now." He bends down and starts to untie my legs. I lean back, still gasping for breath. Once Erik had freed my legs he sits back up.

He strokes my face, "You are alright, you are safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Tears slip from the corners of my eyes as he leans in a presses a soft kiss on my lips. He unites my wrists and between kisses laces my dress back up.

I lean against him as he wraps his arms around me.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought you to this area of Paris. I never meant for you to get hurt like this." He strokes my hair.

My breathing slowly starts to even out. "Why did we even come here?"

He sighs, "It is a means to an end."