The Lady Or the Beauty

Trust

Erik's POV

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep. Fear was mutating my insides.

Does Christine trust my love? Does she know that my love for her is not simply passion that will die away, but a flame that will forever be ignited?

I sighed, and closed my eyes, my former exhaustion taking its toll once more.

Before I was able to be lost in blackness, Christine muttered something in her sleep. I strained my ears, waiting to see if she would repeat it.

"Raoul..." She whispered, and before I could react, sleep overpowered my senses, and I fell unconscious.

***********************************

Christine's POV

I was helpless. Dark trees loomed over me, seemingly leaning inward. The heavy winds rustled their branches, showering me with dried, brown leaves.

"Christine," The sickly sweet voice broke through the deafening sound of the wind. "Christine, my dear, sweet girl...why did you abandon me?"

"Raoul?" I croaked. "No...please...I belong to Erik, and no one else!"

"What happens when he finds out about your...disease?" He stressed the word 'disease' almost as if he were amused by it.

Before I had a chance to reply, he laughed maniacally and unveiled a wickedly sharp, jagged dagger, which glinted menacingly in the light of the moon from above.

"Raoul!" I screeched, turning tail and running. I tripped on the hem of my ragged, torn gown and cursed. Heaving up my skirts, I draped them over one arm and continued through the dense forest.

"You have no chance, Christine!" Raoul's distinct voice sounded from behind me. "Why run from me? Why throw your life away for that monster?"

That was the final straw. I whirled around, eyes narrowed into slits. "It's quite simple! I love him, and I always have!"

"Oh...how sweet," Raoul smirked, polishing his dagger with a black-gloved hand. "But, alas, that is not enough for me to spare your pitiful life..."

"No...Raoul, please, I beg you..."

"I apologize. Enjoy yourself in Hell." With those words, he centered the dagger and stabbed it into my heart.

***********************************

My eyes flew open as I jerked awake, gasping. My bedroom was still dark, and there was no Raoul there to murder me.

I inhaled shakily and rubbed my eyes. Maybe I should see the doctor about my head as well...since I was hallucinating and having nightmares about my old fiancée.

I turned my head to the side. Erik was asleep beside me, his mask rather lopsided.

I couldn't help it. In order to maintain my mental stability, I had to see his face to remind myself why I was here.

Careful not to wake him, I gently pulled back the mask to reveal his distortion. To me, it was beautiful. It showed that no matter how homely something about you could be, you can still be good on the inside.

Erik had healed greatly from his days at the Opera House. His murdering techniques had faded, to my relief. All I knew is that he gave it all up for me.

And I love him for it.

I slowly placed his mask over his face again and settled in closer to his body, wanting to create warmth for him. He didn't stir in the slightest as I shifted to make myself more comfortable.

And then, my disease pushed to the back of my mind, I rested securely in the arms of the man I loved more deeply than anyone else in the world.