My Angel of Music

Dreams

I let out a small shriek and reached out a hand to catch her skirts, but as soon as I did, a splash was heard.  With a gasp, I stumbled backwards and clapped a hand over my mouth.  Erik was frozen beind me, both of us staring at the empty space that the girl had occupied.  The silence was deafening, and I quickly covered my ears and started humming to escape it.  Just as soon as I did, I was pulled away by two firm hands.  

I struggled against them for some reason, though I knew it was Erik.  I didn't dare open my eyes nor my mouth in fear that a scream would erupt if I did so.  

It could have been hours later, but suddenly, I was in a bed, covered with thick and suffocating blankets.  I cracked my eyes open to see Erik pacing the room, wringing his hands and muttering things under his breath.  'Erik.."  I whispered, terrified of the darkness that surrounded me.  It reminded me of the water and the silence.  His head snapped my direction and he was by my side immediately.  

I was surprised to find my face covered in tears.  I didn't remember crying.. Erik sat by the bedside, searching my face.  "Christine, how do you feel?'  He asked seriously, almost professionally.  I crinkled my brow and tried to sit up, but was quickly pushed back down.  

"I feel... terrible."  I uttered, my voice hoarse.  He nodded.  "That is to be expected.  You've been sick with a fever for three days."  

I gasped in surprise.  "T-that's odd.  I just remember.."  I trailed off, not wanting to go into detail. I noticed that he wasn't touching me.  Not holding my hand, not stroking my hair.  He was acting very strange.. So, to clear things up, I sat up and took his hand.  He jerked back, his face a mask of confusion and almost.. anger?  I looked over him, thouroughly confused.

"Erik, what is the matter?'  I asked softly.  He shook his head, his eyes locked on mine.  "Why did you do that?"  He whispered, shocked.  I blinked and scooted back, wondering if he were angry with me for some reason.  

"I always do that..." I answered, just as quietly.  He raised a brow.  "Have you?"  He asked, laughing darkly.  

"erik.. what is happening?  What are you talking about?"  I asked shrilly.  He stood over me, rising his eyebrows.  "You do not remember?  well of course you don't.  You must be blocking out the memory..."  He said bitterly, his face twisted in loathing.  

I was afraid now, what had happened that was so bad?  I shuddered to think of the possibilities.  

"You agreed to marry me in exchange for your lover's life."  He said, monotone.  I froze.  That had happened so long ago.. But, why was he saying it now?  "Erik, we are already married!"  I cried, raising my left hand to prove it, but gasped when I realized my ring was gone.  

He looked at me as if I were crazy.  "Where is it?  What have you done with my ring?"  I cried, pulling up the blankets to look for it.  He watched me silently, his hands behid his back.  "Christine, I have no idea what you are talking about.."  he said, annoyed.  I looked up at him, utterly terrified and confused.  

"My ring, and your ring.  And where are the children?" I asked, frantically looking around, before realizing this was not my house... This was.. His lair!  From the Paris Opera House!

"Children?  What children?  Christine, you are being delusional."

"You must have had a dream during your feverish days.  You will remember everything soon enough."  He said calmly.  I looked up at him through tearful eyes.  "A dream?  No, where is Annabel and Elsa?"  I whispered, trembling like a leaf.  He looked at me, aagin confused.  "Who?"  

I began to breath deeply, trying to calm myself.  "Erik, don't you remember?  We were married by the creek, and we lived in the country house and had two dauhghters before we moved to America?"  I asked, trying to sound rational.  He shook his head slowly.  "None of that has happened.  though it sounds very tempting."  He said, his mouth curving into an evil half smile.  

I had an idea and jumped up before racing to his tall form and literally ripping his dress shirt open.  He cried out and stepped back, but I already had my answer.  There was no scar from when he was shot with an arrow...  I sunk to the floor, burying my face in my hands.  "How old am I?"  I asked, my voice muffled.  

"19." 

I let out a sob.  "The last thing that happened that you were still awake for, was me telling you to choose between marrying me or killing your Vicomte.  You screamed and cried for a few minutes before uttering your answer.  You would marry me.  And then you fainted.  I carried you here and let your precious Vicomte go.  Though he may not know where he is from now on.."

I sobbed into my hands as I listened.  How could this have happened?  I thought I was in love with Erik!  But it was evident that I was not.  It had all just been a delusion.  A dream.

"The past ten years have been a dream?"  I cried hysterically, as I pulled at my long brown locks.  I felt him walk closer towards me.  He bent down and lifted my chin with his deathly cold finger.  His face was mere inches from mine, and I held back a scream.

"And now, your nightmare begins."