Post by Meluivan Indil on Mar 22, 2006 22:29:03 GMT -5
Chapter 8
Erik struggled to get to his feet as Pierre raised the sword pointing it at his chest. “Don’t think you will change her mind, Monsieur.”
Erik’s anger was returning quicker than it had dissipated. “What kind of sick jest is this?” Lily just shook her head still refusing to look at him.
“Don’t you understand? She wants a man who is whole. Not a monster. You should understand this by now.” Pierre boasted. “She’s not the first to change her mind about you.”
“Please stop, Pierre.” Lily knew this would be hard enough for Erik without Pierre’s cruel words.
Erik began to move forward not even noticing the blade pressing against his chest. He stopped just short of doing himself serious damage. His gaze never left Lily’s down turned face. “If this is the truth, I want to hear it from you, Lily. If you are ready to rip my heart out, then by all means do it yourself.” Bitterness crept into his voice as he let his mind begin to accept the fact that she might truly be leaving him.
“What’s to say? She needs a man who can protect her. Apparently you do not fit her needs.” Pierre said sneering.
“Your words, Lily.” Erik said between clenched teeth. “And look at me as you say them.”
Lily could hear the fierce anger in his voice, and faltered not sure she could go through with Pierre’s plan. She glanced up and saw blood staining Erik’s shirt where Pierre’s sword tip was pressing into his flesh. She then looked up towards Pierre’s face. He glanced back at her and she could see the coldness in his eyes. She nodded to Pierre, summoning the courage to look Erik in the eyes. She could see the anger there, but she could also see the anguish she was causing. She stepped forward reaching both her hands up taking his face into them as if she meant to lean in for a kiss. In doing so she had backed him away from the blade. “Erik, this is the way things have to be.” She whispered caressing the sides of his face. “I should have taken your advice so long ago and never let you fall in love with me. It was wrong of me to believe we could stay together forever. You kept trying to push me away. But I kept selfishly pushing back. Now you are the one who must suffer for my mistakes.”
Erik reached up grasping her wrists not wanting to believe her words. Not wanting to let her go. “I can not believe that.” He whispered hoarsely as his voice began to break with the emotion. Why was she lying to him? She never lied to him before. She upheld the truth above all else.
“You must believe it. Just as you must return to Paris and make a life for yourself without me.” She whispered as the tears began to stream down her face. “Please don’t fight this, Erik.”
“What life is there for me without you?” He asked as tears also started flowing down his face. His head sunk low in defeat seeing the conviction in her eyes. She was really leaving him.
“You must learn to love life, Erik. Life without anyone beside you. I’m sorry.” She whispered leaning up and placing a kiss on his brow. “Please don’t hate me forever.” Then she let go of him and turned running to the door.
Pierre smirked at the pain he saw written across the other man’s face. “I guess the best man won in the end. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her. She’ll be safe.”
Erik barely heard the man’s taunts as he turned away, not able to watch Lily walk away from him forever. He made his way to the support beam that Antoinette was tied to and slumped next to it. The beating had taken so much from him and Lily’s words had taken what was left. Never had he felt so broken before.
Pierre caught up with Lily who was walking blindly away from the building. He had to pull her out of the way of an oncoming carriage that her tears had kept her from seeing approach. “Be careful. I don’t want to lose the love that I won without one day together.” He said pulling her close to him.
Lily pulled away from him wiping at the tears in her eyes. “Love, love! You call this love. Forcing me to end the only true love I have ever known. No Pierre, you may have won my body to do with as you please, but you will never possess my love. That is reserved for the man that I just destroyed. So in turn it is destroyed, just as I am. Don’t ever imagine that what is between us could ever be love!”
Pierre grabbed her arm pulling her back close to him. “Just remember one thing, little Lily. I am a master at using this.” He said forcing his sword up next to her face. “And if I ever wake to find you gone, you better be dead. Because if not I will find your broken Phantom and he will curse your name with his dying words.”
“Why don’t you just shove that thing in my heart? It’s not worth keeping alive anyway.” She taunted him praying he would actually do just that.
“Don’t worry, Lily. You will learn to love me, or you will die trying.” Pierre said shoving her forward. “Now to the docks. We have a ship to catch.”
The only sound heard in the warehouse was Meg’s soft sobs. She had watched the scene barely able to believe her eyes. Never had she imagined so much heartache and pain were possible and for the first time in her life she felt pity for the one she had always known as the Phantom. Erik sat with silent tears covering his face staring at the floor.
“Erik, please untie me.” Antoinette asked softly nudging him with her knee.
Erik did not move immediately. It didn’t matter to him whether they left there or not anymore. But the logical part of his mind knew that that notion was unfair to the Girys. They had done nothing but try to help him. Finally he was able to move enough to remove the ropes that bound Antoinette who untied Meg. Antoinette stood next to the support beam staring down at Erik as Meg kneeled before him. She reached out placing one hand on his knee. “Monsieur Erik, please we must leave here. You have wounds that need attending to.”
Erik did not move away from her or even show that he realized she was there. Antoinette shook her head and placed a hand on Meg’s shoulder. Meg stood and traded places with her mother. “Erik, listen to me. This is Antoinette. You know I wouldn’t lie to you. I have always had your best interests in mind.” She started drawing his attention. He looked at her and she could see the frightened boy she had helped to rescue from the gypsies so long before in his eyes. “Don’t tell me that you honestly believed that charade.”
Erik was shocked by her words. “What charade?”
“Oh Erik, Lily might be an amazing actress, but you of all people should have been able to see the truth behind the lies.” Antoinette insisted in a scoffing manner.
Erik shook his head. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or the beating, or just his fragile mental state at that moment but he wasn’t at all sure what was the truth.
“Come now. You were unable to defend yourself, and she is standing there while a man who wants to possess her holds a sword tip to the chest of the man she loves. What other choice did she have?” Antoinette explained. Erik looked down to his chest and for the first time realized it was severely sore and his white shirt was covered in blood. “If it were me, I’d have agreed to bed the devil himself to save the man I loved.”
Erik nodded realizing that just maybe Antoinette was right. He pulled himself up using the support beam and then straightened his mask. “Excuse me ladies, but I have a ship to catch.” He walked past them and was about to leave the warehouse when he noticed something out of place. He had seen Pierre stab Anna in the stomach, but she was no longer where she had fallen.
Lily had not been able to concentrate on anything except the vision of Erik’s expression. How would he ever learn to live with her betrayal, and how would she ever learn to live with what she had done to him? She did not notice the strange looks she received as they boarded the ship. Some of the better-dressed passengers were shocked by their appearance. Torn, dirty cloths and cuts and bruises were quite a fashion statement.
Pierre left her standing on the starboard side of the ship saying he had some arrangements to take care of. Lily barely noticed his absence as she stared off towards the shoreline. Just as she barely noticed as the heavens opened up and a steady rain started to drench her. She did not notice as the deck cleared of all other passengers. She only noticed the sound the waves made slapping against the side of the ship. It was hypnotic and she lost track of time.
Somewhere deep in her soul she realized that she must be losing her mind from the grief she felt, but her conscious mind noticed nothing, not even the beautiful melody that had begun to float on the air. Her body began to move of it’s on volition as she climbed over the railing and then stood on the bottom rung of the railing staring down at the water with her hands holding tight to the top rail. The water was so beautiful and inviting. She thought she could hear a voice on the wind beckoning her into the water below.
She closed her eyes and a small smile crossed her lips as she let go of the railing waiting to feel the water swallow her in it’s black oblivion. But instead she felt something strong grasp her hand and pull her back towards the railing. It was a shock that pulled her out of the world her mind had retreated to. She turned expecting to see Pierre trying to pull her back, but her eyes widened in surprise as she saw a familiar face that she had never expected to see again.
“It’s too cold a night to go swimming, my love.” Erik whispered.
Lily stood frozen not knowing if he was real or not. She turned her head to the side as if contemplating something amazing. “Are you real?” She finally asked.
He chuckled and pulled her close to his chest so the only thing separating them was the rail. “As real as you want me to be.”
Her hands grasped his shirt as she feared losing her grip and falling. She could feel the heat of his body through the thin shirt he wore, and even the rain could not disguise his scent that was enveloping her. She breathed that scent in reveling in it. She knew she should be panicking over him being caught by Pierre, but she was transfixed by his presence and could not even mumble a warning.
“What did you think you were doing, my love?” He asked tilting her chin up looking into her eyes.
“The waves were calling me, Erik. They sung to me. I wanted to join them.” She explained not even thinking that her words made no sense at all.
“No, Lily. That was me you heard singing. I thought if you heard it you might come to me.” He said caressing her cheek. “But I was afraid you might not want to.”
In the grief she felt she had forgotten that she was not supposed to love him anymore. “Oh, Erik. If I had realized it was you I would have found you no matter what. But why did I not realize it was you?” She asked in confusion. “Erik, I don’t understand myself anymore.”
“I think it is time we go home, my little Lily.” He whispered.
But then everything that had happened came crashing down on her mind. “That’s what he calls me.” She whispered and he could see her physically pulling back as a whimper left her throat. “Go away, Erik. He’ll kill you if he finds you.”
“Lily, I do not fear him.” Erik insisted. “You do not have to sacrifice yourself for me.”
A deep chuckle was heard behind them. “I always said that it was more fun to kill a man who did not fear you. I guess I will get to test that theory soon.”
Erik smiled at Lily and then placed her hands on the rail making sure she had a good grasp. Then he spun around leaning casually on the rail. He had straightened his cloths and dawned his cloak again and even in the rain he projected a dominant presence. “I guess it’s a fortunate thing that I borrowed this from another passenger then.” He said pulling the cape back to reveal a scabbard belted to his waist. Within less than a second the sword was drawn and poised ready to defend.
“Why you are full of surprises, my friend.” Pierre said drawing his own sword.
“Oh don’t mistake me for a friend of yours, Monsieur.” Erik said stepping forward.
Lily watched in horror as Erik and Pierre fought back and forth neither gaining the upper hand. She could tell that Erik was still in a great amount of pain from earlier and every lunge made her insides twist into knots. She began to try to climb over the railing again but was stopped by a sickening sweet voice to her left. She turned in that direction to see Anna standing only a few feet away. She was clutching a bloody hole in her stomach with one hand and the revolver with the other. It was pointed directly at Lily. “This is a good performance, don’t you think?” She asked looking to where Erik and Pierre were fighting.
Lily shook her head in desperation. “I could have sworn that he killed you.”
“Yeah, well he thinks that too.” Anna said glancing at Pierre. “It will really disappoint him when I shoot him, don’t you think?”
“And if Erik kills him first?” Lily asked dreading the answer.
“Well as long as I get to shoot, what difference does it make which one dies?” Anna said shrugging.
Lily could see the spasm of pain that the action caused the woman. “Um, Anna. You are bleeding a lot.” She pointed out noticing the amount of blood staining the woman’s clothing.
“It’s nothing more than a flesh wound.” Anna answered turning back to watch the fight. Lily chose that moment to try to grab the revolver from Anna. This in turn caused a struggle between the two women.
The men both heard the struggle just a moment before the gun went off and paused to face the women. The revolver was still in both their hands but was pointed towards the men. Erik turned to see that Pierre was holding his chest in surprise and there was blood beginning to stain his shirt. The surprised look on his face was priceless, Erik decided. He watched as Pierre backed against the wall behind him and slid to the deck.
Anna attempted to turn the gun towards Lily, but Erik was there within seconds pulling the woman away from Lily. But she still had fight in her as she attempted to rake her fingernails across Erik’s face. Lily grabbed her from behind pulling her half way over the railing. In her panic Anna threw her weight backwards pushing against Lily and Lily’s grasp on the railing was broken as both women fell backwards towards the waves below.
“Lily.” Erik yelled her name grasping the railing and vaulting over it and down into the icy cold water below.
Ultimate Betrayal
Erik struggled to get to his feet as Pierre raised the sword pointing it at his chest. “Don’t think you will change her mind, Monsieur.”
Erik’s anger was returning quicker than it had dissipated. “What kind of sick jest is this?” Lily just shook her head still refusing to look at him.
“Don’t you understand? She wants a man who is whole. Not a monster. You should understand this by now.” Pierre boasted. “She’s not the first to change her mind about you.”
“Please stop, Pierre.” Lily knew this would be hard enough for Erik without Pierre’s cruel words.
Erik began to move forward not even noticing the blade pressing against his chest. He stopped just short of doing himself serious damage. His gaze never left Lily’s down turned face. “If this is the truth, I want to hear it from you, Lily. If you are ready to rip my heart out, then by all means do it yourself.” Bitterness crept into his voice as he let his mind begin to accept the fact that she might truly be leaving him.
“What’s to say? She needs a man who can protect her. Apparently you do not fit her needs.” Pierre said sneering.
“Your words, Lily.” Erik said between clenched teeth. “And look at me as you say them.”
Lily could hear the fierce anger in his voice, and faltered not sure she could go through with Pierre’s plan. She glanced up and saw blood staining Erik’s shirt where Pierre’s sword tip was pressing into his flesh. She then looked up towards Pierre’s face. He glanced back at her and she could see the coldness in his eyes. She nodded to Pierre, summoning the courage to look Erik in the eyes. She could see the anger there, but she could also see the anguish she was causing. She stepped forward reaching both her hands up taking his face into them as if she meant to lean in for a kiss. In doing so she had backed him away from the blade. “Erik, this is the way things have to be.” She whispered caressing the sides of his face. “I should have taken your advice so long ago and never let you fall in love with me. It was wrong of me to believe we could stay together forever. You kept trying to push me away. But I kept selfishly pushing back. Now you are the one who must suffer for my mistakes.”
Erik reached up grasping her wrists not wanting to believe her words. Not wanting to let her go. “I can not believe that.” He whispered hoarsely as his voice began to break with the emotion. Why was she lying to him? She never lied to him before. She upheld the truth above all else.
“You must believe it. Just as you must return to Paris and make a life for yourself without me.” She whispered as the tears began to stream down her face. “Please don’t fight this, Erik.”
“What life is there for me without you?” He asked as tears also started flowing down his face. His head sunk low in defeat seeing the conviction in her eyes. She was really leaving him.
“You must learn to love life, Erik. Life without anyone beside you. I’m sorry.” She whispered leaning up and placing a kiss on his brow. “Please don’t hate me forever.” Then she let go of him and turned running to the door.
Pierre smirked at the pain he saw written across the other man’s face. “I guess the best man won in the end. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her. She’ll be safe.”
Erik barely heard the man’s taunts as he turned away, not able to watch Lily walk away from him forever. He made his way to the support beam that Antoinette was tied to and slumped next to it. The beating had taken so much from him and Lily’s words had taken what was left. Never had he felt so broken before.
Pierre caught up with Lily who was walking blindly away from the building. He had to pull her out of the way of an oncoming carriage that her tears had kept her from seeing approach. “Be careful. I don’t want to lose the love that I won without one day together.” He said pulling her close to him.
Lily pulled away from him wiping at the tears in her eyes. “Love, love! You call this love. Forcing me to end the only true love I have ever known. No Pierre, you may have won my body to do with as you please, but you will never possess my love. That is reserved for the man that I just destroyed. So in turn it is destroyed, just as I am. Don’t ever imagine that what is between us could ever be love!”
Pierre grabbed her arm pulling her back close to him. “Just remember one thing, little Lily. I am a master at using this.” He said forcing his sword up next to her face. “And if I ever wake to find you gone, you better be dead. Because if not I will find your broken Phantom and he will curse your name with his dying words.”
“Why don’t you just shove that thing in my heart? It’s not worth keeping alive anyway.” She taunted him praying he would actually do just that.
“Don’t worry, Lily. You will learn to love me, or you will die trying.” Pierre said shoving her forward. “Now to the docks. We have a ship to catch.”
The only sound heard in the warehouse was Meg’s soft sobs. She had watched the scene barely able to believe her eyes. Never had she imagined so much heartache and pain were possible and for the first time in her life she felt pity for the one she had always known as the Phantom. Erik sat with silent tears covering his face staring at the floor.
“Erik, please untie me.” Antoinette asked softly nudging him with her knee.
Erik did not move immediately. It didn’t matter to him whether they left there or not anymore. But the logical part of his mind knew that that notion was unfair to the Girys. They had done nothing but try to help him. Finally he was able to move enough to remove the ropes that bound Antoinette who untied Meg. Antoinette stood next to the support beam staring down at Erik as Meg kneeled before him. She reached out placing one hand on his knee. “Monsieur Erik, please we must leave here. You have wounds that need attending to.”
Erik did not move away from her or even show that he realized she was there. Antoinette shook her head and placed a hand on Meg’s shoulder. Meg stood and traded places with her mother. “Erik, listen to me. This is Antoinette. You know I wouldn’t lie to you. I have always had your best interests in mind.” She started drawing his attention. He looked at her and she could see the frightened boy she had helped to rescue from the gypsies so long before in his eyes. “Don’t tell me that you honestly believed that charade.”
Erik was shocked by her words. “What charade?”
“Oh Erik, Lily might be an amazing actress, but you of all people should have been able to see the truth behind the lies.” Antoinette insisted in a scoffing manner.
Erik shook his head. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or the beating, or just his fragile mental state at that moment but he wasn’t at all sure what was the truth.
“Come now. You were unable to defend yourself, and she is standing there while a man who wants to possess her holds a sword tip to the chest of the man she loves. What other choice did she have?” Antoinette explained. Erik looked down to his chest and for the first time realized it was severely sore and his white shirt was covered in blood. “If it were me, I’d have agreed to bed the devil himself to save the man I loved.”
Erik nodded realizing that just maybe Antoinette was right. He pulled himself up using the support beam and then straightened his mask. “Excuse me ladies, but I have a ship to catch.” He walked past them and was about to leave the warehouse when he noticed something out of place. He had seen Pierre stab Anna in the stomach, but she was no longer where she had fallen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lily had not been able to concentrate on anything except the vision of Erik’s expression. How would he ever learn to live with her betrayal, and how would she ever learn to live with what she had done to him? She did not notice the strange looks she received as they boarded the ship. Some of the better-dressed passengers were shocked by their appearance. Torn, dirty cloths and cuts and bruises were quite a fashion statement.
Pierre left her standing on the starboard side of the ship saying he had some arrangements to take care of. Lily barely noticed his absence as she stared off towards the shoreline. Just as she barely noticed as the heavens opened up and a steady rain started to drench her. She did not notice as the deck cleared of all other passengers. She only noticed the sound the waves made slapping against the side of the ship. It was hypnotic and she lost track of time.
Somewhere deep in her soul she realized that she must be losing her mind from the grief she felt, but her conscious mind noticed nothing, not even the beautiful melody that had begun to float on the air. Her body began to move of it’s on volition as she climbed over the railing and then stood on the bottom rung of the railing staring down at the water with her hands holding tight to the top rail. The water was so beautiful and inviting. She thought she could hear a voice on the wind beckoning her into the water below.
She closed her eyes and a small smile crossed her lips as she let go of the railing waiting to feel the water swallow her in it’s black oblivion. But instead she felt something strong grasp her hand and pull her back towards the railing. It was a shock that pulled her out of the world her mind had retreated to. She turned expecting to see Pierre trying to pull her back, but her eyes widened in surprise as she saw a familiar face that she had never expected to see again.
“It’s too cold a night to go swimming, my love.” Erik whispered.
Lily stood frozen not knowing if he was real or not. She turned her head to the side as if contemplating something amazing. “Are you real?” She finally asked.
He chuckled and pulled her close to his chest so the only thing separating them was the rail. “As real as you want me to be.”
Her hands grasped his shirt as she feared losing her grip and falling. She could feel the heat of his body through the thin shirt he wore, and even the rain could not disguise his scent that was enveloping her. She breathed that scent in reveling in it. She knew she should be panicking over him being caught by Pierre, but she was transfixed by his presence and could not even mumble a warning.
“What did you think you were doing, my love?” He asked tilting her chin up looking into her eyes.
“The waves were calling me, Erik. They sung to me. I wanted to join them.” She explained not even thinking that her words made no sense at all.
“No, Lily. That was me you heard singing. I thought if you heard it you might come to me.” He said caressing her cheek. “But I was afraid you might not want to.”
In the grief she felt she had forgotten that she was not supposed to love him anymore. “Oh, Erik. If I had realized it was you I would have found you no matter what. But why did I not realize it was you?” She asked in confusion. “Erik, I don’t understand myself anymore.”
“I think it is time we go home, my little Lily.” He whispered.
But then everything that had happened came crashing down on her mind. “That’s what he calls me.” She whispered and he could see her physically pulling back as a whimper left her throat. “Go away, Erik. He’ll kill you if he finds you.”
“Lily, I do not fear him.” Erik insisted. “You do not have to sacrifice yourself for me.”
A deep chuckle was heard behind them. “I always said that it was more fun to kill a man who did not fear you. I guess I will get to test that theory soon.”
Erik smiled at Lily and then placed her hands on the rail making sure she had a good grasp. Then he spun around leaning casually on the rail. He had straightened his cloths and dawned his cloak again and even in the rain he projected a dominant presence. “I guess it’s a fortunate thing that I borrowed this from another passenger then.” He said pulling the cape back to reveal a scabbard belted to his waist. Within less than a second the sword was drawn and poised ready to defend.
“Why you are full of surprises, my friend.” Pierre said drawing his own sword.
“Oh don’t mistake me for a friend of yours, Monsieur.” Erik said stepping forward.
Lily watched in horror as Erik and Pierre fought back and forth neither gaining the upper hand. She could tell that Erik was still in a great amount of pain from earlier and every lunge made her insides twist into knots. She began to try to climb over the railing again but was stopped by a sickening sweet voice to her left. She turned in that direction to see Anna standing only a few feet away. She was clutching a bloody hole in her stomach with one hand and the revolver with the other. It was pointed directly at Lily. “This is a good performance, don’t you think?” She asked looking to where Erik and Pierre were fighting.
Lily shook her head in desperation. “I could have sworn that he killed you.”
“Yeah, well he thinks that too.” Anna said glancing at Pierre. “It will really disappoint him when I shoot him, don’t you think?”
“And if Erik kills him first?” Lily asked dreading the answer.
“Well as long as I get to shoot, what difference does it make which one dies?” Anna said shrugging.
Lily could see the spasm of pain that the action caused the woman. “Um, Anna. You are bleeding a lot.” She pointed out noticing the amount of blood staining the woman’s clothing.
“It’s nothing more than a flesh wound.” Anna answered turning back to watch the fight. Lily chose that moment to try to grab the revolver from Anna. This in turn caused a struggle between the two women.
The men both heard the struggle just a moment before the gun went off and paused to face the women. The revolver was still in both their hands but was pointed towards the men. Erik turned to see that Pierre was holding his chest in surprise and there was blood beginning to stain his shirt. The surprised look on his face was priceless, Erik decided. He watched as Pierre backed against the wall behind him and slid to the deck.
Anna attempted to turn the gun towards Lily, but Erik was there within seconds pulling the woman away from Lily. But she still had fight in her as she attempted to rake her fingernails across Erik’s face. Lily grabbed her from behind pulling her half way over the railing. In her panic Anna threw her weight backwards pushing against Lily and Lily’s grasp on the railing was broken as both women fell backwards towards the waves below.
“Lily.” Erik yelled her name grasping the railing and vaulting over it and down into the icy cold water below.