Broken and Beyond

A/N-

This is the sequel to "This Twisted Choice". If you have not yet read it, I strongly advise you to so you will comprehend the present situation the characters are in. I do have flashbacks included, but they are brief.

Summary:

Sequel to This Twisted Choice. Christine is forced back into a difficult life with Raoul, yet still finds her thoughts flooded with Erik. When she learns of his existence somewhere unknown, she seeks help from Mdm. Giry, and sets out to find him.

Please R&R :)

Enjoy, guys!

.::PART ONE::.

Chapter One (Christine's POV)

The silence of the night is only broken by a single, peripheral disturbance.

Across the sweet grass, in the chilling lake and in comforting hollows, various fish and other animals take part in restful behavior, slumbering to rid themselves of the poisonous events of the day. They are able to dispose the horrid memories and thoughts.

Yet I cannot be like them. I never will.

I grip the railing of the grand balcony, my body tensing and eyes shutting softly to match with my grinding state of depression.

Fat, iridescent tears fall from my face unrelentingly.

Ten days.

Ten days since our last encounter.

I can still feel his hands upon my hips, his fiery being that had been pressed to my own. His fingers grazing my torso in rapturous thrill. And the pulsing of our hearts, thrumming against and fluttering as one. I part my mouth and open my eyes, reliving the blissful moment.

Erik, my love, where are you?

I yearn, but know it shall cease to surface.

I bring my eyes down, sweeping them over the great expanse. Perhaps..if I were to jump..

I shake my head and knit my brows to briefly expose my discomfort.

With a trembling body, I push from the balcony and retreat to my private bedroom for un-restful sleep.

...

"Miss?"

The muffled sound behind the door is the first thing to wake me from my lethargic state.

"Miss? May I come in?"

I rise from the bed, and stumble to the door. I allow the small maid entrance, and Daisy scuttles in, silver tray in hand.

Daisy curtsies, and I have the sudden impulse to cringe. "I've come to assist you."

"Yes. Well.."

Faster than I can protest, I'm herded away.

...

Corsets: Utterly the worst thing that has ever been invented.

And Daisy: With no doubt, one of the worlds most skilled torturer.

If you were to add those two together, allow them in a room with me at the same moment, I would step out with a pallid face and refusing lungs.

Which is an exact replica of me at present.

Tentative, trembling, enduring absolute torment, I passively make my way down the grand staircase of the de Chagny mansion in my pinching shoes. Gone are the days of slippers and boots.

"Hello, Christine. Have you gotten an ample amount of sleep? You don't look well." Raoul greets me at the bottom with a joyful smile playing on his lips.

"No." I breathe, "I had plenty. Thank you for the concern. But there is something that's troub.."

"..Well, if it's nothing, shall we move on?"

"Certainly." I grit. I clutch the railing, my knuckles white with the force.

We make our way to the dining room, which displays a colorful array of food prepared to be devoured. I lay a hand to my stomach, heaving for a breath. Raoul pays no mind to my troubling situation, and helps me in my chair.

He flees to the end of the grand expanse of cloth-covered wood to poise in his own. Raoul gives a small chuckle, "Oh, Little Lotte, you mustn't be so timid. After all, it is food and nothing more."

I take a forced bite from my toast, allowing the dry bread to sliver down. A smile flickers on my face, and fades when Raoul glances away.

With ravenous gulps, I down my steaming tea in record-setting time. Anything to end this meal the quickest.

Yet Raoul takes his time, fiddling with the oranges or refilling his cup. I observe him from my faraway perch, growing anxious as each second comes and vanishes into the air.

Raoul rises from his seat, and I gasp a sigh of relief. "Let us take a walk, Christine. It is a beautiful day!"

His jolly words are meant to lift my spirit heaven-high. But it fails to even propel it an inch.

I nod, grimace, and step sideways from my chair. Clutching my stiff skirts, I follow Raoul out to the gardens.

We are halfway through the rose buses when my head begins to spin. I become light, as if a feather shifting silently through the wind as it paints the sky. The corset pushes against my chest, restricting any air to flow freely in and out of my lungs.

"Raoul.." I whisper. "I'm not feeling well. May I retire to my room for the rest of the morning?"

"Of course, go on ahead. I shall be inside momentarily."

"Thank you."

As soon as I've rounded the wall of thorns, I'm picking up speed and tumbling across the lawns. I'm in a race against myself. Who shall win? My will to breathe? Or my insistent outfit?

I trudge up the stairs, clinging to the railing as I run.

I pass several doors, slamming the one to my private room shut once privacy is obtained.

I remove myself of the the skirts, laces, frills, and anything else I was dressed in. At last, when my corset is exposed, I yank at the buttons and strings, the walls of resolution I wish only to tear.

I throw it down and take in gulps of refreshing air. How tight did Daisy have it?

I struggle out of the many pins that tame my brown curls, and kick the shoes across the floor. In nothing but my thin chemise, I manage to make my way to the bed, and cry myself to a bitter nightmare.

I pray that God will have pity, and that when I awake, this will only be a terrible dream.

A/N-

Hmm..seems Christine isn't enjoying her fate so far :/

I'm SO sorry this is short, you guys :(

You all obviously wanted me to update quickly, so..I did.

The next one will most likely be in Erik's or Meg's POV. I don't know xD

Thanks for reading, and please review!