Meg Giry sat on the floor of a room in the Phantom's catacombs, fingering the white half mask that had belonged to him. She ran her fingers along the smooth surface, feeling every groove and dip. Meg was curious, that was all. Her mother had told her story, after story about him. Starting with the circus and the many adventures they had afterwards. It had been made very clear, no matter what, he was a human. He had a heart, and emotions. He needed to be treated, and loved, just as anyone.
It hadn't been long since the chandelier fell, and Phantom and Christine fell through the floor. Christine and Raoul made a reappearance sometime after, then announced their departure. They didn t say where they'd go, or whatever happened below the Opera house. All that was made clear was the fact the two of them were alive and just to leave whoever was down there, alone. As usual, the warning was ignored, but after a few hours, the search even gave up, figuring it was useless as the Phantom knew the place better than anyone.
But there sat Meg, not wanting to give in. Despite all he has done- the murdering, the fire, the kidnapping, she pitied the Phantom. The world made him how he was and maybe, just maybe, if he was treated how he was suppose to be treated, he'd change. It was a very emotional, and probably immature, thought, but Meg couldn't help thinking it.
She looked up from the mask, sensing a shift in the room. Was he here? She shook her head, chiding herself. He'd probably watched Meg at some point in her life without her knowing, why would she feel it this one time? She was being paranoid. Still...
"Phantom?", Meg called, then cleared her voice and said, "Erik?" She never called him that, because Madame Giry always corrected her to say the Phantom, so Meg wouldn t get attached. But, this time, she felt like she should say it.
Was that a sigh? Or whispers the lake may naturally make? She looked around, barely daring to breathe.
"Erik? I-I'm Meg Giry. You know my mother.", Meg started again, then paused to listen., "I just- I just wanted to let you know that my mother and I are still here, for the time being if you ever need anything.", she finished and glanced around, to see if anything would catch her eye.
"Thank you, Mademoiselle. Tell your mother I have appreciated all she's done for me over years. But what I need at this moment is to be alone. Please leave my mask. And please leave me be.", came the voice, echoing off the walls, as it did those many days ago when his wishes were first ignored. The voice of an angel.
Meg gasped audibly and dropped the mask in her hands. She stood and it clattered to the ground, echoing in the room. "Sorry.", she breathed, picking up the mask. With one last glance, she put it on the nearest table., "I'm sorry.", Meg said, louder., "About everything. I'll leave you now."
She walked through the closest door, hoping it'd take her back to the lake.
At the edge of the lake, she paused, dreading the moment she d step back in the water, and then trying to remember if she even knew how to get out of this labyrinth. Then there was a sigh and the sound of footsteps approaching. Meg startled and flung herself around, nearly slipping in the lake, despite her best wishes. The Phantom of the Opera was walking towards her. Mask back in place, his wisps of blonde hair covered in the black wig.
"I'm sorry, but my boat was used earlier this evening and I've yet to get it back.", he said, in that enchanting voice of his, but it had an edge of bitterness. Meg froze, staring at him approaching.
"If you don t know where you are going, you could spend the rest of your life lost in these mazes. I'd personally rather you weren't. Follow me.", Phantom said. He made an about turn with a flick of his cape, and returned to the room Meg was just in. She followed, mesmerized.
There was a door in there Meg somehow overlooked and she followed him through it. They went through twists and turns until they finally made it to a door.
"And this is where I leave you. Remember my earlier words. I'd also advise you forget about the angel in hell.", Phantom said with a bow, then turned and soon disappeared down the dark hall.
"Thank you Erik.", Meg called, before stepping through the door.