I do not own Erik or any of Webber and Leroux characters, or the music. This is my first time writing and uploading a story so I do apologies if there's any spelling/grammar mistakes or just bad English in general. I do hope you enjoy the story :)

Love is blind

As Erik sat within his chair reading, some random book of his, he heard an odd peculiar sound, within the distance, a large thud sounded. He ignored it at first, trying to get back into his book but quickly found that curiosity had taken over, as he reread the same line over four times. Knowing that this would go on forever if he did not do anything, he got rid of his book, and with a grunt, grabbed the closest oil lamp, and proceed into the darkness. Where Erik's greatest talent shines the most... being the Opera Ghost.

Erik wondered further into the catacombs, trying to convince himself that it was probably a rat or some large rodent - a creature of the night. He didn't mind rodents like other people do, whenever "normal" people see one they would scream their heads off. Erik never saw the reasoning behind it, it was a simple rodent. However, the different between him and "normal" people was the fact that he grew up around them. Most of his life he thought of rats as his only friends, they were the only ones that never ran away, just for the way he looks.

Erik pushed those thoughts behind him, of those days in his childhood, being with those gypsies in their circus of horrors. The torments, the humiliation, the punishments.

The sounds around Erik became odd as he moved deeper within the catacombs, the rats seems to have hurried their pace, Erik noticing one or two passing by him, then a peculiar tapping sound started one; two; stop... one; two; stop... every few seconds; tapping, how odd? Erik started questioning himself. What could that sound be?

Erik slowed his movements as the sounds became louder, wanting to know the origin of the sound, before they became aware of him. Even though it's been a year since the fire, Erik is still wary of strangers and people passing by, in case they try to kill him again or start a manhunt - still thinking he's the devil's child; honestly, though, he found the name to be amusing in a sense... a demon that people should fear - but instead try to kill… it almost makes you laugh.

"Damn it... can't believe that basted pushed me" Erik could hear a woman's voice, he stayed behind a corner and lowered the oil lamp down to a small glimmer of light, bright enough for Erik to see all around, he needed to assess the situation quickly, work out how many people were there and if they had weapons.

Erik peeked his head over to have a look... there was a woman sitting on the floor she seemed to be between 18 to 20 or so; she looked small and weak. Easy enough to beat in hand to hand combat if need be... her clothing was covered in dirt and mud, partly ripped in places here and there from years of wear and tear. She probably lived on the streets. With her small frame as well, Erik could believe she did not eat much.

Erik slowly noticed above her head was quite a large hole, one big enough for a small child to fall through, guessing at the rubble beside her, Erik started to picture what had happened... the ground either went under her… or she slipped and fell, guessing by the lack of noise, by people above, no one was bothered by watching this young woman fall. How sad this would be, if the world was not so evil.

Thank you for making it this far, I do hope you enjoy the story, if you have any comments please do say but don't be too harsh please ^-^