Madeleine helplessly walked up and down in the salon while Father Mansart was saying a few prayers silently. A newly learned technically challenging etude of the just passed away Paganini made its way through the attic and softly accompanied the scene taking place down there.
- If I was aware of the solution to this matter, I would solve it. - Madeleine sighed sadly.
- He can't stay here any longer. - The priest stated blankly. - Understand that it is a matter of safety. Both for you and him.
The priest was referring to the happenings a few nights ago when the window was smashed again and some angry villagers were trying to attack the house. If the Father did not interfere, God knows what could have happened. Erik repaired the window, but it wasn't about that broken glass, and everyone was aware of that. The villagers did not like to share Boscherville with a monster and would do anything to make it disappear from there- even murder, as the priest was afraid of the worst.
- What do you expect of me, Father? - The woman lowered her head and dried her sweaty hands nervously in her apron, trying to avoid eye contact.
- You should have made sure Erik wasn't able to go wandering in the village at night. - He sighed.
- What else in Heaven's name should I have done other than locking him in his room and putting bars on his window which he easily gets rid of? How could I have known he jumps out of the window and risks a fatal fall just to go outside?
- With a personality like Erik's… - The priest waved in the air. - But… it is not the point to blame anyone for the happenings. The only thing that matters is we have to send him away.
- To where? - Madeleine threw both of her arms in the air with frustration. - I have already threatened him if he won't stop his laughable ghost plays and making mischief, he will be sent to a mental asylum.
- I have considered a better solution. - Father Mansart sighed. - We shall send him to school.
- What? - The woman gasped and shook her head in utter disbelief. - Father, exactly you were the one to tell me not to send Erik among other people, masked or not. How could he attend school with other children?
- I know a boarding school far enough from here, with relatively few children and only nuns and priests. He won't need to be among a too big crowd.
- Father, for God's sake. Erik can already read, write, (even if he does not have an acceptable penmanship), solve complicated mathematical equations, play music like an adult, designs structures and has architectural knowledge like an engineer. What could he learn at school?
- I agree that Erik's lexical knowledge is way higher than the average children's, but there are many things Erik could learn at school.
- Name three of these fields, please. - Madeleine sighed with irritation.
- Teamwork, empathy, compassion, taking care of others, handling his own and others emotions. The issues he isn't perfect with.
- I know you are right in a way. But… I am afraid…
- Madeleine, you would be freed of a burden you have to carry for years. Erik will feel better. And s will you.
The mother did not know how to word her feelings regarding the issue they were talking about wit the Priest. She did not know how to say she was worrying over Erik's safety and well-being, despite her mixed, but mostly negative feelings towards her son. He knew the Father was right about Erik would need to learn how to act towards other people, and maybe at school they would succeed in making him learn to behave. But what shall happen to him once they discover the deformity? Will other children hurt him? It isn't the best idea to send him to a bunch of children to a religious school, especially since Erik's sudden deviation and rebellion towards Catholicism after Father Mansart explained him animals had no souls. He will kick the church to pieces, however nice of a building it might be, and protest against prayers or the Bible anytime he would be forced to pray. She could not make him attend any more masses celebrated at home either nor to talk to Father Mansart ever again, not even by only one-word sentences. Is it afe to send Erik with his temper among other people at all?
But the Priest did not wait for her to agree. He softly informed Madeleine to prepare Erik's most important belongings as soon as possible, because he was going to take him the next week and by that time he was going to register him at that school and talk the priests about the boy being a hard case and ask them to pay extra attention on him.
- Do you honestly think it is a step we need to take? - Madeleine asked with a monotonous intonation.
- To tell the truth, I don't know if this solution is the best one, but better than nothing. - The Father replied honestly, then left.
When Madeleine turned back from the door she locked she gasped loudly, noticing Erik standing straight at the top of the stairs, eyeing her suspiciously.
- What are you doing there? Listening again?- She attacked, feeling it was the safest thing to do, and maybe she could make the boy afraid of her.
- Standing. - Erik responded matter of factly, gently lifting up Sasha to help her descend the stairs, which act the poor old dog wasn't able to do any more all by herself.
- Don't you have any more useful things to do? - Madeleine snapped.
- Currently no. You could give me an occupation, Mother, by explaining what did the priest do in my house?
- Whose house, you little snot? - Madeleine lifted up her hand to hit Erik, but changed her mind in the last minute. Erik gently put Sasha down and pet her fur by her ears.
- Go, my dear, try to take a walk. I help you if needed.
- I asked you to repeat the sentence about whose house were you referring to. - Madeleine out her hands on her hips, but did not dare to walk closer to Erik, who was now tall enough to reach up to her shoulder. Deep down in her heart she was afraid Erik might hit back one day in the not too far future.
- I am not arguing with you over something so trivial. I am the man of the house, you not having a husband and being only a woman. I am now old enough to replace broken windows and protect thehouse if needed. Who else should be the host, if not me? And I have the right to deny anyone I hate to enter, and I tell you it was the last time the priest was here.
These words were extremely frightening from the mouth of an eight-year old child with an angel's voice, which sounded both so unearthly powerful and demanding that the mother wasn't even able to yell at him, like how she usually did. She froze in her place and position and was trying to collect her thoughts regarding how to tell Erik about the news. What if he simply refuses to go? What if he attacks both her and the Father when he wants to take him away?
- Erik, I am sorry for what I have said. - She started the speech, hoping it will make him feel less angry and more cooperative.
- Are you ill? - Erik turned back to face her and leaned closer. - Take some laudanum and go to bed.
He was talking to her like he was an adult and she was the snotty child who was unable to take care of herself without his guidance. It annoyed her, but she did not show it.
- Why do you ask if I was ill? I feel well.
- I guessed as you have never apologized to me about anything before, so I presumed your sentence was due to delirious state of your mind.
- I was trying to be polite, Erik.
- Good.
Erik did not pay more attention to her, but was trying to locate Sasha, who was slowly walking around in the garden.
- Erik, what are you planning? - She started over the conversation.
- Why do you ask? - The boy did not turn to face her, only was listening. - Do you have any orders? Chores?
- No, not for today. I meant what were you planning to do with your life? When you grow up…
- I want to be an architect. You know it well.
- You need schooling to achieve that.
- I know. - Erik sighed with irritation. - It is you who prevent me going to school.
- What if you had the opportunity to go to school? - She asked temptingly.
Erik turned towards her and walked a few steps closer, and for the first time in long months, Madeleine was able to see hope and happiness shining in his mismatched deformed eyes.
- Nothing would give me more joy. - He stated with a presumable smile, thankfully hidden from her eyes by his mask.
- Even if it meant you needed to leave the house?
- I don't mind leaving this place. - Erik shrugged, nearly dropping this sentence at her, casually.
- What if you couldn't even come back in holidays?
- I would not even want to once I am freed from here. - Erik's honesty kicked Madeleine in the very heart, she knew he did not like living with her, but she would not think the boy seemingly did not show any more affection and longing towards her like when he was smaller.
- There will be a time when you are going to cry for me yet, Erik, and wished you were still here in this house. - She spat out with hurt feelings and ego.
- I doubt it. - Erik replied coldly. - When shall I leave?
- Next week. - Madeleine barked with an unfriendly expression. - The sooner the better.
- I agree.
Erik walked upstairs to pack his most necessary belongings, even though he still had a week to prepare. The sooner he finishes packing, the sooner he might leave the house.
Packing wasn1t easy, as he later was informed about there were only limited things he could take with himself, as he had limited storage at school. Only one nightstand and a drawer. Not much, but the most necessary things will fit. He finally decided to take his most favorite books, including the one about ventriloquism he received as an only Birthday present from Mlle Perrault, a few most favorite sheet musics, some architectural works, art albums and some sheets of paper so he will have supply for drawing for a time. He was told not to pack clothes as he was going to receive them from the school, but he packed some masks so he will have more to wear if one happens to get dirty or accidentally ripped.
In the morning of the departure he was standing at the gate, holding a suitcase and his violin case, eagerly waiting for the coach to take him away from the place of his sufferings.
Madeleine walked to him from behind, and called out to him.
- Erik…
The boy turned to face his mother for one last time, and with surprise he saw she was holding something towards him.
- What's that?
- Take it. - Madeleine replied, showing him a pocket watch.
Erik did not believe his eyes. He was asking for an own watch for years, but Mother never granted his wish, saying he would disassemble it in no time, just like hers. Erik was hurt by that silly statement. She should know it was a long time ago when he did that and he was now able to reassemble any watch he wanted to.
- Why do I receive this?
- It was your father's. - Madeleine replied dryly. - Take care of it.
- I will. - Erik bowed to her politely. - Thank you.
He took the watch and attached it to his waistcoat, looking at it with a touched expression.
Madeleine wanted to say something nice to her son, as she felt it was the last time they saw each other. He was going to leave and go to a boarding school long long miles away, and it was unlikely she will ever visit him and he will never ever come back for holidays either. The hard thing was she did not know what to say without sounding awkward. "I love you" is simply a lie and Erik would be aware of it. What to say to a child you never truly loved, only pitied slightly?
- Be a good boy. - She said finally, trying her best to look into his eyes. - Don't bring a shame on my name.
- I will try my best. - Erik responded seriously.
- That is the most we could pray for. - She agreed.
- Mama…
It was the first time in years Erik used the word "Mama" again, he did not call Madeleine that since he grew out of early childhood, he only addressed her "Mother" lately.
- Yes? - Madeleine looked down at him, waiting for what he had to say.
Erik fell silent again for a few seconds. He wasn't sure mother wanted to hear any parting words from him, and the words "I love you" sure wouldn't mean anything to her when she hated him. Why to make anyone miserable here by saying melodramatic good-bye sentences?
- Please take care of Sasha and tell her I am sorry I can't take her with me. I told her already but…
- I will. - She replied shortly, putting a cap on Erik's head to protect him from the rain which started falling.
The coach arrived with Father Mansart inside. When Erik noticed the priest he made a face and nearly did not get in, but his urge to go to school finally defeated his hatred towards the traitor, and he climbed inside with a sigh. He looked out of the window once more to store Mother's picture in his memory forever, and waved to her for one last time.
- Take care. - Madeleine told him sadly.
- Will do. - Erik nodded. - Adieu, Mother.
As the coach parted, Madeleine did not know why, but she was unable to walk inside the house until the road was empty again in front of her and she could no longer see even a small dot or shadow of the carriage any longer. She whispered nearly inaudibly in front of herself:
- Adieu Erik.