In a Crowd But All Alone
By: Hordak's Pupil
Erik
"Midnight," I said taking out my watch smiling. It is time for death to stalk the masquerade. I walked down the grand staircase as the last chime of the bell had signaled the hour. The crowd gasps in terror was they behold me. They whisper 'le fantôme' as I reach the foyer.
Men stand behind their women as if they could fend my off. How I yearn to touch someone like that to feel their love. Yet the only emotion people feel is disgust and hated but here Erik may come and go and he pleases. The crowd shrinks to the walls in terror.
"C'est le fantôme. Un toast aux m..." a drunk said racing up to me but I grab his wrist and throw him to the ground. The revelers gasp in terror as I make my through the sea of people. A lone man in the corner watches me intently through his gold Egyptian mask. I know you are there Abdul but even you shall not stop me.
The crowd cling to the well lest the hem of Red Death's cape touch and infect them. "Ah Messieurs Moncharmin and Richard," I walk over to the sniveling managers. They tremble in fear of me. "We need to discuss my salaire," I said as they look at me confused. "I have still not received my 20,000 francs as per my instructions."
"Extorqueur," Frimin said going to grab my collar but I seize his hand. "I will personally unmask you and have the Sûreté take you...," I warn him that I will not be so merciful the next time and pat the scabbard hanging from my belt. I ask him if I am being clear, "cristal."
I move away from my dear friends to the serving table. I take a glass of wine and take a sip. "ce vin est subpar," no doubt dut to M. Richard's stinginess. I hear some one approaching. A couple wearing domino masks. They begin to talk about what happened the night at Perros.
"Who was playing the vioin that night?" the man asked but the woman placed a finger on his lips. Oh Christine how I wish you would touch me like that. All I want is to feel a woman's touch in love not the coldness of death. "But what about the vision I saw in the church," she assures that he was hallucinating due to tiredness.
I cannot bear to watch that wretch touch her fair skin so I race out of the room. Someone yells that I should not be allowed to escape but I push them out of my way and race up the steps to the rooftop.
"Où vas-tu Erik?" A voice said as I turned around on the steps to find Abdul removing his gold mask. "I asked you a question." I sighed and told him not now. "You were going to harm the boy." I ask him why he must torment me now. "It is your own soul that is tormenting you. You made a vow to me that you would not harm anyone."
"Tu es une vraie douleur mon cher ami" I said pushing to the ground and making my way up the steps, All I could think of is those two in a loving embrace. Her hands on his face. "Out!" I screamed like a madman as I felt the cold winter air hit my tear stain face. "Comment as-tu pu me faire ça Christine?" I said reclining in Apollo's arms. "Why Christine Why," I shouted covering my face. "This damned face! Hellish shadow!" Hell that is what is- Hell. To be in a sea of people and still be an island. A specter haunting the living reaching out to touch only to find that I cannot.
"All I want is to be loved to touch a woman," I sobbed looking up to Heaven in confusion. I began to think that of that pompous microbe touching my beloved. "I shall make that speck pay for touching her." I smiled thinking back to the Rosy Hours and the suffering I inflicted upon the Shah's enemies. That would be pleasant compared to what M. Vicomte will endure. "Yes, he will regret the day he heard the name Erik. "Je vous promets M. de Chagny que vous paierez pour cela," I laughed madly dreaming of my foe's demise.