Fantom de Gang

Chapter One

The Man in the Black Mask

1975

It was such a great loss. He stood over their coffins, eyes filled with tears that was ready to stream down his face. He had placed his hat over his heart as he did his best not to break down. Not now, he told himself. Wait till it's over. He couldn't keep his eyes away from them, his parents. Both wrinkled from their old age of 70 and 78. His mother dressed in a white dress that she loved so much. The memory of her wearing it mostly white dresses came to his mind. The smile she always wore whenever she knew his father was watching her dance in that white dress. A light blush on her cheeks when she catches him on the act. His father was dress in a black suit along with his mask that covered half of his face. Both of them had their eyes closed. He had wished that they would open. That they weren't really gone.

He wanted to hear his mother singing again with his father playing the piano. Him and his sibling sitting there in front of them as they sang together. It was one of his favorite memories of his parents. Eyes on each other as if they were in a trance together. 'An angel of music, your mother is.' his father's voice rang in his head. It was the pet name his mother was called by every single day. It never failed to make her flustered.

A dainty hand placed itself on his arm to bring him back to reality. Yes, the cold, harsh reality that they were gone from his life forever. He looked down to see his wife of 48 years next to him, a deep frown on her thin lips. There were tears in her blue eyes as well. Her sniffles could be heard from out of the room. He automatically put an arm around her to bring her comfort as always. Something his mother always taught him to do for your special someone. At the thought of his mother made him shudder with a silent sob. Then there was his father, covered in that mask he never once took off in public. Only in private around the people he trust the most in his life which wasn't very many now that he thought about it. Just around him and his other siblings.

"I miss them as well, Gustave." His wife whispered out to him. She had her head buried into his chest as she continued to cry. Her voice shook just as much as her body. He let out soothing sounds to her with his hand rubbing her back. They swayed side to side to calm down.

Faintly, Gustave could hear the other visitors coming in through the door. All were silent and wearing a face of grief when seeing the two in their coffins. There were not many people. Only friends and family could come to visit. Gustave saw his other siblings come in with their spouses. Their arms clinging onto to them like their life depended on it. His youngest sister carried her two month baby in her arms, hugging him as she cried silently. His little brother looked like he was barely hanging on to life as he came in the room. His grip on his wife was tight, but she didn't seem to mind. She had a frown on her face as well. Then he saw aunt Meg soothing his other three siblings. Her grey hair pulled back from her face. She wore a black dress that came to her feet. Pearl earring on her ears, along with pearl necklace, that made her skin glow somehow. She kept whispering words to their ears. No doubt words of comfort and reassuring that their parents had always loved them.

One man with grey hair, pulled back, came up first. The old man wore a suit appropriate to this occasion. He walked with a cane in his hand. Each step he took a tapping followed after him. He leaned forward a bit to keep his back to be in any pain. One he thought he never go to. The old man had always thought that he would die first. Gustave shook his head, nodding his head in greeting to him.

"Thank you for coming today, Uncle." Gustave said in a low tone. Brown eyes ready to burst any moment. The old man smiled sadly. A few wrinkles showing as he did this. All around his mouth and eyes. There was a few freckle on his forehead. The old man raised a hand shaking his head to them. A chuckled was heard from him.

"I would not miss this for the world, son. You know that me and you father were close friends since we were small boys." He spoke. His voice was shaky from his old age. Those wrinkled eyes traveled over to the masked man that laid peacefully then over to the woman that was the love of his friend's life. His black eyes stayed focused on the two as he pursed his lips together. Gustave and his wife watched him move up to the coffins, struggling a bit. The wife then decided to greet the visitors while Gustave continue on having his grief to work with. Gustave watched the old man placing a ring covered hand on the chest of his father.

"I guess I lost my bet old friend. And hadn't got to pay ya after all these years. Great friend I was, huh?" The pain that resonated from his was heart wrenching. Slowly, he took the dead man's hand up, placing a ring on one of the fingers. A few scars were there from their childhood together. The old man grinned at the memories of those times. Just kids trying to survive the harsh world. Those times were his treasure. The ring that was put on was silver, a red ruby sparkled under the lighting of the room. It was big as well, taking most of the finger to his middle knuckle. There was something engraved on it that Gustave could not read. He knew it was in cursive.

He tried to lean forward to read it, but his uncle blocked his view. Then he pulled away thinking best not to invade his moment with his father. He glanced over at the other people in the room. They were talking to one another about his parents. He saw his children confronting their mother as she cried once again. Gustave looked back to his uncle who just got done with what he was doing. A tired sigh could be heard. Shoulders slumped down with grief. He spoke once again, but this time in a whisper.

"Uncle?" Gustave called out to him. The old man turned when hearing this, that goofy smile that hides all the pain he felt. Something he always did while he was growing up with the old man knew as his uncle. His father had told him the moment he understood things more. He learned his uncle took a lot of things to heart, and plays them off with jokes and acting like a goof. Gustave grunted at this, knowing exactly what he was doing. The old man knew was well. But one can cry so much before getting too tired to continue on.

"Let's get this party started, eh?" Gustave couldn't say anything to him. He walked away before he even form a word in his head. Yes, what a great loss for everyone here. Five children became parentless, and few friends lost their family for the rest of their lives. They had the funeral. The priest gave the word to everyone, speaking of words of assurance to them that they were in a better place. Gustave's wife nodded along with everything he said. Her mumbling voice was faintly heard as well. Speeches were spoken by almost everyone. Some long, other short and simple. Then they had the burial by late noon. They all stood before the dug up ground that had both of the coffins. His uncle was right beside him to watch the two men put the dirt in.

"Good bye old friend. I'll see you when I get there. Try not to start the party until then." His uncle has spoken in a low tone of amusement and sadness.

Everyone now sat in his house. The living area already crowded by adults and small children. Gustave's sat by aunt Meg as she told them a story about her best friend Christine. The great moments that both had in the past. The other children were on the ground. A few didn't bother and played with their toys. His brothers and sister were chatting about their time with them. What memory they were most fond of. Gustave had just listen to them as his wife slept on his shoulder. She was exhausted with all the crying she did today.

"Yes, I remember that." He heard his aunt Meg say in a giggling tone. "She would not stop talking about it. Would have driven me up the wall had it been someone else. Your grandmother was quite a shy person then. Took grandpapa almost a year before actually courting her." She laughed as well as everyone else that knew his parents well. He gave a face of confusion as he heard this.

"What was this?" He questioned them. His uncle chuckled a bit.

"Has your mother and father ever tell you guys about how they met?" Gustave and the rest of his siblings shook their heads. His wrinkled eyes went confused by this. "Really? I would have thought your mother to tell the story over and over. I'm surprised." His uncle leaned back in his chair. Putting an arm around aunt Meg with a expression that told he was in deep thought. Maybe remembering the time.

"They just told us that it was a long story." His littlest sister replied to him. A chuckle was sounded from both old people.

"Well, that is true enough." Meg hummed out lost in thought for a moment. Aunt Meg then gasped in glee, eyes lighting up. She beamed while clasping her hands together. They all knew why she was excited. A story to tell that no one heard of. It's her favorite thing to do for the little ones.

His uncle patted her hand gently gaining her attention. "Don't get too excited dear. We don't want to scare the grand kids." Meg scoffed at him.

"Oh, hush you." She smacked his thigh gently. He grinned at her with mischief. "I finally have a story I can tell. One Christine and Erik hadn't told to them." She explained as she straighten herself in her chair. "Relax now children, I am about to tell you a wonderful love story of Christine and Erik." Meg began in a soothing tone that intrigued everyone in the room. Even the small babies that were playing their toys began listening to her with interest. Gustave smiled at this, happy to learn how his parents met so many years ago. He just leaned back carefully to get confrontable. Holding his wife close.

1921

It was the roaring twenties that everyone's life began a new. Women exploring their own rebellious stage by wearing skirts that showed off their ankles and legs. Their hair cut short and neatly done. Men were enjoying the new side of what these women were doing. Finding that they liked the courageous types. They were even exploring life themselves. Wanting a small taste of that illegal drinks. Taking a habit of smoking. They even went as far as joining the dangerous life to get a thrill. Of course there were few who did not find this way of life acceptable at all. Older women and men that grew up with traditions and strict rules for society.

But it didn't matter to her. Not like she was able to afford any of the clothes the other women were wearing. Or the makeup that makes them beautiful beyond words. Christine could barely afford to get her hair cut off. The long curls that bounced with each step she took on the side walk. And she was fearful of cutting it off herself. Her brown eyes watched with envy as she walked pass them on the street. They clanged to a wealthy looking man, both laughing about something. Christine had thought of wanting to be like them. She would then look down at herself and then thought better of it. She wouldn't been able to look good in those clothes anyways.

The young woman was on her way to her friend's apartment. Her skirt covering all of her legs, and a long sleeve blouse that had a coat over it to keep herself warm from the chilly air. Brown curly hair that stopped to her back and swayed with the October breeze. Yes, October. The month of the start of fall season. Where the leaves began to change red, orange, and yellow. The sun giving a nice soft hue over everything. Christine let out a smile as she recalled the scenery that she was in just moments ago. Her heart raced with that glee. All pervious thoughts were gone by then.

Her brown eyes traveled up. First catching the tall towers of buildings. Kissing the clear blue sky. No clouds to ruin her day. Then her eyes closed to enjoy that breeze. To enjoy this small happiness that she was given. She couldn't tell anyone how grateful she was at the time. The heels of her shoes tapped in a quick rhythm. Rushing to get to the building. She couldn't wait to tell Meg, her best friend since childhood.

When the small building came to view, she paused. It was just built not too long ago. 7 years ago in fact. White trimming with a grey hue on the walls. Many windows. The bushes were neatly trimmed. Lamp post every few feet from each other. Christine admired the look of the place. Hoping one day she would get to live in such of an apartment. Yes, she hope. Then she looked both ways of the busy road. People walking across as well. There was some cars parked on the side of the road. Walking across and making certain she didn't get ran over by anyone. She skipped to the other side, running through the doors. Heat met her face first. It made her sigh out in satisfaction. Shoulders relaxed itself.

A deep chuckle echoed from the right of her. It caused her to look over to see the old man. He sat at his desk in front of the office. His uniform clean and unwrinkled. His job was to open doors for the people. He was about to stand from his seat before she came in. She blushed when realizing that she just went straight in. Christine never had this at where she lives. The building was too poor for that kind of thing to begin with. "Good evening, Mr. Howard." Christine greeted in a soft voice. The man tipped his uniform hat.

"And to you as well. Going to see Megan this evening?" He asked her politely. She nodded her head to this, humming out approval. She walked to the fire place across the room first. Her hands began to warm up. She couldn't stay still for a second. The giddiness making her want to jump and scream with joy. The news she carried was so important to her. "You seem very happy today. I assuming something big happened." Christine laughed at this, shrugging as her answer. It was big to her. Nothing like this has ever happened to her before.

Christine went to the stairs, running up. Leaving Howard to chuckle once again, shaking his head at her. Such a sweet young lady that one was. Very shy, but very kind to others. He was always happy to see her come over. He went back to sit again, reading the newspaper that lay over the desk.

The stairs were made of wood. Each step making a creating sound under the weight of her foot. She ran up three flight of stairs before opening a door that led to a hallway. Several doors were lined on each side of the hall. Lights hanging from the ceiling to help people see that hallway better. She walked quickly past the first few doors. Hearing some voices as she passed them. Christine made a halt to one door. '327' is read on the plaque that was screwed to the door. The numbers in a golden color while the plague was black. The door was a deep brown. Shining under the small light. Christine didn't waste anymore time.

She knocked on the door loudly in a repeated pattern. She jumped a few times while she waited. "Meg. It's me. I have great news to share." Christine called out. She banged on the door once more. This time more loudly than the last. It was certain that the neighbors could hear her.

Another moment the door opened to reveal an annoyed Meg. Blonde hair tied half way up. It almost met her shoulders, perfect length to do finger waves. The latest hair style. Blue eyes that stared at her best friend with clear order to keep it down. Christine giggled out and blushed at this. "Christine, keep it down. My neighbors will come out screaming at us." Meg's voice was low, but stern. She had pulled the brown hair girl in, looking on both ends of the hallway. Then she closed the door behind her, letting out a sigh of relief. Christine was still standing on her feet, or rather jumping on her feet. She still had that smile on. She wondered what happened to cause her to be this excited. "Well, what is it then? The news?" Meg clarified to her. They moved to the green couch to over looked the window. Showing a view of the street Christine was just on.

"Oh, Meg. It was the most wonderful thing that could happen." Christine started off in a dream like state. Recalling all the words he had spoken to her. "Do you remember that boy we knew a long time ago? Philp?" Meg wanted to scoff at the mention of his name. She didn't like the boy at all when they were children. Hated him even more when they started their preteen age. Meg was glad that he had to move to France with his father that he just met at the time.

"Yes, I do remember him. What about him?" Christine almost squealed.

"Well, he just moved back to New York. He told he tracked me down to ask me on a date." Meg felt her heart stop at this. No. He couldn't be back. He shouldn't have come back. She was shelled shocked for a minute while Christine was explaining how he had asked her and where they were at when it occurred. "It was the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me. Are you even listening to me?" Christine questioned with a laugh. Meg had frown when she returned to reality. She was quick to get up from the couch to walk to the other side of the small table in front of them. The poor girl was getting nervous about her friend's reaction. She had hoped for her to be just as excited as she was.

Meg had paused then turned to face her. "I am assuming you said yes to this date." She stated out the fact. Christine has always had a crush on Philip. Meg knew from the start of their friendship with him. The blushes each time he looked at her. The stuttering voice she made whenever he had touched her hand while they were doing something. Meg would have wanted them to be together, but she knew better. After a certain incident with him, she knew that he wasn't as he seem to be. Her blue eyes took notice of how Christine was becoming now with her response. "Would you like some coffee? Tea?" Meg asked while heading for the kitchenette.

"No. I'll be fine." Christine politely decline. However, she stood to follow her there. Wanting to know why Meg was acting strange. "What's wrong? You seem tensed all of a sudden." She watched her friend pull out the kettle and coffee beans.

"It's just I was not expecting him to be back. I thought when he moved that he would stay there." Meg told honestly. But never the whole truth to her. Christine wouldn't be able to handle the truth about him. And Meg doesn't want to see her be broken. Ever since her mother died, she was never the same as before. Not as lively one could say if they had known her. Christine then jumped to a conclusion that Meg might have wanted to be with Philp instead. She couldn't blame her. Philip is so sweet and kind. And Meg is beautiful. "Don't you even think I want a date with him." Meg's voice sounded to her ear. She saw what she was thinking on her face. Meg was always able to read her mind. Something Christine knew she needed to get better at.

"Then why aren't you excited?" Christine heard a sigh. A sigh of confession. What on earth could that be? Meg finished with filling the kettle with water placing it the burner. Trying to stall on what she really wanted to say to her best friend, her sister. There was no why around it for her. She would have to really say what she thought about Philip. The man who was sick to her. Meg turned around to face a worried face of her friend. Christine clutched her hands together.

She went to sit down in front of her. She took those clasped hands of hers in her own. Meg gave a soft smile to her. "Well, I worry for you. You know he went to France many years ago. People change a lot within a few years. And sometimes that change isn't always good." Meg told in a low tone. Christine nodded at her words. Change. He could have changed when he was over there with his father. There was rumor of what he did for a living. Christine didn't believe a word of it however.

"But what if it is good?" She replied to her. Meg frown at this. "And he seemed just like always from when we were kids." Meg heard the kettle whistle loudly. A cue of this conversation being finished. Meg jumped up from the chair, rushing over to it. Christine stayed where she was as she thought about what Meg told her. He could have changed. Christine was also the one to see the good in everyone. Something that scared Meg. She looked over her shoulder to find Christine tap her fingers on the table.

With a silent sigh, Meg poured the water in the mug. "Do you have anything to wear to this date?" The way Christine lite up made Meg want to cry and smile. Her first date with someone.

Later

The lights were bright in her eyes. She looked at them with a smile on her face. Her arm were linked within his arm. A lot of people were here as well, waiting out the doors. Meg had given her a light pink dress that came to an end at her calf. A lot more skin than she was use to showing. It made her mindful a bit of everyone seeing. There was also a white coat that she managed to get not too long ago earned with the money she worked for. It was long and warm. Laughter filled the cool air along with smoke from their cigarettes. Christine then looked over to Philip that was reading over the pamphlet that was received for this show.

"What is it that we will see?" Christine asked him looking over the small paper.

"A small play. One I believe you might enjoy." He told her. Christine smiled at him. She then looked around some more. It was then she heard a group of men behind them. She glanced over her shoulder seeing most of them wearing dark suits. All were having the pleasure of cigars and cigarettes. They were speaking amongst themselves. There was one that caught her attention the most. A man wearing a black mask. Tall and dark from what she can tell. Her eyes linger on him like it does to on a rainy day. Watching the rain drop into a puddle.

Suddenly, the man turned his head over to her. His eyes of a rough sea. A sea that she didn't mind drowning in. His stare was hard, but wasn't cold. He looked her up and down while taking a cigar in his mouth. Her breath hitched a bit. Her heart racing. Not a feeling she had before, not even with Philip. Then he looked away giving her the moment to look away as well. Philip then glanced over to her with a smile, causing her to smile as well.

They were sitting now waiting for the actors and actress to come out for their play. Philip had his arm around her as she wiggled with excitement. Her eyes shifting from left to right. Taking in every detail of the theatre and the stage. The red curtains drawn closed. People filled in very row of seats. Christine looked up at the boxes seating, taking note of the group of men there closer to the stage. Where the man in a black mask sat. His smile appeared on his face and a man patter his shoulder. She wonder what his laughter sounded like, or his voice. Christine then forced her eyes away knowing that she shouldn't think such thoughts. She was on a date with Philip. She likes Philip very much.

She turned over to him. "Excited?" She asked him. He hummed out to her looking at her as he moved a bit of her hair away from her face.

"Always, red Lottie." He told her. A nickname he had given to her since a young age. Christine's mother use to put red ribbons in her hair all the time. There was a day when she lost one at the park and cried when she couldn't find it. Philip was the one to come to her holding it in his tiny hand. That cute smile that made her blush.

Christine laughed with him when remembering that time they first met. Then the curtains were then pulled apart. The show beginning. Christine took one last glance over to the man with the mask. Finding him glancing back when feeling her stare. She breathed in a bit then face the stage. Seeing the men and women singing. Lovely chorus that rang in everyone's ears. Christine always loved music. Her mother use to sing to her every night and day. Christine remembered a time where her father had played the violin while mother sang along.

She had closed her eyes for a moment, taking in all the beautiful voices that she was hearing. When her eyes opened she had caught the eyes of the stranger she noticed outside. His cigar still light up. The smoke rising in the air. His gaze was like nothing she ever seen before. And she would be lying if she didn't say she liked it. She even gave him a smile and nod to him in simple greeting. This made the man seem surprised then turned away from her.

It was an hour later that Philip decided that he needed to get up. Christine had jumped in surprise by this. Her eyes filled with question for him as to why he was getting up. He leaned over to her ear. "I'll be right back." He told her. Christine nodded her head to this. A smile on her face as he left her. She leaned back to keep watching the play. It was almost done.

The play still went on. She waited for him. Even when the play was close to the end. She began to worry now. She glanced around, having missed the stranger's stare. Her leg bounced while her hands clasped together tightly. A nervous habit pf biting her bottom lip came when she was a child. She chewed on it as she kept glancing over to the double doors. Was he alright? Did he get sick? Did he leave her? Christine sighed at this. Trying not to get ahead of herself. When the play was done, the actors and actress had bowed to the audience, Christine got up and rushed out to find him. She had to slip through everyone that was walking out.

She searched wherever she could. Even asked bravely to where he might have gone. Finally, she was outside. She held onto the coat she was wearing. She walked to an alley way, catching three figures in the dark. All were smoking and were whispering. However, she did recognized one figure. That one being Philip. He stood with his back facing her. He seemed tense and the way his hands were moving had her concern.

"Philip." She called out worriedly. He turned around when hearing his name. His expression one that was filled with shock and anger. This made her freeze in her place. He walked up to her in steady strides. "Philip? Are you alright?" She asked him when he was close enough.

"You should leave." He told her. Christine choked at this. Shocked by his behavior.

"What?" She asked him confused. She shook her head a bit trying to understand why he was like this all of a sudden. She glanced over his shoulder to see the other two figures watching them. Both pairs of eyes intense that made her want to fall in fear. They were dangerous she could tell. It made her wonder why Philip was speaking to such people to begin with.

"Go." He commanded her. She jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Will you tell me why?" She asked him. Everyone was now looking over to them. Philip looked over at everyone then her. A grin that was so evil. Christine stepped back from him. How could he act like this? Why? That sweet Philip that she knew from her childhood seem to no longer exist when seeing his cold eyes. She even followed his gaze to find other people watching them. She grew uneasy at that moment.

He chuckled a bit. He shook his head at her and Christine shrunk at the sound. "It's funny." He laughed some more. His arms folded together. His body leaning against the brick wall of the theatre. "That you would think that I would want to court you." He spoke loudly. Christine stiffen at this. Her eyes going down. There were some people mumbling at the scene. Christine did her best to hold her tears in.

"Then why take me out?" She questioned him. Her voice shook. Philip was then the one to stiffen at this. But his grin never left his face. She wanted to cry then and there. She couldn't believe how stupid she was to think that she might have something with him, or any man for that matter. She waited for him to answer her. Her heart racing, wanting to escape this torture.

"I wanted some entertainment tonight." He replied to her. "And I still am not entertained." He told her. A fit of giggles was heard from girls that was near by. It was like she couldn't speak again. Her heart broken into million pieces. Then he brought his friends over to him. Christine looked in fear. What was he going to do? The men were as tall as Philip. Both were twins she could tell. Black hair the was pulled back and a suit that was a tad dirty. Their hats in their hands while the other was holding a cig.

The group of people were watching now. All were laughing a bit. Christine had given Philip a pitiful look. One that he hadn't seen in a long time. "Philip." She whimpered out.

Philip laughed again. "Come on ladies. We are free tonight." He called out. They ran up to them in fits of giggles. Christine felt a tear coming down her cheek at this. "Good bye Philip. I pray that we will meet again. Under different situations I hope." She told him. Philip didn't reply as he walked away with the ladies and the twins. Her lips trembled at this.

Christine knew tears were streaming down now. She felt too numb to care anymore. The boy that she once knew was now gone. He was no longer kind. He was no longer Philip to her. She didn't notice the stranger with the mask walked up to her. Christine jumped when feeling a cloth on her cheek.

She looked up to the mask stranger. He held a white cloth in his hand. His eyes hard, but she knew that he was concern about her. She couldn't tell you why she knew that. His demeanor screamed darkness and demand for you to stay away from him. Was is how his eyes stayed only with her eyes? Could it be by the way his body spoke out to her? Christine was just at a lost of words for it. He then placed it in her hands for her to keep. She gave a nod of thanks to him. He nodded back then walked away from her. She watched him go. He was more taller up close than she thought. Christine decided to go home then. She wanted to go to sleep now. And pretend that it was only a dream. A nightmare.