Here's a new book I've been working on. I've been hand writing all my chapters as of late. It works better for me that way than typing them up. Since I can't seem to keep a computer to save my life. This is my first POTO fanfic and I really want people to tell me what they think. I've been watching the movie alot lately and I think I've gotten most of the personalities right, between Antoinette and Erik at least.

Of Sweets and Darker Things

Summary-

"You don't know me Eclaire!" He shouted. "How can I not when we have the same face!?" She cried.

Disclaimer-

I do not own Phantom of the Opera or anything that goes with it. Though if I did, Christine wouldn't be so naive and Raoul would fall off a cliff.

Erik: You feel the same way too?

Me: of course! *hugs Erik* Though I hope you like Eclaire! She's awesome!

Eclaire: *glances over and smiles as she picks up a violin*

Erik: She plays the violin? *amazed*

Me: she used to...*grins*

Dark Chocolate (Paris 1870)

She braced herself against a wall as she rubbed her eyes. They were stinging from the smoke of the fire. She'd finally escaped from that prison. They house behind her continued to burn as she coughed and wheezed. Collapsing to her knees, she crawled out the open front door. Blood covered the left side of her face as she continued down the steps. She breathed in large gulps of fresh air and coughed. People gathered around as both male and female screams came from inside. Inside the burning mansion were her mother, father, sister, brothers, and kidnappers. She'd tried to rescue her family but the fire had already spread. She reached the final step and turned to watch the house burn and her family scream. Among the crowd that was gathering was Madame Antoinette Giry, an old family friend. She spotted the young girl and rushed to her.

"Eclaire!" Antoinette shouted, worry lacing her voice.

Eclaire turned her head and collapsed into the older woman's arms. She was safe now.

"Madame Giry."

Eclaire's voice was hoarse from smoke and she coughed a few more times. Tears poured from her eyes and she clutched onto the woman who held her. She cried then, her screams being the only ones now in the quiet winter air.

"Shh." Antoinette whispered rocking the crying woman.

Eclaire's heart ached as it sank in how that everyone she loved, her entire family, were now gone. she felt numb now as the tears stopped.

"I'm here now." Antoinette whispered.

If Antoinette Giry was to be her lifeline, someone she could cling to, she would grab hold and not let go. She felt cold and alone in the world, Bruised and broken. Her very soul felt weak. She'd spent a year in that prison of a home, waiting for the day she would be free, not knowing it would be like this.

"Don't leave me." Eclaire begged as Antoinette pulled back slightly.

"Never my dear. I won't leave you." Antoinette said as she pulled Eclaire tighter into her arms.

As she said that, Madame Giry's eyes scanned the crowd. Among the throngs of people, was a cloaked figure whom stepped forward and knelt next to her. Eclaire felt herself being lulled to sleep as she was lifted off the ground. A soft male's voice was in her ear as she curled, or at least tried to, closer to whomever held her.

"Erik, we need to go back to the opera house." Antoinette whispered.

"She's burned madame." Erik whispered as they walked.

"We'll summon a doctor as soon as we get back." Antoinette said without really listening.

"Antoinette!" Erik whispered harshly.

"What Erik?" She asked, turning to face him.

"She's badly burned! She needs one now!" He hissed.

Antoinette had been so distracted, she hadn't noticed. She now wished she'd noticed at once. They changed direction immediately.

~* Half an Hour Later *~

Erik hid in the shadows as the doctor spoke with Antoinette. His eyes looked to Eclaire and he wondered for a moment why anyone's mother would name her child after a French pastry. He only caught the end of the conversation.

"How bad is it?"

"Not as bad as first glance."

Silence.

"Will she be alright?"

"Her left eye is badly burned but that will scar over. She won't be able to see out of that eye anymore. After a few weeks I'll remove the bandages. Your free to take her home now madame."

Antoinette sighed in relief. She sat next to Eclaire and held her hand. The young woman laid there fast asleep.

"Before you go madame, who is she?" the doctor asked.

"She's Eclaire La'Court. Sole survivor of the La'Court Kidnapping." Antoinette said softly.

The La'Court Kidnapping had happened over a year ago. The Kidnappers had been sick men, calling themselves "Collectors of Fine Art and Money". They had originally planned to drain France of all money by kidnapping one of the most powerful, and wealthiest, families in the country.

The La'Courts.

Father Julius, mother Mariana, sons Luke and Heath, and daughters Abigail and Eclaire. Wide spread panic arose and months later the kidnappers snapped. They'd begun to torture the family. Screams could be heard, but nothing could be done. The entire country began to weep. Until someone saw the La'Court mansion go up in flames.

"She's the last of the La'Courts?" He asked.

"Yes." Madame Giry whispered.

Erik couldn't believe his hears. This young woman sleeping there was the last of the La'Courts. The only one left to run the La'Court bakeries and the Opera House. Her parents had been the patrons.

"My God! Does anyone else know?" the doctor asked, clearly stunned.

"No. I'd like for it to stay that way, till she's able to cope." Antoinette said quickly.

"Oui Madame." He said, packing his equipment.

"I'll take her home to the opera house now, Thank you doctor." Antoinette said.

The doctor bowed and left, letting Erik step out from the shadows.

"Let's return home Erik."

"Yes Madame." Erik said, lifting Eclaire into his arms.

I hope that was a good chapter. Erik is going to be the 2004 phantom. Cause Gerard Butler is awesome! I've been watching POTO for months now and I finally get to put up the first chapter of my new Fanfic! YAY!