Chapter 2: Whose is That Voice?

Erik opened his eyes to the sounds of sweet singing, he dressed and ventured down the hall hearing the sweet melody become stronger. He stopped outside the room of one of the elder ballerinas, there the sweet song stopped.

" Mademoiselle, please don't stop singing," Erik said

He watched her from a mirror that was opposite from her room. She looked about and then stopped.

" Monsieur, where are you?" she asked

" Outside your room Mademoiselle," he said

She sat down at her vanity and Erik looked at her brushing her hair out.

" Please, sing a sweet melody, your voice is pleasing to the ears," Erik said

" Thank you Monsieur," she said

She sang a song and Erik closed his eyes to her gentle voice as he listened. Her voice was untrained, but had the makings of a diva's voice if given the right lessons.

" Do you wish for me to sing again?" she asked

" No, all I ask is a name to put with this sweet voice," Erik replied

" Jacqueline Ambler," she replied

" Jacqueline, what a beautiful name to a newly blossomed rose," Erik said, " Your voice is very beautiful and needs some work, but if you give me time I will search for a teacher."

" Monsieur!" she exclaimed

" Please, a voice like yours belongs on stage," he said

He walked off and returned to his room, there he saw a white mask resting on his pillow. He walked to it and lifted it up into his hands, he traced it as it stared at him. He closed his eyes and placed the mask on, there without a warning, memories flooded his mind. He saw a man that wore the exact mask stare at him, reaching out towards him. He opened his eyes and stumbled back, but caught himself, he looked up in the mirror seeing his reflection.

" Who is that in the mirror?" Erik questioned, " It isn't me."

" Don't be afraid Erik, you have forgotten your past, a man that everyone feared. You were once the Phantom of the Opera,"

" Your lying," Erik said

He removed the mask quickly and threw it to the ground, the white mask slid feet from the foot of the bed. He breathed deep and covered his face as he tried to regain his mind.

" Who am I?" he whispered, " Who is this Phantom of the Opera?"

He fell to his bed and leaned forward holding his head in his hands. Someone knocked on the door and a soft voice came from the other side.

" Leave me alone," he called out

" Erik," Meg's voice replied

" Go away!" he shouted

Meg opened the door and looked at Erik, she saw him leaned over with his hands over his face. She saw the mask laying on the ground, feet from the bedside. She walked over to him gracefully and he looked up at her. She sat down beside him and grabbed his cold hands.

" Erik, your hands they're cold," Meg whispered

" Who was I in the past?" he asked, " What past have I forgotten?"

Meg looked at his pale face as she stroked it gently.

" Erik, your face it's white," Meg whispered

" Was I he?" he asked, " Was I the Phantom of the Opera?"

" No," Meg replied

Erik laid his head in Meg's lap and she stroked his head.

" Tell me Meg, what past did I live?" he asked

" Erik, you were a man of darkness before you came, guided with no light or hope. You were miss led and fell here into the arms of caring people," Meg whispered, " You are Erik."

Erik looked at her and she smiled at him, he sat up and nodded.

" Come now, let us be on our way and get to work. We have a show in one week," Meg said

Erik nodded and both rose, Erik grabbed her hand as she led the way, down to the stage. Erik went to work and hummed to himself, the was a certain sadness that still lingered, but he couldn't let that interfere.

By the afternoon, everything was set for opening night. Erik watched from one of the boxes as the performers rehearsed. He looked at the chorus girls and saw Jacqueline dancing and then remembered his promise to her. He was going to find her a tutor, but where would he find one?

" Erik, I see your watching the performance," Madame Giry's voice came

He turned around and looked at her, then nodded.

" What has drawn your attention?" Madame Giry asked

" There's a chorus girl, her name is Jacqueline. Her voice is beautiful and I have promised her, that I would find her a teacher," Erik answered

Madame Giry walked over and looked at Jacqueline and nodded.

" I have already been looking, there is none that suits a fine girl like that," Madame Giry said, " But one."

" Who?" Erik asked

Madame Giry looked at Erik and said, " You."

" Me?" Erik asked

" You, taught a young singer before, her name was Christine Daaé ," Madame Giry replied, " You were her Angel of music. Secretly tutoring her."

Erik sighed, then leaned his head down into his hands. He knew the name, but didn't remember her.

" I'm sorry, I don't remember her," Erik said, " I just can't seem to remember who anyone is."

" You will Erik, just don't stress," Madame Giry said, " It's all in time that it will come back."

Madame Giry smiled and gave Erik's shoulder a pat. She walked off and Erik closed his eyes as he listened to the delicate waltz.

" I want to remember, but there is something about remembering that makes me wonder," Erik thought

The evening was spent in his room ,reading and keeping to himself. A knock came on his door and he looked up.

" Erik," Meg's voice said

" Come in," he called

Meg opened the door, she walked in carrying a basket and some glasses. He sat up and as she shut the door. She walked over to him and sat down on his bed.

" I thought we could have some dinner together, it's not much, but its food. It's quiche and hot soup. I brought wine as well," Meg replied

" Mademoiselle, I would say you are trying to seduce me," Erik said with a smile

" Me? No, of course not," Meg said with a smile, " I'm just befriending you Erik…that is all, seduction comes later."

Erik smiled and Meg opened the basket, she laid out the two quiche, then pulled out the soup. Erik poured the wine and handed her a glass.

" Should I light more candles so we can see our food?" Erik asked

" Just a few," she replied

Erik got up and let a few, then sat down beside her. Meg looked at Erik as he sipped his wine.

" Erik, did you get the mask?" Meg asked

" Yes, but I don't need it," Erik replied, " I just don't feel I need it anymore."

" Free at last from hiding," Meg said

Erik nodded and they both ate, speaking here and there, but then there was total silence. Meg served up the soup and Erik looked at her, she looked down at her bowl.

" Meg, what's wrong?" he asked

" Nothing," Meg said, " I was just thinking."

Erik nodded and said, " I see, a woman's thoughts are something I dare not pry into."

" Sometimes you should know what they're thinking," Meg said

Erik finished the glass of wine, there he sat it down and Meg looked at him. She lifted the empty dishes and glasses, then sat them down in the basket.

" Thank you Meg," Erik said

" Your welcome, I thought you could use this special meal," Meg said, " You have been working extra hard."

" It's rather painful," Erik said

Meg smiled and sat down again and touched his face.

" Turn around Erik," she said

Erik looked at her and Meg told him to trust her. Erik turned around and Meg gently rubbed his back. He felt her soft touch and he relaxed as she massaged his aching muscles. Erik grabbed her hands and she looked at him, he turned to face her. She smiled and he raised her hands to his lips.

" Such a delicate touch," Erik whispered

" I am a ballerina," Meg whispered

Erik touched her face and she leaned her head into his hand. He stroked her cheek and then leaned to her, he kissed her on the lips and Meg kissed him back. They shared a surprised kiss then a lover's kiss, which lasted longer. Erik pulled away and Meg opened her eyes, she was shaking a little, but stopped.

" I'm sorry," he whispered

" No," she whispered

She leaned over and kissed him again and this time it was deeper. Erik returned the kiss by the young ballerina.

" Don't let her control you Erik,"

Erik pulled away and gave a sign of pain, he placed his hand on his head.

" She's going to lead you to a dead end Erik,"

" No, stop it," Erik whispered

" Erik?" Meg asked

" It's nothing, just a sudden headache," Erik said

Meg touched his cheek and said, " Rest Erik, you need your rest."

Erik looked at her and felt his head stop throbbing. He nodded and Meg kissed his cheek.

" Sleep well Erik," she said

She blew out some of the candles and then went on. Erik sighed and leaned back, he touched his head as he stared up.

" Whose is that voice?" Erik whispered, " Who calls me?"