Chapter Three
I hurried along the road, trying not to think of what I had just done. Once I reached the Hotel, I spotted Peter. He was speaking to the receptionist from the lobby in french. Peter's back was turned to me, but the man saw me, and motioned to Peter. I saw him turn and I expected him to be angry, or relieved but instead he merely smiled. Though I had been gone for a few hours, but he couldn't have been up for very long. I couldn't tell what they had been saying since I was too far away. We walked to each other, closing the distance.
"Where did you go? I got your note." I hesitated, but I told him everything. He had a small frown on his face when I finished my story.
"Why on earth did you go there without telling me?! And this Erik fellow, what is his surname, and why was he here either?!" Peter continued on lecturing. It seemed he was always lecturing me, he was only a few years older than me. He's 26 and I'm only a year younger than him. We have been nearly inseparable since first we met as children. That's probably why I'm as mature as I am, with him as my constant companion. I stiffened my back and looked Peter in the eye.
"I went to the passageway behind the theater, because I found it strange that there was a random passage there, and if I had told you, you would have attempted to stop me. As for his surname, I don't know, but he will tell me soon enough. And finally, I believe he lives there, as the place was furnished beautifully." I had purposefully left the kiss from my story. Peter eventually gave up on his lecturing, and tended to my head. It wasn't as bad I had thought. He continued to grumble as he placed a wet cloth against the light wound.
Afterwards, Peter wrote to his love in London. Her name is Elizabeth, but I call her Lizzie. Peter calls her Dear, Love, and occasionally, Liz. Lizzie is a pretty girl, with her platinum blonde hair and her sky-blue eyes. Peter with his light brown hair and dark green eyes, makes them a lovely couple. Dear Lizzie is away at school in London, and they haven't seen each other since the end of summer. As far as I can guess, she is about the same age as the girl we saw sing last night.
"I wish to meet this Erik." I turned quickly in my chair to face him. He took off his reading glasses.
"Preferably today." He added. I should've known he was going to say that.
"Do we have to?" I asked, trying to sound casual. Peter glared at me, and that was all of an answer I needed.
"Let's go then." I groaned. I got up, and went to grab my cloak, but it was gone. I must have left it somewhere. The memory of when I last had it is a bit fuzzy. I grabbed my shawl instead. We then left at a healthy clip, and more quickly than I wished, we reached the passage. In my head, I prayed that Erik would forget or not mention the fact that I had kissed him. Peter pushed me gently to the opening of the passage.
"Go on." He said, motioning me forward. I took a deep breath, and stared into the darkness. Starting forward, we walked all the way to the lake (I had grabbed one of the torches on the wall to light our way). There was no boat in sight, so Erik must be here. I shouted his name across the water, and heard his answer.
"Erik, I'm back!" Soon, the light of his lantern glowed across the lake. I instantly smiled fondly when I saw it. After a few minutes, he had reached us. I felt Peter tense up beside me.
"He's at least forty!" He hissed in my ear. I lightly slapped his leg, and smiled at Erik.
"You called?" He said, his left eyebrow rising. "Who is he?" I introduced Peter, who had a queer look on his face, and he shook Erik's hand. He was staring at Erik's mask. While Peter's left hand was shaking Erik's, his right hand was sneaking up. My eyes widened with shock at Peter's audacity. I cried out, but was too late, and he snached the mask off. I only caught a glimpse of the disfiguration, before Erik turned with a roar. Peter stepped back, his shock evident on his pale face.
"YOU WICKED BOY!" Erik yelled, and went to grab the mask, but Peter stepped back again. I reached out to the two men, but I couldn't stop Erik's fist colliding with Peter's face. I gasped as Peter stumbled back. Shouting, he launched himself at Erik, who dodged, but not without tripping. Peter tried to grab him, but he rolled out of the way. I had to stop this before someone got seriously hurt.
"Stop it you fiends!" I yelled, slamming my foot down. The two men paused, panting. I rushed over to inspect the damage. Peter's eye was black and swollen, but I made him help Erik up, which nearly caused another fight. Erik was fine, except for a few bruises.
"You utter beasts! You could have killed each other!" I spotted two stools and pushed the men onto them. Peter's face was emotionless (yet slightly guilty), but Erik was still mad. They refused to look at each other. I huffed at their childishness. I searched for where Peter had thrown the mask. Erik had been holding a hand over his face. Finding it fairly quickly, I- with Erik's consent- gently fastened the mask into its place. He smoothed his hair after, and gave me a quick grateful smile.
"Now, no more fighting." I ordered, looking more at Peter. They glanced at each other, then nodded. After one more stern look, I let them up. We stood there, in an awkward silence.
"I think you two should go." Erik said stiffly, straightening his suit. I felt my heart break as he said this, and tried my best to keep a neutral expression as he walked us back. I couldn't look him in the eye as we said farewell. Once we were out of eye and ear shot, I lost my control and started to sob. Peter wrapped his arms around me as I cried into his shoulder.
