Chapter Two: Active Imaginations

I strangely had been very intrigued by a man whom I was supposed to fear. Erik had a sort of intensity to him that I'd never seen before; he was very passionate. All was about his music or Christine. Though, he never mentioned his own personal history: why he lived in the cellar of the opera house, why he was alone, or even why his face bore that odd mask.

Erik had a certain darkness about him, though he never seemed fully distressed about it. He expressed how this darkness brought out his music: it stirred his imagination and was when he was creatively at his best.

After a while, I began to worry. How long had I been away? Surely Christine would take notice. This damp, dark cellar let out no hint as to if it was light outside, or if it was still night. Erik led me through the passageways, and I took note of every turn should I anticipate to return.

"Bella," Erik began, his voice still crystal clear, "I do hope you'll keep our meeting a secret from Christine, that is, for now."

As we arrived to the door leading out, I still hadn't answered. Erik grabbed my upper arm, startling me.

"Will you do me that one thing?" he asked again. I was having a debate in my head, for I rather like being stubborn and defying to show I am no one's dog. Then again, Erik's eyes were rather earnest.

"I suppose."

"You suppose or you will?" he prompted.

"I suppose I will."

With one last gracious grin, I twisted my arm from his hold and walked away from this opera house's phantom.

Walking through the halls, I noticed no trace of light from the windows. I was glad, for that meant it was still night. Then again, I couldn't see a thing, so I walked along the walls, feeling them for indication of where I was. I slammed my foot against something.

"Ow!" I cried squeezing my eyes shut from the pain. When I opened them again, I noticed something. Light. I looked ahead, noticing my lantern placed gingerly in the middle of the floor. I lightly and thankfully made my way over and grabbed it. "Thank you, Erik," I whispered before making my way back. I almost swore I heard him reply from behind the walls.

The second I stepped through the door to my room, Christine embraced me strongly.

"Bella! Oh, I'm so glad to see you! I haven't slept since you left!"

I held on to her also, but not as tight. "I couldn't have been gone that long."

"You've been gone for hours! I'd hoped you come right back and tell me that I'm imagining things."

"What time is it?"

"It's nearly three in the morning."

There was a silence when I realized Christine and I had ballet practice in a few hours.

"Did you find him?" Christine asked. There was a lot of tension in her voice.

Now was my decision: obey or defy the request Erik had left me.

All I could think of were his pleading eyes.

"No," I responded with a weak smile, "You must be imagining things."