Not a Happy Beginning

The next morning, Robin was still having problems waking up. Julie and Sarah once again attempted to wake her up, and failed.

"How is she able to block all distractions?" Sarah wondered.

"It is a mystery." Julie said. "Perhaps the people in her world have found ways for this." One of the younger girls came in.

"Robin, weren't you going to see the master this morning?" Robin's eyes shot open and she sprang up like a jack-in-the-box.

"Crap! I forgot!" She quickly got dressed and ran out the door. "Thanks Maria!" She ran down the hall to the west wing as fast as she could. When she made it to the study, she was exhausted. She slapped her cheeks and knocked on the door.

"What?" He asked.

"Um, it's me." She said. timidly.

"Come in." She opened the door slowly and walked inside. "I have an assignment for you this morning."

"Uh, yes?" Her cheeks were still red from running all the way down, but they were turning brighter.

"I have finished my latest opera. I want you to deliver it to the Opera Populaire in Paris." Her mouth fell open. "Well?"

"Oh, I'll take care of it." She answered. She walked up to him and took the small parcel in her hands. But also in doing so, she touched his in the process. She quickly yanked it away. "I-I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." She couldn't stop stammering. "I'll just go now." She left the room with embarrassed written all over her. "GAAHHH! I'm such a flake!" She looked at her watch and made for the front entrance. When she reached the door, she banged her head against the wooden frame before opening it.

"Robin?" Julie ran up to her, out of breath, and with a look of concern. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, just peachy." She said. "I made a fool of myself in front of him."

"What?" She wasn't too surprised that she'd make a fool of herself since she did so all the time. Yet she seemed so upset about it this time.

"Anyhow, I don't have time to talk. I have to deliver this." She held up the parcel. "I'll be back later." When she walked outside, she found Sarah tending to the garden. "Hey."

"Hello." She said. "How did it go?"

"He asked me to go into town and drop something off." She stretched her arms and made her way to the gates. "Welp, I'll see ya later." She opened the front gates and started walking. Sarah looked up at the far window and saw the curtains move.

"Was he...?"

As Robin made her way through the busy streets of Paris, she noticed that the people in town were more busy than ever. There were flowers being hung up and decorations everywhere she looked. When she finally reached the opera house, the doors were locked.

"Aw, damn it." She pulled a hairpin from her hair and stuck it inside the lock. After a few moments she heard a click and opened the door. "I'll just leave it here." She placed it next to the door. As she walked down the steps and back onto the business of the streets, she bumped into someone and flowers fell everywhere. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"That's alright." It was a boy about two years older than herself with dirty blond hair and deep blue eyes.

"No, I should have looked where I was going." She said. "I'll help you pick up these flowers."

"No, that's alright." He said. "I can take care of it."

"No, I really shou-" she looked at her watch. "Oh no! I have to get back!"

"I'll give you a ride." He said. "This way." He led her away from the opera house and down some dark alleyways.

"Um, where are you taking me?" She asked. He stopped.

"Oh, you'll find out." A devilish smirk was spread across his face which made chills go down her spine. He opened a door and there was a large group of men inside.

"I have to get outta here!" She tried to run but was pulled right inside. The boy held a knife to her throat.

"Now, where do you live?" He asked. "I'm sure you belong to a wealthy family."

"Actually..." The blade got closer. "I have to get back. My master will worry."

"Oh, you work for someone." Another said. This one had long black hair and reddish brown eyes. "Well, we should pay him a little visit. Where does he live?"

"Like I'd tell you!" Another boy came in holding something.

"Hey, she dropped this off at the opera house." He said. This really got her scared.

"Stop! put that back!" She shouted.

"The address is right here." He pointed to the side.

"Well done." Two strong looking men came out.

"You two, find this house and find the owner." They nodded then ran out the door. "Tie her up." Robin was grabbed by her arms and thrown into a chair and they bound her hands to the arms and her shoulders to the back.

"Let me go!" She shouted. Someone tied something over her mouth.

"That should keep you quiet for a while." She felt sweat run down her face and tears were welling up in her eyes. She looked around the room and saw a little boy, about age fourteen or so, sitting in the corner. He was just sitting there and staring at these men that were attacking this girl. He looked at Robin for a moment and blushed slightly. Robin closed her eyes tightly and started praying that she might be saved somehow.

ERIK!

Back at the house, Some of the girls were beginning to worry about Robin. Since she didn't come back right away. Erik, on the other hand, was irritated.

"It was a simple task." He said. "Apparently she can't even do that right. I should have known she'd get herself lost." He looked out the window and saw someone walking passed the gate and up to the front door. He was holding a gun in one hand and there was a dagger secured to his belt. "This should be interesting." He reached for a Punjab and walked out of the study.

The doors burst open and the man came in. The girls that were present began to panic.

Now, would any of you ladies direct me to where your master might be?" He asked. Sarah stepped forward.

"You'll never find out!" She shouted. The man raised his hand and slapped her so hard she fell to the floor.

"Sarah!" Maria knelt down beside her and tried to help her up.

"I'll ask again, where is he?" He heard something go "swish" behind him and turned around. Nothing was there. The next thing he knew, there was a rope tied around his neck.

"I believe he's found you." Erik said sarcastically.

"You!" He shouted. "It can't be! You were supposed to be dead!" The man began to feel weak and helpless.

"Now, who sent you here?" He questioned.

"My boss, Richard. His hideout is in an alley beside the opera house. He has a girl from here there." His grip on the rope tightened.

"So, that's why." He said. He released him and he fell over. The other man was hiding next to the gate and saw everything. "Go tell your boss that I will be along and if Robin isn't released by the time I reach him, I will not hesitate to kill everyone of you." He quickly got up and ran out the door. Julie ran towards Erik holding a sword in her hands.

"You asked me to retrieve this?" She said.

"Yes." He took it from her hands and started out the door. "Take Sarah to your room. When I return with Robin, there will be hell for her to pay." He walked towards his carriage and sat in the drivers seat. Two black horses were to be pulling the carriage to the fate of those in the city. With a crack of the reigns, he sped through the gates and back towards Paris.

It's been an hour since she was captured. Robin could barely move her arms and she believed that some of the blood was cut off from her hands. The fourteen year old boy was carrying a small cup in his hands. He placed it on a table next to Robin and stood in front of her.

"Mademoiselle, I can remove this gag on your mouth for a moment if you promise not to scream." His voice sounded very gentle. She believed he was a good person. She nodded slowly. He began to remove the gag. "I brought you some water, if you want some." She nodded. He held the cup to her mouth and the cool liquid entered her mouth and went down her throat. He put it down for a moment.

"Why are you hanging around a place like this?" She asked.

"Because, Monsieur Richard took me in." He said. "He said I didn't have to help with kidnappings but to just stay out of his way."

"He's not a good person for you to be around." She said. "You can leave."

"I can't." He said. "I owe him everything."

"But he's evil." She said.

"I can't help that." He said. "He does treat me well though." Robin looked out the window. Clouds had already started moving in. She prayed there wouldn't be a storm. "My name is William."

"My name's Robin." She said. "I'll just call you Will."

"Why?" He asked.

"Because it's shorter, and it suits you better." She smiled at him and his face turned red. They heard footsteps and he quickly reapplied the gag before anyone saw. He went back to his corner with the cup.

"They should be back anytime." Richard said. "Then we'll have our money."

"So, what can we do with the girl?" They looked over at Robin.

"Use your imagination." He said. Robin's spine started heating up. She knew something bad was going down. The two men ran through the doors. "There you are you idiots! Well, where's the money?" He noticed they didn't have any. "There better be a good explanation!"

"That face!" One of them said. "The haunted face!"

"The ghost!" The other said. "The opera ghost was at that house!"

"Don't joke you fools!" He shouted. "He died years ago."

"No he didn't!" He was stunned to hear Robin's determined voice. She had managed to get the gag off her mouth. "He escaped before he was found and went into hiding for three years!"

"You seem to know a lot about him." Richard said.

"Well, duh! Why do you think I came to Paris in the first place? I'm, like, crazy in love for the guy." She just felt her heart jump into her throat. A bunch of shocked faces were all around her. The door burst open again.

"I believe you have something that belongs to me." The haunting voice rang through everyones ears.

"No, not again!" Robin stared at this masked menace and her heart was pounding really fast. It was like she was in the Phantom of the Opera that she had seen over and over again. The look in his eyes made her soul leave her body and fly freely over the planet then return to her body. In an instant, half the group had run away. only a few remained, ready to fight.

"You don't scare me!" Richard came at him and was ready to punch him square in the face, but Erik caught his hand then quickly had his neck within his lasso. Sharp gasps were heard from his and then nothing. He dropped his lifeless body then removed the rope. The rest of the men had run away. Will had left as well. Robin stared up at her masked savior in awe. He said nothing, he didn't even have to say anything. Robin stared into his eyes and realized how angry he was with her. He cut her ropes then pulled her out of her chair.

"Come." His voice was stone cold. She looked down at her feet, knowing that she didn't wish to look into his eyes. They walked out the door and up to the carriage. He opened the door and motioned for her to enter. She got in and he once more was in the driver's seat and led them away. Robin felt like a complete idiot after this. She closed her eyes and pretended to be back in her room. She was watching her movie for the hundredth time. She unconsciously began to sing.

In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
that voice which calls to me
and speaks my name

The carriage suddenly stopped. She could sense that he wanted her to stop. She clutched her stomach, feeling an unusual pain invade her. They soon started moving again. This time, she remained silent.

When they made it back, she didn't bother waiting for he door to open. She just got out and started walking towards the main doors. She heard Erik hit the ground behind her but tried her best to keep from looking back or stopping. His footsteps were fast and caused her to panic. The pain in her gut started to get worse, but she tried to ignore it. But in an instant, he was standing in front of her and she came to a halt.

"You've already caused me too much trouble!" He shouted at her. She was too afraid to say anything. "I never want to hear your voice in this house." She started to feel like a little girl being yelled at by her father.

Father! She thought

"Your singing is giving me a migraine!" He shouted. "Can't you do that outside?"

"I can't." Said a younger Robin. "I need the piano to practice."

"I regret ever buying that thing for you!"

Robin's expression changed from sad and scared to a blind fury. She pushed him aside and ran passed the house to the back garden. He watched as she ran out of sight.

"What a troublesome girl." He said. and made for the door. Robin ran into the tall grass and fell into it. She started to cry as hard as she could.

"I want to go home!" She shouted. "I want to just go back home!" She heard someone giggle. The strange girl appeared before her.

"What's wrong Mademoiselle?" She asked.

"Don't screw with me!" She yelled.

"Now, now." The girl said. "You may have touched the thorns of the rose, but you still need to see it bloom."

"What the hell are you talking about?" She questioned trying to hold back more tears. "There's no way he'd ever warm up to me!"

"That's not true." She said. "After all, he was still trampled down by the one he loved." She disappeared without another word. Robin stood up and just stared up at the sky. She believed that God was laughing at her for what she believed. But she knew there was noting she could do. She turned back to the house and made her way back. She stopped when she entered the garden and just sat next to a flowerbed of roses. She looked up at the far window and saw the curtains were still.

"He must really hate me." She said. She looked at the roses and was suddenly lost in her thoughts.

(Yeah, I don't quite know the title to this song, but it's from Moulin Rouge. When Satine is singing by herself after that big fiasco. You'll see if you don't know)

I follow the night
can't stand the light
when will I begin
to live again?

One day I'll fly away
leave all this to yesterday
what more could your love do for me?
When will love be through with me?
Why live life from dream to dream
and dread the day when dreaming ends

She stood up and started walking away from the flowers. She would keep looking up at the sky then back at the window.

One day I'll fly away
leave all this to yesterday
why live life from dream to dream...

Erik could hear her voice fro outside and he moved the curtains. There she was.

...And dread the day when dreaming ends?

One day, I'll fly away
fly... fly... away

She looked up at his window and saw him there. She looked away with an angry face and made her way to the door.

"You will understand in time." He turned around after hearing the strange voice. No one was there.

"Understand what?"

There. Another one down, God knows how many I'll go for. Did you really think I'd start them out all warm and fuzzies? Huh? Well, not on this block. So bet use to it! But they will eventually grow onto each other. But not in any of the usual ways. That is something you'll have to wait for. But, until then, things will be getting interesting. -evil chuckle-