Chapter 4: Rejected Tears


Erik had no choice but to instruct Nadir to obey Prince Alexander's instructions when it came to putting the island of Phantasma into lock down so that the aggravated prince and his men could search the island in vain for Isabelle.


Nadir had seen to it that all of Erik's employees took up temporary residence within the concert hall due to the fact that Alexander and his guards had been less than respectful when it came to searching their homes; Ripping up carpets, overturning tables, bringing down shelves as they searched for any possible hiding place that might be concealing Isabelle.


Isabelle watched from Erik's office window; carefully concealed by a partially drawn curtain and she saw how Alexander observed as a private ferry brought a handful of extra guards to help in his search... Erik had meant to be signing some business documents but found himself glancing towards her only to see the tear that escaped down her cheek,

"... All those people's homes... I knew that Alexander would have wanted me found but I never imagined that he would cause such disruption that it would result in people having to leave their homes" Isabelle murmured and Erik felt slightly awkward for a moment, not knowing how to really comfort a distressed woman; He stood from his desk chair and approached her side,

"You needn't fear. I have the sufficient funding that will allow me to repair any damage that Alexander and his men have caused to my workers homes" Erik told her, hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner and watched her sigh sadly, closing her eyes and Erik frowned, trying to think of a way to take her mind off her troubles,

"... I have a telegraph here in my office. If you wish I can send the coded telegraph you spoke of to your friend" Erik told her, smiling at her gently when she nodded,

"Yes. I would be grateful of that... Thank you, Erik" she told him and he smiled moving towards the telegraph as she told him the coded phrase that needed to be sent which he quickly wrote down,

"What is the transmission key I need to send it too?" Erik asked before jotting down the information that Isabelle provided him with... But the former phantom frowned as he closely examined the transmission key,

"... This is a Parisian Telegraph Code... I assumed that your friend would live in Harrington..." Erik enquired lightly, watching as Isabelle shook her head whilst continuing to watch Alexander and his men searching the island,

"No, unfortunately not... Perhaps I would have felt safer there if he had. The De Changny and The Norrington Families have always been close... Many Years Ago, My great grandfather once fought in a war that found himself saving the life of Count Phillipe De Changny The second..." Isabelle explained... Each word that left her lips made Erik's heart feel heavier,

"... 25 years ago when my father passed away... Count Phillipe De Changny The fifth and his son, Raoul came to Harrington for his funeral. Raoul and myself became close friends and since then we kept in contact by letter and telegrams... He has helped me through some tough times... I owe him a great dept that I will never be able to repay" Isabelle murmured tiredly before sighing and offered Erik a tired smile but tilted her head in curious concern when she saw the frown on his face,

"Is everything ok?" she asked gently, stepping towards him and Erik shook his head and offered a false reassuring smile,

"... Yes I was simply... I am just sorry that you have been through so much without having someone close by to help you in times of need" Erik lied... Watching as Isabelle smiled at him gently,

"Thank you... Sleep well, Erik" Isabelle bid before heading up to the thirteen floor to bed and Erik allowed himself to rest weakly against his desk and looked down at the coded message and transmission key... It was a long moment before Erik slowly crushed the piece of paper within his hand and threw it into the fireplace just as Nadir entered his chambers to give him an update on the employee's settling in the concert hall but the Persian frowned when he saw the mixing expression of anger and frustration on his masked friend's face,

"... Erik?... What's wrong?" Nadir asked,

"... Isabelle... Is a friend of the Vicomte..." Erik growled causing Nadir's eyes to widen in shock,

"... Does she..." he tried,

"It seems that she is unaware of mine and the fop's history." Erik answered the former doroga's concerns without even having to hear the full question,

"But Erik... Isabelle knows the secret of floor 13... Gustave..." Nadir tried,

"Gustave is safe so long as their is breath in my body... I may have unknowingly made one of the vicomte's allies my son's guard... But at the same time... I now have one of the vicomte's close friends within my care..." Erik said with a smirk, turning to Nadir,

"... Which means that should the vicomte ever try to come and take my son from me... He will do so at risking her life" Erik growled before storming off to his music room where he proceeded to play loud and anger filled music upon his piano... Nadir could only look down at the ground in concern before turning his gaze towards the fireplace that hid the secret entrance to floor 13.


Isabelle had read Gustave... The reason for floor 13; a bedtime story before tucking the 11 year old into bed before wishing him a goodnight's sleep before heading to bed herself... It was later whilst in a deep sleep that she was contently unaware of the frustrated and anger filled phantom standing over her... Watching her whilst she slept... Erik allowed his clenched fist to relax before leaning closer to Isabelle's sleeping form,

"... I have seen the kindness in your heart, Isabelle... You are nothing like the monster whom dares think he has the right to take my son from me" Erik whispered before lightly brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear,

"... For now. I shall allow our friendship to grow and I can only hope that I can prove to you just how evil the vicomte is..." Erik whispered before silently leaving the room, allowing Isabelle to enjoy the rest of her deep dream filled sleep.


So the secret of floor 13 is revealed but is Isabelle in danger now that Erik knows that Isabelle is a close friend of Raoul's? :O

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Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996