Much thanks to my two reviewers, phantomfanatic and Dark Amethyst. It's good to know some people are reading D

Anyway, here's the next chapter.

In His Darkness…

I stayed in the room for two whole days. My ankle had got better, the cut on my temple had healed and the bruises on my arms had almost gone. My hip was still a mass of yellowish brown and my stomach was extremely tender but I could walk without any help and my usually huge appetite was almost back to normal. Throughout the time I was staying there, the only people I saw were Erik, Guillaume and Madeleine, Guillaume's wife. Erik brought me food and tended to my bandages, Guillaume brought me some English books and removed empty trays of food and Madeleine helped me bath in the evening.

I was completely content to stay there. I read and listened to music for pretty much the whole of the two days. I always like being on my own-it gives me time to think and let myself slide fully into my own little world filled with books and music. I know that sounds weird but it's still true.

On the second evening, the 4th August, Erik came to me wearing his cloak and helped me stand up from where I was laying reading. "Come, my dear. You are well enough to walk to my home I think."

I smiled and nodded eagerly. I put on my shoes and looked around for my bags. "I have already taken them," said Erik.

"Oh! Thanks," I replied, surprised that he knew what I was thinking. I picked up my flute gig bag-the one thing that I hadn't let leave my side all the time I was recovering-and followed Erik out of the room and down the stairs. Guillaume and Madeleine were waiting at the bottom of the stairs and I was sad to say good bye. I hugged them both and told them that it had been wonderful to meet them and I hoped that we would meet again soon.

Erik and I left their house at about 9pm. It was fairly dark and I was worried that there would be any people around to repeat the drama of a few nights ago. Erik seemed to sense my fear and looped my right arm through his left. His presence calmed me and knowing that I was with a strong, fearless man made me relax and enjoy the walk through Paris in the dusk. We didn't walk through the gardens. Erik knew another route down to the city and, although we kept to darker, emptier streets, I felt perfectly safe.

-8 -

We reached the Opera Garnier at about half past ten. By that time, my hip was hurting again and every step made my stomach twinge. My ankle was also a bit sore, but I knew that I could lean on Erik for support.

"Marguerite, we are here," he said softly.

I looked up and saw the huge columned front of the opera house. I smiled and looked at Erik. He was looking up at his home with love. "It's so beautiful at night," I said in a hushed voice.

He smiled and said in a whisper, "Yes." He then seemed to shake himself before turning to me and saying, "Now! Let's go inside and I can show you all the things that Patrice couldn't."

"I should have known it was you that made it so I could look around," I muttered, shaking my head. I let Erik lead me around the side of the opera house and down some side steps to an iron gate. I stepped through and began to head towards a door a few metres away when a hand on my arm stopped me. I turned to see Erik standing in front of a window that I hadn't noticed. He opened the window and then stepped through it. He then turned and held out his hand to help me through. When I was inside, Erik turned to fasten the window, giving me time to look around. We were in a small chapel. There were candles in a rack like you would find in any church or cathedral. There was an old mural on the wall and I walked over to study it more closely. I ran my fingers softly over the paint, feeling every bump in the wall and seeing every detail. Erik's hand took hold of mine making me jump. He moved it slowly up until my hand came to rest at the edge of the painting, just where it joined a wall coming out perpendicular to it. Erik's hand left mine and I looked over my shoulder at him curiously. He nodded at me encouragingly and I turned back to the mural. I felt around carefully at the edge of the mural until I felt a small gap in the wall, almost hidden in shadow. A quiet, "Ah," of realisation passed my lips and I put three fingers in the gap and pulled gently until I felt the wall begin to move. It slid back easily without a sound until there was a space big enough to allow us to pass through. I stepped through and turned back to Erik with a triumphant smile.

He smiled at me and stepped through into the narrow dark tunnel before turning and sliding the panel back quickly. He lit two candles in a two-pronged candlestick resting in a small alcove with a lit taper he had taken from the candle rack in the chapel. He blew out the taper and began to walk down the tunnel. I followed him, trying to look around in the flickering light. The tunnel was lined with empty candlesticks and intricate stonework. The floor was also made of stone and there were cobwebs covering the ceiling and hanging from the candlesticks. It took only a few minutes to reach the end of the tunnel and his home. Erik pushed open what seemed to be a solid wall before turning to me and saying, "Welcome to my home, mademoiselle."

I barely registered the formality. I was stunned. I'd imagined a cave with a few furnishings but this was far beyond that. The tunnel had come out onto a long ledge which ran around the edge of the cavern. To one side it led down to the edge of the lake. I could see several smaller caverns which led off from the one we were standing in. This one was largely made up of the lake, on which there was a boat, and along one side was his organ. I looked up at Erik in wonder and said, "Can I have a look around?"

"Please do," he said with an elegant wave of his hand. "This shall be your home for as long as you want."

I resisted the urge to hug him madly-I don't think that would have gone down too well. I walked slowly along the ledge and peered into the first cavern I came to. This one contained a desk, a piano and a cabinet full of scores and manuscript paper. There was also a bookshelf crammed with books. I could spend hours in this room so I decided to move on and study it in detail later. The next cavern I came to was a larder. It had a small table and two chairs as well as a worktop to prepare food. There was no oven or kettle so I could see that any chance of hot food was out of the question. I continued to explore the cave, finding Erik's bedroom, another room filled with books, a makeshift bathroom and what was obviously going to be my room as my bags were sitting at the end of the bed.

My room was beautifully furnished. The walls were covered in green velvet drapes with silver swirls along the edges. The bed was huge and enormously comfortable and there was a large wardrobe and chest of drawers. There was also a music stand and a bookcase with books and sheet music crammed into every possible space. I instantly fell in love with the room.

I ran outside and saw Erik sitting at his organ playing a soft slow piece. I ran over to him and he stopped playing as he heard my footsteps. "I love it, I love it, I love it!" I squealed.

He laughed at my mad enthusiasm and held out an arm to stop me going headlong into the lake. "I see you're feeling much better," he said pointedly.

"Just shows what this place can do I guess!"

He laughed again and shook his head. He turned to back to the organ and began to play. "Do you play?" he asked.

"No," I replied. "I play the piano a bit but I'm rubbish really."

"Play me something," he said, moving with the soaring melody that he was coaxing gently from the organ.

"No, I'll just listen for a while if that's ok."

"Of course."

I stood to the side for a few moments and then came to stand behind him so I could watch the movements of his fingers as he played. I rested my hands lightly on his shoulders as he played-as you may have guessed, I'm quite a physical person-and closed my eyes so I could sink deep into the music. The melody soared above rich harmonies and the countermelody ran underneath like a river. Then he changed the piece so it was full of discords and running passages. This was angry music. It sent shivers down my spine and goosebumps popped up all over my arms. It reminded me of gales through trees and purple storm clouds rushing across the skies and huge waves crashing into the shore. My hands clenched at Erik's shoulders involuntarily and he moved smoothly into a piece that was full of sadness. The harmonies were full of minor thirds (the 'sad interval') and the melody flowed mournfully across the running bass. When the piece reached its ending, I let my eyes open slowly so I could adjust to the real world again. I noticed that my hands had been softly rubbing Erik's shoulders as he played.

"Sorry," I said in a quiet voice.

"That is quite alright," he replied. "I understand how music can affect people's emotions." He was looking down at his hands still resting on the keys.

I squeezed his shoulders softly and said, "I'm going to go and read for a bit. There's a chapter I need to…um, yeah." I turned away from the organ and went to my room.

-8 -