Chapter Six

After Jeanette's close encounter with the lake, I made a decision. I needed to determine how long she wished to stay here with me, and then fix up my home accordingly. After all, I couldn't be continually pulling her out of danger, now, could I? The feelings the rescue had brought to me were slightly disturbing... I had felt my heart pound in my chest as I leapt from the organ, and not been cautious in how I touched Jeanette- something I felt rather bad about. But she didn't seem bothered, so I said nothing. It wasn't important enough to bother bringing to light.

I led Jeanette into my modest kitchen and helped her to sit at the small breakfast table. She folded her hands in her lap, her eyes downcast. I studied her for a moment before turning to prepare some food.

"You said we are five stories beneath the Opera Populaire?" queried Jeanette.

"Yes."

"I saw that building before... before..."

"Before your attack?"

A nod. "It's very beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as the old one," I said quietly.

"Old one?"

"Yes... it burned down about four years ago."

"Oh, how horrible!"

"It was." I broke some eggs into a pan and began making an omelette. "I try not to dwell on that time much, though."

"Painful memories?"

I hesitated before answering. "More painful than I like to admit.""I'm sorry."

"You've no need to be. It can't be helped."

Jeanette was quiet. A few minutes later she asked, "There is a lake outside your home? Five stories underground?"

"One of the many features I've used to stay secluded from the world." I flipped the omelet and began to fill it.

"Why on earth would you want to do that?" she cried, incredulous.

"You may never know why."

She seemed to accept this answer, however much she wanted to know more.

"I believe the time for questions is over. Your breakfast is ready," I said gently as I set the omelet on a plate and placed it in front of Jeanette. She nodded and bowed her head, praying softly under her breath. I waited patiently- I had never been a praying man. I didn't see the need.

Jeanette finished her short prayer, then raised her head. Staring straight ahead, she asked, "Will you hand me the fork, please?" I placed it in her hand and touched it to the plate. She looked down, even though she couldn't see, hoping to be able to get her bearings. After a moment she attempted to cut off a slice of the omelet and take a bite. She was unsuccessful. I stopped myself from helping her- she had to learn how to feed herself. I would help only if she asked.

I could almost feel Erik's eyes on me as I struggled to eat. I finally managed to get a bite on my fork, only for it to fall off before reaching my mouth. I groaned and laid the fork on the table.

"This is useless," I said angrily. Erik, standing on the other side of the room, gave a low chuckle.

"Mind your temper. You're doing just fine." He walked closer until I realized that he was standing right next to me. He placed the fork back in my hand. "Try again," was all he said. I rolled my eyes and made another attempt at feeding myself. After about ten minutes of failure, I finally succeeded in bringing a bite to my mouth. I savored that bite, feeling like a fool but enjoying every moment of it. I heard Erik applaud me from a few feet away. "Very good," he praised.

An hour later I had finally eaten every morsel of the omelet and Erik swiftly removed my plate. "It was delicious, Erik. Thank you very much," I complimented.

"Only the best for guests in Erik's house," he said with an air of pride. I figured that he was not complimented often. I rose from my chair and walked to the sink where Erik stood washing the plate. I don't know if he looked at me, at least, not until I reached out and put my hand on his arm. To my surprise he seemed to flinch before he pulled away.

"I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" I asked, trying to sound apologetic. There was no answer for a moment.

"No, I'm sorry. You just surprised me," he answered with uncertainty.

"Oh. I just... wanted to know... if you could show me around. So I don't fall into any more dangers," I added hastily, hoping to help my cause. I made a mental note not to try and touch Erik again, not unless I had to.

"Of course," said Erik quickly. "I don't mind at all." After a moment he took my hand and led me out of the kitchen and we turned to the right. Erik explained that this was a sitting room, furnished with two sofas and a small chair. The furniture was situated around a fireplace that had a mantle at about my eye level. I ran my hand across it and realized it was made of stone, just like the floor. Erik told me that the entire house was carved out of stone, and was really no more than a small grotto. There were only a few rooms- mine and its bathroom, Erik's and his bathroom, the open area I had walked through earlier before the lake incident, the kitchen, and the sitting room we were now in.

"I like your home very much, Erik," I said. "It feels... safe... somehow. Do you know what I mean?"

"This feeling of safety is something it took me a long time to achieve," he concurred quietly.

"I don't understand, though. Why do you feel like you have to hide from the world?"

Erik stiffened slightly. "There are some things you are better off not knowing. In this way, your blindness is a small blessing."

I frowned. I didn't see my blindness as a blessing at all! What did he mean by that? Was there something I wasn't supposed to see? I was becoming more confused by the minute.

"Erik, can you tell me what you mean?"

"Perhaps someday... after you have opened up a little more."

I sighed but accepted this. I was nowhere near ready to open up to Erik- after all, I'd just met him! Yet, I did feel safe with him. Safer than I'd felt in a long, long time.

A/N: Well, I got a couple of reviews for the last chapter, so hope this one was a good reward!

Hot4Gerry, I love your reviews. they're always very helpful. :-)

xLissyx, thanks for continuing to read!!

-BeeVee-THEEamazing, Glad you're enjoying this!!

Jewel-gurl73, glad you like him. I'm hoping to develop his character as I see it a little more as this goes on. :-)

More soon- sooner, if I get more reviews!!! I just realized that the anonymous reviews were disabled so I fixed that and all you anonymous readers can talk to me now... :-)