She tensed up before slowly turning around. It was the man, the Phantom. He was no longer pressed and pristine like he was the night before. There was stubble on his face and his suit -the one from the previous night- was rumpled and disheveled. He was looking at the cake. A pale hand emerged from his pocket and touched one of the roses. He plucked it from the cake and examined it. The silence felt deafening until his cracked voice finally broke it. "What is this?"
"A rose, monsieur, made of sugar." Her shoulders were tense as she watched him carefully. She was ready to run at any second. She didn't expect to see him here at all. He didn't seem like he would attack her but she was still nervous.
"You...baked this for me?" She nodded. "Why?" The man's voice was quiet, all of his anger from the previous night seemed drained completely. He looked up at her, his blue eyes rimmed in red. It was almost pitiful. In the fading daylight, she could finally get a good look at the man. He was terribly thin and his suit seemed a bit too large. He had deep brown hair that, along with his mask, illuminated the gauntness of his face. It looked as if he hadn't been eating very regularly. A small pang of pity ran through her veins.
"Its an apology for last night." Her voice was soft, as if comforting a child. A strange looked passed over his face. She took a step towards him. What are you doing?! Get out of here, dumb girl! He practically tried to kill you! She continued to walk closer until he took a small step back. She stopped immediately, about halfway across the room from him. The deafening silence fell across them again.
"Would you...Would you like to share this with me?" His eyes met hers as the uncomfortable silence stood between them.
"Why, I don't see why not.." A soft smile spread across her face. NO. No, no no! Absolutely not! Follow him to his lair? Idiot! He'll kill you! Get out of here! NOW. "Oh, shut up..." she mumbled to the voice. The man turned and stared at her peculiarly.
"What did yo-"
"Oh! Nothing, nothing at all!" A nervous laugh bubbled from her lips. She picked up the cake and smiled awkwardly. "Let's go." He continued to watch her as he led her through the mirror.
The man offered a gloved hand to assist her onto the boat. She eyed the glassy water nervously. He waited patiently for her, his hand outstretched. She took a breath and took his hand, stepping onto the boat. It wobbled underneath her and she sat quickly, placing the cake beside her. Her hands gripped the sides tightly and her knuckles paled. The Phantom hoped onto the boat lightly, not stirring it at all. He untied the boat and pushed off of the dock.
His eyes seemed to be constantly glued ahead, while Marjorie's were kept tightly shut. The voice continued to "lecture" and criticize her. She didn't even bother to fight it. You dumb girl. Alone in a cave with a strange man. Your mother would be aghast. And think of your poor father! Watching his idiot daughter practically kill herself. At least no one alive would care. Why would they miss a stupid cow like you? Lydia doesn't even talk to you, and she has plenty of friends who could replace your burden. And your brothers could sell the bakery, making triple the profit you ever would. They're too busy with their loving wives anyway. And it's not like you have a suitor or anything. Even if you did, your death wouldn't break his heart. He'd probably find some beautiful, thin girl and marry her instantly. This man could kill you and no one would ever care. No one will hear your screams. He'll probably dump your body into the lake, where he should have left you last night. Maybe you'll end up being useful and feed some fish.
The bumping of the boat against the dock jerked her from her mind. She pried her stiff hands from the side of the boat and grabbed the cake. Her clammy hands clenched the man's tightly as she stepped off of the boat. and walked up the marble stairs to the man's home. There was shredded canvas and paper everywhere. She tried not to stare, but she found it difficult. She looked back and found the man directly behind her. He cleared his throat and she realized she was blocking the way from the stairs. She quickly moved out of the way and gave him a slight smile. He lead her trough the mess of paper, kicking them out of the way. He pushed a curtain out of the way that led to a dark hallway and she followed him into a small sitting room.