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Chapter Ten
Suddenly a dark shadow seemed to form out of nowhere behind Pelo. It threw something around his neck and pulled. Pelo's head snapped back and he grabbed desperately at his throat. He began to make a terrible gurgling noise.
Antoinette stared in horror for a minute or so before she found use of her limbs again. She jumped up and ran back to Erik's tent. She didn't stop running until she was inside.
"Erik! Erik!" she called breathlessly, but he didn't answer. "Erik!" she called again and went to his cage. She gasped.
The cage was empty. The harp was toppled over and the door was wide open. She saw the lock on the ground and picked it up. It had been broken.
What had happened?! It would have taken enormous strength to break it! Where was Erik?!
Then she remembered the shadow that had strangled Pelo. Had that been Erik?!
Just then Erik ran in. "Antoinette!" he said. "Are you all right?" He went to her and took her face in his cold hands. He looked into her eyes for a moment until he realized she was trembling.
"What's wrong?" he asked in concern.
"You killed him!" she said frantically. "You…you…"
"I did it to protect you!" he said with not a trace of remorse.
"How did you get out?" she asked. "The lock is broken."
"I broke it," he said, now rubbing the shoulder he had rammed the door with.
Antoinette realized then just how strong Erik was. Not just anyone could break a padlock on their own.
He was quiet for a moment, then he frowned. "You're still shaking," he said. "Are you afraid of me?"
She swallowed hard and didn't answer. She was afraid. His murder scared her. His lack of remorse scared her. His strength scared her…She noticed then that he was nearly a head taller than her.
Erik looked into her eyes pleadingly. "Please don't fear me," he said. He swallowed hard. "I couldn't bear for you to fear me!" He pulled her into a tight, icy embrace. "I would never harm you!"
He was so cold, but a warmth spread through her body starting at her heart. Slowly she wrapped her arms around his thin body and returned his embrace.
"Oh, Erik," she whispered. "I don't fear you…"
Erik looked at her and smiled. He seemed about to say something, but a noise from outside stopped him.
"We should go," he said releasing her. "It's not safe here."
TBC.