Chapter 10

Nadir Kahn's house… July 25

I instantly stood from my seat. "Y-you what?"

"We know who kidnapped you," Erik repeated, his voice calm.

How can he be so calm?… Of course! "It really was you, wasn't it? My god, it was! Y-you liar!" I began to shake uncontrollably as I pointed an accusing finger at him and backed away in fear.

He stood, as well, but did not move towards me. "It was not me. I thought we had already come to this conclusion."

"Yeah, well, the conclusion's changed. I don't believe you!" I continued to back away until I was up against the wall.

Nadir let out an agitated sort of groan and spoke. "Ms. Daae, control yourself. Erik did not kidnap you. Please, sit down. We will explain."

I really had no other choice, so I forcefully became calm and sat back down. "So, as you were saying, then. Who did it?" I still fully believed they were lying to me and that something terrible was going to happen.

Erik sat back down. "Before I say the name, allow me to tell the story. It will help you believe I am stating the truth."

"Ok then, go for it." I crossed my arms nervously and waited.

"Well, the night Daroga visited your hospital room-"

I interrupted. "It was morning if I remember correctly. And, you mean Nadir?" I looked at the man I knew as Nadir, and he nodded.

"As I was saying," Erik said impatiently. "I discovered that he actually spoke to you. You were not thrilled to see him, to say the least. You seeing him was not part of the plan.. but the visit was not a complete waste. While you were trying to force him out of your room, he discovered something."

My ears listened eagerly.

"You see, Daroga used to be a cop, hence the title I give him- the Daroga. He knows everything pertaining to the business."

I glanced at Nadir, and he shrugged in a humble manner. I then looked back at Erik. At first, his appearance had scared the hell out of me, but I was actually beginning to get used to it.

"He noticed there were no signs indicating a cop was still trying to get the story from you. We both know what an interrogation process is like, yet again due to Daroga's skills. That being said, he knew that it had come to a close."

"How exactly did you know that?" I asked suspiciously. "I mean, like, did the cop put a freaking camera that was really noticeable in my room or something while he was still trying to get the story from me?"

"No, not at all," Nadir replied. "Actually, the police leave their tape recorders in the room when they investigate a crime."

I blushed, feeling silly for what I'd previously said. "Oh, that's all? Ok."

"As I was saying..." Erik cut into our little side conversation. "When he came to fill me in on the news-"

I angrily interrupted. "What right did the two of you even have to figure out who kidnapped me? Why in the world would you interfere? Nadir told me that you had some interest in my singing, but why? Why go to all this trouble for a voice?"

Erik stared at me, and I blushed under his intensity. "We will get to your voice at a different time. I interfered because you were afraid. You were afraid of my appearance. You see, Ms. Daae, the mask I wear is handcrafted. I created it many years ago. Your fear indicated that the kidnapper must have had a mask that was a replica of my own. Not many people use a mask like mine in the midst of a crime. So, I knew that I needed to solve the puzzle. I knew that I must have known the person at one time."

I leaned forward. "You know the guy? What, you're friends with him or something?" Standing again, I shouted, "You know, that's just as bad as being the kidnapper!" I then gasped coming to my own realization. "Are you just telling me all of this shit to buy time? You're going to kill me, aren't you? Or, damn, you're probably housing the guy, aren't you?"

Nadir just shook his head in the negative. "See Erik? I told you she had quite the mouth."

I turned to glare at him.

"Christine, that is not it at all!" Erik was exasperated. He looked into my eyes with truth spilling from his own. "I am not friends with the man. Sit down."

I followed his orders and took a few deep breaths.

Erik sighed. "We are wasting time."

It was only then that I noticed how interesting his voice was. It could be both the most beautiful ever heard and the most fearsome.

"I am going to continue the story. The sooner we leave, the better our chances." I raised an eyebrow in confusion, but he continued, "When Daroga came to me with news of his visit, I was furious at his stupidity for being caught, but at the same time, if he had not talked to you, he may not have known the investigation had come to its close."

I interrupted again. "Last question, I swear. So, why was he there, anyway?" I'd already heard the reason before, but it was only natural that I should still be suspicious. Unfortunately, I knew I was going to live the rest of my life being suspicious of everything.

Nadir answered my question. "I was there to find information on you, as I have told you before. Your name, your address, even your blood type. Do not be afraid, it was not for bad reasons," he reassured. "Anyway, let Erik continue."

"That was all we needed to know," Erik said. "In knowing that the investigation had come to its close, we had the opportunity to get the description of your kidnapper." He paused before saying, "We had no idea you saw behind his mask until we found the drawing." I drew in a thick breath at that, but he continued, "Daroga visited the station the following day. Being a retired cop, he had the ability to know more about the crime. To our fortune, he was able to make a copy of the drawing."

I looked over to Nadir and realized I had definitely underestimated the guy. Maybe he wasn't such a puppet after all. I had a lot of respect for cops, as of late.

"He brought the drawing to me, and I instantly knew his name." Erik studied my face for a moment.

I was feeling tense, scared, angry, and eager all at the same time.

"The bastard's name is William Grant."

It was the first time I'd heard Erik cuss. That was of no importance, though. "William Grant," I repeated slowly. I instantly despised the name.

I could tell Erik loathed everything about the man. "Yes, Mr. William Grant," he spat. "I knew him at one time. We hated one another. I truly despised him. The things he did to me were unforgivable."

"So, he's hurt you, too?" I asked softly.

"Yes. He has."

I suddenly closed my eyes and shook my head fiercely. "God, I can't take this! I just want to be normal! Why? Why did he have to hurt me? Why did he have to hurt you? What kind of sick monster-"

Erik interrupted. "Oh, Christine..." It was the first time during this visit that he'd called me by my first name. He said it with empathy. "We will find him."

"Why me? Why in god's name did he have to choose me?"

"That is something I cannot tell you, for I do not know. It is strange... He used the same mask as mine, except black. It was as if he was trying to frame me."

I remembered something then that probably should have been addressed before now, but, well, I supposed there was no time like the present. "But, I thought I killed him!"

Both Nadir and Erik blinked before looking at me in shock.

"I-I hit him in the head with a rock! He- Well, I guess he only passed out, but I thought he was dead. How stupid am I? I should have finished the job!"

Erik instantly spoke up. "No, Christine, you do not want murder on your hands, even if it is justified. That was very bold of you to bring him to unconsciousness, but if I know him as I believe I do, he planned everything out. Even that."

"He wanted me to knock him out?" I was horrified. "That's crazy! He's insane!"

"Yes, he is." Erik's voice was calm but cold as he agreed with me. Then, he regarded me with sympathetic eyes. "I am sorry for all of this, Christine. Truly, I am."

"I'm not blaming you for what he did." Erik stared at me with what looked like interest in his eyes, but he only nodded. "The cops will be looking for someone with your description.." I just realized that.

"I know. That is why I am residing here for now. Daroga is a good man to keep me."

I became curious about something as I looked from him to Nadir and back to him. "How do you know each other?"

Erik was silent for a moment before saying, "I suppose you deserve to know." He looked at Nadir, cuing him to explain.

"Well, this is a good story," Nadir began. "Erik was arrested at one time."

Well, those words certainly took me by surprise. I looked from him to Erik.

"Yes, it was on charges of assault," Nadir continued casually, as if Erik's crime meant nothing. "Actually, Christine, it was assault against William Grant's brother."

"What?" I yelled.

"His brother is just as horrible as he is," Erik whispered viciously, causing me to gulp.

"Erik was jailed for three months. During that time, I discovered his genius. Ever since, we have been comrades. I make sure he does not hurt anyone, and he helps me in many ways. Actually, we run a construction company. Erik is an architect. I am his assistant."

My eyes were wide. This was all so fascinating.

"Alright Nadir, that is enough," Erik decided.

"Wait, you said you're making sure he doesn't hurt people.. Why do you think he would?" Again, I was afraid. Yes, I was finally sure Erik wasn't the kidnapper, and yes, I might have been getting used to appearance, but that didn't mean I'd developed full trust in the mysterious man.

"I do not think that," Nadir replied with a smirk. "That is only a cover." His eyes turned to Erik. "I trust him."

"Ok, good." I was relieved. I also realized I was being way too hard on Erik, though, so I turned to him and mumbled, "Sorry."

"All is forgiven." Erik spoke the words quickly, obviously ready to move onto other things. "Now, we are wasting time. We need to find Grant."

"What? Us?" I was shocked. "But, I thought we'd just leave it to the authorities."

"For now, we are the authorities," Nadir informed me. "Remember, I was once a cop."

"Yeah, but you're not anymore.."

"That does not matter," Erik said. "This is my vendetta. Actually, it is yours, as well, Christine." He looked at me intensely. "You want your vengeance. Am I right?"

"Hell, yes," I replied. I was quickly becoming as fired up about this as he was.

"We were not exactly thinking of including her, Erik," Nadir reminded sounding unsure.

"Daroga, I believe she has every right to include herself if she wishes. And, I believe she does wish to. She was bold enough to come here in search, so I believe she is bold enough to join us. Am I correct in saying this, Ms. Daae?"

"Yeah, you're right, Erik." It was the first time all night I'd called him by name. "You're definitely right."

"Haven't you been through enough?" Nadir asked with worry.

"In one way, yeah, but I still want revenge. I need to find this guy." I sighed frustratedly. "I won't be able to think straight until I know he's behind bars."

"That is all we need to hear, then," Erik said.

Strangely, I could see that he was regarding me with.. pride? I didn't have time to think about it, though, because he started speaking again.

"Now, I plan on leaving tonight. It will be risky for me to travel in daylight, although we do have tinted windows in the vehicle."

I vaguely wondered if they were rich, what with the nice house we were currently in and the car's tinted windows. But, I didn't ask. Instead, I asked two other questions that were on my mind. "Where will we begin looking? How do you know where to go?" There were just so many things I wanted to know.

"I know where he lives," Erik replied, his tone bitter as he thought about it. "It is nowhere near here. He lives in Kentucky."

"Kentucky?! That'll take forever!"

"It will take approximately five hours, yes," he agreed. "The two of us will sit in the backseat. Nadir will drive."

"We should leave," Nadir decided. "Christine, I'm assuming you drove here?"

"Yeah."

"We will move your car to the garage, then."

"Sounds good." I was actually excited about this. Excitement wasn't something I was used to feeling. Erik was right, though. I deserved my revenge. It was necessary if I ever wanted to get through this and start working towards my goals in life. So, I would help these men find this William Grant.

"Well then, shall we be on our way?" Erik asked. We nodded.

Then, the three of us left the cozy family room in order to begin our journey.

Let the adventure begin! I am taking a study break right now, so I decided to update. These chapters are coming quickly. As I've told you before, it's because most of the story is already complete, minus the revisions I have been making. Each chapter receives a lot of attention before I decide to post. Anyway, I will update again soon :).

Thank you so much for the reviews! I love, love, love reading them! You all really are brightening what could be a terrible week for me, so thank you.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know your thoughts by reviewing!

-Lauren