Under The Spell Of A Phantom.
Eleven: Freedom Or Truth?
Erik led her to a another room that was dimly lit with a large couch and a Persian curpet on the floor.
Ruby's eyes scanned everywhere until they fell on one wall filled with drawings and a beautiful painting.
She let go of his hand to go and look at it, he stopped and watched her letting out a deep sigh.
Studying them carefully, she soon realised that what she was seeing was her reflection but with a difference.
The painting had her wearing a elegent red gown with her hair falling over her shoulders and a small smile on her face.
Stunned at this, Ruby turned to look at Erik who slowly came towards her with his hands behind his back.
"Did you do this?" She asked, pointing at them. "Yes, in my own spare time, I can make drawings and operas come to life." He replied, softly.
Turning her head back to look at it some more, Ruby couldn't deny the rushes of desire running up and down her body.
She could feel his steady breathing tickling the base of her neck, if he touched her now she would be lost forever.
But hearing the truth was more important so she turned around to walk away from him and sat down on the couch.
"Begin your story, Erik. That's what you bought me here for." Ruby said, folding her arms.
She caught his sad gaze for a few moments until she broke it off by looking at the barren fire place.
He cleared his throat as he walked towards her and sunk to his knees on the floor, his eyes never leaving her face.
"I know you took off my mask that night, Ruby." He started. She didn't move a muscle though her heart pounded furiously against her chest.
"That's why I had to have you. Whoever sees what lies behind it can never escape from me, not even you. I'm so sorry that I frightened you."
Tears slowly flowed down her face, the tremble of her shoulders werrn't left unnoticed by Erik. He'd upset her even more, there was no choice.
He had to let her go just like before, the agony in his heart was almost too much to bear. He was sure enough it would break in a matter of seconds.
"Come, I'll let you free." He said, standing up to offer his hand. Ruby turned her head to look up at him with a frown.
"But I don't want to go, I want to stay here and learn the truth about you." She said, rising from the couch so they could stand together.
"No Ruby, my past is something you will never know. What happened did, I want a fresh start to start again and forget it all." He replied, lowering his head.
She slowly rose her hand to the side where Erik's mask lay, in a instant she ripped it off his face and threw it across the floor.
He looked at her in horror, anger began to boil his blood but quickly stopped when he saw there was no fear in her eyes.
She was studying it, her fingertips carefully touching the harsh red bumps. Erik shut his eyes, blocking the increasing tears that were forming.
Ruby went to kiss it that made him stumble back from the sudden caress, the threatening droplets began to fall down without stopping.
"No, you must go!" He cried, pointing at the door. She went towards him but he moved too far within her reach. "Please, leave!"
"Why? Why should I leave?" She asked, her lips started to tremble. "I can't, just go!" He pleaded, sinking to his knees.
She dared to place her hand on his shaking shoulders but suddenly he grabbed it tight and forced her down on the floor staring right through his eyes.
"JUST LEAVE! DON'T TOUCH ME! GET OUT AND NEVER RETURN TO THIS PLACE!" He roared, letting go of his tight grip on her hand.
Ruby slowly rose, turned her heel and walked instead of running out of the room. Once she shut the door, her sobs echoed the walls.
What had she done? That kiss will forever burn her, a stupid mistake that cost her one chance of love. Wait, was she in love with Erik?
The sudden realision hit her hard. Though she was afraid of what she did that night, her true feelings deep down always won no matter what.
She placed her hands over her mouth, a moment without him was agony. So she opened the door and slammed it shut behind her.
Erik looked up to see her, never had she looked so beautiful like she did now. He rose up from the floor and went towards the mask but her hand stopped him.
"No, leave it there." She said, calmly. He stared into her deeply, neither of them noticed it fall back to it's place.
"I thought I told you to leave." He said, his voice shaking. "I know you did but I don't want to. I don't want a life of freedom without you in it." She replied with a weak smile.
He gathered her in his arms, his eyes searching for any doubt in her orbs but there was none. It shocked him hugely.
"I'm so sorry, Ruby. For everything. My face, I know it's horrible." She shook her head, placing her fingers on his lips.
"No, I find it beautiful." Without stopping her, Ruby went to kiss it for a long period of time. Erik breathed out a blissful sigh, his body trembled in her gentle embrace.
She pulled away to look directly in his eyes, those orbs that stole her heart and soul with one stare. Ruby was lost but she didn't care one bit.
"What about me telling you the truth?" He asked, a worried frown appeared across his face. "Forget it, let's think about now. It's in the past, I do not care." She replied.
Within that, Erik slowly lowered his head to capture Ruby's lips with his own. But unknown to them was the shadow, watching it all before it's very eyes.
He had seen enough to rise bile in the back of his throat. "That is enough!" He roared, breaking the pair apart from their passionate embrace.
They stared at the figure slowly coming towards them, the horror was written across their faces as the shadow was indeed Mr Johnson.