Chapter Eleven:

Erik

I left Megs room and went to my organ. I sat down and ran my fingers across the keys. I was in no mood to play. I couldn't believe Meg would do that to me. She lied to me, made me believe that she didn't trust me, yet she did trust me. She said so herself. She said she trusted me with all her heart, but why. I threatened her and almost killed her, yet here she was, wanting to be friends. Friends? Is that all we are? Do I want us to be more than friends? Am I developing feelings for this girl? Am I falling in love with Meg? Of course she couldn't feel the same way about me. I'm just a monster and no one loves a monster, not even the devil himself. She will recover fully soon. A week, maybe? Then she will be gone, and I will most likely never see her again. It's better off that way. She doesn't deserve to live down here. No one does, except me. I felt exhausted and decided to get some rest. I went to my bedroom and lay on the bed. Sleep didn't come quickly though, but when it finally came it was filled with dreams of Meg.

Meg

I woke up feeling rested and better than I have been in days. I got up and walked into the hallway. The grandfather clock said it was seven thirty in morning. I walked into the main room and found it empty. Erik must still be asleep. I went to his room and knocked on the door. No answer. I opened the door and found Erik sound asleep, hopefully. I went and knelt on the side of the bed and noticed he had fallen asleep with his mask on. I gently removed his mask and placed it on the night stand. He looked so peaceful while sleeping. I traced my fingers on the deformed side of his cheek absentmindedly. I wonder if he had the same feelings I felt for him. Most likely not. I was no Christine, just another ballet rat to him. Suddenly, his hand flew up and caught my wrist. I was so startled that I leapt up, only causing more pain to my wrist.

"Erik, let go, you're hurting me." He didn't let go, but sat up and glared at me.

"Why did you take off my mask?" he asked angrily.

"It looked uncomfortable so I removed it and placed it on the night stand."

"I wear a mask for a reason. To hide this from the world," he said, pointing to his face.

"There is nothing to hide from me, Erik."

"Aren't you frightened, mademoiselle? Aren't you going to scream and run away?" he asked coldly.

"No. Why would I? I see nothing but beauty in you. Your face doesn't change a thing of what I thought about you before. Plus, I've seen it before, don't you remember? When you faked dead? Erik, just get over it. I'm not going to run away from you shrieking in horror, unless you want me to." He let go of my wrist and reached for the mask. I saw what he was doing and got there first. I took the mask and ran to the doorway.

"Meg, please give me back my mask."

"No."

"Meg, give it to me now," he said annoyed.

"No. If you want it, you will have to come get before I throw it into the lake." After I said that his eyes widened.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, I would, Monsieur Phantom." With that said I started heading towards the lake. Right when I got into the hallway I heard him getting out of the bed. I started to run down the hallway. I heard him running; he was right behind me. I entered the main room and headed for the lake as fast as I could. I was just about to throw the mask into the water when he grabbed my arm and spun me around. I stared into his eyes for a moment before he took the mask out of my hand and let go of my arm. When he let go I lost my balance and fell into the lake. I couldn't swim at all and I was struggling to stay above water. I felt my self sinking from the weight of the dress and I was soon under water. I was just about to give up when I felt two strong arms around my waist. I then fell unconscious.

I was on the stage practicing for rehearsals. Maman was giving out orders and I followed flawlessly. After practice was over, I headed towards Christine's room. I felt like visiting Erik today. Before I could enter her room, though, Joshua appeared.

"Hello, Meg. How are you feeling today?"

"Just fine, thank you."

"Splendid. I was wondering if you would like to come with me to dinner."

"Oh, no thank you. I have other plans for tonight, but maybe another time."

"Would you care to tell me what those plans may be?" he asked suspicious.

"I'm going to…visit a friend. I haven't seen him in a while, you see and-"

"Him? Who is this man you are visiting? Certainly not a suitor."

"That would be none of your business, Monsieur."

"Oh, but it is my business. You see, I like to protect what is mine and make sure no one else has her."

"Yours? I am not yours. Now, if would excuse me," I said, heading into Christine's room. I walked in and was turned around only to meet a blow from Joshua.

"You are mine and you will come to dinner with me." He gave me a sharp kick to the ribs and left the room with a satisfied smile on his face. His kick had knocked the air out of me and everything was slowly fading away. I heard Erik's voice calling out my name in a panic.

"Meg? Meg! MEG!"

"Meg, can you hear me? Oh God, Meg, please wake up." I heard Erik talking. I slowly opened my eyes and saw him leaning over me, panic written all over his face.

"Meg! You're alive!" he said, bringing me into a tight embrace. "I thought I had lost you."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused. He let go of me.

"Don't you remember? I let you go into the lake."

"Oh, yes. Now I remember. I thought I died. I felt arms around my waist before I blacked out. Was that you?"

"Yes, it was. Are you alright? I'm so sorry, can you forgive me?"

"I'm fine. Of course I can forgive you. It was by accident." We stood up and walked over to the organ. He sat down on the bench and I sat on the floor next to him.

"Will you play something?" I asked, hopefully. He nodded and began to play a tune from the opera Carmen. It was a beautiful piece, and he made it sound even more wonderful. We sat there and he played for hours.

"Will you sing for me, Erik?" I asked after he finished a piece from Il Muto.

"Of course." He thought for a moment before starting a song. His voice was like an angel. No wonder Christine had called him an Angel of Music for he truly was just that. The song was beautiful.

"Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness wakes and stirs imagination. Silently the senses, abandon their defenses. Helpless to resist the notes I write, for I compose the Music of the Night," he sang. I slowly began to drift into a sleep to his beautiful singing. I felt my self being lifted and carried. I was placed in my bed as he finished his song.

"You alone can make my song take flight, help me make the Music of the Night." As he sang the last few notes, he stood up and walked to the door.

"Goodnight, my Little Meg."

"Goodnight, Erik." He left the room, closing the door behind him. I thought of everything that had happened today. Now I knew that I was defiantly in love with Erik. I fell into a peaceful sleep with dreams of Erik playing the organ and him singing to me.

Erik

I went to his room and lay down on the bed. I thought back on the events of the day and smiled. Now I knew that I was truly in love with Meg. And with that thought on mind, I fell into a deep and peaceful sleep with dreams of Meg sitting on the floor by the organ while I played and sang to her.

Okay, this chapter had little fluff in it, I know, but don't worry. They will be getting together soon, but not without a few bumps in the way. Alrighty then, review and I'll write. Fair enough? Good.