Happy (almost) Halloween! We still got a couple of more weeks, but I'm pretty positive that my next update will be after it. But I digress.

Thank you for the awesome reviews! I was happy to read all of them, and hope you all enjoy this chapter as well! One particular review, someone was concerned that I'm unsure with where this story is currently going - I would have PMed them, however, they did not have an account. So I will respond here, not just because I couldn't respond to them directly, but also to reassure the rest of you, if you happened to have a similar concern. I am actually very positive with where my story is going - I've never been anymore determined than I am now, actually. There are a couple of ideas I have for certain scenes (as in, I'm struggling with HOW I'm going to write them), but regardless of how exactly I decide to have certain scenes play out, I at least know what events are going to occur in my story, and what the outcomes of each one will be. I actually have an entire separate notebook that's filled up of notes and ideas I have for this story. It's basically one huge outline. I never needed to do this until I began my second story. So rest assured - I'm not lost.

I hope that response doesn't seem as if I'm shunning you - that's not all my intention. Actually, I was very happy to see the review (if you haven't noticed, I love reviews), and thought that your concern was a good thing to address. I don't want anyone to worry that my story is falling apart, because it's not. All is well! I promise. If anyone else has any other questions like that, feel free to ask! Or any questions for that matter.

Anyhoo, this chapter is named after Angel's by Within Temptation. It most likely would've fit for the last chapter more-so, but oh well. There's a lot of songs that I've found that fit Clare's situation.

I do not own the rights to the Phantom of the Opera, nor any music by Within Temptation. I only own my OC's!

Enjoy!

. . .

By the time the next day rolled around, I knew it was time to start lying again. Erik's doppelgänger had surprised me by handing over my cell phone with my manager's number having already been dialed.

How did he know that Jace is my manager? I wondered to my horror as I heard my phone quietly ring, waiting for Jace to answer.

"As we discussed yesterday," Erik said steadily. "you're 'sick' today." My heart felt as if it plummeted when the ringing ceased, and back ground noise from the bar became audible.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me, Clare." I couldn't remember if he had saved my contact in his phone. "I'm afraid I can't come in today. I'm sick." My trembling voice probably made it believable, even though I wasn't trying to act. My heart felt as if it was thumping in my throat.

There was a short silence over the line, and I knew that he was probably mentally scrambling, trying to think of what to do.

"Sick how? Like a cold? We can always get you something." I knew he'd try anything to get me into work regardless.

I'd rather have my biggest dread right now simply be having to go to work. I dearly missed my ordinary life.

My kidnapper touched my arm, grabbing my attention and making my stomach turn from the contact. "Be convincing." He said in a tone low enough that I knew Jace wouldn't have heard. I wanted to argue, but I knew it was too risky. I thought of blurting out the truth to Jace, but I knew that Erik's doppelgänger would have yanked the phone away before I could've gotten the full sentence out.

Get. On. His good side. First. My mind sternly reminded me for the millionth time. It was the only thing that was preventing me from wavering under Erik's command. I wished there was a secretive way to tell Jace I was in danger.

Think of something to say for tomorrow's phone call. I took a deep breath, bringing the phone back to my ear.

"No, I have the flu." I lied. "I-I've been puking since last night." I knew that particular detail would convince him in the meantime. There was another long pause, confirming that my assumption was correct.

"Alright. Hope you feel better soon."

"Thanks, me too." I was afraid to hang up. I wanted to keep the conversation going as long as possible. "I'm just. . .really scared right now." I weakly admitted.

"Why?" The least I could do was hint that something was wrong. Even if what I was saying sounded ridiculous at the moment. There was no point in masking my terror.

Please help me.

"I feel like I'm going to die." The long silence on the other line told me that he was taken aback by the ludicrous things I was saying.

"It's just a bad flu." He finally said. I could hear in his voice that he was trying to be reassuring despite his confusion. "Something's been going around anyways. Shelly went home early yesterday because of it. Just rest up in the meantime." I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the plea that wanted to pour from my mouth.

"Okay." My heart felt as if it was deflating in my chest. "I'm sorry." I wasn't sure why I was apologizing at this point. I suppose it was because I was sorry that I wasn't home where I was supposed to be.

"Don't be, it's okay." His words sounded strained. "See you later."

A soft but curt laugh escaped from me. "Lets hope." I didn't care if it sounded dark or blunt. I immediately hung up, knowing that there was nothing left to say. I could only allow him to try to decipher the message behind my words for himself. They most likely wouldn't be carefully analyzed until word went around that I was missing. Who knew how long it would be before they realized that.

Erik's doppelgänger plucked my phone straight from my hand, and I didn't bother to fight him for it. What was the point in that?

He turned my phone off before he slipped it back into his pocket.

"I'm sorry." He looked at me with sympathetic eyes, almost seeming genuine.

No you're not. My mind snapped back angrily, and I just about had to bite my tongue to prevent the words from coming out. If you were, you'd let me go. But you won't.

I instead cast my eyes away from his, not wanting to initiate in conversation. I'd much rather get back to reading - that way I wouldn't have to interact with him.

Erik's doppelgänger broke the silence when I refused to do so first. He gestured towards the sitting area. "Lets read, shall we?" He spoke the words like a charming gentleman, but the charm was long lost to me.

Lets get the hell out of here, shall we? And by we I specifically mean me.

Without saying a word, I reluctantly turned away, returning to the chair I sat in earlier. I felt like a moody teen, bitterly following orders from their parents - and I had skipped the rebellious phase that most teens went through, too. I suppose he brought out my inner bitch.

I lifted up the Phantom of the Opera novel I had been reading, taking up the doppelgänger on his suggestion.

It would be a pleasure to forget about your presence.

He returned to the couch, reaching over for his copy of Dracula that sat on the wooden coffee table. Although he was quiet, he acted as if everything was normal. It was as if I was merely a house cat, sitting in the library with him. I glanced towards the closed door, wondering how complicated my exit was to reach. What was beyond the hall? What did the living room look like? Or any room for that matter? Were all the other windows and doors blocked off?

I deeply yearned to look outside. To see natural sunlight pool into the room. I felt like a wilting flower, trapped behind the concealing walls of a tomb. How could I live the rest of my life like this?

I recalled the doppelgänger's promise for me to see the rest of the house. I was eager to see the entire layout. I was eager to form an escape plan. I wasn't sure how much longer my patience would last, what little bit I had.

"So. . ." I began nonchalantly, flipping to the page I had left off on. He lifted his head, his full attention on me. "When will you show me the rest of the house?" I smoothed out the dog ear I had made on the corner of the page before forcing myself to meet his gaze.

His eyebrow was furrowed and his lips were slightly pursed. I wasn't sure if he was frowning or deep in thought.

"That won't be today, if that's what you were hoping." My hopes felt as if they crashed to the floor. "I think it would be best to gradually show you each room."

"Why?" I asked before I could stop myself. I hesitated, trying to carefully filter my thoughts before I continued speaking. "I mean, if this is my new home, then I would like to see the rest of it." It sounded reasonable - as reasonable as this situation could be, anyways. He merely stared at me for a moment, his furrowed brow seeming to furrow even more.

"I see you've suddenly adjusted to the idea of living here." His wary tone sounded dreadfully accusing. It felt as if ice cold water ran through my veins. My soul felt invaded by his piercing eyes that saw right through me. He was no fool. "You're going to be living here for a long time. There is no need to rush."

My gut wrenched by the reminder of his plan of keeping me here for what I assumed was the rest of our lives. What did he honestly plan to do here for that long? A deep sense of distraught weighed down on me, feeling stronger than gravity, and making the air seem too thick to breathe. God forbid if I had to waste away the rest of my life here.

Tears of resentment stung my eyes. I wanted to be free of this prison - hell, even free of his presence. Having had enough today, I rose to my feet.

"Fine then." I retorted. At the moment, I didn't give a damn about acting like a cooperative angel. "Take me back to my room." I demanded, my words sounding as if they came from a fuming diva like Carlotta. I gripped the Phantom of the Opera novel tightly in my right hand, trying to cease my shaking.

His eyes flickered up to mine, his expression seeming harder than usual. I prayed that he wouldn't get in my face and/or become violent. I knew that if he did, I would have to be strong and stand my ground. I had to hold onto some strength at least.

"I would prefer to read alone." Although I spat the words out, meaning for them to sound firm, my voice betrayed me by wavering. My heart felt like lead in my chest, and a lump seemed to have swelled in the base of my throat again. I knew I was trembling before him.

He merely observed me for a moment. While he had a hardened expression, I sensed he was trying to read me, much like his copy of Dracula. I wanted to move my eyes away from his powerful gaze. I hated being under his spotlight. I knew I would forever be viewed as a submissive coward if I was the first to break eye contact. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I gave in and handed him the keys to be in control. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I spent the rest of my days here because I was too much of a weak coward. I couldn't simply give up by accepting my fate here. If he was expecting me to be a new addition of this house, I would make sure to be the most ill mannered resident. I would give him hell.

Raging tears threatened to blur my vision as I attempted to remain standing tall, chin raised. A short, exasperated sigh soundlessly left his mouth, before the doppelgänger sat his book down on the coffee table, and stood in one fluid movement. My stature no longer felt tall and strong as his form naturally towered over mine.

"Very well." His voice was deep but oddly emotionless. He didn't seem surprised. "If that is what you want." I glared daggers at him, hoping one would pierce his soul.

Not able to stand looking at him for any longer, I turned on my heel, heading towards the door. I was stopped in my tracks when he firmly grabbed my wrist, wrenching my full attention at him again, my wrist tingling underneath his fingers, still tender and sensitive.

I was forced to look at his half masked face again, even if his grip on my wrist wasn't tight and unrelenting. I knew he couldn't see the bandages that were around my wrist, hiding beneath my sleeve. My jaw clenched tightly, trying to suppress my discomfort.

"I will take you back." He stated firmly.

Of course he wouldn't want me to get too close to the door without his assistance. I tore my wrist away from his hand, feeling pain shoot through like an electrical current. I was almost too angry to care. The pain wasn't enough to make me grimace, but it made my stomach briefly clench tightly in discomfort.

"Fine." I spat.

His eyes tore away, locking onto the door as he moved towards it. I followed, reluctantly obeying him. He opened the tall, towering door before stepping out first. I knew that to the left was "my" room. To the right was the remainder of the hall that I hadn't been allowed to venture down yet. He stood to the right of the door, standing in the hall, only giving me the option to turn left. I knew it was not a coincidence that he blocked off the opposite side of the hall that I had yet to wander down.

Heat felt to have radiated from me as I stormed back to "my" room, not having any other place to escape to. I knew he was following behind as I entered the bland bedroom. I could feel his heavy presence as well as his eyes that felt to be fixed at the back of my head. I wanted to throw him a dirty look.

Turning to glare at him, I found that he was paused at the doorway, his hand rested on the door handle, his blue eyes settled upon the cream colored tile we stood on. His lips were pressed in a straight line in thought, before they relaxed and he gradually lifted his eyes to mine.

"I really am sorry." A look of seemingly genuine regret shone in his eyes, taking me aback. "I wish it didn't have to be like this. I wish I could make you happy here." I was stunned, and nearly knocked wordless as I stood before him, greatly confused by his words. However, the initial feeling of anger still continued to glow in my soul, unable to be doused by his words.

"If you really cared, you would let me go."

The ceiling light shone over the top of his head, his ebony hair reflecting the light. Where the light did not reach his face, shadows lurked instead. His dark eyes seemed to glow within the shadows that masked his face.

"I do care." He spoke in a monotone voice. "And because of that, I can't let you go."

"Then you're sick." I hissed, my voice coming out fainter than I wanted. My eyes burned as my body trembled, and heat pulsed from the core of my chest.

I half expected that he would snap at me for crossing a line, but to my surprise he said nothing. Apparently today he was feeling meek while I felt forward. The emptiness in the depths of his eyes didn't falter.

"Well, here we are." He said, deciding to ignore my nasty statement. He spoke as if he was my butler in a rich estate. Did he think it would change my opinions of him? "You're bedroom."

A twinge of fear pricked me. The air suddenly felt foreboding.

And you're not to stay, either. I mentally shot back. I loathed that he referred to it as my bedroom, but what I hated even more was that I had mentally referred to it as "mine" as well. He didn't make a move to advance towards me, or to even step fully into the room.

"I suppose this is where we part for now."

It's a shame we can't part at the front door. Instead my mind bluntly replied to his statement with a harsh "yes", since I felt too angry to even be capable to respond.

"I will see you tomorrow morning. Enjoy the rest of your day." With nothing further to say, he retreated to the hall, shutting the door behind himself. But of course, not without locking the door.

. . .

So Clare is trying to remain strong even though she's fuming and falling apart inside. What do you think the doppelgänger's reasoning behind all of this is? Or do you think he's simply unreasonable to begin with? Is Jace going to figure out that something fishy is going on?

Fun fact: Shortly after I wrote this chapter, I actually ended up getting sick and had to call off work one day. My manager was not happy. And actually tried very hard to persuade me to come into work, regardless of how sick I felt. I know calling out sucks (I actually hate doing it), but if you're sick you're sick. I finally had to say that I was extremely nauseated (I mostly felt feverish, but I was feeling queasy too), and was ready to puke. It wasn't until I said that that she finally accepted it. But she was pissed. At that point, I didn't care anymore. Yay for oh-so very understanding managers.

Thanks for reading everyone! Pretty please review - it will make my day.