Chapter 14: Phantoms From The Past

10 years had passed since the Opera Populaire found that their resident phantom seemed to have crossed over to the other side but Claire had long since moved on from Paris due to the fact that there were too many bad memories which haunted her there. She kept in contact with Antoinette and Nadir through various letters as she traveled from place to place; She had been to China, Peru, England and was currently relaxing with a ships' hold that was bound for America.

Claire was reading a recent letter she had received from Antoinette whilst at the last port before boarding the ship,

'My Dearest Claire,

I shall begin this letter the same way that I begin every one I send your way. I cannot begin to express how much myself and Meg miss you. I wish I could say that I was certain that Nadir felt the same but it was only three months ago that he returned to Persia after learning that the Shah had died from a terrible fever... I am sure this is blessed news to you, my dear and I pray that learning of this does not bring back terrible memories for you.

I hope that this letter finds you safe and well... I know that you have requested I not mention this certain subject within our correspondence but I must once again as if you have come across Erik in any of your travels. I am sure that I do not need to remind you that I continue to think of him as the son I always wanted but was unfortunately never blessed with.

I had hoped to receive some form of sign from him during these past 10 years... Has it truly been that long? I find myself having to give myself constant reminders that a man like himself must remain cautious throughout his life and so... I must endure the possibility that I might never hear from him again... The thought of this breaks my heart but... If he is safe and well then I shall continue to have a partial peace of mind.

Meg has asked that you send her another Theater playbill from your next destination. She is always so happy to receive one now and again with your letters. She is currently training very hard for an audition that might present her with an opportunity of a full scholarship to an astounding academy of music, dance and arts.

I hope to hear from you soon. May your travels keep you safe and well... I wish you happy days and sweet dreams, my dear.

Yours,

Antoinette'

Claire smiled softly with a slight trace of sadness within her eyes as she folded the letter up and put it safely within her satchel; She wished she could write a letter telling her that she had come across Erik during her travels... But she unfortunately had not. There had been a time after he left her alone in Paris that she had been angry... That was before she had read his letter that Nadir had given her after informing her of his sudden departure... A letter she kept safe within her sketchbook that contained drawings of places she had visited... A letter she found herself retrieving to read for most likely the thousandth time,

'... Claire...

I have written down many things in my dark and lonely life... But I can honestly tell you that this is the hardest thing that I have ever had to write. Last night, you gave me a gift... A gift of something that I never thought I would feel... You made me feel loved.

I understand that you must be terribly confused by my leaving but please know that I am so sorry and that I pray you might somehow find it in your own heart to forgive me.

I wish you every happiness.

I shall see you in my dreams, my dear Claire.

Yours always,

Erik'

It was as the ship was approaching American shores that Claire made her way up on deck and looked up at the stars that filled the night sky as she thought of someone very dear to her... Little did she know that it was upon an island not far from her location that the very person she thought of was doing exactly the same thing as he thought of her with a sad expression upon his masked face.

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Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996