Hello my readers! I do apologize for not posting; it's been an emotional week and work isn't really helping. I know the past 2 chapters were rather short, and probably really bad (insert awkward emoji here). I promise to make up for it, with several chapters to be posted soon and I hope to send you all on an emotional rollercoaster! You won't know what will happen next! Just a reminder; I do NOT own any of the original Leroux or Webber characters (Madame, Erik, Meg etc.) I only lay claim to my OC. I would love to have any/all of my readers leave reviews/ comments for this story. I could really use them to fuel what I have instore for the backside of the climax of the story. I remain your obedient servant,

~The Southern Rose~

I awake in a room with one candle next to the bed, but it wasn't my bed. This bed was round, sheets of silk and pillows of real feathers, it was Erik's bed. I wish he were here next to me… Next to the candle was again, a rose tied with a black ribbon and a note underneath it.

Mon ange, in the closet is a dress that might fit you. You've grown very thin so it may be a touch big. I'll be back soon; I must talk to Badeaux and Leroux about something. Love, Erik.

I loved him. I rolled over and tried to push myself up, but my body was too weak to support my weight and I crashed back onto the bed. I really needed to get out of this wet and torn costume so I tried again. This time, I pushed up off the bed and was able to stand on my own legs. I shuffled to the closet where the dress was hanging neatly. When I compared it to my body, there was no way I could wear this and move at the same time. The dress dragged the floor, the sleeves extending past my hands and the neckline was so low, I would be showing more than a brothel woman. Putting it back, I wondered if there was something in the other room. Taking his other cape, I wrapped myself in its velvety warmth and walk across the hall. I tried the door knob and surprisingly, it was unlocked. I grabbed the short, stubby candle from the other room and brought light into a room that hadn't seen it for years. The room was filled with things he considered to be junk; boxes, wooden frames, broken and burnt tables and chairs, and in the corner was a chest. The chest had the initials CED carved on it. I set the candle on a chair and walked over to the chest. Inside was a load of dresses, cloaks, and lace pieces that were littered with holes, some barely more than a rag. After rummaging through all of them, there was one that seemed to say 'wear me'. The holes were towards the bottom and the buttons were missing. It was white and light as a snowflake. The sleeves were burnt off, probably from the fire, but it looked just as nice with small sleeves that barely covered my shoulders. I brought it back to the bedroom and changed. It fit me well enough and was light enough for me to sleep in, and that's precisely what I did. I tucked myself back into the warmth of the sheets and was asleep in minutes. When I woke up, Erik was standing, well, more like leaning against the door, his eyes only half open.
"Erik mon douce..." I whispered. I scared him unintentionally.
"Belle!" His eyes widened with surprise. I sat up and brought my legs to my chest, smiling with my head on my knees. A tear sneaked out from under his mask as he ran to my side. He sat on the bed and embraced me in a warm and tight hug. "I will never let you go. I promise..." He whispered while stroking my long hair, squeezing me tight. I flinched at his light grip, yelping in pain. He pulled back and took a long look at me, noticing the cut across my cheek and the bruises on my neck. "What did he do to you?"
"It's nothing, really…." I trailed off. Please just let this go…
"These bruises are not nothing mon ange..." I swallowed hard. I looked away, fiddling with the sheet which I tried to use to hide the rest of my bruises. Erik pulled away the sheets and examined the rest of my body. He pulled the sheets away from me, my legs mostly red and blue. He ran a hand over my back and I flinched more times than not. The look on his face made guilt and disgust well up inside.
"I don't wanna talk about it. I want them to go away and never surface."
"Belle please, I can help, wait, them...?" I let out a sigh and looked at him, my face like a literal beaten horse. I turned my back to him and slowly pulled the dress over my head to reveal a back that was more purple and blue that flesh. The bruises reached around my sides, hugging every exposed rib. My legs were the same story. After a few moments, he began to put things together. "No..." he whispered. I quickly put my dress back on and closed my eyes. I could feel him get up. I looked up, the mask glowed against is hot angry face. "I'll kill them both!" He swore. He slammed his fist on the small table next to the bed. Erik stormed back and forth in the room, swearing like a drunken sailor on leave. I closed my eyes again. I felt such shame. He stormed over to the door and punched it with all he had, screaming like a banshee. I jumped and cried out in fear.
"NO PLEASE! DON'T HURT ME!" His head snapping to my sound. I was curled in a ball, my arm instinctively raised in defense. Sighing, he returned to my side, unable to look at me, but put a gentle hand to mine. I touched him gently on the arm. He didn't flinch, but continued to stare into the distance, like he was pondering at what type of noose to use. I took his face in my hand and turned it back to face me. His gaze slowly began to soften, maybe because he saw me not as an obstacle, but a human. Or maybe he knew that what's done is done and he cannot change the past. Erik grabbed my hand from his face, kissed it and said. "Stay here and I will get something to help heal that." He left and came back with a small bottle and a bandage. Using an old cloth from his 'junk room' he poured the alcohol onto the cloth and cleaned the cuts on my forehead. I was still covered in filth and now I had a few clean marks across my head. We both began to laugh,
"Maybe you could use a bath. After all, I don't want you dirtying my bed any more than you already have."
"Well I see you care more for your sheets than for me." I sarcastically replied, turning my back to him and crossing my arms.
"Mon beau ange cheri, you know that is not so!" he playfully pleaded. He scooted closer to me and wrapped his arms gingerly around my waist. "Would a hot bath and a beautiful song make it up to you mon amant le plus magnifuque… ?" he cooed in my ear. I leaned into his chest, a smirk gracing my lips. "I really need to clean up. I'm tired of feeling messy, plus some beautiful music and handsome company would make everything so much better…" I purred. He kissed my cheek and picked me up in his arms, sighing and shaking his head.
"You are a devilish woman; you know that?" he chuckled. Warm water never felt so good in all my life. Erik placed the screen in front of the tub to let me change and have my privacy. He sat at his piano in the main living area and played his heart out. I nearly fell asleep to his beautiful voice, so rich and dark, so tantalizing. I somehow managed to get out of the tub, dried and changed. I stumbled toward the main area, swearing under my breath.
"Bon sang!" I cry out, dropping to my knees. My head ached terribly, like someone was pounding out a march. I hear the quiet march of Erik's boots. He quietly scooped me in his arms and laid me in his bed, softly petting my hair. "Erik…" I whimpered "Please…hold me…" I felt a soft kiss to my temple as he changed into a night shirt. Soon I was joined by a warm body and a strong pair of arms gingerly holding me. I slowly rolled to my side, my Erik smiling back at me. "Take that silly thing off…" I groaned.
"I will frighten you even more… I am nothing but" I pressed my lips to his, my hand slowly removing his mask.
"I want to love all of you, not just part…" my voice weak
"Oh mon petit ange…" he whispered, kissing my forehead. He pulled me close to his chest, softly singing me to sleep.