"Now it's not much different than Paris's version," Eric explained as he helped Christine get ready for the run through. "Just go with what you know." She nodded nervously, she hadn't even looked at the opera for years.
"Will you be with me?" She asked nervously.
Eric grasped her shaking hand, "I'll be up above, if he thinks like me he will be there."
Christine was nervous, she didn't like Eric putting himself in danger but it was for the best if he could be caught before anything happened. "Don't get hurt." she begged starting to tear up.
Eric's gloved hand stroked her cheek, "I won't." He assured, "now if you keep blubbering you will need to put your makeup on again." He chuckled warmly.
Eric left her to get dressed, and made his way up to the overhang waiting.
Dress rehearsal started Eric walked the beams keeping a close eye on box five where the owner sat and on the stage where Christine sang.
"What a beautiful voice she has monsieur fantôme de l'opéra." A man said in broken French. Eric turned around looking for the source of the voice. "Keep your hand at the level of your eyes, Monsieur." He hissed. Eric's heart pounded in his chest and a bead of sweat formed along his thin dusted blond hairline.
Eric clenched his fists looking for the voice that seemed to be traveling around him. Eric thought about his accent, "Persian," he breathed through his teeth. "What does the shah want with me?" Eric growled.
The man laughed, Eric felt himself being whipped back with a rope around his neck the man wasn't strong or skilled enough to snap his neck so instead Eric fell with a thump to the ground. Eric struggled to keep the rope from strangling him grabbing the trying to slide his fingers through the noose.
"You did not obey my orders." The man roared tightening the rope. Eric looked up the man was average height, he was slightly overweight, smart but lacked the experience Eric had.
Eric kicked himself around almost facing the man, his face was completely covered with a white mask Eric had no way of recognizing him but his accent was definitely Persian.
Eric was getting light headed his neck was burning from the raw rope. With his last ounce of strength he kicked the man's knee out from under him. The man released the rope as he fell Eric jumped to his feat the room spinning as he tried to get his lungs working again.
The imposter took that opportunity to escape leaving Eric standing in a beam trying to regain his senses.
The show had ended as Eric climbed still a little weak down to box 5 where the owner sat.
"Eric!" He cried alarmed as Eric opened the box door. "Your neck!"
Eric felt the deep friction burn on his neck. "I used softer rope." He mumbled his voice shaking. Eric couldn't get the fact that he was middle eastern out of his head, he decided it was time to include Nadir.
"Did you get him?" William asked knowing the answer full well.
"No." Eric replied bluntly. Eric sat down in the seat next to William holding his face in his hands defeated. The adrenaline was wearing off and his neck burned but the bleeding was stopping.
Eric groaned frustrated as he slumped in his chair and watched the rest of the performance. All he could think of is what the Shah wanted with him, he had spent years at that man's mercy being beaten into submission he just wanted that hell to be over.
"Did you know him?" William asked. Eric jumped startled by the sudden voice. Eric shook his head, "I am not sure, he was wearing a mask." Eric mumbled.
"But you know something, don't you?"
Eric breathed "I do but he's listening to us now and so I won't say anything." Eric whispered harshly. "I'm going to go see Christine."
Eric got up, he was exhausted so much had happened in the last two days so much emotion was surging through him so many questions that he needed answers to.
Eric tapped gently on the dressing room door, Christine was singing her songs. A warm feeling overcame him, something he never felt before.
Christine paused when she heard the taps. "It's open." She sang joyfully. Eric smiled as he opened the door, "oh Eric," she squealed wrapping her arms around his neck giving him a kiss.
Eric felt a chill at her warm touch, it was too much for him to take. "You were perfect." He smiled forgetting all of his problems.
"I am so happy Eric, I can't wait to be on stage again." She giggled dancing around the room like a child. Eric chuckled at the sight of her spinning and dancing her chocolate curls flying everywhere.
"Daddy!" A cute little overjoyed voice squealed behind him. Eric reached for his baby, "thank you Mary." He smiled at the ballerina who was watching the baby. "She is so fun sir, I'll watch her any time."
Eric laughed squeezing the laughing little girl, "I might take you up on that."
Mary gasped, "Mr. Destler! What happened to your neck?"
Christine ran over to Eric looking at the now blistering rope burn. "Eric! What happened?"
Eric rolled his eyes and Christine sat him down and started rubbing an ointment on his neck, "I'm fine..." Eric paused not wanting to say anything about the inventor. "I just got a little careless."
Christine knew he was lying and Mary crossed her arms and glared at him. Eric didn't say anything just sat there putting up with there pestering questions shifting his eyes nervously between the two.
"Well I see he's not going to say anything with me in here." Mary sneered storming out of the room. Christine moved over to the chair in front of Eric she sat down and leaned forward, her eyes stirn.
"Now what happened?" She asked her voice was low and stir, Eric thought she looked kinda cute acting completely out of character and challenge him. "Quit smiling at me and tell me what happened!" She growled.
Eric didn't even notice he was smiling, "I got careless with the intruder." He mumbled hoping she was happy with his answer.
She crossed her arms, "you're not going to tell me are you?"
Eric bounced Rosa on his knee "no, at least not here and now." Eric replied breathing through his teeth.
"Ouch." Rosa cried, Eric looked concerned at the baby to see her pointing at him. Eric chuckled his mood lightning, "I Guess so little Rosa." Rosa climbed up on his leg supporting herself on his broad shoulders slowly she leaned in and kissed the burn.
Eric looked at her he big blue eyes overwhelmed him, how could his baby be so perfect? "Better daddy?" she asked cocking her little head to the side. Eric smiled his eyes beginning to water, "Yes little Rosa."
She frowned again, "Mask, scary." Eric's heart melted, she was not scared of his face, instead she was afraid of his mask. Eric choked up as the toddler grabbed the mask pulling it off without a seconds thought.
"She is an extraordinary child." Christine remarked wiping a tear away.
Eric grinned pride surging through him, he heart swelling at the thought of his child she was a compassionate being, he smile could melt a heart of ice, "how can you be so perfect?" Eric asked beginning to break down, "how can something like me be blessed with two people who care?"
Rosa didn't understand his words but she hugged him again giving him another wet childish kiss.
Ah Rosa is so cute. I think Eric is going to be a wonderful dad!
