Chapter Thirty-seven

Phantom Unbound

Erik used the Rue Scribb entrance to the underbelly of the opera house. Erik made his way to his home quickly to retrieve his knife, pistol and his Punjab. He would be well armed but he would not need any of it if he found Harry had harmed Anna again. Their would be no third occurance. Harry would die this night.

Once he felt well armed Erik used his secret passages and spy holes to locate Rafe and Katie. He found them together. Speaking to them from behind the wall he nearly gave them a heart attack. Erik used the hidden door leading to one of the practice rooms. Erik cared not that the couple had been practicing neither dance nor song. All he cared about was whether they knew where he might find Harry. Anna had been missing for over four hours. In that time indescribable horrors could have been perpetrated upon her.

Erik cared nothing about what clandestine affairs the couple shared. His only concern at the moment was to find Anna and make sure that man Harry did not remain breathing for one day more.

Brushing the couple's embarrassed explanations aside Erik acquainted them with the matter at hand. Rafe cursed then apologized to Katie before he told all he knew about Harry's dealings these last few weeks.

Harry had been angry to have been dismissed on the say so of some shadowy figure who had no real connection with the opera house. He had left with the promise of retribution. Rafe gave Erik the address where Harry had last been staying. Rafe enquired if Erik wished for him to accompany him. Erik replied that no, he did not wish to involve anyone in what he had planed for Harry. Rafe could almost feel sorry for Harry having to face Erik's wrath, almost.

Katie asked Rafe if they perhaps should not follow Erik to ensure he did not do anything that could bring down the gendarmes upon his head.

Rafe kissed her forehead as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. They had only just admitted their true feelings for one another but Rafe felt certain that if a man had done to Katie what Harry had done twice to Anna the man would take his last breath once Rafe found him. He felt certain Erik had similar plans for Harry. Erik had been lenient once because Anna had asked him for mercy. This time Rafe felt that no one could deter Erik from his chosen path. Rafe could not say he would even want to try. He gave his assurance that Erik being the man he was Erik would rescue Anna then do what he must with no one being the wiser.

Erik's long stride ate up the distance to Harry's apartment. He assessed the best way into the building with the least risk of discovery. Going into the alley Erik saw a metal ladder attached to the side of the building which led to the roof. If he climbed up he could then step off the ladder on the appropriate level onto the ledge that wrapped around the building.

With Erik's past skills climbing in the opera house he made quick work of the ladder. Holding onto the small ridges of the bricks with his fingers proved a little trickier but not insurmountable. One foot and one hand at a time Erik eased his way toward the window that would lead into a hallway.

He hoped the window would be unlocked so that it did not necessitate him breaking the glass as the least commotion just now the better.

Luck was on Erik's side, the window opened with little effort. Once inside Erik walked down the hall noting the numbers on the doors. Erik put his ear to the door but heard nothing.

Silently Erik tried the doorknob. The lock had unfortunately been used on the door. Reaching into his pocket Erik pulled out his lock picking kit. Within a few seconds he had the lock undone and silently slipped through the open door.

Erik nearly roared out loud in rage as he saw Anna tied to the bed with Harry sprawled naked beside her. Anna had her clothing on but she looked disheveled.

Erik withdrew his Punjab from his inner pocket. He debated whether or not he should kill the man now or get Anna out first. Making the decision that Anna's safety was more important Erik took a step forward. His boot kicked against several empty wine bottles.

Erik crept to the bed. His fingers curled in anger when he saw the blood at the corner of Anna's mouth and the bruise forming on her cheek. He must remove Anna first. He could take care of Harry anytime.

Erik gently covered Anna's mouth with his gloved hand. Her eyes popped open and she screamed against his hand. He bent down to whisper in her ear. He felt her immediate relaxation upon hearing his voice.

Erik made short work of the ropes tying Anna. Helping Anna to her feet Erik guided her out the door, down the hallway then down the stairs and out the front door.

Anna turned to Erik to throw her arms around his neck as soon as the door closed behind them. In Erik's arms would be the only place Anna ever truly felt safe.

"Oh Erik it was horrible. He…he did things…such horrible things. He…we…he did not take me as you did. He was far to intoxicated shortly after we arrived here to do anything really. Erik I knew you would come. You will always come for me. I love you so much Erik. I fought him as hard as I could."

"It is alright Anna. I am going to find a cab to take you to the opera house. Wait with Rafe and Katie. I must go back up to finish this. You understand do you not? I cannot let him walk out of that room one more day. He must be stopped, permanently. Please forgive me but this is something I must do." Erik feared Anna would think him a monster just as Harry and Roger were.

"Erik I can't say I am happy knowing what you are about to do but believe me if I had had the means I would have killed the bastard myself. Please be careful Erik. Come back to me. We all need you." Anna took Erik's hand and placed it on her stomach. Erik drew his breath inward, choked with emotions. He could only assume this was Anna's way of telling him that she believed herself to be with child. His child.

"I will come back to you Anna, both of you. I promise I will come for you."

If Erik could be certain Harry would never come for Anna again he would let the man live but knowing how the man's mind worked to do anything other than to end Harry's life would be foolish.

Erik found a cab who for a few extra coins asked no questions about Anna's disheveled state or his own crazed look. The cabbie thought him a madman for sure, but one who had the wherewithal to pay for discretion on his part.

Erik watched as the night's fog swallowed up the coach taking Anna away from him. The separation would only be for a short time but it would seem like hours to Erik. Perhaps he would not toy with Harry as he had planned. His quick death by Erik's hand would have to be enough.

Traversing back up the way he and Anna had just come down, Erik found himself in front of Harry's door. Erik felt the familiar rush he always got when about to relieve someone of their worthless life. Erik did not consider himself either judge or juror. He needed no judgment to carry out the sentence he had set out for Harry. Harry had chosen his own method of ending his life when he took Anna after Erik had bowed to Anna's request the first time not to kill him. This time Anna had all but given him permission to take Harry's life.

Harry still lay as he had been when Erik left the room. Erik did not have the heart for killing as he used to. He would soon be a father and what sort of father went around murdering people? Why could Harry have not gone on his way and forgotten about Anna? With his handsome face he could have many women.

Erik did not wish to end the man's life without giving him a chance to ask his God for forgiveness. Erik could not forgive the man but Erik had many black spots on his own soul which at some point he would need to seek atonement from some higher power.

Jostling Harry Erik waited for the man to open his eyes. When Harry saw who stood over him he tried to spring up from the bed. Erik pinned him with his knee placed on Harry's chest and right arm. Erik should have watched the man's left arm.

Harry slid his hand under his pillow to grab his knife. Pulling the long steely blade free from its hiding place Harry plunged the knife deeply into Erik's thigh.

Erik jerked his leg out of Harry's reach when the knife blade slid free of Erik's thigh. A fire seemed to begin at the point of entry then travel up his thigh.

Stumbling back Erik hissed in pain. Placing his hand on his thigh Erik gauged how badly he had been injured. It did not feel as if anything had been severed although the blood seemed to be flowing rather heavily. Harry coming to a standing position drew Erik's attention. Harry threw himself forward trying to knock Erik off balance. Erik took a quick step to the side. Harry's momentum carried him past Erik where Harry then fell to the floor.

Not wanting any more injuries Erik took his Punjab in his hand then wrapped it around Harry's neck before he could make a move to avoid the thin rope. Erik tightened the rope once he felt he had it secured around Harry's neck. Harry struggled as he clawed at Erik's hands.

Erik gritted his teeth as he pulled even tighter with his hands on the rope. Harry's knees began to buckle as he struggled to gasp in air. His face began to change from a ruddy shade to dark red then slowly turned a bluish hue.

Erik bent down as Harry's body sank to the floor. As Harry neared death Erik bent down to his ear to hiss, "Why could you have not left things as they were? I had let you go once. This need not have happened. Go to your resting place in hell Harry knowing that it is Erik, The Opera Ghost and Phantom of the Opera who has ended your life. I myself will be here enjoying my life with my new bride." Wanting to end this quickly Erik snapped Harry's neck with a flick of his wrists.

Erik stood swaying from the loss of blood. He would need to make it a quick trip back to the opera house. By now he felt sure Anna had found her way down to his home. He had told her he had marked the passages the last time he had brought her to his home. He had been going to surprise her but things sort of got sidetracked.

The trip back to the opera house seemed to take much longer than the trip to Harry's apartment. Erik's vision began to blur. He'd be damned if he would die now just when he had nearly everything he had ever wanted but thought he would never get.

Erik entered his tunnels with a roaring in his ears. In the dark it did not matter if his vision blurred for Erik could walk those familiar pathways blindfolded.

Using the last of his strength Erik pushed the lever that would open the panel leading into his home. As soon as the panel opened Erik feel through. He hit the floor with a bone jarring force.

Anna had been in the kitchen but heard Katie's scream. Running into the other room Anna saw Erik lying on the floor with his trouser leg soaked in blood. Covering her mouth to hold back her scream Anna hurried across the room to drop to her knees beside Rafe who was picking Erik up by the shoulders.

"Anna, grab his feet. We need to get him to the bed so we can tend to his wound. The wound doesn't look bad but we need to stop the bleeding."

Scrambling to her feet Anna picked up Erik's feet. Anna called to Katie for help as Erik's two legs with his boots were more than Anna could manage.

The trio awkwardly carried Erik into the room Anna had used as her bedroom. They laid Erik down as gently as they could, even so he grunted in pain.

Anna went into the bathroom to fetch the wash pan, rags, scissors, thread and a needle. Depositing those items on the bedside table Anna told Rafe she would get the brandy from Erik's liquor cabinet to use as a disinfectant.

Knowing that although Erik trusted these two people he would not wish for them to observe him in such a weakened state Anna assured Rafe and Katie she could take care of Erik from this point. Erik had problems letting Anna see him unclothed. He would rather die than let others see him in such a vulnerable position.

Before they left Anna asked for them to have a note delivered to Madame Dupree. Anna wrote a short explanation of recent events. With the promise to keep Georgina apprised of Erik's condition Anna put the note in an envelope addressing it to Madame Georgina Dupree. Searching through several drawers in Erik's desk Anna found a few franc notes and a purse with some coins. That should be enough to pay for the notes delivery as well as a few supplies she and Erik would need such as food and laudanum for his pain.

Rafe told Anna he would see to everything and bring supplies tomorrow around ten as he had to work at least a few hours in the dining room.

Anna cleaned Erik's wound thoroughly then stitched the flesh back together to stop any further bleeding. She wound stripes of a sheet around Erik's thigh. He would be sore and a little weak for a short time but other than that he should be fine barring any infection.

Anna stripped down to her bare skin. She wanted to bathe away the feel of Harry's drunken groping hands on her body. Although he had been too drunk to actually consummate their encounter the perverted things he had done left Anna feeling dirty and ashamed. She knew Erik would not hold anything Harry did against her but all the same the guilt remained.

Time as well as Erik's loving presence and care would take care of Anna's mental wounds. Anna joined Erik in the bed. No sooner had Anna lain down than Erik stretched out his arm to draw her close to his side. Even in painful sleep he craved her nearness.

Sighing deeply Anna curled trustingly against Erik's side. She turned her head to place a light kiss upon his cheek. Tomorrow they could discuss the things that happened tonight if they indeed needed to be discussed. Anna would just as soon forget the whole mess and concentrate on the possibility of carrying Erik's child. Even if it came to pass that Anna did not carry Erik's child they had so much more of importance to focus on than the horrible things Harry had done. He would not be interfering in their life ever again. Anna knew without having to ask that Erik had carried out his promise to end Harry's life.

Anna knew she should feel some sort of remorse or something, but all she could muster was relief. Perhaps later she might be able to form a prayer to ask God to forgive Harry. Anna did not think it would be anytime soon.

Over the next two days Erik recuperated under Anna's loving attention. If it had been anyone else hovering over him Erik would have Punjammed them long ago. Anna he did not mind coddling him and seeing to his every need. In fact he quite liked her undivided attention.

By the second day Erik felt almost completely recovered but he did not feel ready to return to his grandmother's watchful eyes or Gunner's rather tiresomely spectacular physique. If he overplayed his role as invalid Anna pretended not to notice as she enjoyed being able to do something for Erik as he had given her so much without asking for anything in return.

When Erik could no longer in good conscience keep up the role of invalid he and Anna returned to his grandmother's home. Before they left the opera house Anna had gone to Madame Dubois to tender her resignation. That woman barely held her glee under control. Anna made sure to flaunt the elegant rings on her finger. Madame Dubois almost popped her eyes from her head when she caught sight of the size of the stones Anna sported on her finger.

Erik took it upon himself to seek out Rafe and inform him of their departure. He also gave Rafe the address and directions to his grandmother's home. The couple would be welcomed anytime should they care to pay a visit. Erik never would have dreamed he would actually consider someone a friend but that was what Rafe and Katie were, friends. More because of Anna but they accepted Erik as a person rather than catered to him because of any fear of him or any actions he may take. They genuinely cared what happened to him. Both of them had shown Erik they could be trusted with his deepest, darkest secrets. They had not gone back and pilfered his home of its riches as many would have done. Everything had been exactly as Erik and Anna had left it.

Georgina took charge of her returned family. She brooked no arguments. Everyone bowed to her will. After all nothing she dictated would harm any of them. If it gave the old woman pleasure to have two people to coddle and pamper so be it. Gunner could say he had been grateful for the return of Erik and Anna as he had been the focus of Georgina's endless mothering for three days. Enough was enough. He would never say anything to hurt the woman but at times she tended to smother the ones she loved. Erik, Gunner figured could well deal with his grandmother. Those two were an equal match for sure.