Chapter 52:

Returning, Erik laid down on the bed and gathered me in his arm.

I went to him willingly and rested my head against his chest.

"Lesta, I am sorry for what happened between us earlier. You should never been made to look upon my horrid face."

Whispering I said "Your face does not bother me Erik. I've known since my first day here what your mask covered. And I've come to learn that you are nothing more than a man. Forgive me for not making you understand that sooner."

Tightening his arms around me he said "You are the most special creature ever created My Beauty. So understanding and caring. I do not deserve to have someone so precious."

I knew he was trying not to cry so I said "Good night Erik."

Then rising up I brushed my lips to his before settling back against him.

As I laid there listening to his breathing slow and deepen in sleep I thought again about what I was going to do.

I knew I was preparing to hurt him but what could I do.

Carefully sliding away from him I slipped off the bed.

Creeping my way to the bathroom I prayed.

Listening for any movement from the bed I grabbed the bundle of clothes from the cupboard.

Tiptoeing across the bedroom I made it to the door.

Holding my breath I reached for the door handle and prayed it would not creak as I open it.

Looking back at Erik I quietly whispered good-bye, then silently pulling the door shut I bolted down the steps.

Cowering and listening for any movement from Erik, I began to change clothes in the tiny alcove under the stairs.

After pulling my dress on and lacing it with shaky hands I turned and made my way quietly to Laddie's room.

Entering and closing the door behind, I lit a candle.

Gently shaking Laddie I whispered "Please wake up. I need your help."

Rolling over and opening his eyes he stared at me sleepily.

Whispering "Please you must help me. I need you to lead my out of here. I need you to take me to Nadir's."

Shaking his head, he curled into a ball on the bed as he covered his ears.

"Please Laddie I must leave here and you are my only hope." I whispered emphatically.

"If I do not leave here I will go mad. You once wrote that you thought of me like a sister. Would you wish for your sister to be driven to madness? Please Laddie, please help me." I begged.

I knew that if I entered the labyrinth alone I would never find my way.

But I also knew that by making Laddie help me I was putting his life in danger.

Sitting up Laddie touched my face and I realized I had started to cry in my desperation.

Wiping my tears away he looked up at the ceiling and I knew he was worrying about Erik. Then looking back at me he nodded his head agreeing to help me.

Breathing a sigh of relief I stepped to the door and turned my back to him to give him privacy to dress.

Touching my shoulder to gain my attention he motioned for me to remain in his room while he went and got me a cape to wear.

Returning he took my hand and lead me through a door that I had never even knew existed.

Winding our way through a maze of tunnels then up a flight of stairs we finally made our way to another door.

Carefully opening it Laddie pulled me through behind him motioning for me to remain silent.

Peering around I realized we were in the Opera House.

As we quickly made our way through several hallways I barely had time to catch my breath before we were stepping outside.

Looking up, I began to cry as I beheld the moon and the stars for the first time in almost two years.

Taking a deep breath, I inhaled the sweetest air I had ever smelled.

Tugging my hand Laddie began to lead me through the streets of Paris to Nadir's home.

After what seemed like miles we came to Nadir's door.

Pounding on it Laddie squeezed my hand to reassure me that we would soon be safe.

The door opened and a man that I did not recognize stood there.

I feared that Laddie had led me to the wrong house until I heard Nadir holler "Who it is at this late hour Darius?"

Crying out I said "It is me Lesta! I need your help. We need your help!"

"Allah be praised! Come in, come in child." He said as he rushed forward and took my hand.

"Bring up some tea." He said to the man that he had called Darius.

Pulling me and Laddie into his house, Nadir peeked out and looked up and down the street before closing the door.

Ushering us into his parlor he had us sit down before he asked "Has he hurt Madam. Do you need for me to call for a physician?"

"No… No, I do not need a physician. But I do need your help. I know that by my being here puts you in danger. But I did not know where else to go."

"Hush and dry your tears." He said as he handed me a handkerchief. "Now tell me what he has done to you to cause you to suddenly flee from him."

Taking a deep and shaky breath I began to tell Nadir that I feared if I had remained there much longer I would have lost my mind.

I told him about how I had struck Erik and caused his mask to fall to the floor. But I could not tell him about how Erik had watched me bathe or how he had taken me.

"I do not know what to do. But I do know that I need to be away from him."

As Darius enter with our tea, I almost leapt from my set in fear that Erik had found me.

Shaking I apologized for being so jumpy.

"Do not worry Madam. It is understandable seeing what you have been through." Nadir said in a soothing tone.

After Darius had finished serving our tea Nadir asked him to prepare a room for me to rest in.

Nodding, Darius left the room.

Sipping my tea I commented that it tasted wonderful and that it felt wonderful finally being free.

Leaning forward Nadir asked me if I had any family that he might contact.

Shaking my head I told him "No" that my parents had died in a fire and that I had no one else to turn to.

Nadir then said "I might know of a place where you and Laddie can take shelter until I can make arrangements for you to begin a new life away from here. I will contact my friend in the morning and see if she can help you."

Then standing he said "I am sure you must be tired after your journey. If you would kindly follow me I will show you to your room."

As he showed me the room I would be resting in he said "Do not worry Madam. I will protect you and see that Erik never harms you again."

Thanking him I looked around the room and smiled finally beginning to feel safe.