Erik had returning disagreements with Christine about Mahtab's new lessons. Erik taught her how to defend herself if someone wants to attack. It wasn't always fun, as at first, Mahtab accidentally received bigger hits from Papa than what she was prepared for. She had some green or blue spots all over her body because of fist fights. Erik felt sorry for accidentally abusing his daughter, but he tried to comfort himself by the thought that strangers would not be as merciful towards her as he was. Later, as she got more skilled, it was Erik who had to suffer. Once Mahtab successfully hit her elbow against his stomach as he attacked from behind. It did not make him feel too well, to tell the truth.
And it wasn't the only problem. The child wished for a weapon. And Erik was willing to give her one.
- Are you crazy? – Christine yelled when she noticed Erik making some kind of string. She did not know what it was, but it did not look trustworthy at all. – What are you doing again?
- Just something for Mahtab.
- What does Mahtab do with a violin string?
- It is not a violin, but a cello string. You are a daughter of a violinist, and a wife of another violinist, so it is already time for you to know the difference.
- Then what does Mahtab do with a cello string?
- If things go by lucky ways, she does not have to use it for anything, but just in case, she will have one.
- One WHAT?
- One cello string if she actually wants to have one.
- Erik, I hate when you talk like this. Tell me, honestly, what this thing is for!
- It is none of your business, Christine, you should be happy you never were in the situation to be forced to use it.
- Erik, is that the thing you… you… the corps de ballet were… did you kill Buquet by this?
- At first: Not by this, as this wasn't made back then, I only got it done right now. Secondly, I did not actively take part in his death. I had found him dead.
- Monst….
- All right, I am a monster! You married me. You knew about my past back then as well. Why did you not marry the Viscount and return to Erik after you left if you did not wish to live with a monster eh?
- You are not giving deadly weapons to my daughter!
- I have already told you she won't use it, only if it is necessary.
- You are turning her just the way you are!
- Which is the thing she needs with a face like hers. Christine, I already told you when she was born that it is something we can't overlook and avoid. You did not allow me to put a mask on her. Fine, but then she has to learn how to fight for her life. Do you still not understand it after twelve years? What else should happen to her until you get it?
- Oh Erik… I wish… I wish she did not have to do this…
- I do wish as well. But people are not merciful. She shouldn't be either.
- But…
- No but, Christine. I wear the pants in this issue. If you wish to leave me for that, it is your choice. I love you, more than my life, but I won't let your naïve blindness get my daughter in danger one more time. I had been tolerant for twelve years, but people won't change. I did not act out until now as I was afraid I will lose you forever, but now I realized I had to watch my child's safety first. Twisted every way- if you let Mahtab turn out to be a defenseless little naïve flower, she will suffer a lot because of hatred. If I teach her to fight and be tougher, she turns out to be more like Erik, which is sad – but we have no choices in between.
- But… at least tell her… it is not right.
- I will have a serious talk to her about that matter.
- Maybe I should talk to her about it too?
- Do as you wish, but don't deny her from it.
- Erik, what if she… kills someone?
- Accidents happen.
- Really? Is that your only answer? If I accidentally squeeze my pillow against your face…?
- Do it quietly, as I am annoyed if I am woken up at night.
- Erik I can't talk to you seriously.
- What should I say to that, really? You exactly know that I was in that situation. No, I don't regret it still. Each person I had killed deserved their fate. Buquet was a miserable accident, so was Count Philippe. The only people I wished to kill in the Torture Chamber were Raoul and the Persian cop. But in the end I did not. I know it is not an excuse, but I don't really care. I am tired of constantly apologizing for my past.
- But you are going to teach our child how to murder someone, so you are just about to ruin her future.
- People are afraid of Punjab string. If she shows them some skills, she does not have to use it for killing mostly. There were very few idiots that attacked me even after I showed them some tricks. If you are threatening enough, they will just run away.
- I did not want this thing in her life.
- I am not amused of it either, but she will only receive it if she leaves the house. She isn't allowed to play with it. She can harm herself or the other children.
- At least you have some common sense left. – Christine sighed tiredly, then walked away, so she doesn't even have to witness the first lesson.
Mahtab liked the Punjab string a lot. It was much easier to get things with it, as she practiced the aiming. She was able to pull smaller objects close to herself, and it was fascinating to watch what Papa can do with it. He either used it as a whip, or very quickly twisted it around in the air, which gave an awesome sound and sight for her. She understood though that it was dangerous so she did not try to touch it when she wasn't in training with it with Erik's caretaking. Erik always locked the thing away in his study to the secret drawer so the boys won't find it and try it out, it was extremely dangerous because of Noel's curious behavior.
Noel and Flo were temporarily out of school, and homeschooled by Erik until the parents could find another one for them. Though it was a sad thing they were kicked out of their old school, Erik and Christine both agreed in they would have needed to take them out of this school if the director did not make this decision, as they were afraid the boys would suffer from bullying because of the one day Mahtab spent at school with them.
Erik, with a sorrowful heart, and with most careful wording, had to explain Mahtab that she wasn't allowed to accompany her brothers to school any more, as it would be dangerous to the boys and herself as well. Mahtab admitted that she did not want to go there again, under any circumstances. Erik felt sorry for her, but found it the best solution ever.
One day, when they expected it the least, they had a visitor. As the doorbell rang and Christine opened the door, she saw a small boy standing there, with his hat in his hands. He shyly looked up at Christine with his huge brown eyes and softly asked.
- G-g-g-ood day, Ma-ma-ma-dame, does Flo li-live h-h-h-ere?
- Florian? Yes, he is my son. – Christine nodded. – And who are you?
- My n-n-ame is Michel B-B-Benoit, Ma-ma-ma-dame.
- Oh, are you Flo's little friend? – Christine inquired happily. – Come in, sweetie, I am sure he will be happy to see you!
Michel walked in with the so kind lady to the house. He had never seen such a beautiful home before. They had so expensive looking furniture and nicely decorated walls and things he couldn1t even name.
- Come my dear, Flo is practicing in the music room. – Christine kindly showed the way upstairs where the small guest was able to hear the sound of a violin. He did not dare to enter the room or knock on the door, so he just stood there clueless of what to do now. Christine saw the little one's hesitation, so she knocked on the door instead of him, then opened the door slightly.
- Flo, dear, you have a guest!
Flo turned around to see who had disturbed him during practice. It wasn't a usual thing, as not even Erik bothered him while he was playing. But he became happy, seeing his dear classmate and friend again.
- Michel! - He ran to him, shaking his hand. – I am happy you came.
- I am h-h-happy to see y-y-you too.
- What do you wish to play? Should we play with marbles? Hide and seek…?
- I am here to a-a-ask why you are n-n-not at s-s-s-school? I am wo-worried… I miss you.
- I miss you too. I only know that we are not allowed to go there again.
- Then I am n-n-ot allowed to see y-y-you a-a-a-gain?
- You can come here and visit me as you did now. Anytime. – Flo smiled. – At least now my Papa teaches me to do Math. He doesn't hit my hand.
- I-i-is your s-s-s-ister all r-r-right? – Michel looked at his shoes.
- She is. – Flo nodded. – She now got healed and is happy again.
- Where is s-s-she?
- In our room, I think. Do you want to see her?
- Y-y-yes.
Flo nodded, but asked his friend not to scare Mahtab as she is afraid of strangers. When they arrived to the room, Mahtab recognized Michel. She sat down on her bed and pulled up her knees in front of her face defensively, and tried to recall if she saw this boy among the ones that hurt her, but as she did not, she slowly straightened out. The boy stood next to the bed and reached out his small hand for a handshake.
- I am s-s-s-orry if I s-s-s-scared you. – He said. – I was s-s-sorry to see what the o-o-others did to you. You s-s-saved me f-f-from the b-b-b-eating. T-t-thank you.
- Oh… - Mahtab smiled. – I did not want the teacher to hit you. You did not deserve it… Are you not afraid of me? – She asked hesitantly.
- I kn-know what it is l-l-like to be t-t-t-teased and hit because of s-s-s-something you can't do about. Boys hit me b-b-b-because I stu-stu-stutter. And you b-b-because you look like that.
Michel looked at Mahtab with compassion. She took his hand and they made a friendly handshake.
- Do you wish to be my friend? – Mahtab asked.
- Y-y-yes. – Michel nodded. – A-a-a-t last I have t-t-t-two fr-fr-friends! – He hugged Flo and Mahtab close to himself, being utterly happy.
Erik, who cautiously watched the children from the hall, sighed and wiped his forehead in relief, then put on his human mask to be able to show his better face if the children leave the room to explore the house. The four children, Mahtab, Florian, Noel and Michel were joyfully playing together. They played with marbles, with Mahtab's toy train, they were playing hide and seek, and many more enjoyable things.
Christine asked Michel if he wanted to eat some biscuits and have some coco at tea-time, as the children were always treated with it. The boy swallowed as his mouth watered at the mention of such delicious things, so he agreed. He never got coco at home, or very rarely received biscuits. He felt so good at the family's house. It was so peaceful, and filled with love.
Despite Mahtab's appearance, she wasn't hurt at home as he thought so. If he looked like that, his father would most likely lock him in the outhouse or somewhere else so he did not have to see him. Even smaller things were enough for his father to get upset. At last, for one afternoon he did not have to hide from him, and be upset about what he will receive a beating for. Father beat him up so often. He was always mad, and or drunk. He was able to get to the Spöke family now only because of Father was at work, then he sure will visit the tavern before arriving home. It will be late in the evening when he returns. He had no mother. She died while giving birth to him, and Michel knew his father blamed him for that.
When supper ended, he thanked the family for the kindness, then quickly left, as he explained, his father would arrive home soon, and he had to be home to greet him.
- What a nice little boy. – Christine smiled at Erik when they remained just the two of them.
- Poor little thing. – Erik sighed.
- Why do you say that?
- This kid is beaten.
- How do you know?
- I noticed by his behavior. He did not dare to take biscuits only if you or I told him to do so. He was afraid of beating. And the way he talks about his father… he fears him. And the stuttering… these are signs. This child had suffered many traumas in his short life.
- This is horrible. – Christine looked away in shock.
- It is, but sadly we can do nothing more than to be kind to him during his visits. It will give him a slice of the happiness he, or any child on Earth should have. – Erik sighed.
Michel was a guest at the Spöke house often. Anytime he could sneak there, he did. Erik wanted to help him with the stuttering, so he asked him to sing instead of speaking, or to talk slower. Michel enjoyed these singing lessons with the other children involved, and after some time his speech got better. Erik knew it would help, as he succeeded in curing himself by this method. He was surprised how naturally he now helped others. He never imagined it was such a good feeling. The child opened up to them as he felt more and more comfortable, and told many things about him he was ashamed to tell anyone else. Erik, as an abused child himself, did give advice to poor little Michel as how to cope with it, and how not to anger his father, and the boy had to face the beatings lessened because he was able to live in peace with father because of Erik's advices.
In late February of 1898, Christine had to announce an important news.
She was thinking a lot if she just should tell it to Erik at first, or she should just tell it during a breakfast to the whole family. She then thought the younger children were still too small for that, well, at least Noel. But such a miracle can't be hidden like this any longer, she was sure of that, and she did not want to keep it as a secret as she did before. She knew Erik's anger was understandable in that situation, so she had to talk to him.
She was just waiting for the right occasion.
Erik did not have a legitimate Birthday that year, but Christine celebrated it for him anyway. Erik stated he did not wish to have a big deal out of it in the years when he "wasn't aging", so it was just a simple day with more kindness.
In the end of the day yet, after even Mahtab went to bed, as she now had an extra hour before bedtime, being 12 years old, she was now sent to bed at only ten instead of nine in the evening like the others, and the parents retired to their bedroom, Christine kissed Erik on the cheek and whispered in his ear that she had another gift for him.
- What is it? – He asked curiously.
- Close your eyes. – She whispered in excitement.
- Oh, will you perhaps sit on Erik's lap, wearing… well nothing? – He grinned. – As it is the case I don't wish to close my eyes, on the contrary.
- Oh, you naughty man! – Christine giggled. – No… Just close them, will you?
- As you wish, my dear Christine.
- But don't look!
- No- no, just show it already!
He felt nothing for a time, and could hear Christine opened one of the drawers of the Louis- Philippe dresser, he wondered why, but after some minutes Christine told him she may now open his eyes. As he did so, he noticed some kind of cloth on his lap. He lifted it up to see what that may be, and he realized with surprise that it was a small shirt. On the front there was an embroidered text with Christine's stunningly beautiful cursive. It said:
"It became a quartet."
Erik could not spit or swallow for some seconds, then looked at the exuberantly happy mother to be, and he just wheezed:
- God in Heaven… another one…?
Christine misunderstood Erik's astonishment and horror for him being touched by the big news so she just nodded excitedly and kissed Erik all over the cheeks and forehead while the man just held the baby shirt with shaky hands.
