The Coronavirus has been a big pain for everyone I think. Just a little less than two weeks ago I was supposed to be in Paris. Yeah. I was finally going to see the Opera Garnier with my own eyes. When the trip was only 9 days away from starting, the airports shut down - after over a year of planning. That's how close I was to going. But honestly, I'm lucky - I could have been trapped there, and quite possibly exposed to the virus. Plus everything in Paris would've been closed, which would've been a tragic way to visit Paris. Everyone, stay clean and healthy! My heart goes out to those who have contracted the virus.

On a more positive note, with all the self quarantining going on, I figured now would be a good time to update. So here's a little treat for everyone who's stuck indoors and bored! Hope you like it!

This chapter is named after Still Here by Digital Daggers because it describes my story to a T. It honestly gave me chills when I first listened to it.

Special shout out to Michael Rice for critiquing and proof reading my chapter. It's much appreciated!

I do not own any music by Digital Daggers, nor the characters from the Phantom of the Opera. I only own my OCs!

Enjoy!

. . .

Nadir remained completely silent while I explained the rest of my story. He kept a patient persona, a loose fist pressed against his mouth, his brows furrowed while he quietly listened. As I told the story that Clare and I had lived through together thus far, I lost track how much time had passed. I was certain that since I had first arrived at his apartment, many hours had managed to slip by. The sun sank away, his dark curtains no longer glowing from its warm presence. As the hours passed before us, I temporarily relived memories ranging anywhere from mere months ago to last night. Some memories having taken place in my own dimension, and some from this very dimension when I was nothing more than a silent, undetected phantom. The idea of just how truly far away yesterday was left me feeling rather uneasy.

As I explained my story, I briefly relived the shock of seeing a mirror image of myself conversing with Clare. I relived the ardent joy of Clare slowly regaining her memories and her acceptance of my proposal. This then quickly led to the accelerating downfall of our story. The wretched abduction, and then Clare's horror of the details of my foreboding past.

I suppose it would've only been a matter of time before I would be destined to lose her too. Nadir believed some were destined to die young. Perhaps some were destined to live life alone.

After I finished my story, Nadir remained silent for a while as he soaked in all the details, thinking to himself.

"That's. . ." Nadir hesitated for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "That's quite the predicament."

I clenched my jaw, swallowing thickly. I sullenly nodded. "Indeed."

Nadir stole a glance at me. Unmistakable concern set deep in his eyes. I had a strange feeling that he knew of a future that I did not. It was as if he was seeing a familiar tale unfold before him. Although this wasn't the same tale as the Phantom of the Opera, was it? I felt as if I was seated before a fortune teller - someone who would have traveled with the gypsies.

"And I think I know what you're concerned of." He suddenly declared with a fixed gaze. "You fear that you're the one who kidnapped her."

There was an extraordinary tightness in my chest. I reluctantly nodded, and deeply craved reassurance that that was not the case.

"Is it possible that it was a different version of myself?" I asked desperately. "Surely it couldn't have been me who did such a vile thing to her."

"No, but you have done it before in previous lives; kidnapping, that is." He said firmly, rendering me silent for a moment. His tone wasn't necessarily a scolding one, but one that was a stern warning. "You have a history of it." He continued, and with each word, my hope faltered. "You've done it out of desperation. Always in fear of losing someone. So tell me," he said, leaning forward in his chair. "Which fear is stronger? The fear of losing Clare forever? Or losing her trust and deceiving her?"

Obviously losing her forever. My mind quipped. If she died. . .

I suddenly understood his message which interrupted my train of thoughts. Obviously I would hate myself if I had to break promises and watch Clare's trust for me unravel. With that said, I'd rather die than to have Clare's sweet life cut short.

It couldn't have been me who took her. My mind still firmly said in denial. According to Nadir, I kidnapped Christine out of desperation to keep her in my life. I let her go out of love. I knew I already loved Clare. It was the strongest thing I had ever felt. If it ensured her happiness then I would let her go. I had come to that conclusion already. Surely then, the kidnapper couldn't be me.

"You have changed since I last conversed with you." Nadir admitted, lifting some tension. "You have more. . ." He hesitated, pondering over the right word. "Empathy. You've grown."

"Do you believe it could have been someone else who took her?"

Nadir shrugged in defeat. "I'm honestly not sure." That didn't serve any reassurance. I wanted answers.

"Have you ever met another version of yourself?"

"No, I personally haven't. Whether it's possible, I don't know. Your situation is the first I've heard of it happening - if that's what had happened, anyways."

My stomach twisted, but different scenarios flooded my determined mind. There had to be a way to avoid such a horrid situation from unfolding.

"If I truly am the abductor," if felt almost like a sin to say. "Then surely with the knowledge we have of this we could prevent myself from doing that." It seemed simple enough to avoid doing something I would loathe myself for, but Nadir pressed his lips into a straight line, slowly shaking his head.

"I'm not so sure about that. I think there's a lot of. . . Fate that plays into dimensional travel. But granted, I've never tried it before myself." Silence fell upon us momentarily before he continued. "But we don't know yet whether you've traveled to a time prior to her kidnapping. It could be that she is already being held hostage." My stomach wrenched at the idea of that. "If that's the case, then the kidnapper obviously isn't you, but rather, someone who truly is your doppelgänger."

Determination flared in me. "Then we need to find her now."

"I understand your concern but we must be patient."

I nearly scoffed at this. "Waiting around will not help this situation."

"In this case it would." He retaliated back. "I know that sounds absurd. But a trusted friend is currently checking up on her. He has a better chance of finding her quickly than either of us." Flabbergasted, I looked at him, wondering what he meant by that.

"Who, pray tell, is this friend anyways?" I asked warily. Every time he offered answers, I seemed to be presented with another question. This was all too cryptic for my comfort.

"Darius." Nadir replied back with no hesitation. "You could say he's like family. I would trust him with my life." I was genuinely surprised by those words. "And I can't say that for many."

I tried to mentally piece everything together. What linked them to Clare? Did they grow up together? Nadir seemed too old to have grown up with Clare. With the hint of graying and subtle lines around his eyes, I estimated that he was anywhere from ten to fifteen years older than I was.

"How does he know her?" I asked. "How do either of you know Clare?"

Right then, a shrill sound rang through the air and I nearly leapt out of my skin. Nadir fished a dreaded cell phone from his pocket and embarrassment washed over me. He observed the glowing screen for a moment in silence. A dark, somber expression unfolded upon his face.

"She's alright." He said in a low tone. "Darius just sent me a text message." He briefly explained. Nadir must have figured that I was stumped by the cell phone. "He said that she's currently working. He just stopped by to check up on her. We know her father."

Trepidation seeped into my soul again, causing my heart to beat painfully and my stomach to turn. Nadir tucked his cell phone away as dread began to plague me.

"Then. . .Surely that must mean. . ." I hesitated, not wanting to conclude the only other remaining possibility. I didn't want to believe it.

"That means that you have traveled to a time prior to her abduction." Hearing Nadir's words felt as if it paralyzed my soul with grief. I should have been relieved that at this point in time Clare was safe. Instead I was only appalled - appalled that there was only one other possibility that we knew of.

"It. . .It can't be me." The words came out of my mouth clumsily. "Please tell me that it's not." I pleaded desperately. I felt cornered, and it was a dreadful feeling. I felt as if I were a 9 year old child again, being cornered in my cage. The door was opened but a tall and wide threat stood firmly in my way.

"I can't really say." Nadir admitted helplessly. "I haven't tried altering time before, only because I've never ran into another version of myself."

I wouldn't. My mind kept insisting. Not to Clare.

There had to be a way around this. Surely there must have been something that we were missing. There was no reason for me to kidnap her. I loved her enough not to do that.

If you find her in this time period and fail to win over her affections then there is nothing more that can be done. I instructed myself even though it was already common sense to me. I suppose it was a reminder for my future self in case I was lost to insanity by then. If she does not love you anymore, you must let go. You must. I firmly warned myself. If you love her you will leave her alone so she can be happy. You must!

While it would be difficult to endure, I knew that if it came to that, I would retreat far away from others - somewhere secluded where no one would find me. I would live the rest of my days there. I knew that I would never be able to love anyone else. I was also certain that if Clare couldn't love me, no one else in their right mind would.

"But perhaps it's possible." Nadir said after some careful consideration. His tone was softer this time, attempting to take the serious edge off of it. "Don't lose hope, Erik. We'll keep a close eye on her and make sure that she is not in any danger." He tried to reassure.

"I need to see her." I said, dodging his comforting words. The only real reassurance that would calm me would be seeing with my own eyes that she was well. I also deeply wanted to warn her, even if I knew I couldn't. "If you know where she is then let me see her."

"No," his reassuring tone dropped, becoming serious once again. "I can't let you do that."

"Why not?"

"You said it yourself." He stated. "She doesn't remember you in her own time period - well, in her dimension." He briefly corrected himself before continuing. "What do you honestly plan to do? Stroll up and say: Hello, I'm Erik, your fiancé from another dimension who might possibly be your future kidnapper?"

"No." I firmly objected. "But perhaps I could simply see her briefly. I could introduce myself to her again slowly. Hopefully I could spark an old memory." I was inwardly groaning at the idea of having to start all over again. I suppose it wasn't the first time. At least I knew it was possible to do.

"But don't you see, Erik?" He questioned. "This doppelgänger gradually got to know Clare as well, didn't he?" I carefully thought back to everything I had explained to Nadir a mere hour ago.

"Yes. . ."

"If you were to do that, then you would be acting no differently than him. You will then be ensuring that you are her kidnapper."

Silence fell upon us and I suddenly didn't know what to say. A heaviness felt to have weighed down upon my heart. I hadn't realized that my shoulders had been tensed until they drooped.

"Then. . .Then I am to stay away. . ." I muttered in defat. "And never speak to her again." A lump began to form in my throat, and I swallowed thickly.

Nadir drew in a deep breath and sighed. He scrubbed a hand over his face. He looked worn and weary.

"I didn't say that. You just can't copy his actions. Just give it some time while we think over a plan." He said. "In the time being, she is safe. Meanwhile, I ought to get you broken into this time period."

I looked at him taken aback by the sudden shift in the conversation.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I'm not sure how long you'll be in this dimension for. But it is obviously different in comparison to the Victorian ways that you're used to. We might as well get you adjusted to this modern era."

I found myself slowly nodding in agreement. He was right. It would be wise to adjust. Especially when I wasn't certain that I would awake in my own dimension again. A new question tugged at my mind. A simple one.

"If I may ask. . ." I said, lifting my eyes to his again. "What year is it?"