ATTENTION

This chapter may seem very familiar to 87 of you. That is because I actually posted this same chapter over two months ago. At the time when I was first posting it, I had updated just earlier that same month (I was on a roll). I was concerned that since I only update every few months, that my latest one would be easily over looked and mistaken as the previous chapter (chapter 20). This concern was proven correct. Not only was my view count much smaller than usual, but not a single person reviewed. I've had chapters that didn't do as well and had little reviews, but never have I had a chapter with literally no reviews. And this was over the span of least two months. That's never happened. Not even when I was posting my very first chapter in Drowning in the Music. So here's to hoping that this chapter will be viewed more and will earn at least some reviews now that it's been over two months and has been re-submitted.

Anyways, hopefully everyone is doing well with coronavirus still being a thing. I figured this chapter could serve some purpose for those who need something to distract themselves with.

I'd like to say thank you to those who reviewed my last chapter. Your kind words meant so much to me. They never cease to touch and inspire me. Thank you very much for all of your support.

This chapter is named after a lyric from "Feel It All Around" by Washed Out - a song I discovered during the quarantine while I was busy writing.

I do not own any music by Washed Out nor any of the characters from the Phantom of the Opera. I only own my OC's.

Enjoy!

. . .

I half expected that I would awaken in my own dimension but instead awoke in the guest bedroom in Nadir's apartment. It was the sunlight that awoke me - something I wasn't used to. Although the windows had white shutters that were drawn closed, they glowed brightly from the sun.

I glanced around the room curiously. I had never slept in someone else's home before. It was a peculiar feeling. The walls were smooth and ivory. There were a couple of brown chest of drawers that were against the wall further from me. On a matching end table beside me, there was an unusual piece. I at first wondered whether it was an oil or gas lamp. Upon inspecting it, I found a switch that caused it to brightly illuminate much like the strange light sources that were imbedded in the parlor ceiling. Why was everything incredibly bright in this time period?

There was also a rectangular shaped black box with green glowing numbers that read 10:24 AM. Astonished, I quickly realized it was a clock. Many things were vastly different in this time era - and dimension - that I was certain of.

I could hear Nadir speaking with someone in the parlor, but I couldn't hear anyone else.

Is he mad? I wondered to myself as I placed my wig upon my head and carefully adjusted it.

I removed my mask from the end table as well and put it on. Retrieving my vest, cravat and tail coat from one of the chest of drawers, I put them on as well.

"We can talk more about this later." I heard him say as I unlocked and eased the door open. He sounded slightly exasperated.

I glanced around the corner, seeing Nadir pace around the parlor with the cell phone pressed against his ear. He scrubbed a hand over his face. I could hear something else nearby but struggled to identify what it was. Occasionally, I thought I could hear people talking but I couldn't see anyone else in the room. I warily crept further into the room.

"Just keep me updated, and let me know if anything changes." Nadir said. I noticed his strange attire. His trousers were gray and navy plaid that looked to have been made from a different material from the trousers he wore yesterday. They appeared to be softer and flimsier. He wore a white undershirt. Was this what nightwear from Clare's time looked like?

To the right of me was an extraordinary thin flat black rectangle I had seen the night before, except rather than being purely black, it was a now alive with moving colors. My eyes drank in the movement, seeing a moving image of a young woman speaking. She stared seemingly straight at me and I froze as I observed. Only from her shoulders up was she visible and a string of moving words ran below her.

Armed robbery at local Circle K it read. A sea of words seemed to surround her as she spoke and I realized that she was discussing current events. Even though I obviously did not know the future, I knew that what she was discussing must have been recent. The title alone sounded like one that would be used on the front page of a newspaper.

I glanced back at Nadir who was still mostly faced away from me. He drew the cell phone away from his ear, turning towards my direction. He visibly flinched when he noticed that I was standing in the same room and cursed under his breath in his native tongue. I tried to repress a smirk that tugged at the corner of my lips.

"You really are like a damn phantom." He huffed exasperatedly. "Nearly gave me a heart attack."

"My apologizes." I muttered but I secretly was not sorry.

He placed his cell phone upon the table top. He noticed my lingering gaze on it.

"Don't mind me. Just got off the phone discussing some family matters." He said. "In case you were wondering, that's a cell phone." He said as if I hadn't known. "It's used to contact others almost immediately rather than sending a letter or telegram."

"Clare explained what they were."

"Oh, good - I don't have as much to explain then. But there's a lot of technology for you to catch up with. I suppose I ought to introduce you to some of that now."

Nadir moved towards the mysterious rectangle with the moving images that also emitted sounds. "This over here is a TV, short for television." He said, gesturing towards it. I followed him so I could observe it more carefully. "It's mostly a form of entertainment but in other instances it is to help keep us informed of current events. Think of a book, for instance. A TV, in a way, is like a book, except it shows us the content rather than us merely imagining it. In fact, many books have been made into movies or TV shows that are shown here on the TV as visual representations."

"Such as plays and operas?" I curiously asked.

His eyes brightened. "Exactly." He said. "Except in this instance, rather than having to go to an opera house, you can watch it from home because it's been recorded ahead of time in order to be watched again as many times as you may wish."

While I was amazed by the idea of such a thing, my heart felt as if it sunk as well. He seemed to sense it and added in, "Don't worry - opera houses still exist. It's just that in this case, people still have a way to watch their favorite movies and shows from home whenever they would like."

"I see." I tried to wrap my mind around how such a thing was possible.

Nadir faced the TV again. "Right now I just have the news on. It covers what would normally be discussed in the newspaper."

"Do newspapers still exist?"

"Oh yes, they do." He acknowledged. "It's just that more and more people are receiving their news from the TV or the internet." When my eyebrows furrowed in confusion, he added in, "I'll show you the internet later. That one is too complex for you at this point in time."

I couldn't help but to feel rather offended. Did he really think I was incapable of understanding even if it were explained to me? While technology in the future had mind bogglingly progressed, I was certain I would be able to quickly learn these technologies once given the chance.

"But it probably won't take too long." He mused out loud. "I know you like to understand how things work. You'll probably have a field day whenever you're home alone."

At times I found myself stumped by some of the obscure words that came from his mouth. I assumed they were new phrases that I simply had yet to learn.

He presented another rectangle to me that fit within the palm of his hand. The rectangle was furnished with many strange buttons. Each either had a number, or unusual symbols on it. He referred to it as a remote and explained how it worked.

My eyes grew when he made the image on the TV change. I felt like a little boy again, fascinated by magic tricks.

Nadir continued to move around to various new inventions in his home, explaining what each invention was and how they functioned. While it was a lot to wrap my mind around, I could see the luxury of living in the future. My mind was reeling but it was also thirsty for more answers.

"Now," Nadir sighed, turning towards me. "That's most of the domestic electronics. But you still have many other things to learn yet. And just things in general you're going to have to do. First things first - we need to work on getting you a new wardrobe." I glanced down at my current attire that was drastically different from his. "We can't have you wandering around in Victorian era clothes."

Slight panic rose inside me. Although I agreed that I needed to dress accordingly, I wondered just how often he expected me to venture out of his apartment.

If you want to eventually find Clare, you'll have to explore the area.

"You probably also shouldn't wear a mask." A true frenzy of dread exploded in my chest upon those words.

"No-"

"Erik, it may raise suspicion. People do not wander around in masks unless it's Halloween."

I ignored the last half of his sentence, not making any sense of it. "I will terrify others." I protested, my panic building up like a fire.

"No, you won't." I didn't believe him, even if he sounded confident and serious. "Listen, I know what you look like." At this remark, my eyes snapped to his. "I have seen your deformity before in previous lives. It's really not as bad as you've worked it up to be. I know in your time period things were different, but here, people will not harm you because of your deformity."

"But they will stare." I knew I was correct when he did not answer right away.

"Ignore those who do. They're just being immature."

I scoffed when he said this. If only I could merely ignore the feeling of people staring at my deformity as if they were seeing a foreign animal. Without my mask I felt horribly exposed and naked. Their eyes would feel like prying fingers that were reaching to grab my mask.

I thought back to the night Clare coaxed me out of my mask and how terrified I was to show her. I wished I could simply go back to that specific night inside. At least it had only been her. I trusted her.

"You said you have known me in previous lives," I spoke, trying to keep my tone steady when my body was threatening to tremble. "Then you should know that I will not go outside without my mask."

Nadir averted his eyes, pressing his lips into a straight line. His chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath. "Fine." He relented. "Wear your mask if you wish but people will stare."

Some relief spread through me. I'd rather they stare at my mask than my naked face.

"I suppose there are some weirder fashion choices. . ." He mumbled under his breath. He then brought his gaze back to me. "But we do need to go shopping today and buy you new clothes. So you need to get ready. But first, are you hungry?"

"No, I seldom am in the mornings." I responded, relief spreading through me now that a new topic had arisen.

"Well, that settles that, I guess." He said. "I suppose we could just eat lunch in a couple of hours anyways. While I get ready, you can use the shower in the guest bathroom. In this time period - and in this country at least - most everyone bathes daily."

Daily? I thought to myself, astonished. How could they maintain enough water for such a thing? How could they handle being exposed to lye that often?

He escorted me to the bathroom while I silently mulled over questions in my head. I had been in the bathroom the previous night and noticed how different it was. There was a pump and basin in it as well, and I remember being amazed by how many there were in one house. There was soap provided upon the counter top that came out of a smaller pump in a unique liquid form. Nadir had to explain what each accessory was, and upon first entering the bathroom, I thought I saw what appeared to be a water-closet.

I had only read about this new invention from London in the local paper, but I hadn't seen one in person before. However, Nadir corrected me and explained that it was not a water-closet, but rather a toilet. According to him, it was very similar to a water-closet. Regardless, I was astonished that he had the luxury of owning one. They made chamber pots look positively barbaric in comparison.

He mentioned a shower but assured that I would learn more about it later. I realized that now was that moment. I stood back and observed while Nadir instructed what to do.

"It's simple, really." He said as he pushed aside a thin blue curtain that revealed a long, deep container that matched the color of my mask. On the left hand side of the wall was a metal spout, and up against the wall we faced, along the smooth edges of the white box were several tall, thin containers that stood upright.

"This is a bathtub which is where you will go whenever you need to bathe. You can also refer to it as a shower - either is fine. Think of it as a hip bath but larger. Anyway, what you do is step into the bathtub, and close this shower curtain to prevent water from getting all over the floor," he said, moving the blue curtain aside briefly. "Once it's drawn closed, you turn the faucet which will start the water. You use this to adjust the temperature of the water."

I watched in amazement as he demonstrated by turning the knob and water flooded out. It only poured out for a moment before he turned the knob again and the flow of the water ceased.

"If you pull up on this knob when you have the water running, that will start the shower. Water will come out of the wall from the shower head. I suggest taking a shower for now just because it's faster."

"Very well."

"There's soap here for you to use." I followed his eyes to the tall containers that must have been soap. "Once you're done, turn the knob just like before to shut off the water and dry off with a towel." He dug through a cabinet, retrieving a navy colored towel before setting it on top of the counter.

"Let me know if you have any questions." I merely nodded before he spoke again. "Try not to flood the bathroom."

I frowned, taken aback. "I had no intention of doing such a thing." At this, he merely chuckled to himself as he left me alone.

The shower was an extraordinary way to bathe and also rather convenient. I was amazed by it - amazed that a seemingly endless supply of water rained out from the wall and that the temperature could be controlled as well. Fascinated, I wondered how it worked.

Uncertain of how much water was available, I washed hastily before I turned the knob, cutting off the flow of the water. I used the towel to dry myself before dressing myself in clothes that Nadir had left behind for me to wear for today.

He warned that I couldn't continue to venture out in my normal attire but then reassured that I would soon have clothes of my own. He said that I could proceed wearing my own trousers but that my vest, undershirt and cravat "had to go". I observed the shirt he had given me to wear. It was a white long sleeved button up shirt.

Once I was dressed, I recalled a prior conversation with Nadir when he briefly discussed the differences of dental hygiene in this era. Rather than toothpowder, he said that toothpaste was used instead. I saw that he had left it upon the counter as he said he would, along with a new toothbrush. It seemed straightforward enough to use.

I suppose some things haven't changed much.

I brushed my teeth with the toothpaste and was surprised by the alarmingly strong taste of mint it contained. My mouth felt numb from it afterwards.

I then carefully fixed my wig before placing my mask upon my face once more.

. . .

I was further in the future than I had originally anticipated. I was worried that I had traveled to a time that was far from Clare's kidnapping. I was worried that it would be many years, perhaps a whole life time before then and I couldn't imagine having to wait for an eternity to save her from her kidnapper. I had difficulty recalling what year Clare was from but I realized that I wasn't far from the events of her kidnapping. I estimated that by asking Nadir how old she was currently. Hearing that she was 23 told me that, at the very most, I had to wait only part of a year. That in itself nearly felt like an eternity but I was grateful that she wasn't currently merely a child. I still hoped that I would only have to wait a matter of weeks. Even that, in itself, seemed to hold the potential of driving me mad. How could one cope with such knowledge?

I spent the next day following Nadir around various clothing shops. When I wasn't distracted by my concerns of other's stares, I kept looking around, wondering if I would spot Clare mixed in amongst the crowds. I knew it was wishful thinking but I secretly hoped that I would coincidentally run into her.

"I know you're used to tailoring but that's not exactly how it works here." Nadir said, handing me a stack of clothes. "Well, tailors still exist but it's far easier to simply find your size and buy it." I questionably looked at the folded up material, my eyebrows knitting together. "I don't know your size so I picked a couple of different ones. They have a dressing room you can use to try it on."

I was ushered to the back of the store, into a small, cramped room that was the size of a closet. There was a chair, along with a long slender mirror that was mounted on the wall. I paused, staring back at myself.

Would I sink through the mirror if I touched it? Would I find myself returning to my own time and dimension?

There was a growing interest that built up inside me but I pushed it back down. Who was to say that if I returned to my dimension that I'd be able to return to Clare's? Perhaps I would only be able to return as a ghost. I couldn't possibly waste this opportunity I had managed to grasp. I had a plan to stick to. I had a better chance of finding Clare now being in her true dimension than if I returned home.

I distracted myself by swapping my clothes with the various outfits that Nadir handed me. There were multiple shirts to try on, some in different sizes. I pulled them on and observed myself in the mirror.

They were shaped like the shirts Nadir wore. They reminded me of an undershirt due to the lack of buttons. But rather than being white, they donned more vibrant colors, such as crimson, cobalt, and emerald.

I twisted my body slightly to see the back of my bare arms that were littered with many scars that trailed from my back. Each scar a result from the crack of a whip. I couldn't fathom leaving this room with my past exposed to the public. I switched back into the button up shirt I had arrived in.

"Are there no such thing as vests in this timeline?" I asked him when I emerged from the small room. "Or over jackets?" I felt rather naked without the rest of my layers.

"There are." He said. "You'll definitely be nicer dressed than most with a vest but you can wear them if you want." A sense of relief settled upon me.

"Yes, I rather think I would feel more comfortable wearing something more than an undershirt."

"Very well." He said. "I do suggest getting several of those other shirts, though."

"I must disagree. I don't wish to show my arms." At this, Nadir silently sighed, rolling his eyes.

"As you wish." He muttered in defeat. He then gestured to the shirt I was wearing. "What about that? Do you like that kind of shirt?"

"I suppose it's tolerable."

"Well I guess that's a start. We can get them in multiple colors. And if you wish to, you can dress it up more with a vest.

"Dress it up?" I asked in disbelief as we continued to shop. "I look positively homeless."

. . .

Do you think Erik will adjust to this time/dimension well? What do you think he will love or loathe? Please share your thoughts by reviewing! Thanks for reading!