A/N: So... I decided to divide "The lost one" onto three parts instead of two. The last part will be released in less than a week's time, so no worries. By the way, Do you prefer shorter or longer chapters? And what do you think of the story so far? All feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading, Cheers!

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...The lost one (Part II)...

Life in the orphanage improved drastically since Gus had returned from the streets. Father McKenzie made good on his promise of being more present in the lives of the children, food was no longer so scarce due to the increased amounts of donations, and although people still looked at him sideways, he would never again find himself in a situation like the "soup bowl incident". He made a few friends, even though he grew more recluse with the passing years, passionate about practicing music. During these years he learned multiple instruments, but the piano remained as his greatest passion.

In the beginning of his apprenticeship with Erik, Gus was the one who went grocery shopping for him, as he dreaded leaving his rented apartment, only bearing to do so to go to work at the opera, which was located only a few meters from his place. Eventually, Gus sought to introduce him to the "real world", much to his reluctance; They went to the bakery and market together, Erik wearing a ridiculously large-rimmed black hat and a black mask he had fashioned himself to conceal his face, but at least he did go out. Despite his reclusive attitude, he still had some relatively impressive social skills, and ported himself with class, saving all his complaining and ranting for when they arrived at his home. There even came a day in which Erik started going places on his own, albeit only when absolutely necessary, as he began feeling like a burden to Gus, who was very happy to hear about that, more because it was an important step for Erik rather than being a weight being lifted off his shoulders. The truth is that the boy had grown really fond of him.

After his first performance, he became a regular at the orchestra, after years of basically serving as an errand boy to the manager, That was much to the pride of Erik, who spent more of his time composing original pieces and less time playing professionally, and of Father McKenzie, who left the orphanage to watch his performance that day. As gratitude for the Priest's continuous support over the years, he willingly donated most of his salary to the orphanage for as long as he remained there.

A couple of years later, Gus was already a fantastic pianist and he became less afraid of being on stage, in fact he relished it. However, not contempt with being a star pianist, he wanted to expand his horizons by focusing on another instrument, that being the cello. He was already a decent cello player, but he wanted to become part of the orchestra as one, having Erik back as the main piano player. In truth Gus much preferred listening to his immaculate playing than being on the piano himself, so this could be a breath of fresh air for him. Fortuitously one of the current cello players was due to retire the following year, so Gus trained hard during that period to be on the level of a professional player. Erik supported his decision, but the opera manager was very much against it. Despite Gus attempting time and time again to prove he was worthy of a place at the cellos, the manager much preferred to have him improving his piano skills and Erik composing more of his pieces, much to Gus' chagrin. Months before the cello player's retirement, Gus was ordered to mail or hand deliver a letter of approval to a woman called Merryl O'Reilly, who was to be hired as a cello player. Gus was infuriated, still being treated as a stupid errand boy, not to mention being bereft of his desired position in favour of a complete stranger. The woman did not live too far away from the opera, in fact it was quite near the church. He thought he could deliver the letter himself, but when he left the building, he spitefully ripped the letter apart and threw it in a garbage bin.

A month passed, Merryl never showed up for her place in the orchestra and Gus once again attempted to convince the manager of his plight. To his dismay, he was once again rejected, as the manager had already hired another cello player within that meantime. Only a few years ago the opera was struggling to find new musicians and now it seemed that there were raining cello players. That infuriated Gus, but also made him feel guilty for not mailing in that letter, since it did him no good anyway.

That didn't stop him from attempting to reach further in other ways though. He began spending more time with Erik, observing him as he composed his pieces, hoping to one day be a composer as well. They also spent more time going out to parks, the mountains and the flower fields nearby. Gus was attempting to create a taste for nature within Erik, who apparently had spent most of his life living at the basement of an opera house in France, as he told Gus himself in one of the rare occasions he felt inclined to sharing a bit of his past.

Erik was a man of highs and lows. While he seemed to be making a genuine effort to get integrated into the society, he was always very uncomfortable doing so. But even outside the streets and markets, there were some periods in which his mood was simply awful. Luckily, he never drank, nor smoked for that matter. He said it was to preserve his singing voice, even though Gus had never heard him sing. Erik was lucky the opera manager had such good will toward him due to his compositions; There were days in which he didn't even show up for his concerts, Gus having to play his parts. When confronted about it, Erik was always evasive, refusing to explain whatever it was that was bothering him so deeply. "It's just one of my bad days" he'd say. That was really the main reason Gus was so insistent on bringing him outside to enjoy nature. And, as much as Erik disliked going out during the day, he seemed to quite enjoy trekking through the mountains.

Father McKenzie was getting very old and weak, so he often thought about spending more of his time talking to him, absorbing his wisdom while he could. Unfortunately, he was much too busy with his ambitions to do so.

One morning, after Gus left the orphanage earlier than usual to go to the opera, something called his attention. By the church's door there was a young woman begging for money on the street. It had been years since he had seen a beggar around that area, let alone a woman such as her. As he approached, he noticed she was younger than she seemed; Fair of skin, although it was quite freckled; Red of hair; hazel eyes; medium stature, about Gus's size; a beautiful girl lied underneath those ragged clothes and dirt. Filled with sympathy for her condition, Gus gave her a dollar bill he had at his pocket, which absolutely lit her expression up.

-Thank you so much lad, you're too generous – She said happily. She had a strange accent but not entirely unfamiliar to him.

-You're welcome. – He hesitated a bit.

-If you don't mind me asking, are you a foreigner miss?

-Aye, I was born in Ireland, but me and my late Ma came over here when I was but a wee lass.

-A what?

-When I was smaller, younger – She said laughing at the poor boy's confusion, who nervously giggled along.

-Well… I should get going… I just wanted to say I hope you can improve you situation miss. I was where you are right now once. I suggest asking for food at the church.

-Aye, I've been feedin' on the church for a few days now.

-Really? I hadn't noticed… - Gus said surprised. He really had grown distant from the church lately.

-It's the closest link to my home land I have here. – She said wistfully.

-Well, I have got to get going now. It was a pleasure meeting you Miss…?

-Merryl. Merryl Montblanc O'Reilly. And the pleasure was mine – She said with a big smile on her face.

Gus went on his way, bothered by the mention of her name. It took him a while to remember what that name meant, and the magnitude of the mistake he made months back.

He was unsettled for the rest of the day, couldn't concentrate on Erik's lessons at all, which bothered and concerned the teacher. Still, Gus didn't want to share what happened to Erik, and he found best to end the lesson early, as there was to be no presentation at the opera that night. As was usual at that point, he sent Gus off with a spare bunch of French newspapers he got from the manager who regularly went to Europe to scout new pieces, and also from the other members of the opera who happened to travel there sometimes. It was great practice for Gus and he usually loved reading about what was going on in the country, but that day he simply was not in the mood for any of that.

Back at the orphanage, the girl was nowhere to be found, so he sought the counsel of his old friend Father McKenzie. He explained all that had happened in regards to the girl Merryl, as the priest listened in silence.

-I'm at a loss for what to do… It was unforgivable. – Said Gus, tears already in his eyes.

-My son. Do you regret your actions? – He said, his voice worn by old age.

-Deeply.

-If there was a way to rectify your mistake, would you do it?

-Well, absolutely…

-Then find it. And do it. You are already forgiven in the eyes of the lord, and mine.

-But… I was so selfish…

-Everyone makes mistakes Gustavo… Even me.

-What do you mean? – Gus asked curiously. It took a while for the father to gather his thoughts and speak, but he did:

-I have never told this to another living soul… But I wasn't always so… Well behaved – He said with a somber grin. – Long ago, when I was not too much older than you, I lived in Indiana. I became a priest very early in life, against my will, might I add. I have my parents, God rest their souls, to thank for that. One day though, I fell in love with a young nun, equally as reckless as I was. Sister Eleanor was her name, beautiful as could be. – He said before pausing wistfully. – We gave into our love, without respect to the vows we swore by with the lord. She soon got pregnant, to our despair. She tried to hide it, wearing clothes upon clothes, but rumours spread. When she was getting close to giving birth, I went searching for an orphanage in which we could get rid of our shame. I looked for it in some distant town far from where our lives were. I found it and we lived there disguised for a few weeks before she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Just as pretty as her mother – Tears started flowing from the old man's eyes as he continued his story. – We did not even give her a name before we left her at the orphanage's doorstep. Devastated we went back to our town. Rumours were quick to spread about what we were doing traveling for so long, none of those could guess the profanity we had just performed. Never were we both looked at the same way again. Years later we went back to that orphanage, consumed with guilt to see how our daughter was doing. – Once again, he paused. – When we arrived there was nothing left of her. She had died of some illness the people of the orphanage couldn't even tell what it was. – He continued, sobbing.

At this point Gus silently reached out to hug the old man, attempting to comfort him. When the hug ended, McKenzie continued:

-That took an immense toll on us, especially Eleanor. For months we sulked, and truthfully, we haven't been the same since. Eventually we decided to live our hometown behind, to somewhere people wouldn't avoid us or directly insult us. We landed in this very city, where we founded this orphanage a few years later. No child would be mistreated here, no child would die here. This was our greatest achievement in life, I think. We lived together here for many, many years… Until she went to meet our daughter in heaven above. She died along with her name, and many people came to her funeral, many of the children she helped raise. It was then I committed another great sin. I distanced myself from the orphanage. It reminded me too much of her. It almost made me lose you.

Silence struck for a while until the priest continued:

-I tell you this… Because I wouldn't have survived if I hadn't forgiven myself, coming to terms with what I did, and trying to atone for it. Make things right, Gustavo. And if you fail, find solace in the knowledge that you tried, for it's the best you can do.

-I will, father – Said a moved Gus. – I will make things right. Until then, I ask you… Even though she is too old, please give shelter in the orphanage to that girl until everything is sorted out, I'll fetch her first thing in the morning.

-Consider it done, my son.

-Thank you, father.

Next morning the girl was standing in the same spot she was the day before, and Gus explained to her that she could stay in the orphanage for a while, although he didn't mention anything about the letter he threw away. He rushed to the opera to beg the manager to give Merryl a job in the orchestra. An extra cello certainly wouldn't hurt, he argued. Unconvinced, the manager shrugged the idea off, until Gus found the courage to admit and apologize for what he had done. He even offered to have his salary cut twenty-five per cent if it meant the girl would be hired. The manager was furious at what he heard, but accepted the deal at thirty per cent of his salary cut. Gus rushed back to the orphanage leaving a confused Erik behind at the opera.

Upon arriving, he told the girl everything that happened, apologizing sincerely for it. She was glad to have a job, but was still angry at him for having done that. An orphan, she had lost her house because of late bills. She had been living on the streets for nearly a month since then, narrowly escaping ill intentioned men on the streets. For months they didn't talk at the orchestra, and it would have stayed that way had it not been for Gus' profuse apologies during that period. Eventually Merryl found another place to live and they reconciled, having a somewhat friendly relationship at first.

About one year after Merryl joined the orchestra, Erik began having one of his lowest moments since Gus had known him. It began when he arrived at the opera to no sign of Erik. That was odd, but not unheard of, sometimes he just arrived a bit late for their lessons. But this time Gus was told by one of the session musicians that he had come earlier and just stormed out of the rehearsals after reading the news. That musician was one of the people who sometimes brought over newspapers from France, and that day he had brought two sets of them, one for each. Erik had already taken his, unaware that the man had brought another set.

Upon reading the paper, he realized what had upset Erik so much. There was a picture of a woman named Christine de Chagny front and center on the first page. She was apparently a famous opera singer in France, and the news was about her making her first international show in England. "That must be the woman Erik talked about, it only makes sense she'd be an opera singer. Well, it's either her or just the name may have triggered something in him…" Thought the boy. While reading the rest of the article, he couldn't help but chuckle at the mention of Christine being kidnapped by some a masked ghoulish figure dubbed the "Infamous Opera Ghost" years ago, and how the police never found him. He stopped reading there, deciding he should go look for Erik and at least attempt to comfort him. Gus found him at his home, door unlocked, sitting by his table, back turned, sketching something.

-Erik? – Said the boy, startling the man.

-Oh, it's you, kid. Next time knock on the door please. – Said Erik in a distressed and slightly angry tone as he half turned to face the boy, exposing only the unblemished side of his face.

-I did though. A few times.

-Oh… I'm sorry then. I'm a bit too distracted at the moment.

-Are you feeling alright?

-I am well enough, kid – Erik answered dismissively before turning back to the table and resuming his work.

-I read the news today.

Erik did not respond to that.

-The French news. There was a woman named Christine on the first page. Could that have anything to do with how you're feeling right now? – Continued Gus.

-That is none of your business kid. – He said without turning to face the boy.

-Why not? Can't you trust me after all of these years? I worry about you, Erik.

He was silent once again.

-Well, at least there's something amusing about that story. This Christine claims to have been abducted by some ghost in the opera. She must have lost her mind, poor thing-

-She actually married him. Can you believe it? – He interrupted Gus with a strange intonation. – SHE MARRIED THAT POMPOUS DOOFUS – He said furiously as he broke his pencil, startling Gus.

-Wait, calm down, married who? – Said the boy, confused.

-That idiot Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny – He said, uttering the last words mockingly. His fury was still palpable in his voice. – I don't know what I was expecting, of course she married him…

-So, this really is the same Christine you mentioned a few times before?

-OF COURSE it's the same Christine. – He shouted, once again startling the boy. – AND WHAT'S MORE, I WAS THAT HIDEOUS "INFAMOUS OPERA GHOST". – He shouted as he finally fully turned around to face Gus, the other half of his face dripping with blood. – I AM the loose monster the whole of France was afraid of, unlovable, unforgiven, unforgivable…

-Erik…

-I killed people, Gus – He said as tears flowed from his eyes, mixing with the blood. – Innocent people. By rights I shouldn't even be alive. – A deafening silence followed. Gus was in shock at what he was hearing. It was if his mind was falling into a pit of doubt and utter disbelief as all of the pieces fell into place. "That isn't him, that is not Erik." He thought to himself, searching for something inside of him that could comfort the figure in front of him.

-Everybody deserves a second shot at life, Erik. Do you regret what you did?

He stared at Gus for a while without answering.

-Do you regret it, Erik?

-What good is regret to a dead man, kid?

-Please answer the question, Erik. – The boy said coldly.

-Of course I regret it. I lost everything for what I did I… I lost Christine.

-Are you the Opera Ghost?

-I just said I was, kid.

-You said you were. I asked if that is what you are, Erik. – He took some time to answer, after looking a somber Gus in the eyes.

-That is not what I want to be… - Said Erik, darting his eyes away from Gus.

-And it is not who you are. – The boy said firmly – The man I know, the man I look upon is Erik, not the Opera Ghost. You once said to me that if you could make a difference in the life of one person, your existence would have a purpose. I am living proof that you have done just that, Erik. – Said Gus looking for all the pleasant memories they shared together. -Without you I might still have been on the streets, perhaps even dead somewhere. Not only that but you gave me purpose in life. It is not too late for you, Erik. No matter what you have done, who you were, who you are now is someone whom I admire… and love. – That last part caught Erik by surprise, and their eyes met once again. - Forget about the past, forget about Christine, focus on who you are now and what you do want to be.

Erik said nothing as tears continued to flow through his bloodied face.

-Come on, let's wash your face, it's going to be all right.

He continued to say nothing until Gus led him to his bed, hoping he would fall asleep after he left.

Despite what he said, Gus was still deeply shook by what he heard. Erik had no reason to lie to him, especially about something as serious as that. The prospect of having his mentor killing and kidnapping people was immensely unsettling to him. That was not the Erik he knew. It was not, it couldn't be. And that was the hope he clung to dearly; Erik and the opera ghost were not the same person, he had changed. He had to have changed.