[A/N] Alrighty, sorry for taking so long getting this up. I tried explaining to my teachers that I had to upload a chapter, but they said I had better check my priorities. I did, and they were right as I thought they were. 1. Erik 2. POTO in general 3. Harry Potter

4. LOTR 5. school 6. food 7. sleeping 8. boys (not counting Erik of coarse). I just don't understand teachers. Oh, well. Here's the next chapter. I've started writing in character's point of view.

Btw- I haven't read Susan Kay's Phantom, so I have no idea what kind of cat Ayesha is, so I made her Siamese because I like them. If I am totally wrong, please don't punjab me.

*******

Erik's P.O.V.

'I was so hot. Had I somehow fallen into my own torture chamber? Was Christine here? What is going on? Christine? No, wait, she left, didn't she? Yes, with him, Raoul. Wait, she came back. No, that was only to return my ring. Then she left, I heard her sing... with him. I'm sorry Madame Giry, but I can't stay here, I can't! Every time I hear her sing... she sings for him... it's like a knife in my heart. Goodbye... Wait, let go of me! No, not in a cage. Please, a mask, let me hide... I'm not an animal, let me go... the little girl cried when she saw me... she ran... I didn't mean to scare her... why am I here?'

Something cool was placed on my forehead. I stopped my hysterical dreaming. I heard music, I think, somewhere. Soft and low, a flute. One key wasn't working right, but I wasn't sure, it was too far away. I became aware of someone humming close by. I tried to open my eyes, but it was too bright. I closed my eyes quickly, trying to block out the light. I moaned softly. Where was I?

From behind my eyelids I could see the light dim. I opened them slowly and saw that only a small lamp was lit. I looked around slowly. I noticed a small child in the shadows, but my eyes had not adjusted to see her face. I opened my mouth to speak, but only make a slight gasping sound. I coughed and tried again. "Where am I?"

The little girl did not answer, but went to the door. "Mother, he's awake!"

Cat's P.O.V.

As soon as I had said this, my mother stopped playing the flute and emerged from her room. She came down the hallway towards me. When my mother walks she has the natural grace of a panther, silent and sure. Her gray eyes take in everything, but, unlike a panther, her eyes never really focus on anything. Anything except me. I was proud to be the one who could make my mother happy. Still I hated that my mother was so often alone.

My mother rushed to the side of the sick man. She felt his forehead and smiled. "It seems your fever has finally broke, monsieur."

"Where am I?" he asked again.

"You are at my mansion, right outside of Paris. My name is Maria Leclerc. This is my daughter, Catherine." She gestured for me to come.

"You may call me Cat, monsieur." I felt no fear of this poor man. I could tell life hard been hard for him. I hoped that we could help him.

"I'm sure you're hungry." Mother smiled again. She rose to leave. "I'll be right back."

I watched her leave before turning back to the man. I could not think of what to say to him. Behind the door I heard a light mewing. I smiled. That would be my cat 'Tasma. No doubt the stray I found a few days ago would be following her. I saw the man's eyes go towards the door. I smiled again, realizing with amusement that I was acting shy, which I had never done before.

"Do you like cats, monsieur?" His eyes focused on me. I saw again that sadness burning in his soul.

"You need not call me that, Cat. My name is Erik. And yes, I do like cats. I once had one. A Siamese." He smiled, which made him look much better.

I could not help but shudder. A Siamese? Could it be... I moved towards the door and opened it. In came 'Tasma, my pure white cat with amber eyes. As I predicted, there was the stray, a Siamese. She dashed in, moving straight to Erik. She jumped on the bed, purring loudly, and made herself comfortable on his chest. His already pale face went whiter still. He looked as if he had seen a ghost. His hand trembled as he pet the cat.

"Ayesha?" he gasped. Looking into his eyes I could see a battle of emotions was taking place inside his mind.