Chapter 13
Hidden Trials
Belle
It had been three weeks since I returned home, and already my father was making much progress, more than was expected. Even the pompous doctor on his visits was pleasantly shocked by my father's rapid gain of good health. Of course he was sure the recovery was because of the fine medicine he had left. But I knew that wasn't true. Love was the best medicine of all. Papa was now strong enough to take walks around his room and even out to the balcony and we expected in a month he would be back to his old self. Just like the rest of the family.
Marie being the oldest attended her duties to keeping our family once again in good social stature. Her and my mother's sister, Aunt Estelle were constantly planning social gathering for the household. And as usually Clara would only seek to rep the benefits of throwing parties for her pleasure in which she would never put an effort in. I was surprised still that she hadn't found a husband yet. Indeed it was just like old times. I was thankful that my aunt and uncle had welcomed us into their home and promised we could stay there. My father was too old to start up a business again and hopefully the rest of the children would be married off by then. Except perhaps me.
I sat alone for days attended only by the company of books in the library, thinking of when I could finally return to Erik. My thoughts range from hopelessness to inward joy. Perhaps Erik and I could share a life together. My family would already have enough children to carry on the line and name. But then I wondered if Erik would even take me back. Perhaps he wouldn't and we would have to both be content to live the rest of lives alone, for I would never marry. But I wouldn't let that happen not until I was certain how he felt about me. I couldn't wait for the moment that I could return to him, embrace him recklessly and confess that I loved him with all my soul. He had made me fell so wonderful and alive. I could not let that favor go unpaid. I vowed as soon as my father was able to walk on his own and in the best of health I would return to the opera.
It wasn't until I was lying in my bed one night that I knew I would have to leave sooner than I thought. It had been a sleepless night, my thoughts were at unrest and I was uncomfortable under the heavy comforter. I thought to rise and read a book or have a glass water but I was awaken to another sound. A terrible hacking noise of someone coughing very hard. "Papa" I whispered instantly. I threw the covers, put on a robe and slippers and was about to dash out of the room until I stopped at the door and listened. The sound was much closer; in fact it was in my room. I froze trying to pinpoint where it was coming from. I rounded my bed slowly trying not to make a sound. I saw a dark hunched figure lying on the floor at the foot of the bed. It convulse like a wild animal as if it could not control its own movements. "Papa is that you?" I called. Even with the pale beams of moonlight pouring in from the window I could still not make out its features. I reached outward to touch it lightly on the shoulder. I only had one guess who it could be. "Papa?" I asked again. When my fingers came in contact with its flesh, the figure jerked up sharply revealing a most horrible visage in the moonlight.
It was Erik. His lips from under his mask were dry, his forehead visible under his hairline was ghastly pale and wet. His eyes were dilated and darted about wildly like a wounded animal trapped in a cage. But the most horrible sight was the specks of dry blood that spattered about his chin and mouth.
"Belle…" he croaked the breath from his lips whipped hot and harshly against my cheek. Then he reached up his hands towards my face. They were covered with blood. "Come back to me…" he whispered, reaching his hands to touch me. I was frozen with shock but as soon as those bloody fingers touched my face, I tried desperately to push them away.
"No Erik, stop it." I protested, and at the same time was shocked at the words coming out of my mouth. I pushed my hands on his chest but to no avail. He held me tighter, those marvelous hands now covered in blood starting to caress my hair. "NO!!" I screamed finally pushing him off. I backed away, until I felt something hard smack against my palm. I fell over onto the thick carpet, the world going black all around me.
I awoke moments later to the sound of rushing feet, the door opening and a gasp. "Oh Belle! What happen dear?" Aunt Estelle gasped. I felt a strong pair of arms come around my waist as Beau leaned my body up against his. Glancing at the floor I saw the painted porcelain washing basin from my nightstand in pieces on the floor and then suddenly felt a sharp pain, but was still too dizzy to tell where it was coming from.
"Fetch some hot water and bandages, quickly." Beau ordered. I finally managed to clear my vision and saw my Uncle Jean, Aunt Estelle, and Marie in the doorway looking down in dumb horror. "Belle does your hand hurt?" Beau asked me.
"My hand?" I repeated dully, and then glanced down. A large piece of the broken basin was lodged into my palm, which was now covered in water and blood. Blood. I sighed heavily and let myself slide down towards the floor a lost for words. "Erik, poor Erik." Was all I could saw before I slipped into the darkness once more.
Two day after my unfortunate accident and the reckoning dream, I had already made my plans to return to Paris. My hand only stung slightly but I had some packed some provision and was ready to leave. However there was once obstacle I hadn't expect, not from my own family. After saying my good byes to my father, I made my way down the grand staircase. I was going to ask Beau for a carriage or at least a horse, then bid farewell to the rest of the family. But as I reached the large doors in the main parlor I was shocked to discover they would not open. I pulled harder.
"It's no use Belle, they're locked. In fact every door in the house is." I heard Clara's voice call from the parlor. I looked over in disgust to see her standing proudly by the mantle, Marie, Aunt Estelle and Uncle Jean by her side.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"You aren't leaving here to go back to him." She stated.
"Who are you to tell me what I have to do?" I snapped back.
"Please Belle." My uncle offered in a gentle soothing tone. "I only want what is best for you and the family, and I can not have you run off to this strange man, it just isn't decent." He explained. Damn their decently, I thought. I was so sick and tired of having my life ruled by aristocratic manner and law. Erik was dying, couldn't they understand that?
"I know you are trying to do what is best, but please you have to let me go." I pleaded.
"But we've heard all about this situation from Clara, you were almost justly kidnapped by any terms. We can't allow you to return to this man, why he sounds like a thief or a murder for that matter." Estelle interjected. I felt my small hands curl into fists at my side.
"Clara." I hissed between clenched teeth. "What the hell does she know about it?" I challenged, seeing the surprised faces at my colorful choice of words. Marie moves towards me a bit her hands outstretched.
"Belle, I only want us to be a family again. I know you care about this man, but please stay here with us." She begged her eyes full of sincerity and hope. It made me want to cry, the sickening feeling of having to choose between my family and the man I was in love with.
" Please understand, I'm not leaving because I don't want to be with you all, I do. I love you. But Erik needs me right now. You have to realize that he's dying…" I started.
"And how do you know for sure." Clara butted in. Angry tears of contempt and hate started to leak from my eyes.
"I saw him in my dream, damn how many times must I tell you." I shouted again not caring if my unladylike language offended them. I stared at each of them, trying to get them to back down.
"But Belle there are so many other fine suitors here that would make good husbands and…." Marie chimed in again. I had enough. I ran back to the doors and started pulling with all my might, pounding on it. Nothing could stop me from reaching Erik. I had to go and save him. But it was no use, the doors remained firmly shut. Hopeless I threw down my satchel of provisions and ran back to my room, sobbing all the way. I slammed the door shut and threw myself on the bed, weeping into my hands. I lay there for what seemed like hours.
"Erik, I'm so sorry. I'm not strong enough to come help you. Please be all right my angel." I repeatedly cried over and over into the bed sheets, twisting my fingers about them.
Then I heard a faint rapping sound from my window. At first I wanted to ignore it, but then I went to the window, opened it to investigate what it was. There below my window was Beau, dressed in a blue frock coat. Beside him was a large Clydesdale horse with a mane the color of walnuts. On his saddle were bags stuffed with bread and the long end of a rolled up map was sticking out of one. I was intrigued by this sight. "Belle listen to me." He called up. I wiped away a tear from my eye.
"Go away." I whimpered softly, turning to go back inside.
"No wait, I have a proposition. Do you know your way back to Paris?" he called. I stopped. Paris could it be. I rushed back to the window nodding my head.
"I think so." I called down. I saw a delighted grin spread across his face and he nudged the horse along side him.
"Do you remember when we were children and we use to climb high up in the apple trees so we wouldn't be seen by our governess. I nodded. "And you recall you were the best at climbing up, but when night fell and we had to go back, you were always too scarred to come back down." I did remember those times we hide and gave our governess quite a scare and how when we told father where we had been, he laughed instead of scolding us. But I didn't understand what my brother was getting at. The he reached up a hand and smile and I was reminded of the promise he made to me the first day I return. "Do you think you can make that climb down just one more time." He asked.