Chapter 4: Hints to Catch
3 days later
Erik walked into town holding Perle's hand. He looked at the Cathedral before him and took a deep breath.
" Come on Erik, we'll be late," she said
Erik walked in and looked at the inside, he was amazed how beautiful it was. He looked at the statues that stared at him.
" Erik," Perle said
" I'm coming," he said
Erik walked into the church and heard the loud bells ringing. He looked at the people who knelt down in payer and felt a since of peace here. Erik knelt down with Perle and closed his eyes to pray. Perle looked over at Erik and saw a since of fear in his breathing.
Mass began and Erik felt drawn to the mass, an understanding stared at him. He was not being judged by anyone, he was equal. Perle looked at Erik and could see he was feeling at ease with himself.
At the end of the mass, Perle looked at Erik. He remained there and looked around.
" Erik?" Perle questioned
Erik looked at her and smiled and then nodded. He walked out with her and looked around. He covered his face and pulled the hood of his cloak tighter. Perle looked at him and gave his hand a squeeze.
" Erik, thank you for taking me to church," Perle said, " My mother would be happy that you did that for me."
" Your welcome," Erik replied
They walked around in the city and Erik bought her something to eat. He warmed himself with hot tea. He looked at Perle as she looked around and then looked over her shoulder to watch everyone around. The busy Sunday morning made Paris come alive even more. Erik took a deep breath and drank the hot tea, then waited for Perle to finish up.
Once Perle was done Erik walked with her back to the ghettos. On their way Perle spotted Meg in the market. As they walked by Perle let go of Erik's hand and ran over to Meg.
" Meg," Perle called
Meg looked up to the sound of her name and she turned around and saw Perle running to her.
" Why hello," Meg said
Perle smiled and hugged Meg, like a sister.
" Are you alone?" Meg asked
" No, Erik's with me, we went to church earlier," Perle said
Meg smiled and asked, " Where is he?"
Perle looked over and pointed to Erik as he stood in the passing crowds. Meg gave a wave and Perle ran over and grabbed his hand. Erik followed the young girl and she looked at him.
" Good day to you Erik," Meg said
" Good day," he replied
Meg lifted the sack she had with the things. She juggled three of them and Erik reached over and grabbed a sack.
" Allow me to help you," Erik said
" Thank you Erick," Meg said, " Would you mind helping me carrying them upstairs?"
" No," he said
She nodded and took lead, as she led them to the apartment. Erik looked at her as she started. Perle followed and then he finally followed behind. They came to the apartment and Erik took each step by step. Meg opened the door and Erik followed her.
" Here just lay them down on the table," she said
Erik did so and Meg looked at him and smiled.
" Thank you Erik," she said, " Can I fix both of you tea?"
" We were just heading home," Erik said
" Oh alright," she replied, " Well, thank you."
Erik gave a nodded and Perle looked at him and then at Meg. She could only smile and grabbed Erik's hand.
" Why can't we stay just a little?" Perle said, " We're in no rush to go home."
Erik looked at her and she could only give a soft smile.
" For a little," Erik said
Meg made some tea and served them each, Perle sat beside Erik and drank her tea.
" Have you been well with your injuries, we really didn't talk much, since you were very popular at the ball?" Meg asked
" I have been alright," Erik said, " They're healing."
" Have you gone to see a doctor?" she asked
" He doesn't go to see doctors," Perle said, " He's stubborn."
" Perle," he snapped
She sipped her tea and Meg hid her amusement.
" You really should go to a doctor, it would be best," Meg said
" I've been taken care of myself," he replied
After awhile, there were many other conversations and it was apparent that there was truly something that lurked in both parties' eyes.
" Perle we need to be heading on," Erik said, " Madame Amical will wonder."
Perle nodded and stood up and Meg rose from where she sat.
" Thank you Meg, for the tea," Perle said
" Your welcome, it was nice to have some company," Meg replied
Erik wrapped his cloak around himself and slipped the hood on. Meg looked at him and smiled.
" Thank you Mademoiselle," he said
" Thank you Erik for helping me with the sacks," Meg said
He gave a nod and Meg opened the door and Erik let Perle go first. Erik turned and gave Meg a nod and started down.
" Erik," Meg said
Erik stopped and looked up at her and she smiled.
" Thank you for the dance," she remarked
" Your welcome," he replied
He walked off and Meg watched him walk off. She gave a soft sigh and shut the door. Erik looked up and then turned away once more, his black cloaked followed behind him closely.
Later that evening Erik peeled several potatoes and Madame Amical washed them.
" So, how was church?" she asked
" Inspiring," Erik said, " I felt for once, alive."
" So, you no longer are in spite of who you are?" Madame Amical asked
Erik looked down and said, " I still fear the outside, but I know I will understand."
Madame Amical smiled and began to make dinner.
" So, Perle said you ran into that girl in the market," Madame Amical said, " And she told me there was a slight hesitation in seeing her."
" I don't hesitate, I just don't approach as fast," Erik replied
Madame Amical chuckled a little and Erik looked at her as he peeled another.
" I don't find that funny," Erik barked
" I'm sorry Erik, I just don't see how long you're going to play these games," Madame Amical said, " In fact, the only person your fooling is yourself."
Erik looked at her and sighed.
" Do yourself the favor and settle down with a beautiful young woman," Madame Amical said, " Preferably someone not married already."
Erik shook his head and finished and then walked off, Madame Amical wiped her hands on her apron.
Erik sat down in the sitting room and looked at the fire's dancing flames. He sighed and then felt two hands fall on his shoulders. He looked up and saw Perle and she sat down in his lap. He wrapped his arms around the little girl and she smiled.
" Erik, Madame Amical is pushing you to get married isn't she?" Perle asked
" Marriage is not an issue," Erik replied
Erik looked at Perle and pushed her hair back from her eyes. She looked up at him and smiled.
" Can I marry you Erik?" Perle asked
" Your to young," Erik said
" I'm almost 6," she said
" One day my Petite Bijou," he whispered
" Ok Erik," she said
Erik looked at the little girl as she looked at the flames. Erik wanted to wait until after dinner to go to the opera house. He had been going down there, where he use to dwell, fixing the organ that had a little damage to it. Erik lifted Perle into his arms and carried her into the kitchen.
" Is dinner ready?" Perle asked
" Not yet," Madame Amical answered, " It's almost. Erik help her set the table."
Erik sat Perle down and gave Perle the silverware, while he took the plates and glasses out. He showed her how to the set the table ever so plainly, but neat.
When dinner was done, they all came together and ate together. Afterwards Erik taught the young children, something and finished it up with reading a chapter, from the book they were reading.
They all went up and went to bed and Erik walked downstairs. He pulled the book he was reading out and read, while Madame Amical and Doux knitted.
" She's a pretty little girl," Madame Amical said
" I think so," Madame Doux replied
Erik looked up from his book at the two old women and then went back to his book.
" Marrying age, that one is," Madame Amical said
" She's probably got tons of suitors that want her," Madame Doux said
Erik continued to read and ignoring the old women as they just babbled.
" I bet she was pretty at the ball, everyone wondered who she was," Madame Doux remarked
" An angel I bet," Madame Amical said
Erik closed his book and got up and set it down on the shelf.
" I'm going for a walk," Erik said
" Alright deary," Madame Doux answered
Erik grabbed his cloak and slipped it on then headed out; the cold night air became colder as the wind picked up. Erik pulled his cloak tighter and walked around the dark streets of Paris. He looked around the town and headed towards the opera house, there he took the passageway to his lair. He shut the gate and walked down the drafty hallway. He came to the lair and looked at the organ. He lit the candles around and began to work on the organ. He once looked at this place as his sanctuary, from the world above him. He only became aware of it's slight gentleness, when Christine became apart of his life. He looked to her as his angel to save him from what was around. The cruel and heartless world seemed only a nightmare a child would dream, but it was as real as day and he became sadden by it's tainted ways; once she left him. Erik could only feel the cold nip at his uncovered face.
Erik unrolled his sleeves and stood up, looking at the dripping wax. It reminded him of the fire that dripped into the third cellar, but did very little damage. He could remember the details that he saw last before running from the catastrophe. He gently blew out some of the candles and then heard someone walking down the hall. He placed his hood on and hid in the shadows as he waited. As a shadow came he could see it was not a man's shadow, but a woman's. He did not feel at eased though, but as she came, he could make out the figure more. Erik still remained in hiding as Meg walked into the lair.
" Hello," Meg called
She looked at the candles and saw some had been already blown them out. She relit them, then looked around.
" What are you doing here?" Erik asked
Meg jumped a little and looked around.
" Erik," she said
Erik walked out of the shadows and pushed the hood off. She smiled slightly and Erik looked at her.
" I come here sometimes," she said, " This is the only way in."
" Why do you come here?" he asked
" To remember everything," she said
She walked around and Erik looked at her as she walked towards the edge of where the water began. She looked at the wood from the first two floors that had fallen through. Erik walked out more into the light and Meg sighed, as she touched the water.
" This place holds so many memories for me," she said, " Especially when we started to see you more."
Erik stopped and Meg stood up, but slightly stumbled back. Erik caught her in a split second. She looked up at him and then he helped her stand.
" I'm sorry," she said, " I'm so clumsy."
Erik didn't say anything and Meg looked at him.
" Have you found another place where you can dance?" he asked
" It pays little, but yes, there's a small theater just outside of Paris," she said, " it's a simple place, a lot of the dancers went there."
Erik looked at her and walked back towards the organ. She looked at him as he glided his hands over the keys.
" Does it work?" she asked
" Not yet, the keys need to be replaced," he said, " The wood is slightly damaged."
Meg walked over and looked at it, she gently ran her hand over the keys. Her hand slid all the way, it touched Erik's briefly. Erik pulled his hand back and Meg did too, but did not look up at him.
" Erik," she whispered
" I have to go," he said
He started off and headed down the passageway and his hip ached in strong pains. He stumbled over, holding his wounded hip.
" Are you Alright?" she asked
" I'm fine," he slightly grunted
She walked over to him and saw he was truly in pain.
" Let me walk with you back, I can care for your wound," she said
Erik looked at her and walked off with a limp, she ran to him and slipped one of his arms over her shoulder.
" I'm not a weak little girl," Meg said
Erik looked at her and then turned away, she walked him all the way back. He opened the door and looked at her.
" I can make it in," he said
" No, all the way," she said
Erik leaned against the door frame of the apartment house, then sighed. Meg walked him in all the way, and of course Madame Doux and Amical were awake.
" Oh, Erik what happened?" both asked getting up
" Nothing's wrong," he replied
Meg sat him down in the back chair and looked at him. She pushed his hood off and Erik looked at her.
" Thank you," he said
Madame Doux came with some fresh water and new bandages. He sighed and took them and they waited for him, he then cleared his throat.
" Oh, sorry," both old women said
They grabbed Meg by her arm and pulled towards the kitchen. Erik redressed his wounds and gently got up, there he used everything around as his cane. Erik came in sat down and Madame Amical placed some tea in front of him.
" Are you alright now Erik?" Madame Amical asked
" I'm fine," he replied
Erik sipped on his tea and Meg glanced over at him.
" Erik," Madame Amical said
Erik looked up and said, " Yes?"
" Perhaps you should sleep downstairs, it would be best for you, using those stairs are dangerous," Madame Amical said, " I would be best."
After awhile Meg was leaving and Madame Amical and Madame Doux encouraged Erik to walk with her out the door.
" Thank you Mademoiselle," Erik said
" It was nothing," she said, " It's repaying your kindness."
Erik looked at her and said, " Have a safe return home."
Meg pulled her cloak tighter and looked down.
" Your so kind Erik, and if you gave someone a chance, you could live a normal life. Your talented, smart, your very speical," Meg blurted
Erik looked at her and she looked up at him. She walked close to him and stared at him in his eyes.
" One chance is all you need Erik to prove to the world your not a phantom," she whispered
She placed both hands on his face, Erik stared at her. He grabbed her hands into his own and kissed them both.
" I'm afraid the world is not that forgiven for those who do not look like them," Erik said
" It's not the outside Erik, it's the inside," Meg said, " You are quite charming when you are confident."
" Please, you are missing what I am saying," Erik said
" Am I?" Meg questioned
Meg stood up on her toes and pressed her lips against his, ever so gently. Erik was surprised by her action, but returned the kiss.
" Look, there," Madame Amical said, " They've managed to admit to one another's feelings."
" I see, their so beautiful together," Madame Doux said, " I do think we have a wedding to prepare for."
" Yes, it's only days maybe a week," Madame Amical said
The two old women watched and saw them talking to each other. Meg placed her hand on his face and then Erik grabbed her hand. He kissed her hand and she went off. Erik walked in and looked at the old women as they stood there.
" A new look in your eyes Erik, could it be love?" both asked
" A new look, I hardly see the difference in my own look," Erik replied
The old women sighed and walked over and hugged Erik.
" Good night, sleep well," both said
They walked up and Erik looked out the window watching the snow stop. He sighed and touched his lips.
" I've been dwelling in the dark for to long, and now have fallen into a new darkness," he whispered