Chapter 2: Running Around the Countryside
Erik helped Meg down and walked with her to a farm house. He knocked on the door and sounds of children's feet came to the door. Then a woman's voice told them to stay back. She opened the door and looked out." What do you want?" she asked
" Madame, we have come to ask for shelter for the evening, my horse and companion are weary," Erik said, " We have been traveling all day, without food."
The woman looked at him and then at the young woman.
" There's a spare stall," she said, " And I can bring you both something eat."
" Thank you Madame," Erik said with a bow
He whistled to his horse and the woman led them to the stables. She laid out fresh hay and went to bring them some food. Erik remained cloaked and Meg sat down in the hay and looked at him.
" So, how long will we stay here?" Meg asked
" Only tonight, we are off tomorrow," Erik replied said
The woman walked over and placed some hot soup, bread, and wine, on a table.
" Thank you Madame," Erik said, " We are in your debt, can we pay you for this service?"
" No, you don't have too," she said, " Good night monsieur."
She walked off and Meg stood up, she cut the bread into two and sat down. Erik joined her and poured her a glass of wine, then himself.
" How long do you tend to run?" Meg asked
" Until they stop chasing me," Erik said
Meg sighed and looked at Erik as he ate, half covered face. She shook her head and walked over and removed the hood. He looked at her and turned his face away.
" It isn't offensive if your with the right people," Meg said, " Plus, I've seen it many times."
She turned his face the other way and then sat down, Erik looked at her as she went back so causally eating.
" Have you?" he questioned
" Yes," Meg replied, " When I was younger?"
Later, Meg fell asleep in the hay and Erik looked at her as he sat in the corner. He looked at the horse, that rested its head over the stall. He stood up and gently patted the horse on his nose. The horse gently nudged Erik in the head and Erik looked at him. He shook his head and then sighed as he laid down on another soft pile of hay. Erik laid on his back, hands under his head.
" How can I find another life?" he thought, " I've never known any life outside the opera house walls."
Erik turned on his side and looked at the stall wall, as he drifted to sleep finally. Resting with ease finally.
Meg opened her eyes to the sounds of a roster and she sat up. She sighed remembering what happened and she saw Erik resting on the opposite side of the stall. She yawned and then heard talking, she got up and looked out, seeing 3 officials talking to the woman. She hurried and shook Erik.
" Erik, they've come here," she said
Erik opened his eyes and sat up.
" Come on," he said
He stood up and grabbed her hand, he readied the stallion and helped Meg up. He heard footsteps and looked at the horse.
" They're coming," Erik said, " Go."
Erik hit the horse and it took off, Erik looked at the loft of the stables. He climbed up the latter and waited. The officials walked in and the woman followed in with a scared face. She gave a sigh seeing they made it out and the officials looked around. They looked up at the loft and one climbed up and Erik found himself in a tight position.
Meg rode halfway and looked back at the stables and waited.
" Come on Erik," she thought
Erik backed up as they came towards him, finding he was running out of room. They raised their guns at him and he looked at them.
" Your at the end of the line, now where's the woman?" one official questioned
Erik felt something under his hands and he looked down, there laid a harvester. He lifted it up and they fired a shot. Erik threw the harvester and got one, he then looked at the window, nearest him. He jumped out the wooden window and slipped down the roof. He grabbed hold of the eve and looked down, seeing no easy landing. Erik got back up and saw the other two coming for him. Erik jumped and landed hard on his legs, he fell to the ground then got up, limping towards the fields.
" Come back here!" they shouted
They fired a shot and Erik continued to run. They went to go after him as he disappeared into the fields.
" Damn it," Erik breathed
He ripped his old shirt and tied it around his hurt leg. Erik made his way out of the field and fell to the ground.
" Erik!" Meg called
Erik looked up and saw her riding towards him. She jumped down and ran to help him. Erik used her help and got to the horse, then helped him.
" What happened?" she asked
" I fell," he said
He continued to bite on a piece of leather as pain rode up his leg. Meg looked back and saw the officials, she used her heal to make the horse go faster. Erik looked back seeing the officials tailing them.
" Go in the forest, do it quickly," Erik said
Meg did as he said and they jumped fallen trunks and took unexpected turns. The forest became deep and dark, the official's failed in following them. Erik looked at Meg and nodded. She stopped the horse and jumped off, she picked up two slightly thick sticks.
" Let me see your leg," she said
" What are you going to do with those sticks?" he asked
" Help you out," she said
She walked over to his wounded leg, then undid the torn pieces of shirt. She placed the two sticks on each side of his leg, then tightly tied the torn shirt. Erik winced in pain and looked at her.
" Where did you learn that?" he asked
" Just something I picked up," Meg said
He helped her up and they continued, Meg smiled a little as she thought how once again she saved Erik. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and saw her smile. He shook his head and looked forward.
By the afternoon, they came to a town and Erik got down carefully, then helped Meg. He tied the stallion to a pillar and they walked into a tavern, were the men turned around; to get a glance at Meg. Erik looked at them and narrowed his eyes at the drunks, Meg stayed close to Erik.
" Hey sweety how about a drink!" one called
Erik drew the unsheathed blade and placed it to his throat.
" She's not interested," Erik said
" Sorry," the drunk said
Meg gave a nodded and Erik walked to a corner table, there they both sat. Meg looked at Erik as he kept his head lowered.
" Thank you Erik," she said
Erik looked up at her and she could see half his face touched by the light.
" Your welcome," Erik answered
They ate, still being watched by the drunks. Meg tried to ignore the awful stares that were full of lustful thoughts. She looked down and Erik looked at her then the men.
" Come we will leave," Erik said
" No, it's alright," she said, " Let's finish."
Erik nodded and finished, he drank down the red wine and Meg looked out the window.
" Erik, look," Meg said
Erik turned and saw some officials and both ducked, Erik pulled his cloak tighter. They got up and went to the back, taking the back doors. Erik made Meg stay and he went around, to get the stallion.
" Be careful," Meg said
" Are you worried?" Erik questioned
" Just a little," Meg said
Erik walked out and saw the officials and whistled. They looked over and Erik turned his dark side to them.
" It's him, the Phantom!" they shouted
They went after Erik and Erik pulled out the blade. They charged at him and he returned the aggressive attack. Erik blocked them with the blade and cut at the wooden guns. He split the barrels and kicked each out of his way, he then untied the stallion. He leapt on and rode to the back, he pulled Meg on and then rode off. An official pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Erik. He fired the shot and Erik felt the bullet hit him, just below the shoulder blade.
" Got him," the official said
He fired, but Erik changed sides and it missed him. He rode fast and the town looked at the horse trample the ground heavily. The official sneered and put his pistol away and looked to his partner.
" We'll get him," the other said
Erik breathed deep and got out of town, then stopped the horse.
" What's wrong?" Meg asked
Erik got off and held his wound, he was lucky, the bullet went straight through, but not without leaving endless amounts of pain.
" Erik," she said seeing the blood
She jumped off and walked to him. He came to his knees and Meg knelt down beside him.
" Erik, let me see," she said
" No, get away from me," Erik growled
Meg looked at him, seeing he was acting like a wounded animal, she pulled her cloak off. She knelt down and pressed it against his wound, he hissed and looked at her.
" We need to get you some help," she said, " Can you ride just until we get to the next town?"
" I can try," he breathed
" Hold this to your wound," she said, " I swear to you I won't let you get any worse."
She helped him onto the horse and took control of the reigns. He held on to her as she guided the black stallion to the next town. She saw a farm house and picked up speed, she looked at Erik.
" Hold on Erik," she said
She came to the door and knocked on it.
" Please, I need shelter, my companions been shot," she said, " He needs help."
The door opened and a husband and wife opened the door.
" Please, Madame, Monsieur, he's hurt badly," she said, " I need help…a doctor."
" Bring him in," the man said
Meg helped Erik walk and the wife of the house boiled water. The man made a place and Meg laid Erik down, Erik winced in pain and Meg saw he was sweating. She wiped his face, covering the darker half.
" I'll go get the doctor," the man said
He left and Erik hissed in pain and the woman walked in.
" Let's clean the wound," she said
Meg removed her cloak from Erik's hold, then undid Erik's shirt. She lifted Erik up to remove it all the way off and she looked at him. The woman wrung out a cloth and placed it on his wound. He growled and Meg grabbed his hand and he gripped her hand. She winced at his deathly grip.
" I know it hurts," Meg said, " Hold on Erik."
Meg gently cleaned around the wound, and Erik looked at her. She then looked at Erik and nodded. A cloth was placed on the still bleeding wound, until the doctor came. The woman went to get fresh water, leaving them alone. Erik breathed deep and Meg looked at him, she smiled a little.
" It's becoming to dangerous for a woman, remain here," Erik said
" No, Erik," she said, " I won't leave you wounded and running."
Erik looked at her and took a deep breath, trying to avoid the strings of pain.
" You'll be ok," Meg said, " It's just a flesh wound."
The man arrived with the doctor, he walked over to Erik and Meg.
" My dear please leave the room and let me take a look," he said
" Come here mademoiselle," the woman said, " I'll make you some tea."
Meg looked over her shoulder and then was brought into the kitchen. Meg sat there looking at her cup.
" Are you two married, child?" the woman asked
" No, we're traveling around," Meg answered
" I see," the woman said
A little after the doctor walked out and wiped his hands on a wet cloth.
" Is he alright doctor?" Meg asked
" Just fine, he is resting," the doctor said, " I don't recommend that he does a lot."
" I see, He's stubborn, but I'll try " Meg said
Meg got up and walked into the room, Erik was in and she knelt down by his side.
" Erik," she whispered
Erik moaned, before opening his eyes to see who called to him. He turned his head and looked at Meg. She looked at him eye to eye, and he tried to sit up.
" No, you mustn't," she said
She laid him down and Erik grabbed her hand, she gasped and looked at Erik.
" Tell me," he whispered, " When did you see my face first?"
Meg looked at him and whispered, " You wish to know? But why?"
" Because," he whispered
Meg nodded and folded her legs underneath her and Erik held her hand.
" I was young maybe 7, old enough to understand why we all were different," Meg said
Flashback
Meg walked with her mother down to the dark, dreary cellar. She held her mother's hand almost afraid and Madame Giry explained to her that she was not to wander past the point, where she stood.
" Why?" Meg asked
" He's very private, to all and he would be furious if I brought you with me," Madame Giry replied
" But I won't tell anyone," Meg said
" Promise me Meg that you will remain here," Madame Giry said
Meg sighed and nodded and Madame Giry went on with Meg to a certain point. She stopped and told Meg to stay there, then she went on to address Erik. Meg peeked her head around the corner, to see beyond the hallway.
" Amazing," she thought
She stumbled, looking forward and went beyond the point. Her mother was talking to a man, dressed in very fine attire. The shadows covered half his face, but she could see that he was different. When he turned towards the light she saw his face and gave a slight gasp. Meg walked in deeper and got a closer look, she could only see parts of his face, before he placed his mask on his face. Madame Giry stood up and lifted a bag and then he kissed her cheek.
" Thank you Madame," Erik said
" It will be done Erik," Madame Giry said, " She's young Erik be gentle."
" I will," Erik said, " I'll make her a star."
" Your dreams are as big as this cellar Erik, be careful though," Madame Giry said
Erik nodded and Meg hurried back to where she stood. Madame Giry walked over and took Meg's hand and they quickly left.
End of Flash back
Erik looked at Meg as he still held her hand. Meg smiled and pushed back the hood of the cloak.
" You don't have hide your face Erik," she said, " Not around me and mother."
" You are the only two people, that I can trust," Erik said
" And Christine, she saw your face," Meg replied
" Yes, and Christine," Erik whispered
Erik sighed and turned his head the other way, Meg looked at him seeing she had said the wrong thing.
" Have I said something wrong?" Meg asked
" No, nothing," Erik said
" Perhaps you should rest," Meg said
Erik gave a nodded and Meg stood up and walked in the kitchen.
" Thank you Monsieur and Madame, for letting us stay here, we will be leaving tomorrow," Meg said
" Your companion is wounded, he can not ride a horse," the woman said
" He's very strong, as long as we have the right dressing for his wounds than he will be just fine," Meg said
The husband and wife nodded and made Meg a place to sleep, but she insisted that she would be fine near her companion.
" Good night Erik," she whispered as she blew out the candle