Chapter 3: Choice of Freedom

3days later

Madame Giry was given a letter and she looked around, before going in. She shut the door and opened the letter with a skull shaped seal. She unfolded it and sat down to read it.

Dear Mother,

I am well, Erik has protected me through this long journey. Please, I will return as soon as I can. Erik has been wounded and I wish to make sure that he is well. I can not tell you where we are, but I can assure you that I am not harmed. Mother, you must find away to keep the officials away from us. If we can get back into Paris, then Erik will return me safely. I do have one favor to ask you though, please, the money Erik had given us before he vanished, please, send it to Christine, I will pick it up there.

Love,

Meg

Madame Giry sighed and folded the letter up, then slipped it into a book. She reached into a box and pulled out a tan sack, holding the money.

" Erik, what do you plan to do?" she thought

She tied it tightly and dressed according to the weather and headed towards the Vicomte de Chagny's estate. She held a letter that, Meg included to give to Christine.

" I hope this work," Madame Giry said

Madame Giry got into a carriage and went off, Captain Rousseau looked at two of his officers.

" That woman knows where they are, follow her. Any sign of that fugitive kill him. Escort Madame and her daughter back here," Rousseau said

" Yes sir," they said

They took off after her and Captain Rousseau narrowed his eyes. He had check points for visitors who came into Paris.

" You won't escape Phantom," he said

Meg opened her eyes and sat up from a restful sleep. She stretched and looked around feeling warmth. She stood up and wrapped her cloak around her, then walked into the second room, seeing a fire. She pulled her cloak tighter and looked around for Erik.

" Erik," she called

She opened the door and saw the black stallion tied to a tree, she walked to him, then gently petted the horse.

" Where is he?" she whispered

She leaned her head against the horse's head, then closed her eyes. She listened to the silence all around her, it was almost frightening.

" I wonder where he went?" she thought, " There was no note saying where he was."

Suddenly, the sounds of sticks crackling, startled Meg. She looked around and breathed deep. The sounds continued and the horse looked up, she untied the horse and got on.

" Come on boy," she whispered

She used her heal and got the horse going, then heard silence again. She looked around still alert and then some birds flew out, startling the horse. She tried to calm him, but it took off and Meg held on tightly. She pulled the reigns tightly and tried to stop him.

" Come on boy," she cried out

Something hit the horse and he reared up, Meg lost hold of the reigns and fell back. She landed hard, hitting her head on a trunk of a tree. Meg's eyes focused on a shadow, that approached her, but then fell unconscious.

Erik returned and saw the horse was gone, he dropped the logs and ran into the small home. He looked around and called out Meg's name. He narrowed his eyes and then heard something in the distance. He ran out and saw the black stallion, without a rider, running towards him. Erik quickly leapt onto the horse and rode off to look for her.

" Meg!" he shouted

Meg moaned and opened her eyes, she looked around and saw only tents set up. She sat up and wrapped the furs that were around her tightly.

" Well, look who as awaken," a deep voice said

Meg looked around and saw a group of people standing there. Some of the men approached her and Meg backed off.

" She looks scared," another deep voice said

They laughed as one grabbed her chin between his thumb and index finger

" She's very pretty," he said

" Get your hands off me," she growled

" And feisty," the man said

" Get out of my way you arrogant men," a voice said

A old woman pushed threw and looked at Meg. She smiled and walked over to her.

" Well, young woman, you have been saved," she said

" Saved?" Meg questioned

" Yes, deary, by the Gypsies of Riems," the woman said

Meg looked at the ragged clothes they wore, but then there were some with very colorful clothing.

" No, you kidnapped me," she said, " Bring me back."

The woman shook her head and patted Meg's head.

" You can't go back," she said, " We don't know where you were."

They all laughed and Meg shook her head and stood up. She ran in one direction and two men blocked her.

" Let me go I know where I came from," Meg cried

" Little woman, you can't," one said

She ran another way and several of the gypsies blocked her passage.

" Let me go!" she shouted, " Erik!"

Erik stopped and heard a cry from the distance and he rode towards the direction. He broke through the sea of trees, to find a path. Erik jumped down and looked at the wheel and hoof prints. He narrowed his eyes and go back onto the horse. He rode down that path quickly.

Meg was thrown to the ground and the woman knelt down next to her.

" You have been taken by us, don't worry child you will be our beauty, a rare gift to be welcomed into a home of gypsies," the woman said

" You hag, let me go free," Meg said

" Hag? You called me a hag?" the old woman questioned

She then laughed, though her laughter was more of a cackle. She slapped Meg across the face and Meg looked at her.

" You have nerve child after we have saved you," she said, " How about we turn you into a hag?"

Meg's arms were grabbed and she struggled.

" Let me go!" she cried

Sudden sounds of a horse broke through the opening and Erik looked at them. He pulled the blade and cut the large man a cross the arms, which held Meg. Meg fell to the ground and Erik turned the horse around, his hood was off the they looked at him. Erik breathed deep and Meg looked at him. She got up and ran to Erik, the old woman narrowed her eyes at them.

" Why you little bastard?" she growled

" Bastard am I? Well, than that is what I am, but this woman before me is mine," he growled

The old woman laughed and looked at the other gypsies. They stood behind her and looked at him.

" You can not escape young misunderstood child," she said

" That's what they said before," Erik said

The old woman laughed and she looked at the two large men, they drew a thicker blade. Erik looked at them and smirked, his eyes were filled with ideas. The old woman looked at him as he was attacked. Erik returned the attack and another gypsy came from behind and took Meg.

" Erik!" Meg shouted

Erik looked and narrowed his eyes.

" Let her go," he growled

Erik was grabbed by his neck and the old woman walked towards him.

" I remember you," the woman said, " I know that face…how could one forget it?"

The old woman walked up to him and Erik looked at her.

" Yes, it is definitely you…the devil's child," she said

" He's got a price on his head," one man said

" Yes, perhaps we should turn him in," the old woman said

Erik narrowed his eyes and the old woman told the man that held Erik by his neck to let him go.

" Listen here devil, you might have killed my dear father, but you won't kill anyone else, you have a choice, save the woman, by giving your freedom up. Or you can be turned in and this lovely young woman become ours," the old woman said

" Either way I lose, and so do you," Erik said

Meg looked at Erik as he turned and looked at Meg. She had a pleading look on her face as she shook her head.

" Erik," she whispered

Erik balled up his fist and looked at the old woman and narrowed his eyes.

" Chose wisely Erik, your freedom depends on it," she said with a cackle

" You will regret the day I made this choice," Erik growled

" Erik, don't," Meg pleaded

" Set her free, I'll take her place," Erik said

" No," Meg said

The gypsy let Meg go and she ran to him, she grabbed his shoulders.

" No, Erik" she said, " You can't give in for my sake."

Erik looked at her and placed his hand on her shoulder. He then pulled her into an embrace and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widen slightly and then felt tears fall from her face. She embraced him and then, Erik whistled for the horse. He helped her up and Erik looked at Meg. She looked down at him and shook her head. Another gypsy grabbed Erik, by his arms and tied them together.

" Erik!" Meg cried out

" Get going," he said as they dragged him

Meg tapped the horse in the side and she took off ,back towards where they were staying.