Chapter 2: First Unfeeling Scrap of Clothing

Antoinette ran down the halls after rehearsal and looked around. She slipped into the shadows and ran down the cellar steps. She took a lantern down with her and lit the damp path.

" Erik," she called, " Erik, I've come."

She entered the domain and looked about for Erik. Erik walked out upon hearing his name once she called again. He looked at her and smiled a little and walked over to her.

"I was worried you weren't going to come," Erik said

" I'm sorry Erik, Madame kept us," Antoinette replied, " but I'm here now, let's eat."

She sat up a place for them to eat and both sat down to enjoy the small meal that Antoinette brought. Erik looked at the food and took some fruit to eat then looked at Antoinette.

" I finished a room," Erik said, " and I have found something other things to put in this room."

" That's wonderful," Antoinette said

She saw Erik was adapting to life under the cellars, but she wanted him to come above. She wanted to see him become sociable and try to live a normal life.

" Erik, why don't you come with me to the surface?" she asked

" No, I don't want to, I'm not finished building my palace," Erik said, " When I am done that, then perhaps I will."

Antoinette looked at him and nodded a very gentle nod. They finished and Antoinette and Erik walked around his incomplete palace. He had a system as he built, a room of mirrors if anyone tried to come through. Erik continued to build while Antoinette read to him, she watched Erik as he became stronger in will.

3 years later

Erik watched from box five as Antoinette danced with the other ballerinas. He smiled as she looked up at box five and Antoinette smiled. He hid in the shadows when the mistress looked up. Antoinette giggled a little and then was quick to hold her laughter as the mistress stared at her. Antoinette danced with such grace and Erik laughed a little. The doors opened and Erik hid in the shadows, he looked at the box keeper as she looked about. She then shut the door and he came out of the shadows, Erik finally left box five and climbed the rafters. He wished to cause mischief, he knocked a wheel letting the scenery piece fall. The girls screamed and ran to their mistress and she looked around.

" It's the opera ghost," one girlgasped seeing Erik's long cloak vanish

" There is no ghost," the mistress said

Antoinette looked at the young stagehands a they pull up the scenery piece.

" Sorry Madame, that damn ghost is at it again," one said

" Well, find away to get rid of him…I want that ghost gone before opening night," she growled

" Yes, Madame," the stagehand said

The girls returned to dancing and Erik entered the loft of the opera house. He opened the door on the other side of the chandelier and watched. He looked at the chandelier and knew it would hold his weight. He leapt onto it and what everyone saw was the swing chandelier, Erik wedged himself between the crystal and avoided from being seen. Those onstage became very paranoid and the manager sighed not caring about what they said.

Antoinette finished her practice and ran up stairs to the manager's office. She knocked on the door and heard other voices.

" Come in," the manger said

Antoinette opened the door and entered and a young man sat in front of the managers desk.

" Monsieur Friar, you wanted to see me?" she questioned

" Yes, Antoinette, please have a seat I'm almost done here," he said, " Monsieur Giry forgive me for not introducing our youngest ballerina Antoinette."

" It's a pleasure Mademoiselle," Monsieur Giry said

" Pleasure Monsieur," she replied

She sat down and waited for Monsieur Friar to finish. Antoinette looked at the young man that sat opposite of the manger, she found him very handsome. His black hair was perfectly placed, his style of dress made him look very professional and mysterious. His fair skin made him welcome the darkness, but he was a very adventurous man.

" He looks like Erik," she thought

He rose and Antoinette saw his height was not average, he was a little taller. She rose as she waited, the young man tipped his hat at Antoinette before leaving. Monsieur cleared his throat and she turned to him.

" Monsieur, who is he?' she asked

" Ah, Monsieur Giry…he's quite a successful man," Monsieur Friar said, " He's 18 years old and has just come out of law school. The Opera Populaire needs a lawyer just in case something happens."

" A lawyer, I see," she said

" Enough about him, please have a seat Antoinette," he said

She sat down and Monsieur Friar looked at the young girl, she was afraid of something.

" Oh, lighten up child," he said

Antoinette looked at him and said, " Yes, Monsieur."

Monsieur Friar handed her some money and she looked at him unsure why he gave it to her.

" For Erik," he said

" Erik?" she asked

" The young man that lives under the cellars," she said

" You know him?" she asked

" I've seen him and he's come to see me, though in cloaks, what does he hid under those cloaks my dear?" Monsieur Friar asked

Antoinette looked down and Friar looked at her and then sighed. She said softly about his disfigurement and Monsieur Friar nodded.

" There are cures to that," he said

" There is?" she asked

" Tell Erik to come to my office and take the back staircase in the third cellar it will lead to my office. I have something for him that may make him feel at ease with himself," Monsieur Friar said

" Yes, Monsieur," she said

She finished her conversation with Monsieur Friar and went off. She ran down the halls and into a dark hallway, then entered the cellars. She ran down the stairs and took the boat to Erik's domain.

" Erik," she called

The gate opened and she rowed herself to the entrance of his domain. She got off and pulled the lever to close the gate, then walked around. She called again and Erik didn't reply, but then she heard a door shut.

" Erik?" she questioned

Erik walked out dressed, but without his vest and coat. She looked at him and smiled, he looked at her.

" I've brought you something," she said

" What is it?" he asked

" Money," she said, " It's 25,000 francs, Monsieur Friar gave them to me, its for you."

" That old bastard wouldn't give me money if his life depended on it," Erik sneered, " it's fake."

Erik sat at his organ and Antoinette looked at Erik, she walked towards him and stopped. She then walked towards him and touched his face ever so gently, then hugged him.

" Go see Monsieur Friar, he will have something for you, he said take the back set of stairs from the third cellar," she said

Erik looked at her and hugged her and she looked at him.

" What is it Erik?" she asked stroking his head

" You can't leave,' he whispered

" I'm not," she whispered

Erik looked up at her and then stood up, he walked off and dressed the rest of the way. He cloaked himself and covered his face with a hooded cloak then vanished into the shadows. Antoinette looked at him and sat down at the organ, she looked at the music seeing new music.

Erik climbed the back stairwell and entered the office and saw Monsieur Friar writing. Erik cleared his throat and the old man jumped a little at this sound. He looked over and greeted Erik and told him that he wanted to give him something.

" What is it?" he asked gruffly

" Open the box Erik, it's made for you personally," Monsieur Friar said

Erik opened the box and unwrapped some fabric, there laid a half faced mask. Erik looked at the mask and breathed deep as he touched the smooth finish.

" You may appear normal now Erik," he said

Erik lifted the mask and turned it around, he touched the inside then slipped it on. Erik looked up and Monsieur Friar smirked at him.

" Here's my deal Erik" Monsieur Friar said, " You have received 25,000 francs, each month if you do any type of repairs for me…you will received those 25,000 francs."

" And I want the grand tier," Erik said

" Box five? You want box five?" Monsieur Friar asked

" Yes, box five, if you don't give me those then I won't do anything for you and you will regret it too," Erik said

" Are you threatening me?" Monsieur Friar questioned

" No, I'm telling you," Erik said

Erik used the secret door and walked down the stairwell. He smirked a devilish smirk and laughed a little.