Chapter 8: Angel of Hell

3 months later

Erik continued to take care of Meg while her parents were away. He watched her become more aware of the world and that included aware of the man who took care of her. She watched as Erik played some soft music on the organ and sang to her. His fatherly instincts were well noted in his actions.

" Little Giry, that is for you," he said

He lifted her into his arms and she touched his face with her little hand. Erik gently touched her hand as he looked at the little angel in his arms.

" Such a gentle creature sent from heaven," Erik whispered

Christelle found the back which did not set the chimes off. She told Erik she would come everyday to help him take care of Meg.

" I see your wearing the pendant that I gave you," she said

Erik looked at her and lifted the cross from under his shirt. He nodded and Christelle smiled and looked at Meg.

" She's 7 months, isn't she?" Christelle asked

" Yes, she is," Erik replied, " I believe I shall protect this child all my life, that I was blessed to see what life was like with a child."

Antoinette took a break along with the other girls. She removed her ballet shoes to give her feet a rest.

" Antoinette, how is your daughter?" one ballerina asked

" She's fine, she's 7 months today," Antoinette said

" Is your husband taking care of her?" another asked

" No, I have a friend taking care of her," Antoinette asked

The usual two who watched Antoinette from the back sneered at the younger girl.

" She has that monster taking care of her daughter," Alice spoke

The other girls looked at Alice and then looked at Antoinette.

" Good day Alice," Antoinette said

Alice gave her a look and leaned forward and pulled off the locket around Antoinette's neck. Antoinette stood up and Alice opened it up and showed the girls.

" Don't your remember…Erik," Alice mocked, " Oh, sweet Erik….a man who could not do anything wrong in Antoinette's eyes. Her husband Vincent and little Meg Giry all trust this Erik. Well, who could ever trust a monster….a repulsive carcass."

" He's not a carcass," Antoinette said

She grabbed her locket and looked at the picture of Erik on one side and her husband on the other. The two men she loved deeply and the family she created with both men. Erik was her dearest friend, a brother that she never had.

" He's human just like you and me," Antoinette said

Antoinette looked at the other girls as they stared at her.

" Does he love you Antoinette?" one asked

" He loves those who will love him back, and yes he's my brother that I never had. I saved him from darkness," she said, " He's nothing like what she says about him…he just wants to be normal. Accepted in the world."

" Can we meet him?" three of the 5 girls asked

" He wears a mask, you'll be disgusted by his looks," Alice said

" One has to look past disgust to find true beauty, of course you wouldn't know that Alice cause you find true beauty in money," one girl said

Antoinette smiled and looked at the three girls and stood up. Alice looked at her with a look of hate. Alice turned on her toes and walked off, the other four giggled.

" Antoinette, can we please meet this Erik?" the youngest of the three asked

" He's terribly shy, I will talk to him," Antoinette said, " for you."

The girls once more returned to their dancing rehearsals and Antoinette thought about something. She danced with hesitation as she thought about three months ago, when Erik mentioned a young understudy by the name Christelle. Antoinette wondered if this Christelle, was truly a figment of Erik's imagination or was she truly real.

After rehearsal the girls cleaned up and then went on their ways.

" Antoinette, will you talk to your friend Erik?" the youngest of the three asked

" When I see him," she replied, " Marie he comes to the opera."

" Where does he sit?" she asked

" In one of the boxes, you will see him," Antoinette replied with a smile

Antoinette picked up her things and walked off and went down to the cellars. She came down and saw Erik rocking Meg. She smiled and cleared her throat and Erik looked over.

" Is she a sleep?" Antoinette asked

" Yes," Erik replied, " Very much so."

Antoinette nodded and walked over to Erik, he placed Meg into her arms, then helped Antoinette gather Meg's things. Erik looked at the music box and played it and Antoinette smiled.

" Erik, there is someone I wish for you to meet someday, perhaps she will interest you. Marie the young woman that is much like me," Antoinette said

" I do not believe she will be interested in me Madame, only simple tales could make me look good," Erik said

Antoinette looked at Erik and kissed his cheek and then went on her way. Erik sighed and vanished into the shadows and then climbed up the stairs to the roof.

" Stars of Heaven bring me that angel that I long for," he whispered

" And it shall be granted," a soft voice said

Erik turned around and saw Christelle standing there, her hair was tied back into a bun and she wore her practice outfit.

" You must be done practice," Erik said

She smiled and walked over to him and she reached for his mask. She touched his face with her soft hand and Erik closed his eyes.

" Sweet Erik, how I have longed to see you again," she whispered

Erik opened his eyes and looked at Christelle, she was different, she shimmered in the stars.

" Am I dreaming?" he asked

" No, this is real," she whispered

Christelle grabbed his hand and kissed it then he pulled her into his arms. She looked at him and reached up to kiss him. Erik closed his eyes and leaned towards her, Christelle placed her lips on his. Erik waited for the touch of her warm lips, but instead felt a dead cold feeling. Erik opened his eyes and saw glistening light surrounding Christelle…Erik let go of her and stumbled back afraid. She looked at him and reached out her hand towards him.

" Who are you?" he asked

Christelle closed her eyes and tears fell from her face.

" I am your angel," she whispered, " your forgotten innocence Erik."

Christelle breathed deep and closed her hands and opened them and tossed the dust in the air. The stars in the sky glistened with splendor and Erik looked at her.

" My name is Christelle de Maigny," she said, " Fleur Dansante was the name I was given by my husband the Count de Chagny. His jealous friend claimed my life with his pistol and turned it on himself afterwards. Erik you asked for an angel and so you were blessed with one, but Erik soon you will become the angel which one looks up to and O.G. will be only your desire to keep that one up on stage."

She blew a kiss and Erik ran towards her and she vanished. Her fell to his knees and threw off his mask…he let out a loud shout which cursed those who would ever dare to betray him. He dropped his hands against the hard cement roof and let tears fall from his face.

" Curse the day you were born," a voice whispered, " Pathetic little creature of darkness…why live if you can not keep an angel."

Erik looked up and saw a shadow vanish into the darkness…he knew that voice and that voice was not going to live another minuet. Erik wrapped his cloak around him and ran to the cellar.

" Dare to see my face, dare to set foot in my domain…then those who see my face become my servants forever," Erik said, " Let the gates of hell be opened and let me go to cause chaos for the Opera Populaire."

Erik looked at the mirrors and covered them and there darkness covered light. Erik's dark figured sailed across the dark halls while he waited for his prey. A Punjab readied in his hands and he heard the voice of his prey. Erik watched his eyes almost glowing red in the dark shadows, but unnoticeable. As his prey came he threw the lasso and nagged her. She was pulled down and he walked out of the shadows and fear filled her eyes.

" Forgive me Mademoiselle, I have pickings," he said, " You are no longer apart of this opera house."

He pulled the lasso tight and choked her and she looked at him. He pulled his mask off and she screamed.

" You," she gasped, " You're O.G."

" In the flesh," Erik said

He lifted her into his arms and carried her off to finish the job, then vanished into the darkness. He would hear the echoing screams once they found her body. Erik walked down and fell to his knees and let his mask fall.

" Pathetic creature of darkness, I'm afraid you are the one they wanted," Erik whispered, " Angel of Hell."

So, it was that next morning that the echoes of a murder had occurred. Alice was Erik's victim, the one who brought darkness on him. He knew now there was no turning back to light no light could enter his soul. He had crossed the point of no return.

" I am the Angel of Hell," he laughed