Candle 10: Paris Break Out
Erik looked Meg as she rode behind the wagon. She looked as though she was serious in not saying one word to him. He knew something was going on, it was in her eyes. Lorraine looked at Meg and nudged her in the side and Meg nodded. She trotted to the side of the wagon and slipped something between the wheel, then fell back. Lorraine looked at Erik and told him to push away. He looked at her and she nodded, then with force she pulled something which caught the wheel. The wheel stopped turning and Erik felt a tilt to the wagon. The other wheels continued to turn, but then as Lorraine kept her hold; she broke the wheel. The wagon tipped and Erik tumbled to the fallen side with things falling with him.
" Damn it," he cursed loudly
Ellen and three other gypsies came to the tipped over wagon and she ordered everyone to get what was in there out. Lorraine looked at Meg and nodded and she went towards the wagon and Ellen grabbed her by her arm.
" Everyone but you," she hissed
" Ellen, I told her to help," Lorraine said
" You should know better than to send Erik's whore to help," Ellen barked
" She was doing as she was ordered," Lorraine said
Erik was pulled from the wagon, with a few bumps and scratches. He sat down and looked at Lorraine and Meg.
" Rest here," Ellen called
They stopped and Meg looked at Erik as he sat down. He was tended to by another gypsy girl and Lorraine handed Meg a dagger. Lorraine walked over to the cage and loosen the locks so it would be easier for Erik to escape. There was rope enough to hang two men if Erik was caught. Erik looked at Lorraine as she told him in secret of what the plan would be.
" Do not betray me," Erik said
" I won't," Lorraine said
The wheel was fixed and Erik climbed up onto the wagon and shoved into it. Lorraine climbed onto her horse and looked at Meg.
" Tonight," Lorraine said to Meg
They traveled into Paris announcing their arrival and the people looked at them. Ellen looked at the covered wagon and knocked on it.
" This is your devil right here…come tonight and you shall see him in the flesh," Ellen announced.
Erik worked with the chains and beat against the wall. Meg got down off a horse and Lorraine pushed back the canvas flap. She undid Erik's arms just as instructed and looked at Erik.
" Tonight you will be free," she said
Erik looked at her and turned away and Lorraine looked at him.
" How can I trust the word of a gypsy?" Erik spat
" Because your woman has," Lorraine said, " she knows about your past and I am giving you your freedom. I ask though for one thing, that you help me over throw Ellen."
" I'd kill her with my own hands," Erik hissed, " she and Madame Colville."
Lorraine got out and looked at Meg and she walked off to speak with Goliath.
" He's not bright at all," Lorraine said, " though he is very strong."
Lorraine walked to him and he was putting up the tents. Lorraine entered and looked at him. Meg walked to the cover wagon and slipped into it. Erik turned and looked at her and she smiled. She knelt down beside him and wrapped her around him, there were tears in her eyes.
" We are in Paris Erik," she whispered, " and tonight we will marry."
She kissed him with great anxiousness and then looked at him. She touched his face and Erik embraced her.
" It was a night like this when your mother saved me," Erik whispered
" Shh, we will not let anyone hurt you," Meg said
Erik looked deep into her eyes and found what he was looking for, her trust was there. He saw the hope in her eyes of them becoming husband and wife and living a life of peace for once.
" She was wrong, there is nothing, but trust," Erik whispered
Erik kissed her with such passion and one that seemed like minuets before they broke from the long kiss.
" I'll be here to help you," Meg said
Erik kissed her and then let her, she looked at him with a smile.
" Meg quick," Lorraine said
Meg jumped out and Erik leaned back as he held a dagger which was in Meg's waist band. Erik picked the lock of the shackles and released his feet for the time he was alone.
" Tonight, I am free," Erik laughed
Meg walked around Paris and came to the Opera Populaire, the desolate opera house howled out for attention. She walked up the stairs and pushed opened the doors and a cool breeze blew out the ash of the burnt building. She entered and looked at the grand stairwell, that once shined and welcomed everyone who entered.
" Oh, Opera Populaire," she whispered
She walked through it and then stopped and knelt down seeing something. She lifted it up and saw a beautiful ring.
" It's beautiful," she thought
Meg slipped it on and then looked up the stairwell. She turned and walked out back into the sunlight and walked on to see her mother.
" Meg," her mother said, " Oh, my dear."
Madame Giry hugged Meg tightly and kissed her head. She looked at what she was wearing.
" Erik's been captured by the gypsies," Meg said, " I'm just playing along so I can help."
" It's to dangerous Meg," Madame Giry replied
" I can do this," Meg said, " Please understand I'm saving Erik."
They had tea and Meg went off and promised her mother that she would be alright. She left and returned and entered the tent where Erik would be.
She heard whips crack and she heard the endless groans of the victim.
" What do you think your doing!" Meg shouted
Ellen looked at Meg and walked over to her.
" Didn't I tell you, you are no longer his concern," Ellen said pushing Meg
" Get your hands off me you witch," Meg hissed
Meg pushed Ellen and ran to the open door and grabbed the man's hand.
" Let go you whore!" the man shouted
The man slapped Meg across the face and she fell back hitting the bars.
" Meg," Erik said
" Shut up monster!" the man ordered
Erik's eyes turned to the man and they showed flames burning in them. The man pulled down his hand and Erik blocked his face. The whip wrapped around Erik's arm and he pulled it down.
" How dare you hit a woman…my woman," Erik hissed
" Shut up!" the man shouted
Ellen looked at Erik and walked off and Erik pulled a dagger from his sleeve. He cut the rope and the man fell back. Erik breathed deep and knelt down next to Meg.
" Open your eyes," Erik whispered
" Erik," she moaned
Erik lifted her up and walked out the opened door. He pushed the flap back and looked around. Ellen stood before him and he narrowed his eyes flames still burning in them.
" You are a foolish man Erik," she said, " Very foolish."
Erik set Meg to the side and looked at Ellen.
" You are not even a man, but a creature," Ellen said, " If I had not come you would be to proud to step outside."
" Shut up!" Erik shouted, " I am who I am because of my mother!"
" Yes, of course it is the woman who is weakest," Ellen said
" I am not a freak," Erik said
Ellen looked at him and slapped him across the face.
" Dearest nephew, you are so mislead," she said
Erik slapped her hand away from his face. Lorraine looked from the distance and drew her dagger.
" Stupid idiot," she muttered
Erik drew the dagger and made a swipe at her. She jumped back and Erik smiled with ideas. He came at her tripped her knowing her next move, she hissed at him and swung. Erik pushed her towards the tent and slashed at her.
" Erik," Lorraine said, " be careful."
Erik didn't hear Lorraine's warning and continued to move her towards the cage. He reached for the rope and Ellen pulled a dagger and stabbed his hand. Erik let out a painful cry. She kicked Erik in the ribs and he heard several of his ribs break. His arm fell limp from the fall.
" For the suppose Phantom of the Opera, you have become weak," she said, " today I finish you."
Erik grabbed the rope and winced in pain as his hand bled and his shoulder dislocated.
" Damn," he thought
She came towards him and kicked him in his ribs and he shouted in pain. She grabbed him by his hair and looked at him.
" Death to you Erik," she whispered
Ellen thrust the dagger towards his chest, when an arrow hit her dagger. She looked over and saw Goliath and Lorraine standing there.
" Traitor!" Ellen shouted
" Leave him alone," Lorraine said, " Your reign is over, you old hag."
She pulled an arrow and released it nailing Ellen in her shoulder. Ellen hissed and tossed her dagger. Erik kicked her in the stomach and stood up and she looked at him.
" You devil's child," she hissed
" If I am the devil's child then you surely are the devil in disgust," Erik said
Lorraine threw her set of daggers at Ellen and killed her instantly. Erik breathed deep and fell to the ground.
" Erik!" Lorraine cried
She knelt down beside him and Erik looked at her.
" What has made you so weak?" she asked
Erik looked at his side and pulled a stake from his side. He closed his eyes and Lorraine looked at him.
" Erik, Erik!" she cried
Goliath went off to search for a doctor and Lorraine touched his face. She looked at him and she leaned forward and kissed Erik on the lips.
" Why couldn't you have been mine?" she whispered
Hours later Erik opened his eyes and found himself laying on a soft bed. He was covered up to his neck with a sheet. Meg laid sleeping beside him and he kissed her head.
" What has happened to me?" Erik thought, " Where do I go now?"
