Candle 11: Truth by Death

Erik and Meg stood before the alter and were married. Erik's new life began with everything about his past behind him.

" Today I am reborn," Erik whispered

Meg looked at Erik as she touched his face and kissed him on the lips.

" Erik, we can be happy together now," she said

" Yes," Erik replied, " true happiness."

Erik looked out and Meg rubbed his shoulders, then reached up and turned his head.

" It's our night tonight," Meg whispered

Erik turned to her and smiled for the first time from his heart. He kissed her and their wedding night began full with passion and love.

1 year later

Erik stood at the Château doorway, he looked at the carriage and nodded. He opened the door and dust came from the empty house. Erik entered and looked around seeing the place had been abandoned. Everything was covered and Erik looked at the empty walls. He walked around seeing the empty walls covered in darkness, howling for attention. Erik ran his hand across the wala and closed his eyes as he remembered how beautiful the Château was. He stopped at the library and saw the books and he walked in seeing someone sitting at the desk.

" Excuse me," Erik said

They looked up and then rose silently, Erik walked in and saw it was a woman. She was dressed in men's clothing and her hair was pulled back into a bun. Erik breathed deep as he came closer.

" Who are you?" she asked

" Erik," he replied

" Erik, oh my goodness it's you," the woman said

She approached him and saw that this woman was Madame Colville. He backed away from her about to draw his blade.

" You," he hissed

" You never wrote back to me, its been a year. I have waited to hear from you. I sat here waiting for you," she said

" Your mad," Erik hissed

Madame Colville walked towards him and touched his face. She smiled with tears in her eyes and removed the mask.

" That sweet face as not changed a bit," she said, " did you marry that girl?"

" Yes," Erik said

She smiled and touched his face ever so delicately and Erik grabbed her hand. He pushed it off and backed away.

" Why did you do it?" Erik questioned, " Why were you jealous of me?"

" Oh, is that what you came for?" she asked

" Why else?" he questioned

" I did it cause you were just not normal, that my husband loved you more than he loved me. My sister needed something to draw the crowd so I gave her you. Oh, Erik you are never going to be anyone with a face as ugly as yours. You belong in that freak show," Madame said

" That's not true, I have lived my whole life in fear and now I will not," Erik growled, " and for you Madame are no longer apart of it."

" You can't do anything about me," she laughed

Erik pulled a silver pistol out and smirked.

" I can't, but this can," he said

" Foolish little disfigured man," she said

Erik showed no hesitation and fired one shot at her and shot another one at her. She fell to her knees and looked at it. Erik stepped on her head and she looked at him.

" Tell me Aunt, should I let you live or hang," Erik said pulling a Punjab lasso at, " My specialties ask Joseph Buquet."

Erik laughed and the devil was in his voice and Madame Colville feared.

" Please," she cried

" Erik," a voice said

Erik turn around and saw three figures standing in the door way.

" She's on our land, no more blood," the young woman said

" Lorraine this is my fight," Erik hissed

" If you kill her then you have not changed at all, you have failed in your duties to your wife," Lorraine said

Erik looked at her and kicked her and then walked pass Lorraine.

" Make her suffer, I don't want anything to do with her," Erik said

Lorraine nodded and she watched Erik walk out into the brightness of the sun and vanish forever from her life. She never saw Erik again, yet she remembered Erik in how he saved her from and the determination he had to survive.

THE END