Emma-J-Riddle- Thank you for allowing me to take my time!

KeeperMusicNight- Thank you for Sharing your Micheal Crawford and other Eriks with me! I will enjoy!

Maska- Oh, good no pressure, than I can just flop out one chapter a week, right?

Countess Alana- Glad you like it!


Chapter 17- Down Into His Lair

He thudded loudly on the door next to the entrance to his room. "Yes, yes just a moment." Said Madame Giry's voice from inside the room. A few moments of silence and then the door swished open, revealing Madame Giry standing there in her dressing gown and a silk robe. "Oh, Messier Perrault?" She said, surprised. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes, Madame Giry." He answered. "Dreadfully, but I do wish to speak of it here, in the hall, may I please come in?" Madame Giry nodded and let him through. He stepped past her and into the large luxurious room.

Once he had entered the room, she turned to him. "What has he done?" She asked plainly.

Understanding her meaning, he answered, "He has taken her, and I don't know where." Madame Giry shook her head. "Madame Giry, please help me. I can't lose her, I just can't."

"Damn you Erik!" She barked to the ceiling. "Why must you torture me this way?"

"Madame Giry, please time is running out! Please hurry, I need your help, Madame!"

"Follow me, messier." She said, heading for the door, a small, lit candelabra in hand. She led him down the corridors and right back to Rene's room, where she opened the door and rushed over to the mirror.

"Madame, we don't have anytime to waste." He said, but was silenced when Madame Giry slid the mirror away and revealed a dark, soggy and filthy corridor. She stepped back. Christian let out a small "Ooo" of wonder, and discouragement. She nodded her head to him and approved that he proceed. He took a few steps toward the hole, and stopped, looking at Madame Giry, questioningly.

"I cannot go with you, messier, for I fear a repeat of the events five years ago. I must go and cover for you, but I wish you luck."

Madame Giry turned on her heal and started out the door. Christian stood, gawking at the open corridor that she had revealed from behind the mirror. He took a few steps toward the mirror, wondering if he should enter. He might not have entered if he had not heard the sounds coming from within.

From inside he heard a faint sound. It was almost a scream. A shriek. Rene was screaming, but Christian was unsure whether it was from horror, shock pain or possibly even delight.

Christian gathered all of the initiative that he held within himself, and stepped into the darkness of the wet corridor, his feet making a loud padding sound on the moss in the unlit corridor. Down he plunged into the darkness deep as hell.