Author's Note: Where did everybody go? Gee, I guess that will teach me to call my group selective, it apparently only increased the problem. Still, I do wish to thank CloudxInxCrimson –creepy Erik's are my favorites, as long as I can still pick on him anyway… and Breanna Senese – comment on the plot all you want, any comment is helpful (Read the book yet?). You both are absolutely marvelous!

Disclaimer: If you recognize any of these characters from Gaston Leroux's famous literary work (it is NOT a work of FICTION!) that means they do not belong to me. If you do not happen to recognize any of the characters within this story, you clearly need to go and read the book from whence they came with the noted exception of the characters that I made up, who do in fact belong to me. If you don't know who is mine and who is his, then you can't sue me anyway.

"He is here." Erik

She screamed at the sudden loss of the melody that soothed her fevered mind and so gently caressed her battered soul. Desperate, she struggled to wake and seek it out as it slowly faded away, but her body was slipping ever deeper into the cool darkness that promised eternal relief from her pains. Yet the pain was worth it if only to hear once more the music from the frozen shadows of the night, which tugged so forcefully at her heart. If only she could hear it once more, then it would be only too easy to slip away into that peace beyond. Crying out against the pain she fought again and again to waken. Again and again she failed, draining her strength with every attempt as the darkness crept ever closer and the night grew ever colder.

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Bera turned to face the stranger who stood beside the sleeping child. He did not understand the man's cryptic comment but he knew in his heart that this walking shadow would not harm the girl. His heart knew, but his mind still feared.

"What do you mean by that sir?" he asked bravely, daring to question the man he feared to protect an innocent. "Are you Death himself then, come to take her away?"

"Bera!" Vadoma hissed as the stranger's eyes glowed ever brighter, burning with dark fire at the young man's insult. "You forget yourself, leave at once!"

"Yes," the man growled, ignoring the old woman. "I am the Nightwalker, bringer of Death, and she will come with me."

"No! I shall not let you harm her!"

"I shall do whatever I please and you can do nothing to stop me. Beware boy, you tempt the fates tonight."

With an angry snarl, Bera lurched forward, ready to kill the man who stood calmly threatening his life and who would take away the lost girl who had so blindly trusted him. Suddenly Vadoma was before him, blocking his path. He tried to shove her away but she quickly slapped him across the face.

"Bera, come to your senses! He will not harm her!" She cried, fear and anger swirling in her dark eyes.

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He knew, from the moment he had seen her, he knew. He would kill this impudent boy before him; he would do anything to prevent this angel, lying so deathly still upon the rough pallet beside him, to return to her God's embrace without having once looked upon her as he dreamed her so long ago. Her shining eyes open in wonder, smiling in the sunlight as she danced in the little meadow nearby, her golden hair a riot of curls down her back, laughing and dancing, around and around, just for him, just as he had dreamed. Anything would be worth seeing this one dream come to life, anything.

A/N: Yeah I know it shorter than normal but I've got the next chapter nearly ready to post so with any luck it will be up soon. Get ready for some more creepy Erik and I'm thinking it's about time somebody woke up and joined the conversation, don't you?

P.S. I really do need summary suggestions because mine is…terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, and all around crummy. Review and help me out!