The few people that remained in the road hardly noticed them as they hustled about, laughing merrily as they picked up the last details of their Christmas holiday. It was unusually late to be out and the winter chill was bitter, but no one seemed to think much of it as the kindly spirit of Christmas has a way on nestling itself in even the shortest of tempers. Suzette peeked out from behind the folds of Erik's dark cloak and stared wide-eyed at all the lovely shop windows, each one more delicious than the last. They were filled with ribbons and lace, sweets and cakes, charming little toys and a beautiful little doll, which caught the wistful stare of every little girl who happened past her.

Erik led her to a lovely shop full of fancy dresses for girls where he pulled her into the shadows and knelt down to whisper to her.

"Now we're going to get some things more fitting for a little girl than that funeral dress." He took her hand and placed a rather large sum of money into it.

"You go on in there and get all the things you need." Her lip quivered and she asked, "Aren't you coming too?"

"No, love."

"But what will they think of me coming in alone?"

"Just tell the shop keeper that your parents left you off to buy some things for a Christmas present, while they shopped alone."

"But I don't know what to get."

"Well for heaven's sake, do you think that I do? Just go and pick out some things that you'd like to wear and try them on. If you need more money come out and get it. Then change into a dress that you like and don't forget to get a warm coat, and sturdy shoes, and pair of gloves, then have them send the rest to this address." He stuffed a little bit of paper into her other hand.

Suzette nodded forlornly and went into the store alone. The clerk seemed cross with a young child entering her store unaccompanied by a parent and promptly refused Suzette when she asked if she might try some dresses. But when Suzette told her the story that Erik had made up and showed her the money that he'd given her, the clerk changed her mind and smiled and cooed sweetly as she helped her to pick out some dresses, hats, shoes, undergarments, and a warm winter coat.

"Such a pretty little bird. How could your parents leave you here alone?"

"Well, perhaps they are buying a Christmas present that they don't want me to see."

"Well, they'll be pleased to see you dressed so nice. Where on earth did you get this hateful dress?"

"It's my sister's," Suzette lied, "I had to wear it because my uncle died suddenly."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Suzette paid the clerk, thanked her, and asked that the clothes that she wasn't wearing be mailed to the address that Erik had given her. The clerk looked at the bit of paper and asked, "Who is O.G.?"

"My papa," Suzette lied and then left the store, dressed like a little lady. She went back to the spot where Erik had left her and was startled by the fact that he had left.

"I'm sure he'll be right back," she told herself, "I shall wait right here for him." She glanced nervously around the street. Nearly all of the shoppers had returned to their own homes and the toyshop had dimmed its lights and closed its doors. Suzette noticed sorrowfully that the lovely doll was no longer in the window. Somewhere, a little girl would be receiving a lovely Christmas present. Suzette caught a movement to her side and saw Erik coming towards her quickly. She stepped out to greet him, but two large arms suddenly enveloped her from behind. She cried out and an enormous hand was clapped over her mouth.

"What are you doing out here all alone, sweetheart?" the stranger hissed to her, "Poor little thing, are you lost? Don't worry, I know someone who is looking for you right now." Suzette kicked the man and bit his hand. He dropped her angrily and said, "I wouldn't cross me if I were you, little girl!"

The man didn't have a chance to elaborate. Erik had crept up behind him and got a cord of some kind around his neck. Moments passed and the man's eyes bulged as he clawed at his throat. Both he and Erik fell to the ground and the man hit his head on the pavement hard. Erik released him and grabbed Suzette, who stood terror-stricken by this second attack. They ran through back streets and courtyards. Erik seemed to be trying to lose anything that might be following them. He climbed over a wall and they hid in a gardener's shed while Erik attempted to catch his breath.

"Do you suppose that I killed him?" he asked. Suzette hated to think either way.

"Why are they after me?" she wailed, "Why won't they leave me alone?"

"When did they start after you, Suzette?" Erik asked between gasps.

"Just after papa died. I went to the Mass with the other children from the orphanage and as we were leaving a man grabbed me and dragged me away while the sisters were gathering everyone together. I kicked him until I got away and then I ran as fast as I could. He chased me all over the town until I hid in the graveyard and you saved me." Suzette cried at this horrible memory and Erik held her close as he climbed back over the wall. Once they were on the other side, he set her down and they made their way back to the entrance to his dark kingdom, which Suzette had learned earlier was a small, hidden opening in a stone wall in a perfectly normal looking courtyard near the Rue Scribe. After a while, Suzette grew tired and Erik carried her again.

Just as they were nearing the courtyard, they sensed a dark presence watching them from the shadows. Erik ran with every ounce of strength he could muster from his aching legs and darted into the opening in the courtyard just as the man was turning the corner. The man ran into the courtyard and screamed in fury. They had disappeared as if by magic.

Down they went, darting through a maze of corridors in complete blackness. Erik went so fast that he banged his arm as they turned a corner. He dove into the secret door that he had shown Suzette on the way up to the world. She remembered the sadness in his voice when he had told her, "I never see the sunlight, Suzette. You see, I can only go into the world at night, when no one will see me."

He didn't stop until they were safely in the drawing room of the house. Once there, he set Suzette down and began stomping his feet and cursing.

"What is it Erik? He can't get us down here."

"He saw us! He saw where we went. If he searches the courtyard, he may find the opening and then . . ." Erik stopped here. Suzette was frightened by his terror.

"We'll have to leave. It's not safe here anymore."

"I'm sorry!" Suzette wept, "It's all my fault!" Erik embraced her.

"It's all right. I won't let them get you. I shall find us a nice little flat to stay in. It will be lovely. Now, it's time for bed. Go on now." Suzette disappeared into the bedroom and appeared a few moments later in the oversized nightgown.

"Yes, Madam?"

"Erik, I'm still scared. Will you come and tuck me in?" she asked.

"Very well, Suzette," he replied and rose and followed her into the bedroom. He lifted her up and tucked her into the little bed.

"There now, go to sleep."

"Sing me a lullaby," said she. Erik took a deep breath and seemed to ponder the request.

"A lullaby…" he whispered to himself. At last he knelt beside her and sang a song as sweet and tender as an angel's love. His voice was warm and clear and even though she didn't know the language of the words, she knew they meant that she was safe and loved. When he finished the lullaby he reached slowly for her, as if he meant to stroke her, but then withdrew his hand.

"Goodnight," he whispered.

"Will you sing that song again for me tomorrow, Erik?"

"If you like. Now go to sleep."

"Erik?"

"Yes, Suzette."

"If you took off the mask, I could kiss you goodnight." Erik said nothing for a moment and when he spoke again his voice was in pain.

"I would love to kiss you goodnight, Suzette. But I'm afraid that if you saw my face you would have nightmares for the rest of your life."

"Do you think so? How could I be afraid, when I know that it's only you."

"Just leave it be, Suzette." She sighed and put up her arms for a hug. He knelt down once more to embrace her and she hung her arms about his neck, giggling mischievously.

"All right now, let go."

Suddenly Erik cried out in horror for she had taken the mask. He tried desperately to remove her from his neck, but she held him fast.

"Let go of me you little vixen!" he screamed through his tears but instead she lifted her face to his and kissed him gently on the cheek. He pried desperately at her little hands and she finally released him and fell backward onto the bed. She stared at him in sorrowful fascination.

Now she understood why he wore the mask. Now she understood why he hid himself away from the world. His skin appeared to have been melted off to reveal a hideous skull. He was as white as a bone, except around his eyes and mouth, which were black holes sunken into his head. His nose was almost non-existent. It was like the face of a corpse, but with the terrifying aspect of movement. But even as it moved, it showed no emotion, other than a frozen expression of fear. And in the dimness of the room, his eyes were not visible. They were dark spots that seemed to reflect and swallow the light at the same time.

Erik screamed again, wordlessly and covered his face with his hands.

"Erik?…" Suzette whispered bravely.

"Why, why, why?" he screamed as he fell to his knees sobbing and shaking. Suzette watched him and slid down from the bed. She put her hand on his back and knelt beside him.

"I'm sorry that I did it Erik," she whispered to him, "I only wanted to tell you that I love you. Please don't be angry at me." He rose and held her so tightly that Suzette began to wonder if something inside her would crack. They remained this way for some time and neither spoke. At last, Erik lowered the child into the bed once more and took the mask from her small hand.

"You don't have to wear it now, Erik," she assured him.

"Hush now. You are pushing your luck." And he wiped away tears before placing it on his face.

"Have I hurt you?" she asked. He petted her hair and squeezed her hand.

"No, my dear little Suzette. I'm sorry for being mean. Now it's time for you to sleep." He rose and went to the door.

"Suzette?" he said softly.

"Yes Erik?"

"I love you too."

"Goodnight, Erik."

"Goodnight." And he shut the panel soundlessly behind him and tiptoed away.