Disclaimer: How many times do I have to say this? I don't own Erik!

A/N: Just to clear up any confusion, this Erik and Christine are based off the movie. So Erik's Christine is Emmy, but there are some tidbits from the book (hence Nadir and Persia). Sorry if this confused anyone!

Chapter 7- Lesson 3: Putting the Ghosts to Rest

It was Monday and another "wonderful" day for Stephanie. She thought she would enjoy a public school more than the private schools she attended, but was way off. Her locker was again vandalized and her homework ripped to shreds after she was knocked to floor and everyone walked over her paper.

While driving home, Stephanie couldn't help but burst into tears to get the anguish pain out of her. She pulled over to take out her contact and once she saw the hideous mocking green, more tears fell. She remained there for five minutes, composing herself, and then headed home. When she arrived, she checked to see if her skin was red and puffy. Her face cleared up a little so she returned the lens back. Now, put on a smile so there won't be any questions, she firmly told herself. She checked the rearview mirror once more and placed the best cheerful smile she could muster.

With that done, she stepped out and looked up to see Erik standing by her window. He waved to her and went away. At least he had a good day.

In a way he did, at least, what he could do. It didn't help much with Stephanie's mother in the house all day. Erik thought for sure the gig was up, but Stephanie was right when she said no one entered her "library". She had plenty of books ranging from romance to historical to biographical and horror. One book caught Erik's attention: Christine by Stephen King. He spent the afternoon reading it and towards the end was mortified of the content. He thought Christine would be a sweet girl instead she was a demon in a car that runs down her victims.

Eating was no problem since Stephanie left some treats for him and he spent time with Harper. Erik was able to teach him a few tricks. He couldn't wait for his next lesson when Stephanie returned. She told him he would like this. Whatever this was.

He waited for her to come to him. When she entered, the atmosphere of the room seemed to shift from cheerful to gloom. Erik knew something was up and it had to do with when she went to school. It was evident in her eyes, yet she didn't answer his questions about it. He gave up on trying and seated himself on the cot in preparation.

"We're going to put those ghosts to rest." Were the first words she spoke since she came in.

Erik stared at her blankly. "Your ghosts," she emphasized. "Your past. You can't allow your past to get in the way of the present or future. If you harbor those insecurities then you're never going to find true happiness or peace in yourself."

He swallowed hard. "Confront my ghosts?" he squeaked. "Miss Larson, I-"

"It's not what you think it's what you must do. Erik you can't allow yourself to be a slave to the past. Let it out! Be free! You use your music as a way to escape and talking about them is going to exorcise all that! You can trust me. I have faith in you."

Erik's body shook with fear. There were so many things he tried to forget- his mother, Persia, the beatings, the Gypsies, the looks and screams! He never wanted them to return. But they do through blood-curdling nightmares that leave his throat sore and dry the next day. But Stephanie was right, he realized. He had to sooner or later and now was the only time to do just so.

"All right," he croaked. "I will. I-it's just I want to forget so badly!"

"This would help it go away," she said in a soothing voice.

He took a deep breath and began to talk. He started with his earliest memories as a boy, living with an unstable mother. He could still see the fury and fear in her eyes when he took off his mask and the disgusted repulse look when he asked for a kiss. Yet, those images that haunted him so seemed to disappear in his mind. He went on about Persia, the torture rooms he devised the many innocents that died for the khanum's enjoyment. He even spoke about Nadir and how he risked his life to save him and sadly was put in exile for his honorable intentions. Then came the gypsies, the "Face of Death" and "The Walking Corpse". The severe beatings he took and neglect and lived as an abused beast.

Stephanie listened as silent tears began to fall and she wiped them away. She couldn't cry now. She couldn't take the contact out and let Erik see her.

Erik ended his past with the meeting of Christine. He always thought he could hide from the past when Christine came into his life. He thought he was strong enough to hold in these feelings, but there he was, his soul bare as he broke down and wept.

Stephanie was quickly at his side, holding and whispering in his ear with a motherly touch. Never before was Erik held like this and it only increased his sobs as he whimpered for Christine. If only she was in his arms comforting him and also loving him. But he thought why should she love him? He was a demon, a monster, and a beast that didn't deserve any kindness or compassion. How could his angel ever love him with all the sins and burdens he carried?

He must have said this aloud for Stephanie stiffened and quickly removed herself from him. Erik began to tremble uncontrollably and shamefully couldn't look her in the eye.

Stephanie watched the broken man in front of her eyes and she pitied him. She knew his past was bad, but she never thought it was this bad. Here was the man who not once showed any signs of weakness, but took it all in and hid from the world. He honestly believed he was what everyone called him. She wanted to show him how wrong he was. He needed to know he wasn't alone in the world that they live in.

Stephanie got up and went over to one of her bookshelves. She pulled out a black binder and went back to Erik. She placed it in his lap and looked up eagerly.

Erik didn't know what to make of this odd gesture. To placate her, he opened the binder and his mouth hung opened. There were pictures and articles of all kinds of people who survived the unthinkable. Some had horrible scars on their faces caused by fights or fires. There were also some born with defects and yet with bright smiles. Erik went through each page taking in the sight of the different kinds of deformities and they all seem to stare back at him with such happiness. It didn't matter to them what they looked like. He lifted his head to Stephanie, not sure what to say.

"I collected them because I believe there was a reason why each person is the way they look," she said. "Even though it sucks that it happened they don't let anyone bring them down. It's remarkable, the courage, they have to go out each day and put up with their differences. Erik, you're not the only person who has their own troubles. Everyone does including Christine and me. For some it's visible but life goes on and you need to do that as well."

Closing it, Erik cracked a small smile. "Thank you."

"Your welcome."

"Miss Larson?"

"Hmm?"

"What troubles plague you?" he asked curiously.

"Another day," she answered. "I have work to do so if you need me just call."

Erik watched her leave and returned his attention to the binder she left. He always thought he was the only person who suffered, but there were some who had far worse marks than him. He couldn't get over the positive determined looks on their faces and for once he believed he could do this with the same vigor.

Later that night, for the first time in his 32 years, Erik had no nightmares.

TBC….

Short, yes, but it might take awhile for the next chapter to be up. I have a project to do so chances of me getting on and working more on this is slim. Don't forget to review!