Erik continued to mumble while Nadir brought a chair into the room. He sat beside Erik and began to pray. He prayed to Allah that he would show mercy on Erik and bring him inner peace. Erik's body continued to twitch and the spasm's in his legs were worsening.
He had kicked the covers off so many times that Nadir simply let Erik lay on the bed. Suddenly Erik sat up straight and looked at Nadir. "Could... mou.joun just leave...me. .I..alone?" Nadir nodded as Erik lay down again. He wound up the music box again and closed the door.
Darius was asleep and it was nearly eleven in the evening. Nadir sat on the couch and soon found himself drifting into sleep.
Erik was restless. He wanted to get up, move around, but his legs wouldn't obey. He cursed his spasming body, and then screamed as pain wracked his spine. Ayesha had hidden under the desk and Erik called to her.
He thought he saw two cats, and then he saw a small light beneath the desk. Erik attempted to climb off the bed, but only fell. He began to feel nauseous, and immediately retched into the chamber-pot.
He screamed as tremors shot up through his abdomen, and retched again. Using the towels he wiped his face off, then wiped off his mask. There was no way he could wear it until it was cleaned, but he needed something to hide his face.
He crawled over to where the light was shining under the desk, but Ayesha scattered away from him and he realized it had been the reflection of her diamond collar. He grabbed one end of the desk and pulled himself up, then managed to sit down on the chair. As soon as he sat down he began to convulse, and was knocked off the chair.
His body spasmed and he soon lost consciousness.
Nadir heard the commotion in the room and ran for the door. Erik was quiet, too quiet, and Nadir gently cracked the door. A wretched smell hit him and he went for the mop and bucket, along the way knocking on Darius's door to wake him. When Nadir entered the room Erik was prone on the floor, his body siezuring.
He tried to grab Erik's body but was unable, and Darius helped Nadir pick him up. They brought Erik out into the living room and placed him on the floor; then Darius began to clean the room while Nadir held smelling salts over the hole that served as Erik's nose. Erik began to sputter, and then he spit up muck.
Nadir held onto Erik as he began to awaken, and then Erik looked at him. "What...happened..? Nadir held Erik in his arms as he replied, "You had a seizure. I think it is time to call a doctor." Suddenly Erik's hand flew to his face and he screamed, "My mask! Goddamnit! Get me my fucking Mask!"
Nadir held Erik tight in his arms as the man struggled to get up. "Dammit Erik! You need to settle down. This is far too serious!" Erik glared at Nadir when suddenly Darius appeared with a pillowcase. He promptly shoved the pillowcase onto Erik's head and said quickly. "Wait until I clean your mask. I will give it back to you."
Erik's muffled voice came through the fabric, "I feel like a fucking fool." He did not, however, remove the pillowcase. Nadir continued to hold Erik as he calmed down, and gently he asked. "You have not eaten in nearly two days, and I don't know what it is you've been retching. In order to fight you must have energy. Please, have a small meal."
Erik did not protest as Nadir helped him stand, and he leaned on Nadir's shoulder as they entered the kitchen. Darius was outside cleaning the towels and came back in with Erik's mask. He handed it to Erik, who turned his back on Nadir and Darius as he placed his mask back on.
He gave the pillowcase to Darius as Nadir guided him to the pantry. "Take whatever appeals to you." Erik gently looked in, but leaned over too far, and promptly fell. Nadir grabbed Erik and held him up. "Just make...mio..me some...fing. I swear ..I'll eat it. I want..a.drink."
Nadir guided Erik over to a chair, but decided since Erik's body continued to spasm that it was safer for him on the floor. Erik simply gazed into space as Nadir brought him some water. Erik managed to swallow some, and then asked for more. Nadir fixed a simple salad and a sandwich, and then left.
He went outside to Darius and closed the kitchen door. "Should you be leaving him alone?" Darius asked quietly. Nadir replied, "He likes to eat alone." Nadir helped wash the towels as Darius asked, "Why are you doing this Nadir?" Nadir looked up at the stars. "This man has been a good friend to me. I care for him. I know that without someone to guide him, Erik will become dangerous, even threatening. I also care for that girl, Christine Daae, and if Erik is hell-bent on seeing her in person, he must not be under any influence from anything."
Darius nodded and said, "You don't even know this girl." Nadir agreed, but replied, "I don't really know Erik either. But I do know he loves her, and love, that is a cause worth fighting for." Darius hung the towels to dry and tipped the wash-bucket over. "He needs to take a bath, and remove those clothes. Is that possible?" Nadir nodded. "I can try to talk to him. Prepare the bath." Darius stepped into the kitchen and Nadir followed.
Erik was not there, but an empty plate was on the table and Ayesha was eating some cat food; on top of the table. Darius immediately removed the cat and Nadir went into the guest bedroom. Erik was asleep on the mattress, without pillows or even sheets. He had removed his jacket and shoes, and Nadir handed them to Darius. "Let him sleep."
He said as they closed the door. Ayesha came running at the door and Nadir let her in. He said good-night to Darius, who replied good-morning. It was nearly six, and the sun had begun to rise.