Hope I didn't make anyone cry over the last chapter or this one for that matter. This is the fastest I've ever written a fanfiction posting up from 2 to 3 chapters a day. I just love this story so much. Well hope you all continue to enjoy it.

Author's Note: There is some harsh words, but they are not taken too far just to warn you. Poor Lotte is soon going to go over the edge.
Chapter 9: No Escape from Prying Eyes

As the wagon approached the jail house Lotte had noticed that news about the Phantom's capture had already spread through town and everyone waited outside hoping to get a peek. Lotte was scared as they tried to reach into the wagon, grasping for the mask. "Get away! Leave us alone," she cried out.

The wagon came to a stop and if it hadn't been for the officers the bystanders would have climbed into the wagon. Erik was lifted out first and Lotte quickly climbed out and gave her father a lean on as they were escorted inside the jail.

However once inside Lotte saw that the officers had no hearts either for they all tried to unmask the Phantom. Lotte tried desperately to fight them back, but they quickly overpowered her. One had managed to grab the mask and ripped it from Erik's face reveling the deformed skin.

"Not so tough is he? We remove the mask and he doesn't even flinch."

Lotte had never been so angry in her life and with no idea where her anger would take her she could only glare crossly as her father would have. They came up upon the cell and the officers still acted as if this was a big joke. Two bigger officers grabbed Erik and shoved him to the floor of the cell. "How dare you!" Lotte spat. "Even the Phantom deserves a little respect. Give me back the mask you monsters."

"Oh this mask; you want this mask back," the officer laughed.

"Yes, I would like that mask back. Give it back to me."

"Or you'll do what? I don't fear you girl. Give me an offer I can't refuse."

Lotte looked back at her Father's motionless body as fresh blood stained the floor. The wound had been ruptured and began to bleed again. "I…I offer you the enjoyment of watching me die along side the Phantom."

The officer thought for a moment. "I'd much rather have you came back with me to my bed," he said reaching for her breast. Lotte slapped his hand. "You wench you'll burn in hell for this!" He chucked the mask into the cell and gave her a shove sending her backwards. Before she could stand they slammed the door shut.

"It's not the Phantom that is the monster. It is the people that ridicule and mock him that are the real monsters. No one is to come to the cell except for Madame Giry, the ballet instructor at the Young Ballet Academy. Send her a telegram saying that the Phantom needs her help. Even if he is to die he should be allowed to be well cared for before he faces his fate."

One of the larger officers seemed to agree with her. "It is written in the code book gentlemen. Send for this Madame Giry. It seems she knows this Phantom."

The cell door was closed and they were left alone. Lotte grabbed the mask and then gently lifted her father up and turned him over onto his back. Blood soaked through the sheet and a large puddle of blood had stained the floor. She positioned the mask over his face and adjusted it till it sat properly. Then she brought him over to the corner of the cell and laid his head across her lap once again as her back faced the cold iron bars. "I promise no one will see you without your mask again," shewhispered as she ripped the bed sheets off the cot and used them to redress the wound.

When she was sure the wound was dressed properly she took the cape and draped it over her head so it fell down around Erik's head and torso. Even the dim light could hurt his delicate eyes. Seeing the once strong and able bodied man become as helpless as a newborn infant brought her to tears. She leaned her forehead against his and sobbed. "Don't leave me Father. I need you with me. If you go I will no longer have a home."

Lotte forgot how long she sat there until the cell door opened. She didn't turn to face the door. She could only continue to hold Father close and reassure him that she was there with him

"You have a guest Phantom."

Someone lifted the edge of the cloak and Lotte came face to face with her old dance teacher. "Madame Giry is that you?"

"Lotte De Changey? What are you doing here with the Opera Ghost? You were reported dead years ago."

"I'll explain later. Please help Father he's hurt."

"Father?"

"I'll explain that also. Can you do anything to save him?"

"I'll do what I can. Luckily you thought ahead to bandage the wound. All we need to do is clean out the wound and wrap it in a proper bandage." She got up and went to the bars telling the officers to get her the right supplies.

"Did you hear Father? Madame Giry is going to help you. However it doesn't help that as soon as you're well we'll both die."

For the first time in what seemed like hours Erik opened his eyes to see Lotte sobbing, sobbing for him. Her eyes were red from crying and her cheeks were pink. He could see the cape above him and quickly realized that she was trying so hard to help him. "Lotte, calm yourself child. I will not leave you like this. I do not plan to die yet if I do I will go like a gentleman."

"Father, do not wish that upon yourself. For when you are killed I will be killed along side you. That was the only thing I could offer besides going to bed with the officer to get your mask back. They had taken it from you as they brought us inside."

Madame Giry came back with some warm water and some gauze. As she lifted the cape Erik growled and buried his face in Lotte's stomach. "Pleased to see you too monsieur. I come to help and you hide from me." Erik muttered something. "I'm sorry Erik I did not hear you."

"I dislike the light Madame Giry. I thought you knew this."

"That I did, but how am I to help you if your wound is covered by the cape? Honestly stop being so stubborn," she said as she began to remove the sheets. "Now my question to you is how did Lotte Daae come to be in your care? Aren't her parents still living in Paris?"

Erik groaned and turned back towards Lotte. She held his hand and ran her fingers through his hair. As Madame Giry did her work Lotte told her how she had come to be in Erik's care and enjoyed being with him then she had back at home.

"The other girls had laughed at me and they would call my mother the slave of the Phantom. When ever I asked my mother about it shewould burst into tears and say nothing more to me. My papa wouldn't tell me anything either. All he said was that the Phantom was a mysterious creature that haunted the opera house. So I left to find him andseek out the truth. He offered to teach me at the Opera House and as long as I'm with him I'm to call him Father. He has quite easily filled that role for me."

The words"slave's child"caused Erik to shiver. Lotte kissed his head. Madame Giry applied the rest of the bandages and wet them a bit. "Erik you are mended, but no harsh movements or you will rip the wound once again."

"Thank you Madame Giry. Your service to us is without a doubt most appreciated."

The cape was lowered and Madame Giry left the cell. Lotte could hear the key turn in the lock. As Madame left a group of bystanders rushed the doors and ran up to the cell. They were all swearing, shouting, and cheering. "Show us the Phantom!" one of them called through the bars. Then they began to chuck things at them; vegetables, rolled up balls of paper, and coins.

Lotte held her ground, but slumped forward as a head of lettuce slammed into the back of her head and a tomato exploded in the center of her back. Below her Erik was very surprised how much torture she was enduring to keep him protected. Anger flowed through his veins for the fact that he could not stand and protect her. They should be throwing things at him, not at an innocent girl like Lotte.

"Help me up Lotte."

"What! But Father you're not strong enough."

"Do as I say Lotte."

Lotte helped him sit up then putting her arms under his got him slowly to his feet. Still blocked from the world by the cape he kissed her sweetly on the forehead. "Why are you doing this?" she asked.

"They shouldn't be abusing you like this. You are as innocent as the day I took you into my life. Now do me one last thing. Take off the mask."

Lotte's eyes went wide. "No, Father you can't be serious. You're giving the people what they want just because they threw a few vegetables at me. I can handle it. I won't let you throw away your pride by revealing your face to those monsters."

"Terrorizing them will get them to go away. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt. That's why I risked that gun for you."

"Stop talking and give us the Phantom," an impatient woman called out. She took hold of a potato and chucked it into the cell hitting Lotte's shoulder blade. She lurched forward winching in pain.

"Lotte are you all right?" Erik asked as he caught her.

"It just hurts." She reached up and grasped the mask. "Do you still want to go through with this?"

"I'll do what I have to."

Lotte pulled off the mask revealing to herself the distorted face of her father. Then on his cue she pulled the cape off of them and threw it aside. Erik slowly stepped around her and heard the cries and gasps escape the crowd. "It's just like my mama said he would look like," the impatient women from before yelled out. More coins were thrown into the cell before the officers could finally get the crowd under control and out of the jail house. When the last person was gone Lotte came up to Erik and handed him the mask.

He grabbed it and hastily put it on. Then he returned to the corner and sat himself against the wall. His head in his hands. It had grown dark outside and moonlight began to shine through a small window to land upon Erik's bare chest. Lotte went to the bars and began to sing a sad tune she had learned as a child.

Erik wouldn't face her. She picked up the cape and rubbed the fabric between her fingers. Then she pulled it around her and walked towards her Father. Still he didn't look up. She slowly pulled the cape around him as well as she sat beside him and leaned against his shoulder.

"You didn't have to do that? You could have ignored them and let them shout. They weren't frightened they were entertained and they will come again." She lifted up her hand and wrapped it around the front of his neck. "Father, hold me."

Erik obliged and wrapped his arms around her. Then laid his head upon hers. "Go to sleep Little Lotte the Phantom of The Opera is here protecting you tonight."

Okay wow this is a long chapter, but I think this one is my favorite. It shows just how much they care for one another. Lotte goes to extremes to keep Erik's secret and he even fights his own pain to stand up for her. But who knows what will happen to them now.