Chapter 17: The Journey Home

Lotte felt as if her heart had been ripped apart by some strange force. She felt so alone in the world even though she had her father's shoulder to cry on. Right now she hated herself with a growing passion. How could she have let her guard down and fallen in love with someone she had just met?

Erik however was more worried about getting back to Paris at the time. He thought it best to let Lotte cry and sort out her thoughts before he became involved. But it was when she moved her hand from his waist and wrapped her fingers around his left shoulder that he became worried on her behalf. Because of everything that had happened Lotte would probably never be the same again.

There was no way she could forget him after the kiss they had shared before the two were parted. It reminded him of when Christine had kissed him. A wave of warmth had flowed through him and he couldn't think clearly. He had told her to go with Raoul and forget all about him, which he was sure she hadn't especially after treating him the way she had at the jail house.

Lost in thought Erik soon heard something. He focused on the moment and turned around. With a smile at what emerged out of the shadows of the trees he brought Cesar to a stop.

Lotte looked up with a confused look on her face. "Why have we stopped? You told me we wouldn't be taking any stops," she said, but Erik put a finger to her lips.

"Listen."

She stared at him a minute, then she listened. It sounded like hoof beats, but they weren't moving. What was making that sound? She looked around and saw Pierre riding up on the back of a dun stallion. A smile spread across her lips. "Pierre!"

He rode up alongside them and without hesitation Lotte jumped into the saddle in front of him and sat sidesaddle. Right away he wrapped his arms around her and began kissing the curve of her neck. She touched his face and laughed through her tears.

"Ahem. Pierre what are you doing here?" Erik asked.

"Ah, Monsieur it didn't take me long after you left that I realized I needed to be with Lotte. I just couldn't let her go. I love her so. And I wish to help you gain your life back. I'm sure you heard that Lotte told me about what was going on and I was moved sir. You've inspired me to do new things and with this boost of confidence I think I can be of some assist to you."

"Lotte told me about her telling you, but nothing about you wanting to join our cause. However, seeing as you've made it this far I don't think it right to send you back. You're welcome to come live with us in Paris. I guess you already know about our living situation already?"

"Yep, the underground rooms of the Paris Opera House. I look forward to seeing it. And someday I hope to make it big in the city. Maybe start by driving cabs or something simple, but soon make my name known."

"Glad to hear you have some kind of plan for yourself. Now let's keep going. It won't take long till we reach the river and then we'll be a few miles from the town borders," Erik suggested.

Lotte sat correctly in the saddle and Pierre grasped the reins. Together the two horses went cantering through the woods putting much distance between them and the vineyard. By nightfall they reached the river and with the aid of the moon saw that it was quite safe. But not to repeat their flee through the river last time Erik climbed off Cesar and looked up and down the shoreline until he saw a nice stretch of river off to the left.

He pulled on Cesar's bridle and led him and Chandler down to the shallow part of the river. He mounted and sent Cesar on. Cautiously Cesar stepped into the water and waded across, the water only reaching up to his knees, and reached the opposite bank.

"It's not deep. You can easily get the horse across," Erik called.

Chandler went to the edge of the river and as soon as some of the water touched his hoof he reared up whinnying loudly. Pierre held onto Lotte tightly until Chandler had allfour feet planted firmly on the ground. "That's not the problem. Chandler isn't very keen to unfamiliar water ways. "Lotte get down." Once she had done so Pierre picked her up threshold style and wadded through the water to place her safely on the opposite bank. He handed her the shoulder bag and touched her cheek.

Then he waded back not once worried about his wet shoes and pants. He came up alongside Chandler and pulled off his jacket. Swiftly he tied it around the horse's eyes and pulled on the bridle. Chandler wanted to bolt again, but without his sight he had no choice, but to follow. Pierre led him into the water and talked softly so that Chandler would relax. Finally he reached the bank.

"Never before have I seen such a paranoid horse. Is there no way to correct that?" Erik asked as Pierre untied the jacket from Chandler's head and put it back on.

"We've tried everything the doctor's suggested, but nothing seemed to work. The poor thing has had this problem since he was a colt." He turned to Chandler and pulled him down looking him square in the eyes. "You are so lucky I like you, because that water was downright cold."

Lotte giggled. Pierre raised an eyebrow and sighed.

"So we've tackled getting past the river partly dry," Erik smiled at Pierre, who ignored him. "We don't have far till we reach the border, but the minute we get there they'll recognize us. We need a way to get in without being seen."

They pondered this for a few minutes while Pierre tried to wring the water out of his pants. Lotte looked up and down the shoreline taking in the beauty of the moon hitting the water and making it sparkle. But then in the distance off a ways a light was shining through the trees. After living in the dark for so long she had grown used to seeing in dim light and made out a tavern nestled in the clearing.

"Father there's a tavern over there," she exclaimed trying to gain his attention.

"That's nice dear, but what does that have to do with us?"

"It's very simple. A tavern out this far means people have to travel to get here many by buggies and wagons. A tavern also includes people who are drunk making it much easier to get what you want out of them, because the only thing a drunken person wants is one of two things; money to buy more liquor or just straight up more liquor."

"But we don't have any more money Lotte and we don't have any…" Erik stopped short and looked at the saddlebags where the two bottles of raspberry wine were tucked away. He began shaking his head. "Oh, no you don't. That's the first wine I've actually taken a liking to."

"Father it's the wine or your life. Think if we were to go into the city, they caught you, and put you on the end of the noose. Where would I go? After the way my parents treated you I don't think I want to go back there," she said causing him to stare into her sweet innocent eyes.

That did it. Erik shrugged and smiled at her. "I hate it when you pull that act on me. Why was I cursed with such a soft heart whenever a girl gives me that face? All right fine, I'll give up the wine. Even if it was the best wine I had ever tasted."

"I brought an extra bottle for you Monsieur and I can easily have father send more. Actually if I remember some of our wines get shipped to Paris. So I don't think it will be a problem to get some more," Pierre said hoisting up his shoulder bag. "So Lotte what do we do when we get a buggy or wagon. The guards will most likely search it."

"But they've never seen you before, so that might give us an advantage. Father and I will hide in the back until we get to the Opera House. Once we're in the safety of the lair I'll be able to construct a plan for getting father's mask back." She gazed up at Erik, who had started to touch the deformed side of his face. She felt horrible and he was probably worst off having to go 4 days exposed to the world.

She came over to him as he was still seated in the saddle and slipped her hand into his. He didn't turn to face her, but he wrapped his fingers around her hand and held it. "Lotte you're such a bright girl. Soon we shall be back in our home safe from the prying eyes of hatred. I am proud to call you my daughter."

"Thank you Father. I say the same about you. I now understood how important your life of secrets is and I want more then anything to continue being a part of it."

Pierre came up next to her and took her other hand, then wrapped her in his arms. Then just loud enough so only she could hear he whispered, "And I want to be a part of yours."

With a new boost of energy they all mounted the horses and rode off towards the tavern. Lotte knew her plan would work and they would finally be home. "Home," she thought. "A run down Opera House may not look like home on the outside, but when you're with people you love everything else seems unimportant."