Here's chapter 5! And welcome to all my new readers! Thanks so much for reviewing. And remember, the more reviews I get, the quicker I update! Enjoy!

Chapter 5

I groggily awoke the following morning. At first, I did not realize where I was, but then the last night's memories came rushing back to me. All the anger, the sadness, that I had felt had returned to me. I slowly rose from my bed and walked over to Erik. He was sitting at a sort of piano, and scribbling something down on paper. He must have heard me walking, for he immediately turned around and looked at me.

"H-How was your sleep?" he said after a slight pause.

"Fine," I said shortly.

"That's… good."

"Yea. Umm, can you take me home now?"

"I thought we had already discussed this. And the answer is no."

"But, you can't keep me forever! Can you?"

"I shall keep you for as long as I see fit."

"And what is that?"

"Until your parents are nearly dead from mourning over you."

My mouth dropped open at his last comment. He wanted my parents dead? Who…? How…? WHY? I had no clue what my parents had done to deserve this man's hatred, but I did not want to press the matter further. He obviously had his mind set, and there was nothing that I could do about it. Or was there…

I began to think about how I could change Erik's mind. But I just couldn't think of anything. He was so much… bigger, than I was, and was so much older as well. Though I did not know his exact age, I knew he had to be at least 40 years older than me. Suddenly, my stomach gave a gurgle, and I placed my hand over it.

"Do… do you have anything for breakfast?" I asked hesitantly.

"Uh, yes. I do." He paused. "Would you like some?" he replied sarcastically.

"Yes."

He looked at me. "Please," I added while rolling my eyes.

"Of course."

Erik walked over to the familiar table for two and, again, pulled out a basket of bread, cheese, and grapes.

"Don't you have anything else to eat?"

"No, I do not. Now eat up."

"I just had this last night. I am not eating it again."

"Well, it's either this or nothing."

"That's just too bad then. Because I am not going to eat!"

"You must eat sometime!" He spat at me.

I kept my mouth sealed shut, indicating that I would not eat.

"Fine," he said. "You can die. I don't care. You'll probably cause more pain to your parents dead than alive with me." He walked away. "What a shame."

I stared over at him while he went back to his organ. I just couldn't believe this man! If he wanted to kill me, then why didn't he just do it already! I stood up, nearly shaking from my hunger, but then immediately sat back down. Then grabbing his disdainful basket, I began to eat a piece of bread. Erik looked over at me and gave me a smirk. I just glared at him, letting him know that I did not like living here. Though I wondered who would like it here.

Continuing to eat the food, I noticed that the organ had stopped playing. Looking over my shoulder, I did not see Erik at his seat in front of the organ. I looked all around me but did not see him. 'Is he actually stupid enough to leave me alone in his house?' I wondered. 'Of course I had thought him possibly crazy, but never stupid.' I stood up from my seat, and began to wander around his home. Not ever having the chance to take the time to look around, I was quite fascinated with all the things that he owned. He had a parlor for his artwork, a little stage set up with dolls on it, his organ, my room, and then… his own bedroom. Of course I remembered that he had told me to never go into his room, but I was very curious.

Pulling up the black curtain that was hanging over his door, I cautiously took a step forward. The room was much bigger than I imagined. My eyes started at the front right corner and moved slowly around the room, taking in everything. But when I saw the back left corner, I nearly screamed. What I saw there was something that answered some of my prying questions, but also raised many others.

There was Erik, sitting down and facing the right side, with the right side of his face exposed! I had never wondered why he wore that white mask, but I thought that it was just one of his quirks. But now… this… this image that was before me. Oh what a sight it was! The right side was deformed in all ways imaginable. His eye was dropped, his face was scarred, and he barely even had a nose! At first the sight appalled me, but then I looked into his one eye that I could see, and it was filled with sorrow and depth.

I was about to leave the room, for I did not want him to turn around and see me there, but I was too late. When he saw my small form in the doorway, his eyes filled with fear, then anger. Quickly, he pulled his hand up to cover his deranged face, and started walking towards me.

Sorry if it wasn't the longest chapter, but I wanted a little cliff hanger... Well, Review: )