Well, now. I've based this story off the gorgeous new movie (which comes out it nine days! teehee!) starring Gerard Butler. So, therefore, Erik looks like Gerry. Although, when we get to deformities, that will change a little. But don't worry about that for a couple of chapters. Anywho, I do not own the character of Erik, or any of the other wonderful things made up in the book, movie or play. Those belongs to Gaston Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber. I just had a story in my head about what could have happened afterwards and decided one day to write it down. I hope you enjoy it.

Thanks to those of you who gave me my first reviews. They really brought me a smile. I hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the first one:)

Chapter II

Lightning flashed a bright ribbon through the night sky, spooking the horse and blinding Stephanie. She fought to control the horse to prevent her and the man she held from being thrown. She was almost to the château and she would be very grateful when they got there.

The rain was driving down in torrents now, the wind driving it hard and cold against her skin, soaking her to the bone. Lightning flashed again, and the wind picked up even harder than before. The storm was becoming dangerous now. She had to get home.

She spurred her horse faster along the road. The man she held was slipping away, and the sooner she got him out of these conditions, the better off he would be.

A few miles back she had sent Jeremy off into town to find Monsieur Frechette, the family physician. This man needed the best care. He would be lucky if he survived at all.

Finally! The broad drive to the château was in sight. She turned off the main road onto the gravel, and spurred the horse faster, if that was possible. The wind lashed the trees around her, and blew the loose stands of her wet hair into her face. Lightning flashed once again. Very close this time. She had to get inside.

She came to the large gate at the end of the drive and began yelling for someone to open it, trying to make herself heard above the roar of the wind. A young man came running out into the storm from the gatehouse to pull open the heavy gates. Stephanie bolted through, and straight to the looming château in front of her.

A woman and a man came rushing out of the house into the torrential rain, but stopped short when they saw the man with her. Why was everyone doing that?

"Alexandre, I need you to help me take him to the spare room just across from mine," commanded Stephanie, sliding down from her horse. "I trust it's ready?" She struggled to keep the unconscious man from falling, but he was very large and much too heavy for her alone.

Alexandre surged forward to help lift the man from the horse. He still just stared at the man stupidly. Stephanie, Alexandre, and the woman carried the man into the house and up the large staircase into a large bedroom. Servants quickly made themselves available, lighting candles, kindling a fire in the handsome fireplace, bringing hot water and warm towels into the room.

Stephanie and Alexandre quickly stripped the man of his soaked and torn clothes before covering him with the many quilts and blankets on the bed. Alexandre moved to remove the mask from the man's face. Stephanie stopped him quickly. Something told her that the mask should stay where it was.

She heard the doors blow open downstairs. Jeremy? She ran into the hallway to see Jeremy and the doctor running up the stairs, and relief flowed through her. The doctor, and short, fat man with kindly eyes, rushed past her and into the room. He quickly rid it of the servants, Stephanie, and the woman who had been following her, taking only Jeremy into the room for assistance.

Stephanie, standing in the hall and in front of the now closed door, turned to the woman at her side and spoke.

"Well, I'm home now."