Chapter four
Alone, I sit in box five, my arm relaxed. Despite this, my mind is racing... will she come? Did she receive my note? Girdy would not fail to plant it in Diana's room... what am I thinking... "She's not coming, I should have known better." I rise to leave; a small urge forces me to look, one last time. There she is! Why is she actually coming?! A flicker of movement catches my eye, Daroga is following her... She is not aware of his presence, which is painfully obvious. It takes all my willpower to not jump from where I hide and truly let that fool have it! I remain hidden. With only the needed caution, Mademoiselle Grey approaches me, she cannot see where I hide, but that does not mean that I cannot see her.
Silently...slowly...as if time itself is stopping... I watch her enter my box. Faster than she can see I spring and close the door, I'm afraid from the muffled yelp I hear, that I slammed it right in Daroga's face. I can picture it, him, standing outside this small room, rubbing his nose... the thought causes me to chuckle. This sound only further frightens the girl; her eyes run threw the darkness. I hear her gasp and I blink, I had not realized that even in this darkness she could see my eyes... "Forgive me, I never whished to scare you." The gentle blend of my voice seems to calm her, for she stops trying to find the way out. Then her eyes flash with understanding.
"You, you're the voice I heard at my audition... and you were in my dressing room as well! You sent me the note!" A true smile spread over her face and I feel my heart swell within my breast. "You're very beautiful when you smile." I blink stunned, did I actually say that aloud?! Diana smiles, a small blush creeping over her face. "Will you turn on some kind of light? I cannot see in this darkness." ..."Sometimes the darkness is a blessing, not all things are as they should be in the lights we cast on them." Anger always caries into my voice, she could feel it, I could feel it. I watched as she struggled to understand, my fists clench so tightly I break the skin.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, but I feel that I have... I'm sorry. I'm just not used to the dark." There was fear present in her voice, her hands had started to tremble. "I've always been afraid of shadows... the dark swallows up everything. It killed......, please, turn on a light!" She reached desperately for anything to gain control. I realized then how strange of a fear she has, when someone speaks to her the fear vanishes. However, in the dark, with only silence as her guide, her calmness fades into icy terror. Gently, I reached out to her; she sees my eyes and, instead of drawing back, lets me pull her close, her form shaking against mine.
"The darkness can be so beautiful, I could show you how." I reached forward and took her hand in mine. "You have the ability to be great. I ask only that you let me assist you, if you agree, I can show you music like mankind has never imagined possible..." releasing her I reached out and lifted up the lantern I had brought with me. "Every word you say seems to burn true, can I trust you? Will you not even show yourself to me?!" My chuckle seemed to regain her trust, for she does not shield away as I take her hand in mine once more. "If I show myself to you, there will be conditions, rules that must be obeyed." Although obviously puzzled, she allowed me to continue. I took a deep breath, my nerves suddenly raw. "First, you must tell no one that you are taking lessons, I don't care what you use as an excuse. Secondly, I will always come to you, you must never try to find me, not unless it is a situation of life and death." I turned the gas light on low, just enough for her to make out my shape from the darkness. "Lastly, I wear a mask, you must never ask to see what lies behind it, and you must never, never attempt to remove it. Are we clear?"
Diana nodded, and then froze, concern running threw her fair face. "You're hurt! Look at your hands! You're bleeding!" I could only watch stunned as she took the lantern from me and started to examine the wounds my own nails had made. "It's nothing Diana, you don't need to bother..." I gapped as she ripped the bottom of her dress and bandaged my hands. "That should hold for now, I'm not much of a doctor... you should try not to let those get infected." I withdrew my hands from hers and stared in shock at what she had done." You know, I still don't know what to call you." She smiled at me with trust.
"My name... my name is Erik."
Over the next few months Diana's lessons went by with great secrecy, not even her own brother knew where she was spending every spare moment of her time. The hardest part proved to be getting closer to her teacher. Erik came only to teach, he was strict, and trained her to the point of exhaustion. Nevertheless, she made sure to never complain. They had their lessons promptly at 6:00 each night. When the lessons were over they would sing one song together, just one duet, and he would leave. Is he afraid of me?
"Diana!" Eriks annoyed exlemation startled me out of my thoughts. He shook his head in frustration, "Is there something of intrest that I should be aware of? " I lowered my head in embarasment. "Forgive me Erik, I was only thinking..." He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Oh? What were you thinking, when you should have been paying attention?" With a sigh he sank into a chair. He locked eyes with me,"The role of Sybell is not an easy one Diana! You need to be ready! I smiled behind my hand, he allways took everything so seriously! Constantly telling me how a single preformance could make or break a singers carier. Vulturs! He would say, Critics are just vultures in human form! I had laughed when he had told me this, and after awhile he had joined me. Suddenly a sound reached our ears, with caution, I opened the door. Phantom mewed in anoyance and sprang into my arms. "Just the cat?" he whispered from behind me, I nodded and smiled. "I think she is starting to get jelouse of you Erik!"
A thought suddently occurred to me, I had been meaning to ask him about this for awhile. "Erik, you know that the opera company is throwing a masquerade after our next big production. I was just wondering... will you be comeing? Please Erik? Will you come?" An erie silence decended around us, I could not judje my teatchers reaction because he had his back to me. A sickening fealing hit me that I had once again said something wrong. After what seemed like an eternity he turned, a sigh escaped his imposing form. "I'm sorry Diana, I fear that that is one event that I will definatly not attend." He could feel my disapointment, with pleading eyes he looked at me."You know that I have my reasons for not going."
When our lesson ended, I did not return home as I had planned. She had every right to want me to go with her. Should I take such a risk? Of course not! The idea alone is stupid! To attend the company masquerade would be an easy enough feet, there would be no obstacle to keep me from entering. The chances of getting caught once inside are just to high... with Diana still in need of my teaching, the threat of her learning my place in the opera is to great. A sudden sound behind me causes me to whirl around, my lasso in hand.
"Erik! Its only me!!" Daroga stepped back to avoid accidentally being punjabed. "You should really learn to question first, kill later." Sarcasm was evident in his tone. With an annoyed growl in the back of my throat, I returned the noose to its hiding place. "One of these days I'm going to kill you Daroga, and I will feel no guilt." I turned, not wanting to speak with him, he did not take the hint and followed me. "How are your lessons with mademoiselle Grey progressing? He laughed as I shot him an annoyed look. "She has... potential, I intend to continue to train her voice. She still holds back, I don't know why..."
"Perhaps it is because the girl has many insecurities, her brother is her support beam. While on the subject Erik, Peter is becoming suspicious. You are aware of this?" I nodded, the subject of Diana's brother had been troubling me. Seeing my silence as a sign to continue, Daroga took a deep breath. "You have been getting rather careless Erik, several stagehands have mentioned seeing the opera ghost. Blaa Blaa Blaa......" By this point I was simply ignoring him. Sadly, he failed to realize this.
My stride broke sharply, I hid my wince. The dull pain that had been focusing itself in my chest all day was getting much worse... It had been easy enough to ignore during my lesson with Diana. However, I had a gut feeling that this was going to get worse before it got better. With a shudder I finally realize what has been causing it. Oh god no, oh please not right now! Not with Daroga... A painful spasm running down my spine, my luck has run out. It has to be an attack, and listening to Daroga reprimand me is only making it worse... In a last attempt, I move to walk away. My legs give way beneath me. I felt the hard floor hit my side, knocking the breath right out of me...
I rushed to his side when I saw Erik fall, I had seen no sign of the attack coming! He seemed unable to breath properly, his arms wrapped in a vice like grip around his chest. With the speed of one experienced in dealing with dangerous situations, I tried to ease his discomfort by lifting his back from the floor. Eventually, his breath evened out, his form relaxed from the tight ball it had curled into. With the permission I saw in his eyes, I helped him to his feet. "Are you alright?" he nodded weakly, trying to push me away. "I can manage now, thank you Daroga." His stubbornness to allow me to help him will continue to annoy me for as long as I may know him.
"You should really see a doctor about this Erik, it's only going to get worse." He chuckled at my suggestion and I knew the sad irony of the situation, he could never see a doctor! He could never do most of the things I took for granted! One look at that face, and Allah himself would turn on him. Secretly, though I would never tell Erik, I was always worried about his health. He no longer had the amazing healing abilities he once had, his drug experiences in Persia had made sure of that. His system had been left in shambles from his addictions. Over time, he had fortunately managed to drop all of these, save one. His blasted dependency on morphine... That's what causes these attacks.
I know that the veins on his arms are all collapsed, and several spots on his legs bare the needle mark as well. Silently I wondered if he had injected any recently. "Daroga, the company masquerade is coming up. Diana asked me if I would go with her, naturally I am reluctant to comply, do you want to help discourage me?" I could not help but smile, so now he wants my advice? Well, I want to hear a proper question first. "Consider yourself thoroughly discouraged." He looked at me puzzled, than annoyed. "Honestly Daroga! Should I go with her? Is it too dangerous?" I chuckled softly, "Life is full of dangers Erik, but we only live once." I saw him smile behind the mask." Go with her Erik, but please, be careful."
Alone, I sit in box five, my arm relaxed. Despite this, my mind is racing... will she come? Did she receive my note? Girdy would not fail to plant it in Diana's room... what am I thinking... "She's not coming, I should have known better." I rise to leave; a small urge forces me to look, one last time. There she is! Why is she actually coming?! A flicker of movement catches my eye, Daroga is following her... She is not aware of his presence, which is painfully obvious. It takes all my willpower to not jump from where I hide and truly let that fool have it! I remain hidden. With only the needed caution, Mademoiselle Grey approaches me, she cannot see where I hide, but that does not mean that I cannot see her.
Silently...slowly...as if time itself is stopping... I watch her enter my box. Faster than she can see I spring and close the door, I'm afraid from the muffled yelp I hear, that I slammed it right in Daroga's face. I can picture it, him, standing outside this small room, rubbing his nose... the thought causes me to chuckle. This sound only further frightens the girl; her eyes run threw the darkness. I hear her gasp and I blink, I had not realized that even in this darkness she could see my eyes... "Forgive me, I never whished to scare you." The gentle blend of my voice seems to calm her, for she stops trying to find the way out. Then her eyes flash with understanding.
"You, you're the voice I heard at my audition... and you were in my dressing room as well! You sent me the note!" A true smile spread over her face and I feel my heart swell within my breast. "You're very beautiful when you smile." I blink stunned, did I actually say that aloud?! Diana smiles, a small blush creeping over her face. "Will you turn on some kind of light? I cannot see in this darkness." ..."Sometimes the darkness is a blessing, not all things are as they should be in the lights we cast on them." Anger always caries into my voice, she could feel it, I could feel it. I watched as she struggled to understand, my fists clench so tightly I break the skin.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, but I feel that I have... I'm sorry. I'm just not used to the dark." There was fear present in her voice, her hands had started to tremble. "I've always been afraid of shadows... the dark swallows up everything. It killed......, please, turn on a light!" She reached desperately for anything to gain control. I realized then how strange of a fear she has, when someone speaks to her the fear vanishes. However, in the dark, with only silence as her guide, her calmness fades into icy terror. Gently, I reached out to her; she sees my eyes and, instead of drawing back, lets me pull her close, her form shaking against mine.
"The darkness can be so beautiful, I could show you how." I reached forward and took her hand in mine. "You have the ability to be great. I ask only that you let me assist you, if you agree, I can show you music like mankind has never imagined possible..." releasing her I reached out and lifted up the lantern I had brought with me. "Every word you say seems to burn true, can I trust you? Will you not even show yourself to me?!" My chuckle seemed to regain her trust, for she does not shield away as I take her hand in mine once more. "If I show myself to you, there will be conditions, rules that must be obeyed." Although obviously puzzled, she allowed me to continue. I took a deep breath, my nerves suddenly raw. "First, you must tell no one that you are taking lessons, I don't care what you use as an excuse. Secondly, I will always come to you, you must never try to find me, not unless it is a situation of life and death." I turned the gas light on low, just enough for her to make out my shape from the darkness. "Lastly, I wear a mask, you must never ask to see what lies behind it, and you must never, never attempt to remove it. Are we clear?"
Diana nodded, and then froze, concern running threw her fair face. "You're hurt! Look at your hands! You're bleeding!" I could only watch stunned as she took the lantern from me and started to examine the wounds my own nails had made. "It's nothing Diana, you don't need to bother..." I gapped as she ripped the bottom of her dress and bandaged my hands. "That should hold for now, I'm not much of a doctor... you should try not to let those get infected." I withdrew my hands from hers and stared in shock at what she had done." You know, I still don't know what to call you." She smiled at me with trust.
"My name... my name is Erik."
Over the next few months Diana's lessons went by with great secrecy, not even her own brother knew where she was spending every spare moment of her time. The hardest part proved to be getting closer to her teacher. Erik came only to teach, he was strict, and trained her to the point of exhaustion. Nevertheless, she made sure to never complain. They had their lessons promptly at 6:00 each night. When the lessons were over they would sing one song together, just one duet, and he would leave. Is he afraid of me?
"Diana!" Eriks annoyed exlemation startled me out of my thoughts. He shook his head in frustration, "Is there something of intrest that I should be aware of? " I lowered my head in embarasment. "Forgive me Erik, I was only thinking..." He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Oh? What were you thinking, when you should have been paying attention?" With a sigh he sank into a chair. He locked eyes with me,"The role of Sybell is not an easy one Diana! You need to be ready! I smiled behind my hand, he allways took everything so seriously! Constantly telling me how a single preformance could make or break a singers carier. Vulturs! He would say, Critics are just vultures in human form! I had laughed when he had told me this, and after awhile he had joined me. Suddenly a sound reached our ears, with caution, I opened the door. Phantom mewed in anoyance and sprang into my arms. "Just the cat?" he whispered from behind me, I nodded and smiled. "I think she is starting to get jelouse of you Erik!"
A thought suddently occurred to me, I had been meaning to ask him about this for awhile. "Erik, you know that the opera company is throwing a masquerade after our next big production. I was just wondering... will you be comeing? Please Erik? Will you come?" An erie silence decended around us, I could not judje my teatchers reaction because he had his back to me. A sickening fealing hit me that I had once again said something wrong. After what seemed like an eternity he turned, a sigh escaped his imposing form. "I'm sorry Diana, I fear that that is one event that I will definatly not attend." He could feel my disapointment, with pleading eyes he looked at me."You know that I have my reasons for not going."
When our lesson ended, I did not return home as I had planned. She had every right to want me to go with her. Should I take such a risk? Of course not! The idea alone is stupid! To attend the company masquerade would be an easy enough feet, there would be no obstacle to keep me from entering. The chances of getting caught once inside are just to high... with Diana still in need of my teaching, the threat of her learning my place in the opera is to great. A sudden sound behind me causes me to whirl around, my lasso in hand.
"Erik! Its only me!!" Daroga stepped back to avoid accidentally being punjabed. "You should really learn to question first, kill later." Sarcasm was evident in his tone. With an annoyed growl in the back of my throat, I returned the noose to its hiding place. "One of these days I'm going to kill you Daroga, and I will feel no guilt." I turned, not wanting to speak with him, he did not take the hint and followed me. "How are your lessons with mademoiselle Grey progressing? He laughed as I shot him an annoyed look. "She has... potential, I intend to continue to train her voice. She still holds back, I don't know why..."
"Perhaps it is because the girl has many insecurities, her brother is her support beam. While on the subject Erik, Peter is becoming suspicious. You are aware of this?" I nodded, the subject of Diana's brother had been troubling me. Seeing my silence as a sign to continue, Daroga took a deep breath. "You have been getting rather careless Erik, several stagehands have mentioned seeing the opera ghost. Blaa Blaa Blaa......" By this point I was simply ignoring him. Sadly, he failed to realize this.
My stride broke sharply, I hid my wince. The dull pain that had been focusing itself in my chest all day was getting much worse... It had been easy enough to ignore during my lesson with Diana. However, I had a gut feeling that this was going to get worse before it got better. With a shudder I finally realize what has been causing it. Oh god no, oh please not right now! Not with Daroga... A painful spasm running down my spine, my luck has run out. It has to be an attack, and listening to Daroga reprimand me is only making it worse... In a last attempt, I move to walk away. My legs give way beneath me. I felt the hard floor hit my side, knocking the breath right out of me...
I rushed to his side when I saw Erik fall, I had seen no sign of the attack coming! He seemed unable to breath properly, his arms wrapped in a vice like grip around his chest. With the speed of one experienced in dealing with dangerous situations, I tried to ease his discomfort by lifting his back from the floor. Eventually, his breath evened out, his form relaxed from the tight ball it had curled into. With the permission I saw in his eyes, I helped him to his feet. "Are you alright?" he nodded weakly, trying to push me away. "I can manage now, thank you Daroga." His stubbornness to allow me to help him will continue to annoy me for as long as I may know him.
"You should really see a doctor about this Erik, it's only going to get worse." He chuckled at my suggestion and I knew the sad irony of the situation, he could never see a doctor! He could never do most of the things I took for granted! One look at that face, and Allah himself would turn on him. Secretly, though I would never tell Erik, I was always worried about his health. He no longer had the amazing healing abilities he once had, his drug experiences in Persia had made sure of that. His system had been left in shambles from his addictions. Over time, he had fortunately managed to drop all of these, save one. His blasted dependency on morphine... That's what causes these attacks.
I know that the veins on his arms are all collapsed, and several spots on his legs bare the needle mark as well. Silently I wondered if he had injected any recently. "Daroga, the company masquerade is coming up. Diana asked me if I would go with her, naturally I am reluctant to comply, do you want to help discourage me?" I could not help but smile, so now he wants my advice? Well, I want to hear a proper question first. "Consider yourself thoroughly discouraged." He looked at me puzzled, than annoyed. "Honestly Daroga! Should I go with her? Is it too dangerous?" I chuckled softly, "Life is full of dangers Erik, but we only live once." I saw him smile behind the mask." Go with her Erik, but please, be careful."