Chapter Twenty-Four
Reflections in Shattered Glass
Erik sat in his small bedroom, crying. The small music box was playing, and he could still feel Maria. He didn't want her to go, but he wouldn't dare condemn her to this life. He looked down at the small monkey and felt a faint smile cross his lips. His whole life had been about making music and hiding his face. Then he had found Maria. She had given meaning to his meaningless existence. He sighed. His mind went back to the last kiss. She had what she had done and said. She loved him and always would.
Erik got up and walked over to a small table. There was a diamond ring sitting on there. He picked it up and walked out, hoping to catch Maria. He looked around and saw the small boat go around the corner. He couldn't tell if Maria was on it or not. He looked around and didn't see anyone in the cave.
"No," he whispered. Then he called out to the boat. "You alone can make my song take flight."
He walked down, and the lair was empty. His whole world was gone. He glanced at the ring. Somehow or another it seemed to have lost its shine. He grabbed a candlestick and walked over to one of the grand mirrors.
"It's over now, the music of the night!"
Erik looked at himself one last time. Then he smashed the mirror. The mirror shattered, and he hit again. He didn't care how much bad luck he got. He moved to the next one. He went to destroy it too and stopped. In the glass stood Maria's perfect form. Erik couldn't believe it. He stared at the reflection and saw the horrified look on her face. He cursed his imagination. He wanted so badly to have Maria back that his mind was playing tricks on him. He went to smash the mirror.
"Erik," the reflection said.
Erik froze. He knew that he was no longer dreaming. He slowly turned. His eyes had not been lying. Maria was still here. Suddenly she flew up into his arms. Erik dropped his assault weapon and kissed her.
"I thought you left," he said, hugging her.
"How could I leave my strange angel?" she said. "Erik, I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, singing, dancing, and living."
Erik picked her and kissed her. She kissed him back. He sat her down and picked up the candlestick again.
"We have to get out of here," he said.
He walked over to the last mirror. Maria stood close behind him. Slowly he pushed her behind him.
"Get back," he warned.
Erik took the candlestick and smashed the mirror. It shattered quickly. Behind the frame and broken glass was an entrance to another cave. He stepped through and held out his hand to Maria. She took it, stepping through. She turned and took one last look at the world she was leaving. She looked around and saw Meg coming into the lair.
The two friends locked eyes for a moment. Meg nodded, understanding what her friend had to do. Maria smiled and gave her a little wave. She turned back to Erik. She loved Meg and her mother, but Erik was the man who loved her. Being with him was being home.
Meg watched as Maria disappeared into the dark abyss. She would miss her best friend, yet as she looked around she could see why Maria loved this place so much. She went through searching all the rooms. She discovered the bed chamber and went inside. One a small table next to the bed sat the music box that Maria had talked about. Next to it laid a white half mask. Meg picked it up and stared at it. She knew what it was. Finally she tucked it away to keep forever.
Maria followed Erik down the tunnel without any protest. She had learned to trust him. They finally stopped at a ladder.
"This leads to the street," Erik explained.
Maria nodded. She pulled up the skirt of her dress and went up. Erik followed. They reached the streets and had to shield their eyes. Sometime during all this the night had surrender once again to the day. Maria walked out and helped Erik. He turned away from the light and her.
"Erik, it's over, we're free. You can look into the sky without fear."
Erik looked at her. She was smiling and looked beautiful in the morning sun. Then he looked at the sky. It was the first time he had been outside in the daylight without his mask or a hood to hide himself. It felt amazing. He looked back at Maria. He took her in his arms and kissed her. It was the classic kiss of a lover. She kissed him back, never caring who saw her; she had her strange angel. It didn't to her matter how ugly Erik was. She loved him and always would.
