Just to get things straight, the last chapter was meant to be Chapter Ten, not eleven. This is chapter eleven. Just wanting to make that clear. Okay, here is the next chapter.

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Chapter Eleven: May I?

Erik searched around the Opera House looking for Talia, but she was no where to be seen. The only place he didn't check was on the roof. It was cold up there, so Talia wouldn't have gone up there. Or would she? He went to check anyway.

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Talia sat on the edge of the roof fiddling with the amulet that Erik had given her. She reached behind her neck and undid the hook. She removed the necklace and held it in her hands, examining the precious stones. The stones didn't matter to her thought. The only thing that mattered was that Erik had given it to her and that is what made it precious.

Erik silently opened the door to the roof and stepped out. He looked around and spotted Talia sitting on the roofs ledge. He quietly walked over to her and saw that she was holding something. He went a little closer and saw that she was holding the necklace that she had given him. 'Why is it off? Does she not like it?' He saw a single drop of water fall from her face and onto the rose amulet. She was crying!

Talia continued to stare at the rose, unaware of everything around her. 'I love him so much. I wish he could love me.'

"Oh how I wish he would," she whispered, replacing the necklace. As she went to connect the hook, two cold hand took hers and helped with the necklace. She gasped and spun around, staring into two glowing eyes. Eriks' eyes. She was surprised to see him. She didn't even hear him come onto the roof.

"May I ask who you were talking about?" Erik asked suspiciously.

"Excuse me?" she said, coming out of her daze.

"You said how you wish he would. Who is he and what do you wish of him?"

"You…you heard me?" she asked nervously. He nodded and she looked away embarrassed. "It…it was nothing but a childish wish. No need to worry."

"You're crying," he said, wiping a tear from her face that started to fall. "Is everything alright?" he asked concerned. She looked up at him.

"I'm fine, why would anything be wrong?"

"Because your sister came home worrying about you. You weren't at the lair and she got scared because she thought that was where you were going." Erik sat down next to Talia.

"I just needed time to think. I've had a hard day. I gave it my all and ended up with nothing."

"What did you do for auditions?"

"I sang," she said. "I sang with all my heart, and everyone loved it. The managers said I was extraordinary and put all the others to shame."

"Then how did you end up with nothing?" he asked confused.

"They didn't choose me to be in the cast because my voice was an alto. They only wanted soprano singers. They said that gentlemen were altos," she said with a sigh.

"That's awful. Anyone should be able to sing, alto or soprano. I've heard you sing. You should've gotten that part. I'll make sure you do," he said angrily.

"Erik, no. I don't want it," she said firmly.

"Why not?" he asked puzzled. "With a voice like yours, everyone should hear it."

"No, I don't want anyone to hear it. No one may hear it, no one but me." He looked at her with bewilderment, but then accepted her decision. They sat in silence for a little while until a thought came to Talia.

"Erik?" she asked nervously.

"Yes?"

"May I…may I see beneath your mask?" she asked hesitantly. His eyes widened and he backed away a little, afraid that she would pull it off.

"I…can't. I don't want you to run."

"I can promise you, I won't run. I'm not like that. Erik, I'm your friend." 'And I love you'. He put a hand on his mask.

"Talia, I can't. You'll hate me like everyone else. I don't want that. You and Brianna are my first friends in a long time and I don't want that to end."

"It won't end. Please Erik?" He turned away and broke eye contact. She sighed and stood up. "Never mind. You may show me when you're ready," she said, walking towards the door. She was halfway there when a hand grabbed her arm from behind. She turned around and faced Erik. He looked uneasy.

"I'll show you," he said hesitantly.

"Erik, you don't have to do this now. Do it when you're ready."

"I know I don't have to, but I will. There is no reason in hiding it from you any longer."

"Erik, please don't worry. I promise that I'll always be your friend no matter what."

"And promises are meant for breaking," he said lifting his hand to his mask. He closed his eyes and slowly removed the mask. Talia made no sound. On the right side of his face his skull was exposed through a thin layer of skin. His veins could be seen beneath the skin. His eye and half his nose had sunken in. There were some bumps and red blotches that went up to his hair line. Eriks' eyes were still closed, waiting for the shriek of horror and for Talia to run away in fear, but it never came. He opened his eyes when he felt the touch of her hand on his deformed side. She held no horror in her eyes, only sadness and hurt.

"Oh Erik, you should have never been burdened with this. I would do anything for you to take my place instead," she whispered. He reached up and held her hand to his face, letting her explore. She smiled up at him.

"Thank you Erik, for showing me all of you." He returned the smile and replaced the mask. He then took hold of her hand again and led her through the doorway and back to the lair.

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More fluff. Yay! Part of the description was from the book 'Phantom' by Susan Kay. I just started reading it and I couldn't put it down. I actually cried at the end when Erik ran away. His mother actually loved him. So sad that he never knew. Okay, I hope you like this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think.