The Phantom of the Red Mill
by LiltingBanshee
Weeks turned into months and he found himself beginning to settle in his new home. He got along well with the other musicians and he was enjoying working for Charles Zidler.
In the beginning Erik had caught him staring at the mask a few times, but he had never questioned the reason he wore it and as time went by he seemed to get used to it. . Everyone else at the Moulin Rouge seemed to follow Zidler's example and some of the girls ever appeared to have some sort of fascination with it. One of the girl, Rosa, was trying to get very close to him. She was quite attractive, he had to admit that and he found himself playing along with her obvious flirtation. She was very frank in her way of handling men and it was no wonder to him why she had gotten in trouble with that costumer the night before he first got here.
As much as he enjoyed her company he never allowed it to go too fat though.
In his life he had had his share of whores. In the dark years that had followed the night of the fire he had been a frequent guest to the brothels. Antoinette had never verbally commented on his actions, but he never doubted that she disapproved. Her eyes said everything.
Every time he had returned from the nightly escapades he had been heartbroken and had taken to the drink to drown his sorrows, for no matter how many girls he bought it would never be the girl he truly wished to share that passion with.
It was morning; the first rays of sun hit the ground of the little yard of the Moulin Rouge. Though a warm day was too much to hope for it would at least be bright.
Erik inhaled the fresh air as he sat down in a chair and placed a violin case in his lap.
Francoise, the violinist had told him he had an old violin Erik could buy for a few francs. He had spent a couple of weeks on fixing it and now it was ready to be tested.
After a few squeaking sounds the music began to flow from the string and Erik sighed contentedly and closed his eyes.
He had no idea how long he had been absorbed in his own little world when he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He lowered to bow from the string and turned to see Adora.
"It´s beautiful. So different from the other kind of music you play here. What was it?" he half whispered.
"It's a tune I composed once when I was younger" he smiled at her.
"Maman used to say she loved violin, that it would always make her feel safe" she said.
"Many people are fascinated by this instrument because of the fine line between the horrible sounds and beautiful music you can produce from it" Erik said.
"Well, you certainly have a gift for finding the most pure tones" Adora smiled and sat down on the ground in front of him.
He played a couple of other tunes for her and smiled to himself as she leaned her head on his knees with a satisfied smile on her lips.
He put the instrument aside and caressed her cheek carefully.
"Don't fall asleep now dear, the ground is much too cold for you to sit on" he said and helped her to stand.
"You're right Erik; I should go back inside and rest before tonight. Thank you for the wonderful music" she kissed his cheek gently before she left and he felt heat spread in his body.
A few minutes later he made his way upstairs to put the violin away. As he passed her door he noticed it was slightly open. Something drew him to it, though he knew it was terribly wrong to spy on her.
Standing close to the door he caught sight of her in the process of changing her clothes.
He felt his mouth go dry, but it was not from the sight of her young body.
She stood with her back to him and as she lifted her chemise over her head he saw them!
Scars.
Red scars covered the right side of her torso and her right arm. She was still wearing her petticoat, but he could imagine the scars covering her right leg as well.
They didn't look to be results of beating. Could they be? Was this child born with this deformity?
Quickly he retreated to his own room, closed the door and leaned against it.
'Why God? Why must you continue to curse someone with this' he thought angrily.