"Erik!" I pleaded softly. "Please…you have to get out of here."
"Meg…little Meg," he murmured, picking up the ring and looking at it. "There is nothing to leave for…I have nothing."
Seeing the torchlight coming closer, I took the silver key and held it out. "You left this for me, didn't you?"
He opened his mouth, and then was silent for a few moments. "Yes. I did."
I walked to his side, reaching out to touch his arm. "If you won't do this for yourself, then do it for me," I said, looking up into his eyes. "I cannot leave here without getting caught. And if they catch me, they might hurt me, Erik."
"Meg…I…" he sighed suddenly, looking across the lake, then backs towards the passageways. I could hear footsteps, and a lot of them. Erik hung his head. "Let us go, then…"
I slipped my hand into his, and for a moment, he stared at me. My face flushed at my bold action, and I looked away…but my mind spun a bit as his grasp tightened slightly, not making a move to pull away. Finally, he led me towards the chair, letting my hand go for a moment to unclasp his cloak, tossing it near the water.
"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.
"They want me dead, yes?"
"I…well, yes, but Erik…"
He waved his hand. "I am simply making them think what they want."
I was about to protest when a loud crash came from the staircase. The door! Erik swiftly grabbed my wrist and dragged me towards him, wrapping one arm around my back and holding me as close as I had ever dared get to him. With a small breath, he looked down at me.
"Trust me," he whispered.
"I always have."
He blinked, taken aback, then reached up and removed his mask, throwing it to the chair. My eyes were drawn immediately to the maimed side of his face, and he smiled bitterly. Embarrassed, I lowered my gaze. I could hear the mob, closing in, and panic rose in my chest.
"Hold tight," he purred into my ear, and with a sudden clang, the floor opened beneath us, and we fell into the waiting abyss.