Illusions Shattered

Jewel clung her pillow she stared out to the moonlight pouring into her window she was once again denied sleep. She moved to her back thinking over the conversation she had just had with Aeris before she'd gone to sleep.

"We can't stay here you know that. Your parents would be furious and besides they would not believe you," said Aeris.

"I know," said Jewel hanging her head, "there is times when I don't even believe it. I mean, if he did exist, really live he'd be dead by now. There's no way he can look the way he does and still be the same man, right?"

Aeris shook her head, "What do you want me to say? I'm as a blind as you are."

Jewel looked up at her friend and smiled, "But when I'm with him, it all seems to disappear and his voice carries me. He has such power in his voice and it just seems to take over you. You just abandon thought and reason and just let your soul start to soar. You know despite all of the facts I think he is the real thing."

Aeris nodded, "I agree but I don't trust him not with you and anyway. You don't see it, but he's using you. I think to him you are just another Christine, think about it how he treats you. You said yourself he doesn't call you by your name."

Jewel hung her head but she knew she was right.

"I'm not saying this to hurt you Jewel," said Aeris touching her shoulder.

"I know," Jewel smiled.

"Maybe all I do really is remind him of Christine," she thought to herself her eyes switching from the ceiling to the window again. "Erik hasn't come for me for a few days."

Tears came to her eyes as she dwelled on that thought yet she fought them off. Pulling back her covers her feet touched the cold floor. Putting her jacket on and some jeans she quietly headed toward the door. Heading down toward the street she hoped that a walk would help her clear her head. Stopping under a dim street light she looked up at the ghostly buildings around in her. The streets were still the only noise she heard was the wind going passed. The breeze felt good against her pale face.

"Farewell my fallen idol and false friend one by one I've watched illusions shattered…"

She questioned herself after she'd said those words. Why did she always have say her words when it came to him? Jewel couldn't find a solid answered.

"Angel of Music do I dined you can I turn from true beauty?" she thought

"My dear you should not stand out here when it is so cold," Erik's voice called to her from behind. She did not look up or speak to him. She did wondered, however how long he'd been watching her.

There was a long silence but she didn't break it.

"Jewel, are you crying?"
Slowly her eyes rose hearing her name. That was the first time she'd heard Erik use her name. However when she looked around her he was nowhere. She waited to see if he'd call her again but no voice came. So she decided to move on and head back to the hotel. She only had started going back when she heard her name again.

Erik stepped out of the shadows, "I've been looking for you.." He came to her his voice souding unease, "Are you alright?

"Have I really giving you my mind so blindly?" she thought.

His voice called to her heart, "Come with me..."

Jewel looked back over her shoulder, but Erik drew her gaze back to him. He slowly stepped back leading her away. Erik drew her back to the shadows of the dark opera house and took her to the very familiar dressing room.

The room was lit up in candlelight and Jewel's eyes fell on the mirror. She could see both the reflections in the gloomy glass. Jewel heard him shut the door behind him. She looked over at the dressing table and saw lying on a chair was a short black dress. Her eyes froze on the clothing as Erik stepped beside her. In silence Jewel went over and picked up the dress stroking its thin material.

"Put it on I will be back shortly," said Erik eyeing the dress.

She shot him a look but he exited leaving her alone in the dim light. Jewel eyed herself in the mirror as she slowly took off her jacket. Carefully and quickly she slipped into the dress pulling the straps to her shoulders. Jewel felt the back feeling where it tied right above her neck. Erik re-entered startling her she stood her feet leaning on the desk. He came up behind her and gently touch the back of her shoulder the feeling of his soft fine leather gloves soothed her. Gently he began to lace up the back of her dress. It had the tightness of a corset and stiffening her straight up. He tied the knot secure and she turned to look at herself. The dress fix her well showing off in enhancing the curve in her body her stomach was flat and she stood straight. The sleeves of her dress were loose and hung around the curve of her arms and shoulders to small V cut exposed her neck and upper chest elegantly. The dress's at thin material went down to about her ankles. Pleased with how she looked she let smile pass her lips. Erik still behind her pulled her hair down and took out a blindfold and placed it over her eyes.

"What are you doing?" She asked feeling him tied the blindfold.

" Just another surprize...Tonight you shall be the Prima Donna," he whispered.

"I won't sound look like toad will I?" she asked with a grin.

He chuckled "Never…"

Jewel moved toward her wheelchair when he stopped her," You don't need that I will help you."