I made my way over to his table and sat across from him. He didn't look at me, in fact, he didn't move at all! He just sat there with his face covered by that cloak...

"I just wanted to come over and say thank you. Thank you for catching me when I...uh...tripped, at least that's what they tell me happened. Well, I also wanted to say, don't pay any attention to my friends, well, my friend Christine and my acquaintance, Raoul. I'm sure they don't mean any harm, it's just..." I stopped.

He looked up... He wore a white mask on half of his face.

"Your welcome, and I'd like to explain to you exactly what happened...in private, of course." He said this as he glanced over at their table.

"Umm...sure, I guess." I was still flabbergasted at the sight of the mask.

"We can have breakfast in my...suite. Shall we go?", he asked. He extended his gloved hand in an old-fashioned, but sweet way towards me.

I glared at my friends, then back at him and said, "Yes, we shall..."

He bent forward and kissed my hand and said, "I'm Erik Destler, pleased to meet you."

To which I replied, "I'm Ember, pleased to meet you too.."

We walked together out of the restaurant, through the lobby, and down several long passageways that were so dark that...I had to hold his hand to make it through without getting lost...

"It's a long way to your room isn't it, I asked, a little frightened.

"Yes, but it's worth it, I promise.", he smiled devilishly.

I thought to myself, when I first saw him I was scared and kind of repulsed but now, in the dim light of the dark passageways, he was quite becoming! His wit and charm had me mesmorized! And when our hands met, I... I don't know, we just clicked!

We finally reached our destination and he and I sat, sipped tea, and after a long period of silence (which seemed to last hours), I asked,

"Erik, what exactly did happen last night? I'm afraid I don't remember much, I don't even remember you!", I laugh nervously.

"Well, I saw you for the first time about ten minutes before I caught you when you fell and you seemed distressed so I decided to follow you to see if you needed help... This went on for about three minutes and then you came upon the staircase. You started down the stairs but the rug on one of the many steps was pulled up a little bit. I saw that you might fall, so I ran over and caught you just as you tripped over the rug in the darkness! It was luck, sheer luck, that I caught you in time!"

"Yes, I think I do remember now! But, my friend, Christine, she told me that I bumped my head and that's why I cannot remember much and that's why you carried me. How did I hit my head?", I asked.

"Well, contrary to what your friend tells you, I caught you before you fell. You looked at me and fainted...", Erik explained.

The moment seemed really tense so I said,

"I probably fainted from the shock of the whole thing, I mean, I lost my friend in this huge hotel and...I was lost, LOST! I was so frightened, it was SO dark! I couldn't see, I could hardly breathe, I...I..."

He stopped me and said,

"It's alright, I understand. You don't see someone...well...like me every day..."

"No! It's not like that, I swear! I didn't mean to offend you! Really, I didn't! I'll just leave, thanks again for saving me, I...I have to go..."

I tore out of the room and ran as fast as I possibly could. I didn't know where I was going but I didn't really care, after all, two bad things couldn't happen to me all in three days!

Or could they?

I was once again in the darkness, and I heard running behind me. It was Erik! Oh, what would I say if he caught me? Wait...if he caught me! That's it! I can hide! Surely he can't find me in this darkness! I ducked behind a stone carving and threw myself against a side railing. But the side railing didn't hold up! It started to move and I soon found myself holding on to the cold brick flooring of the landing above me, while the railing was far down below me! I was holding on for dear life when suddenly I was pulled up by a strong force! It was Erik! Oh god, twice in two days! What could I say to him now? Once again I fainted from shock, horror, and the ever-surrounding darkness...

I woke up not in my own room this time but lying on the same couch that I had been chatting with Erik on! I looked around but there isn't anyone there with me. Wait, there's a note! It reads:

Dearest Ember,

Once again I'm down in the restaurant. If you care to join me, come on down. I left a map of the hotel and marked the way from my room to the lobby. I'd appreciate your company. However, If you do not wish to come, I understand. I hope to see you soon. Also, there is no need to thank me if you do not want to, although I did save you, once again! So, make your decision, I'll be here for a while still.

Patiently waiting,

Erik