Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, daroga, or other references of Leroux's novel. They belong to the author that created them.

A/N: Okay, well… to one reviewer—you know who you are—What did you expect from the unmasking scene? Just curious… Anyhow in this chapter—it is only a filler to build up the plot for the next chapter… Anyways… If you don't read the author's note—PLEASE READ THE ONE AT THE BOTTOM—I need readers to let me know something in the future. I finished part one YAY FOR ME! And to my reviewers, I give out my lollipops and cookies.

I hope you enjoy and don't forget to review! And thanks for all the hits—It makes my day, too! So… READ!

Chapter 12- A Light In the Shadows

As soon as I stepped on the plane, all of the feelings I kept bottled up inside released themselves. I collapsed on the floor of the plane, screaming and sobbing. I cried for William, cried for the death of my kids, and cried for the whole nightmare I never seem to escape. Richard came up and rocked me back and forth in his arms. After a couple of minutes had passed and I regained my composure, I sat down heavily in a seat.

Nicholas sat far away. I was thankful for that. Richard, my supervisor, sat next to me and held my hand. Once we were in the air, I found my voice and turned to him.

"What now," I whispered.

He smiled slightly before remarking, "I suppose I should explain what happened to me after I left that night. Well, after the plan with Jacob failed and you escaped, I was at a loss for what to do. Two days ago, I received a phone call. It was Jacob. He told me to meet him at the hospital. When I arrived, he and I discussed ways to get you away from William."

He paused, contemplating, and then continued, "We could not decide or decipher up ways that would work, so as a last resort, Jacob contacted Ambassador Hugo Stazgonocove. Hugo arrived and told us he would help. He said he was reluctant to help, at first, but he uncovered something so dark and disturbing about your husband, he knew it'd be best you get you away from him."

Kicking the seat in front of me with agitation, I muttered, "He would never hurt me. He loves me."

"Stacy, he is a murderer!"

"He was kidnapped and brainwashed after being tortured for almost a hundred hours straight!"

"Do you love him?"

"I don't know anything anymore. I feel numb inside. I lost everything. My kids were murdered and they're dead… I will never find their bodies and will never have closure. I was not there when my husband needed me the most. I have destroyed him. What did Hugo find out about William?"

"He found out that William tortured and killed a multitude of women."

"No," shaking my head fervently, "William views women as pure. He regards them highly and would never torture them much less kill them."

"Evidence supports the accusation. I know he was once your husband once, but your husband is dead. He is not what you think he is."

"I will never believe such an accusation. I do not believe he is capable of such atrocities!"

"Stacy, your stubbornness will get you killed! You have put many murderers behind bars. Why can you not see how dangerous this man…monster…is?"

At his referral to William, chills ran through my body. All was silent. I stared out of the window, wondering what William was doing.

'What an absurd notion,' a voice sneered in my head. 'He is going out of his mind worrying about what happened to you.'

Then I felt like I was slapped. It was from guilt. I was so torn. Maybe Richard was right. Maybe I should just move on with my life, but I could not get the hurt expression out of my head when I looked at him. His screams reverberated in my head.

All he wanted was my love, and I would have given it to him had I received the chance. However, he frightened me and still he haunts me. I have no doubt he has concocted a strategy to search, find, and drag me back to meet his demands, whatever those demands were.

Richard grasped my hand, obviously sensing my inner struggle with my emotions. I laid my head on his shoulder. I then was grateful he and Nicholas had whisked me away. I do intend to get was far away from Nicholas as possible. I do not trust him at all.

After a few hours, the plane landed and I still did not know where. Obviously, I could not go back to my old life in Denver, Colorado.

"Richard, where are we?"

"We are in Richmond, Virginia. I will accommodate you to your new home, and then I must leave."

"For good?"

"No, but Stacy, he will look for you no matter the consequence. He is a genius, so he will know where to look in order to find out where you are."

"Richard, I am scared for you."

"I have covered all my tracks as well as yours. Don't worry; just be cautious. You will be fine!"

"Okay."

I sat in a chair at my lush apartment. I was alone and I hated it. As much as I hated to admit it, I missed William. Laughably, I missed his harsh attitude and odd behavior. I wanted to call him and let him know I was okay, but Nicholas was watching me like a hawk. I could not contact anyone.

Richard converted all my accounts into cash. I kept the cash in my safe until my assumed name would work—Stephanie Stillner--. My new job was a lab assistant at a crime lab in Richmond. Somehow, inside my heart, I felt that this plan would fail. William always gets what he wants.

My children were dead, and I felt hollow inside. Everything that completed me is dead and gone. Fearing Nicholas's intentions, I did not sleep well. I hid my PP7 underneath my pillow, but nothing happened.

Richard promised to inform my family that I was safe in the Witness Protection Program. The next day, I could not concentrate at work. I truly wished that I could talk to William, but Nicholas found ways to prevent me.

He had managed to force his way into being my partner at the lab in my crime work, so it was apparent my disgust for him grew.

While we studied mitochondrial DNA samples, he attempted to change my mind and feelings about William, which I figured he would try to do.

"Stacy, listen to reason! He does not love you! He's only obsessed with you! He's a murderer! If he finds you, you will be killed!"

"Nicholas, as I have stated before and will continue to stand by, nothing you or anyone says will make me change my mind."

Three long months passed by slowly, and my life became routine; occasionally a big blow out would occur between Nicholas and me. His efforts to get closer to me were quickly thwarted. I quickly grew to despise him more and more.

Winter's wrath had faded to springtime bliss. Sometimes I would walk to the park three blocks away and sit while reading a recent crime novel. The trees were green and in full bloom. Warmer weather came, but a person still required a sweater for the cold nights.

A month ago, while driving home in a vicious rainstorm, I witnessed a truck pulled over and a man boot out two puppies in the ditch. When he drove off, I quickly pulled over to rescue the creatures. I ran to the ditch where whimpering and howling could be heard, echoing through the rainfall.

I could barely see anything, but I grasped the two shivering forms and made my way home. After plenty of sleepless nights and plenty of puppy milk, the two were fit and playful as ever.

One puppy was black and had a white spot on his chest, so I named him Shadow. The other puppy was a cream color with an ash color sprinkled on the top. Her face appeared as if she stuck it in the ash of the fireplace. Her name was Willow. They kept me company through the long nights of crying and nightmares.

They made me feel human, but the more time I spent as 'Stephanie Stillner,' the more I realized I missed William.

After plenty of time pondering what to do, I formed a plan so that I might contact William. He never did anything to hurt me intentionally. All he wanted was someone to love him unconditionally despite his deformity. I certainly understood why he has done the things he has done, which is a disturbing revelation.

My soul was bound to his, much to my dismay; we are spiritually one even though physically we are apart.

A/N: I don't know but I love the last line of this chapter… So I hope you liked it… but I understand if you rather skipped it… I NEED YOUR HELP… I want to know what my readers want to see happen in the story… Is there something particular that you want me to write in? I will if you let me know. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN! Okay, the next chapter is titled "The Intervention" THAT'S GONNA BE AN INTERESTING CHAPTER Please review… I will review your stories…

Love all

RainsP.

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