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

Author's Note: Okay, this is an action-packed chapter… Probably my favorite of all the chapters… well…not really… Oh, it took me two weeks to think up a way that William could escape. I hope you enjoy this chapter! It is longer than most of my chapters. I WORKED MY TAIL OFF to get this chapter in this weekend. Please review! I am working on Part II of this story…so…it's definitely going to be long… 4 more chapters left to part one… Then the REAL drama begins…

Chapter 15- Insanely Escaping the Insane

Every night that William was confined, he went over his plan to escape the insane asylum. The asylum committee had put him in solitary confinement, and that served to enhance his chance of escape. He developed a technique of swallowing the three pills the employees gave him and then regurgitating them back up whole. William received the three pills five times a day, so he was able to collect at least one hundred five within a week's time.

Not being a patient man, William knew he had to be patient if he wanted to succeed. Luckily, for him, he had read many books on magic and conversed with the trade's experts: he was successful himself, so he could get out of the white straitjacket that confined him at night when the attendants were asleep.

It was during this time that William labored diligently a plan to flee this nightmare. Inside the jacket, he tore off some material and devised a pouch that he stored the powder of the pills that he crushed earlier.

It was midnight of June 12; he was about ready to carry out his plan of escape through. He had about eight hundred crushed pills' powder ready to be used. One of the attendants had an unfortunate smoking habit, which William managed to steal his lighter that the man thought he lost.

William disassembled the lighter and poured the lighter fluid on the powder and with a match he stole from the janitor's storage room, he struck it. Soon enough the powder that he had strewn around the room erupted into flames.

His distorted, abhorrent face twisted in disgusting satisfaction as the smoke detectors rang and men yelled as they ran down the hallways to arrive at William's door.

As the men threw open the door, they saw that the fire had spread to the padded walls and the bed. William, taking advantage of the moment, took one of the straitjacket's straps, and one by one, the men fell unconscious.

William then slipped out the door undetected and locked the unconscious forms inside the room. William, who had received Russian stealth training, avoided exposure and escaped successfully.

When the cold air hit his hideous visage, he shuddered at his sudden recollection that he had no mask and was completely vulnerable to nature.

With the desire to see his handiwork, he turned around and saw half the asylum engulfed in flames and smoke and men attempting to put the fire out. Clutching his arms, William took notice of how cold it had gotten and treaded forward.

Before William realized it, he had made it to the main road. He had no cell phone, decent clothes, or even his mask, so, though he dreaded it, there was only one way he could get away.

A car slowly meandered its way through the dense fog, and William, who saw his opportunity, darted in front of the car. The man slammed on his screeching brakes to keep from hitting William.

However, when the man saw William's wild face, broken straitjacket, the crazy look in his eyes, the man crossed his heart while muttering, "Holy mighty Lord, on high!"

William rolled his eyes, gritted his teeth, and pulled the man out of the car, and then he sped off in the man's car as the man stood dumbfounded in the road.

William drove to St. Petersburg. As he crossed the city limits, he breathed a huge sigh of relief, knowing he had escaped. He was relieved that he was a step closer for Stacy.

William owned several houses in Russia, many no one even knew existed. He had bought and built the houses for safety precautions, and he was glad he did. After stopping at one safe house, he dressed in his immaculate eveningwear and put on his facial mask. If one were to look at him at a distance, he would appear almost normal…almost…

William then disposed of the man's car in an abandoned field, making sure he also cleared the car of any incriminating evidence that might point back at him.

Back at the safe house, he poured himself a cup of brandy that he sipped and reflected on a distant memory. It was before the children were born, and William had just taken Stacy out to dinner. They sat on the couch and stared at each other.

William began to play Prelude in E Minor by Chopin on the piano. Stacy's eyes glazed over drowsily as he lulled her to sleep with his music. When he finished the song, he lifted her form in his arms as she subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.

Her scent flooded his senses, and he had to take a deep breath to maintain his rigid self-control. He rested his cheek against her net of brown chestnut hair before placing her in his bed.

The William sat in his chair and simply gazed at his soul mate. He felt an odd sense of pride and humility at once. People were at their most vulnerable are when they were sleeping. Stacy trusted him enough to be vulnerable around him.

If at all, he fell in love with her more, and he promised himself that he would never make her regret being vulnerable around him.

As the memory faded, William felt his self-hate return ten-fold back to him. He hated himself even more for destroying Stacy and making her feel guilty about the kids' deaths. William was even more hateful towards himself because the man he used to be is dead.

He could never be that good-hearted man again. With a cry of rage, he flung the glass at the wall and stormed around the room, tearing and smashing any and everything in his path before he collapsed.

His soul cried out in utter agony. No matter how hard he tried, his actions always resulted in him hurting the people he cared most for in the world. He had not tears left to shed.

He cried out with such anguish that even the demons would weep for him. On the cold floor, William laid face down heaving with dry sobs. Inside his soul, his heart gave him enough strength to focus on making sure that Stacy would be safe.

Slowly getting up, William looked at his hands. They were raw and red with two gashes oozing red blood. He bandaged them and used his back up cell phone to call one of his loyal men. The calls could not be traced.

"George?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Okay, I am currently in hiding, and I need you to do some things and bring me some necessities."

"Just tell me what you need and I will do it."

"I thank-you; I need a wardrobe of women's clothes with the sizes that I will tell you. I need water, wine, blankets, food, first aid, and toiletries, as well as a heater. I also need a car, money from my hidden vault, and bring my dog for my protection."

"Got it, sir."

After William told him a few more details, George went to work. An incredible amount of pressure suppressed his skull with such force; he flung himself in the bedroom in the dark.

The migraine worsened. As he drank brandy while lying on the bed, he wondered what Stacy was doing. He picked up the phone, and he called her cell. After the first ring, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Darling, it is William. Call me on another phone."

"Okay…wait!"

"Yes, what is it?"

"What's the number?"

He told her and hung up. She called back. Her voice sounded strained.

"My love, what's wrong?"

"Everything, I miss you, William. You are in my every thought and breath!" William whimpered at this.

"Stacy, I love you, and I am sorry. Forg—"

"I would forgive you each and every time. Something bad happened, my love."

The hairs on his neck bristled.

"What happened?"

"Carol had a gun and suffered a mental breakdown, and she tried to shoot Rachel. However, Michael and I both went for the gun and she pulled the trigger. Michael was shot. So, I am here in his mansion alone."

Anger boiled inside William. "What! I strictly prohibited from leaving you alone!"

"William, I am frightened. Can you come and get me?"

William felt torn. "My darling, I can't. People are looking for me."

"They're looking for me, too."

"Who is?"

"William, you are not going to believe this, but the ones who're looking for me are…NO!"

William was utterly horrified when he heard her scream and the phone went dead. He put his head in his hands and wept. His beautiful children were all dead, and now Stacy was in danger. It was all his fault.

A knock at the door signaled George was at the door. William composed himself before greeting him with this, "Did anyone follow you?"

"No, sir, they didn't."

"Great, I need you to send men to Michael Stranzo's house and watch it. If anyone out of the ordinary comes out, get Stacy out of the house."

"It will be done."

'Thanks, now go home to your family. I will contact you tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

And with the supplies dropped off, George left and William was alone. After he put up all the supplies, he got into the car and drove to see the Russian President. This would help him get Stacy back sooner. Then, they can have a normal life together…if one can call this normal.

Author's Note: I hope that you enjoyed this chapter… Next chapter.. there will be added drama to the relationship between Stacy and William. I apologize for lying again…You did find out who was shot in this chapter…Sorry! PLEASE REVIEW!

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