Chapter 6
How Alec met Erik

Alec laid back on the bed. "Do you remember when I first told you about my new friend?"
Corrine sat down gently on the bed next to her brother. "Yes, I will never forget how excited you were."
"Well, what happened was..."

3 weeks ago...

Alec was jumping up the steps of the grand staircase. He had spent the last hour sliding down the banister and jumping up the stairs. His eyes darted around hoping that no one will catch him. He not only hated to be yelled at, but he didn't want anyone to stare at him either. So far the whole room was empty, and all his. Or so he thought...

Erik was amused by this boy. He remembered back to when he first arrived here, and he did the exact same thing. That banister was so long you could really fly on it.

Alec stopped and listened. Yes, that was his mother's voice coming up the stairs. Alec glanced around nervously and his eyes fell on the tapestry that hung on most of the wall. He ran to hide behind it. He was so afraid of getting caught that he was afraid to breathe, but then he felt something on his back.
"It's a door. I wonder where it goes."
Alec opened the door and found himself in a corridor. Alec ventured in, and quickly got lost. He frantically ran blindly down the corridors making all the wrong turns when he bumped into someone. All Alec could see was a white mask.
Alec tilted his head and asked, "Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who I am. What are you doing here?"
"I'm Alec, and I'm lost. Can you help me get out, or do I have to live here forever?" Alec said with a sigh.

Yes, this boy amused Erik greatly. However he never was able to get a good look at the boy, and being this close up he could tell that Alec had a deformity. Not as bad as his own, but bad enough.
Alec could feel Erik studying him.
"Go ahead laugh and make fun of me. Everyone else does. I don't know why no one wants to be my friend. I was born this way. I can't help it. That's what Corrine says anyway," Alec said softly.
He was all prepared to hear the laughing and name calling, but it didn't happen.

"Alec, I too know what it's like to be laughed at. If I showed you something, you promise not to be scared?"
"I promise."
Erik knelt down and slowly removed his mask for Alec to see."I have never shown my face willingly, but I know you would understand.
Alec looked at the unmasked man for a long time. To Erik's surprise, Alec threw his arms around his neck and hugged him. Erik heard him whisper...
"It's like we're brothers. Will you be my friend?"

"That's how I met Erik, and he's my best friend. Cori, I'm sleepy."
Corrine stood up and quietly left the room.
"I think I'm going to have to get to know Erik," Corrine thought to herself.