2

Disclaimer: Come on people! You know I don't own the Phantom of the Opera!

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He heard a slam, and then footsteps walk up to him. He tried to look up but the lights were too bright.

"I am so sorry! I did not see you. Are you all right?" it was a woman's voice.

He did not answer, but tried to stand.

"Here, like me help you." She took his arm and gently helped him to his feet. "Lean on me if you have to."

"Merci, mademoiselle."

"Now, are you all right?"

"No I am not 'all right'! I want to know where I am!" he shouted angrily.

"Easy, no need to shout. You are in Brooklyn, New York."

"New York? How did I get here?" he thought for a minute, "what is the date?"

"It's October 18, 2005, why?" she sounded amused.

"2005? How can it be? It is 1862. I was in my lair, Christine had just left me, and I slipped out into a tunnel, but ended up here….. She left me!" he cried, the last hour of what happened sinking in.

"1862? No it's 2005." She didn't sound amused now, she sounded worried." Do you need a doctor? There's a hospital not far from here."

It was the last thing the former Phantom of the Opera needed! Public places!

"No! No doctors! No hospitals! No nothing! Why are you helping me?" the last sentience were whispered," Why do you care?"

The woman put her hand on his shoulder, "I care because it is cold out here, and because I almost hit you, and because it sounds like you had a very bad day. Do you have any family and or friends near?"

"Non, no I have no one." He started crying.

"No, no, no, please don't cry," she sounded like she was going to cry," Everything will be okay." she paused," You can come to my apartment for the night, we can figure this out in the morning, ok?"

He nodded, too weak and too confused to ague. She then helped him around the side and in to the car.

"There you go. By the way my name is Ashley Knight. What's yours?" she asked as she helped him in. he did not answer, she sighed and walked over to the diver' side and got in. she jumped when he took her hand. His hand was ice cold.

"My name is…Erik." He whispered and let go of her hand.

"Erik. I like that." She smiled at him and he closed his mismatched eyes and rested his head on the back of the seat.

She fastened her seat belt, turned the heat on and drove the five miles to her apartment.