Chapter 4

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

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The sun hit Erik in the face and he groaned at the pain in his head and aching all over his body. His eyes shot up at the warmth of the room then snapped back close. Slowly he opened them and glanced around. He found himself lying on a large bed and tried to remember what happened last night.

Ashley, he had met, a generous, but witty woman who helped him. Was he really in the future and would she believe him if he told her he was from 1862 and was the hideous Phantom of the Opera? He groaned again.

"I see that you really aren't a vampire. I was starting to think I might have to drag out the crosses and garlic."

"Ashley?" he tried to speak, but winced when his throat was burning.

"Shhh, you'll damage your vocal cords if you do that. Here drink this." She said handing him a drink.

He tried to sit up, but found himself coughing as Ashley rushed over to the bed setting a tray on the nightstand next to the bed. She patted his back and he stopped shortly afterwards.

'Here" she handed him the glass. It was clear but it also was fizzing.

Erik glanced it and then gave her a raised eyebrow. "You expect me to drink that?" he asked.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed his face in her hand." Stop being a big baby. If you want to get better, than you need to drink this. Now down the hatch!" she replied.

Erik was shocked! No one ever talked to him like that. He rolled his eyes through his mask as he took the drink from her hand and slowly drank it trying not to spit out the fizzing drink that was going down his throat. He made a face at the taste.

"Don't spit it out, drink it Erik. You're doing great" She said urging him to drink the rest.

When he was done, she smiled and gave him a glass of orange juice. "Drink that, before you to eat. People who are sick usually don't eat much, but in your case, you need to eat. I brought you a muffin." Ashley replied. (a/n grins I couldn't resist)

Erik drank the glass of juice quickly and then glanced at her while she set the tray down in front of him. "Why are you doing this? Nobody else would." He asked.

Ashley looked at him and frowned. "I don't know what has happened to you in the past Erik, but I am sorry. You're a human being. I am doing this because you were close to being dead when I almost hit you. I am not the type of person who just lets anyone or anything do things that could possibly hurt them. You need to stay in bed for a few days and get better. I've called and cancelled my classes for a few days, so I'll be right here."

For the first time in awhile, Erik smiled "Thank you mademoiselle." He murmured.

Ashley smiled "Oh please just call me Ash, no need to be formal. Though, I love the manners. Not many people are as polite. Now eat, after you're done, you'll get showered and then back in bed while I go fight with my brother."

He took a bite of his muffin and then glanced up at her. "Showered? What is that?" he asked.

"Oh, well…a shower is like a bath except you stand up and the water comes down on you. It's a faster way to take a bath." She tried to explain.

Erik slowly raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure." he said, but then was cut off by her shaking her head.

"Don't argue okay? Trust me, I wouldn't let you do anything dumb. Here I'll show you how it works when you're done. Now I'm going to shower myself, so eat and drink everything you see on that tray. "She smiled, and then went across the hall to the bathroom. She closed the door behind him and then water was heard.

He shook his head, and looked around. The room was decorated mostly in darkly colored wood. There were pictures on a dresser, and clippings from newspapers. Erik's ears perked up when he heard water running. He finished the drink and ate the rest of the muffin. He slowly climbed out of the bed, which he noticed was Ashley's. She let him sleep in her bed. He slowly made his way trying not to wince in pain as he slowly opened the closed bedroom door. He started to walk out but tripped making a loud thud. Ashley yelled "ERIK! What the hell are you doing? You better be in bed!"

Erik said nothing, but hurried back to the bed. Great he thought, you're slinking around like a whipped dog. And taking orders and listening to them. he did not know what to make of this. A young woman took him in her home, asked not about his past, nor his mask, gave him her bed, and took care of him. He had no idea how he got here. While he was thinking this over, he heard a sharp ringing that made him jump. He looked around and finally saw a black box. Suddenly a man's voice came on.

'Ash are you there? We have change of plans; Mr. Compy wants us to sing to night. Can you make it?'

Sing? He will have to ask her about that.

Then Ashley came out of the bathroom and into her bedroom where Erik was lying down on the bed. "Erik, look at me." She said a bit stern and he looked at her.

"Ashley I am so sorry, I am not use to being weak and helpless, …" he said softly and her face immediately softened.

"It's alright; I just don't want you to get hurt. Yes, it's frustrating if you're used to taking care of yourself. But I am here, and if you need anything don't be afraid to ask. Ready for yours now? I need to make some phone calls. Here, come on, we don't have all day." She said helping him out of bed and showing him everything in the shower. After she turned it on and closed the bathroom door, ash walked back to her room. Turning the answering machine on, she listened to James. How am I going to explain this to him? She loved her brother, but being the big bother he was awful portative.

Ashley rolled her eyes and walked into to the living room as Erik slowly walked out of the bathroom and into the living room as well and then sat on the couch. She gave him a smile "Okay, what would you like to do for the rest of the day? We could go shopping, show you around New York, watch a movie, anything?" Ashley asked.

"Do you sing?" Erik asks unexpectedly.

"What? Do I sing? Oh, I take it you heard James on the answering machine. Yes I do sing. In fact I am going to collage to earn a degree in music, specifically vocals. And I sing with my roommate Alice and my brother James. We sing here and there, to earn money. Would you like to come with me tonight?"

Erik nodded, then thought for a minute, "Have you heard of a Phantom of the Opera?" he asked.