8

Ashley smirked when she heard James yell. She hurried out the car where Erik and Alice were waiting. "Ready?" she asked. Alice nodded and turned to Erik. "Well, it was nice meeting you. I hope to see you again." Erik raised an eyebrow, confused. Ashley laughed, "Oh I have been meaning to tell you all night. Erik is staying with us, in the guest room."

"What! When did you decide this?"

"Last night. He's in a rut. So, Erik's going to stay with us for a while."

"Oh, does James know?"

Ashley smirked, "Yes. Was not happy about it. Now, lets go. It's cold and late. We still need to fix the room for Erik."

Back at the apartment, Ashley showed Erik how to work the Internet and then the girls cleaned the room.

"Well, he's an improvement after Devon. How old is he? 38, 39, 40?" Alice teased as she made the bed.

"EWW, Stop it. He's only a friend, no interests here. Yes, he looks good, but this little girl is not interested. Hmm… 40ish think," Ashley protested.

"So? Some older guys are HOT. And Erik just so happens to be one."

"Then You date him."

"Sorry, but no. Going out with your brother or did you forget?"

"Then stop it. We are going to stay friends, and that's that," Ashley said.

"Okay, okay. Now when and where did you meet him?"

"Last night, when I was driving home, I almost hit him. He was delirious so instead of leaving him to get mugged, I brought him here and offered him a room."

Alice glanced at the bed.

"I know, I know. When I got him here he was so weak and tired that the furthest he got was by my room. So I dragged him to my bed and slept on the couch,"

Ashley explained.

Alice nodded, "Ever the 'Angel' Ash." Ashley grimaced inside.

Alice continued, "Does he have family? Friends?"

Ashley shook her head, as she moved some boxes, "No. No one. He's from France, and got lost or something." not telling her who he really was.

"Oh, that's the accent. And the manners," Alice giggled," I am such a sucker for accents."

Ashley rolled her eyes and started to reply when they heard a loud gasp and then a crash. Running to the living room they found Erik on he floor tangled up with the chair.

"Are you alright? Want happened?"

Erik untangled himself and keeping his eyes away from the computer, turned bright red and stuttered," I w-w-w-wanted to see the worlds opera houses and THAT came up!" he gestured to the screen. On it was an ad for some phone sex discount.

The girls bust out laughing, Erik glared at them, "It is Not a laughing manner! It is highly indecent and improper!"

"I'm sorry Erik but the look on your face was priceless! I should have warned you about the pop-ups," choking back her laughter Ashley went and turned the computer off. Alice was still giggling madly.

Erik still looked shocked and was trying to glare at Alice, which made her giggle harder.

"That's enough Alice!" Ashley scolded," I think it's time for bed."

Erik looked relived as Alice nodded and went to her room still giggling.

"Cheerleader," Ashley shook her head, "come on," she said to Erik. She led him to the room. "Tomorrow we'll get you some clothes and such. Tomorrow is the being of a new life for you," Ashley told him. And you don't know the half of it. She thought

Erik turned to her. "Did you tell them who I am?" He wondered.

"WAS Erik, WAS. No need to worry about the past. You are staring a new life. You are no longer 'The Phantom of the Opera' you are now Erik Noir," she told him sternly, but lying.

Erik nodded. "Yes you are right. A new life."

"Well, now, go to bed. Tomorrow is phase 1: 'Converting a ghost'."

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The grandfather clock chimed 12:00. Eyes snapped open. Quickly hurrying to the door, they made sure the other two tenets were still asleep. Satisfied they slipped out the door and into the night.

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"So, is he here? Did the calling work?"

"Yes, it did. At first I did not know that it was him. Not until I saw his face." a cruel voice answered.

"Good. The Master will be pleased."

An evil smile came over the figure's face in a black, silver and red robe. Black eyes glittered with malevionce and cold glee. The smile then faded, "But we may have a problem."

"What?"

"HE has loved. He doesn't want to kill any more. In, fact in the past few years since he became a 'ghost' he has only killed two people. Not impressive for apprentice to the Master."

"No. Not at all. So as leader off this coven, you will teach him to love the to kill again. To LOVE to kill. He must be ready by HALLOWEEN. Get him to trust you, give yourself to him. Seduce him."

"I don't think it will be a problem. Already he trusts me with his little secret," She pulled back her hood, "Erik will become the Master's prodigal son. His left hand. To bring death and pain to those who will dare deify the Master." Ashley smiled.