9

October 20, morning

In the per-morning light Erik woke. He never needed much sleep, so instead of staying in bed, he got up, pulling a pair of James' paints and shirt on. As he walked into the living room Erik thought of what Ashley said. Time to try to be a man not a monster. All that happened in 1862. Here I don't exist, so all that I have done doesn't matter, not anymore. I need Ashley to get me started in this new time. When I am able to be like other men, if I can, I will part and live my life how I always wanted…normal. As he thought of this he failed to notice Ashley sitting in the pale light.

"Hello, child of the night," a voice startled Erik. He turned to see Ashley sitting on the couch. She was wearing a black robe with silver pentagrams over it, with red silk trim. She was reading a book. ", Or should I say morning?" she smiled at him and patted the cushion beside her. Erik cocked his head, then shrugged and set down. "Can't sleep?"

"No. What are you doing up so early? And reading in the dark, even I don't do that."

Ashley shrugged, "Habit. It's a gift from when I was still at home with my parents. I would stay up all night reading. They would always yell at me to turn the lights off and go to bed, so I started to learn how to read in the dark."

"It ruins your eyes. What did you read to have to stay up all night?" Erik asked.

Ashley dipped her head and glanced shyly at him," The Phantom of the Opera."

Erik laughed lightly," I see that even not being there; I can get in to trouble, or in this case, you into trouble."

She laughed too," Ah, but you were Erik. Every night." With that, she leaned over and gave him a peck on his masked cheek, and closed the book and hurried to her room." We need to go early, so we can beat the traffic," she called over her shoulder.

Erik did not acknowledged her, or hear her. He set stunned on the couch. She kissed him!

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" So, I think some jeans, shirts, and some dress pants will do, you think?"

Erik did not know want to think! They were at a store called Macy's. It was huge and crowded. He had been very balky at first, but Ashley had coxed him in with the promise to take him to the theater were she had her classes at.

"I think so. I have no idea what fashion men wear this days"

"Eww," Ashley wrinkled her nose," you just sounded like my dad! But, yeah, this will do then."

Erik was still shocked that this girl was willing to help him. As they had walked though the store, he saw some people glance at his mask, some stared, but some… some even smiled at him. When he questioned Ashley, she reminded him that he was famous, or at lest his 'character' was.

After Macy's they dove to a small theater called "After Twilight." Ashley parked around back then led Erik up to the front. She flashed a card to a security guard and went in. it was beautiful inside. The style was French, but not like his past opera house. Instead of red and gold, it was black and silver. They past posters from past productions and an up-coming one," The Phantom of the Opera." Ashley had mentioned that her class were going to perform it.

"And here is the auditorium," Ashley had showed Erik around and they now made their way to the stage," they do have a chandelier, but as you can see it is much smaller then the Paris one. But still… don't get ant ideas," she grinned at Erik.

Erik smirked back and glanced up. It was small, about 15 ft wide and like the rest of the theater was silver not gold. As they made their way to center stage he couldn't but help remember the night of Don Juan, when Christine pulled his mask and wig off in front of half the people in Paris. He could still hear the screams of horror and disgust. Erik put a hand over his mask; shaking.

"Erik, are you alright? You are white as a ghost." (No pun here. It is phrase.)

Erik shook his head. Stop it. He thought, you are trying to forget. Erik removed his hand and nodded," I apologize, bad memories." Changing the subject he told her, "You promised to sing one of those 'Phantom' songs and you never did."

"I did didn't I? Well maybe tonight…"

" No. Now. Sing one anyone." Erik coxed, interrupting Ashley.

"Here, now?"

He nodded.

"Ok." Ashley took a deep breath and began. She originally would have sung 'Point of No Return' but seeing where they were and Erik's mental state; she did not want him go crazy anymore then he is… not yet. So she did Music of the Night instead.

Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation ...
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination ...
Silently the senses abandon their defenses ...

Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor ...
Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender ...
Turn your face away from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night ...

Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before!
Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live as you've never lived before ...

Softly, deftly, music shall surround you ...
Feel it, hear it, closing in around you ...
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which you know you cannot fight -
the darkness of the music of the night.

Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before!
Let your soul
Take you where you long to be!
Only then can you belong to me ...

Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin,
let your darker side give in to the power of
the music that I write - the power of the music of the night ...

You alone can make my song take flight -
help me make the music of the night ...

When she finished, Ashley turned to him. Erik stared to say something when someone began clapping.

"That was great Ash! You really should consider my offer. You'll be a great Christine."

Ashley turned to her teacher and with disgust told him," No thank you Mr. Essex. I prefer to work for the role."

"Ahhh, but Ashley you will be," He leered.

Ashley made a face, and turned to Erik." Let's go. There still is so much more you have to see." And with that she dragged a confused Erik out of the theater.