Yes, I edited this story; most spelling is fixed, as well as grammar.
October 30
"Tonight on the 6:00 news, five unexplained deaths. The first was a homeless man, about 36, he was found in the alleyway by "Her Majesty's Theater. His neck broken. The seconded was locale teacher, Mr. Edward Essex. He was found murdered on the stage of "After Twilight" he suffered a crushed hand, broken jaw, and a broken neck. The other two were men around in their 30's, both necks were broken. The last was a 17 year old girl. She was raped and suffered a broken neck as well. The police ask that if any one knows anything about this murders contact the police at 1-800-256-0233. Now on to the weath-"
The TV clicked off. "Oh my god!"
"What?" Alice asked.
"It's Ashley! Those murders! I know who did them! We need to get over there now!" James explained.
So they ran out the door to their car, not knowing they were watched.
He dialed a number. "Hello? They're on the way."
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As Alice and James walked into Ashley's apartment, they knew something was wrong. It was dark inside, and the door was unlocked. As James waked in first he was hit over the head. He dropped like a stone. Alice screamed. She then saw a flash of white and turned as she heard a low male laugh. Then a blinding flash of pain in her head.
21
October 31, Halloween
Pain. That's what James felt.
"Wake up. Wake up now," a hard voice snapped.
James opened his eyes. A tall long, black haired man stood in front of him. He was wearing a long black robe. Beyond him there were 2 men and 3 women. They all wore black robes and holding tall cups and knifes. James tried to move and found that he was tied to a black wooden board. He had no shirt on. James turned his head when he heard a small whimper. Alice was also tied to a black board; she also was shirt less, wearing only her pants and bra. He looked around the room. It was a stone room. There were red and black candles and drapes all-round. Also there was an organ to the left and a huge fireplace in front of them.
"What the hell do you people want? And where's Ashley? I shear..." his yell cut short when he saw Erik walk up.
"Shhh, no need to shout. We are all right here." Erik smirked.
"Erik! You basterd! Where is Ashley? If you have hurt her in anyway I.."
"Shut up. I'm right here." with that Ashley stepped in front of them. She was dressed in blood red silk. The shoulders of the dress came off her shoulders. The front came to dip down, the slit going down to her navel. The skirt billered out into a long train. A slit ran up her leg to her thigh. She wore red leather high-heeled boots. Her hair was brushed straight down, the ends touching her naked shoulders. Her red lips were curled in to a smile.
Alice and James gasped. "Ashley? What are you doing? Help us!"
"No. I don't think I will."
"What are you doing?" James asked.
"I'm helping Erik become the most powerful man on the planet." with that, she stepped closer to Erik, who put an arm around her waist," and I will complete my training that began 9 years ago."
At the shocked look on Ashley smiled. "Oh yes, I was instated in to this coven on Halloween 9 years ago in 1994. Of course, for everyone to join, you have to kill someone. What better then poor mum and dad? And now it's Erik's turn," she turned to Erik, "Ready?"
Erik smiled and nodded and took the knife that Ashley handed him and walked forward. Alice started screaming, as James began struggling against his bonds. Everyone began chanting, their low voices echoing though out the stone room. Erik walked up to James and raised the knife and sliced a long cut along his chest. The longhaired man stepped forward and pressed a cup to the wound; filling the cup with blood. Still chanting the other people moved forward and did the same.
Erik had moved on to Alice, the sound of chanting filling his ears. He raised the knife to cut the skin above her left breast, when he heard an angelic voice,
Erik! No!
Erik shook his head. And raised the knife again, enjoying the fear in Alice's eyes when he heard the same voice only stronger, Angel! Stop! You don't want to do this! You can't!
The voice sounded like, like Christine!
Yes, Erik it is I.
Suddenly Erik felt a great lynch in his body and suddenly was blinded by a white light. He looked down and saw that he was clothed in a white outfit. A shirt and loosely fitting pants seemingly made from the clouds themselves.
"Erik, you look surprised," a heavenly voice from all around Erik suddenly spoke, "Why?"
"Of course I'm surprised," Erik asked, unsure of where to look when addressing the voice. He finally settled on staring straight ahead.
The voice laughed lightly.
"What happened?" Erik questioned, puzzled.
The voice stopped laughing." You tell me. Did you not decide to sell your soul tonight?"
"Yes indeed. I have no choice. The world has treated me like I am evil, so I am going to show the world how evil I can be," Erik felt a surge of heat flare up around him.
"THIS IS A SONG WE HEARD YOU SING BEFORE!" the voice shouted.
Erik to his credited did not cower, only flinch.
"You see, we have a dilemma. We can't take you. You have too much hate in your heart. But we can't let you go to hell, for you will still be used," at Erik's shocked face the voice continued," yes Erik you have been used from day one. Since you arrived in this year."
"Ashley?"
The voice now sounded sad," Yes, Erik. She does not love you. She is using you just like The Lord of Lies. They are both using you. So we can't send you to hell. The only thing we can do is snuff your soul out."
Erik closed his eyes, waiting.
" Erik. " he opened his eyes," it seems someone has spoke for you."
Erik was shocked," Who?"
"It is not important," the voice sighed," we will give you a choice. Carry on with the ritual, and we will abolish your soul, stop them and we will help you."
"Erik? Erik? Are you alright?"
He opened his eyes. He was back. Ashley stood in front of him. He still had the knife in his hand.
"Yes. Just lost track of my mind," Erik said.
Ashley smiled and reached up to kiss him. Erik forced himself to kiss her back.
"Well, carry on," she ushered to Alice. She was crying and struggling against her bounds. Sorrow and shame washed over him. He went up to her, putting a hard face on, and cut the skin, a smaller cut then he did to James. The people again filled their cups.
"Now, is the time to welcome our newest member and leader, Erik!" shouted Lune.
Everyone cheered and tossed their cups of blood into the fireplace, where a huge fire was blazing. The flames shot high into the air, and then trades of fire swirled out and wrapped themselves around Ashley and Erik. It then settled in the middle of a pentagram that was burned into the stone floor. A figure formed. It was tall as Erik, but very handsome. It had black hair brushed straight back, a strong chiseled jaw. Its eyes glowed red. (A/n: think Gerry with red eyes). A loud voice filled the air.
WELL DONE! AFTER I BESTOW MY GIFTS TO YOU, YOU WILL FINISH THE TWO MORTLES.
Erik felt a slight pain on he's right side of his face. He gasped and grabbed his face. In a flash it was over.
Ashley walked up with a small hand mirror." Look," she said handing him the mirror.
Erik took it and looked into it. Both his eyes were a light brown. He took the mask off. His face was perfect. All he could do was gape at his self.
Laughter shook him out of his thoughts, I TAKE THAT YOU LIKE IT? NOW FINISH THEM! It shouted, pointing at Alice and James. ASHLEY, WHO DO YOU WANT KILLED FRIST?
Ashley thought for a minute, and then grinned, "James."
Alice started crying again, and James begins to struggle.
Erik walked up to James, Ashley beside him. Erik looked up at James. James stared back, hate burning in his eyes.
"Do it Erik," Ashley whispered.
Erik raised the knife to James's throat, pulled back and swiped the knife across...Ashley's face. The knife cut deep into her check. Blood poured from the gash. Ashley screamed in pain as she grabbed her face. Erik shoved her into the man in the middle of the pentagram. All at once everyone yelled,
"NOOOOOOO!"
The man and Ashley screamed. Then a bust of flame pillared up from the circle. When it cleared, the man was gone, but Ashley lay unconscious, badly burned in the circle.
Erik cut James's and Alice's bounds.
"Go! Get out of here. Get the police!" he shoved them toward the door," Go now!"
Erik turned and saw all the people running at him
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When the police arrived they found six people tied and gagged. One woman was badly burned, but someone had treated her burns.
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Erik felt the familiar rushing sensation again, and suddenly he was before at least a dozen beautiful angels. They all had proud, soft, elegant looks upon their delicate faces that looked as though God had carved them from porcelain. The one nearest Erik, seated at the center of the table, was a woman, with light golden hair that shone with a light all its own.
"Ah, Erik. We have been discussing your fate." her voice was so beautiful; it made Erik wonder how he could have thought any sound to be pretty, now that he heard her voice. His thoughts wandered to his music, then to Christine's voice... and then to Ashley's laughter. No. He will not think about her.
"I am so sorry for all the lives I have ruined," he muttered with more composure than he would have thought himself able to have. The Council began to murmur amongst themselves, all staring at him. The angel in the middle leaned to the right as one angel next to her whispered something in her ear, and did the same on her left.
"You have done some very serious things, Erik. Why should we forgive? I seem to remember that you were worshiping Death and had no remorse. What has made your look upon life change so quickly?" she questioned, her eyes shining as brightly as her hair and her voice soft and gentle.
"Christine made me feel love, I did not want to kill," Erik answered, "I loved her. You know that I did not kill the one she loved, and I'm glad that I didn't, but-"
"Erik, raise your head," the angel commanded, and Erik did so without hesitation. The angels were all looking at him with soft eyes, and the female angel smiled." For your good deed-"
"Good deed, I thought-," he whispered quietly.
"Yes... a good deed. You saved James and Alice. You did not kill the ones that betrayed you. So yes, a good deed. Though we do learn best from hardships. You will return to Earth. You will live for 70 years. On your 70th year there, you will return. If you lived your life satisfactory, you will come home. But as a punishment, instead of your right side being deformed, your whole face will be instead."
Erik nodded.
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"All she keeps saying is that "It was The Phantom of the Opera-" the doctor raised his eyebrow at James and Alice.
They shook their heads," We don't know. When will she get better?"
The doctor shook his head, "I'm not sure. She suffered a huge traumatic experience. You were lucky her child survived.
They looked down at the small girl in Alice's arms.
They nodded. The doctor left. Alice and James turned back to the small window that showed Ashley walking around the room muttering. Suddenly they heard boots, turning they saw a tall man walk towards them. He stopped it front of them.
Alice gasped and James went, "YOU!"
Erik looked out at them sadly from behind his full mask. "For all that it is worth, I am truly sorry."
James wanted to hit, scream at him, something, but all he could do was nod.
"I never wanted this to happen..."
Alice stepped forward," We know. She lied to us all. Deceived us. You were just caught up in their evil plans. If you had not of had a change of heart, we would've been dead, and her and your child would have been brought up evil."
Erik was stunned, "M-m-my child?"
Alice smiled, "Yes, your child." With that she placed the child in his arms." Her name is Melody."
Erik looked at the little girl asleep in his arms. The child opened her eyes and looked up at him. She let out a small bell like laugh and reached up to touch his mask. She was beautiful; she had dark brown hair and one blue eye and one dark brown eye. A small birthmark the shape of a music note was on her right check. "She's beautiful," he whispered.
As James and Alice watched him with Melody, they looked at one other. Alice nodded. "Erik?"
He looked up.
"We feel that since she is your child, when she is older, you can take and raise her."
"Really? My child?" he could not help it, he cried.
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Epilogue
When Melody turned ten, she moved in with her father. By that time he was famous for his music and generosity. He taught her to sing and Melody had her first record by the time she was 12.
When Melody was 14, Erik met Marie O'Neal. Five years latter they were married. They had 3 talented kids, Chris, Eric, and Tara. They all lived a full and happy life.
70 years latter, Erik was very old. He was lying on a bed, tired, but comfortable. Marie, Melody, and Chris had already passed on. His last two children, Eric and Tara, surrounded Erik. He was very old and was ready. His time was up. Erik closed his eyes and let out his last breath.
"Hello, Erik," the same voice from 70 years ago spoke to him.
"Am I-?" Erik asked.
"Dead? Yes. Your time is up." Suddenly a woman appeared in front of him. He remembered her. Her gold hair shone. She smiled, a genuine smile. "Erik, we are all so proud of you. Come Home."
Erik felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned. It was Christine. "Angel," she smiled and then hugged him. "I believe there are some people who want to see you," she pointed behind him.
Erik turned. There, standing behind him, was his family." Marie! Melody! Chris!"
They all hugged, "Father," Melody said," Time to come home."
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I would like to thank all who read and reviewed. I really enjoyed writing this story. Thank you to Silvermasque, KitsuneMagis, Miss Black Shadow, my-echo, rose123579, erik-of-the-mask, carkeys, Shinzu, telegramsam, and The Phantom of PhanWankage, for all reviews!
Thank you KitsuneMagis, for offering to be my beta-reader. I am sorry that I had to rush.