Chapter 5

"2005? Are you crazy?"

"Well, that's funny coming from you, isn't it?" She fired right back.

Erik shook his head," At least I know what year it is."

"I said was. When I fell off the platform, I must have slipped though a dimension or something--I know you're staring at me like I'm crazy, I'm not. So stop it."

Erik flushed and looked down at the book. He began flipping though it. He came to the question that a lot of people have asked themselves,

"You are frightened...but do you love me? If Erik were good-looking, would you love me?"

Erik looked up at her. She was standing a few feet in front of him, with her arms crossed, looking angry. The cane was gone, but he did not worry about it. "You read this book?"

"Not that book. The ones with the raised bumps. The Braille ones. That one belongs to a friend. So don't get all pissy and tear it."

The language the girl uses! Erik took her by the arm, and began pulling her along.

"Hey, were are you pulling me to now?"

"If we continue to stand here and argue-talk," he corrected himself," someone will find us. I can't let that happen, so we are going somewhere we can finish this conversation."

"Oh. Ok," with that she pulled her arm free. " But I'll like to get there in one piece. So give me my arm back." She reached in a pocket and pulled out her cane. Unfolding it, she placed the metal tip in his hand. "Ok. Now let's go."

Erik took a hold of her cane and guided her along. When they came to the lake, as he got in the boat, and turned to her, he saw her sniffing the air.

" Let me guess. Where're near or by the lake under the Opera House, aren't we?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"You never been around blind people before have you?" she asked as he helped her in the boat.

"I have not been around many people. Even fewer blind ones."

"Well, when one loses a sense, the others become stronger. Like smell, touch, and hearing. And you gain a kind off a sixth sense."

Erik cocked his head as he pooled them along," I have all of mine and I have 'senses' that normal men don't have. Explain that."

Poppy though for a minuet," Hmm. Well, you're an exception."

"A monster."

She shook her head, "No. You're not a monster. You're...special." With that she fell silent for the first time.

Special? He was not special. He was a monster. The Opera Ghost. The Phantom. The Devil's Child. At that thought he grinded his teeth.

"Erik?"

"What?" he knew the silence would not last.

"Stop grinding your teeth. It's annoying."

Erik eyes widen. "Annoying? Annoying? I'll tell you what's annoying, You. You are. Girl-"

"Poppy."

"What?"

"Poppy. My name is Poppy. Not Girl. Poppy. Say it with me- Popp-e."

"Well, Poppy, you-" He was interrupted when the boat crashed into the bank. Poppy was sitting, so she was only tossed on to her stomach. Erik, well. He was had been standing, so he was tossed out of the boat. Poppy heard a splash, then someone cussing in French. She pulled herself along the bottom of the boat, until she reached the side. She placed her arms along the side and rested her head on them. Poppy cocked her head.

Erik looked up at her. She had a smile on her face. She was also chocking back laughs. He started to get angry until she stood and held out a hand. He looked at it, and then took it. She heaved him up. "Next time I drive.