Chapter 11

When Poppy woke she found herself in the bed. Erik must have put her there. She sat up, no idea what time it was. Getting out of bed she smoothed down her dress. She looked for her cane, not finding it; she figured that she had left it in the other room. As she turned to the door, a muscle twitched. Pain shot though her side. The corset had been pinching her. As she rubbed her side, she walked back into the living room. There were no noises. "Erik?"

"Here. What do you what? " An annoyed voice answered her.

"Whoa. Touchy. I was just wondering what day it is."

Erik was quiet for a minuet, "Friday, I believe," he let out a exasperated sigh," This contraption of yours is broken."

Poppy's head shot up," What!" She hurried across the room, "Let me have it." Erik placed the CD player in her hand. Poppy turned the player on. It hummed, and then stopped. She let of a relived sigh. "The batteries are run down. Leave the player alone for an hour and a half, and they will charge. Were you listening to it all night?"

Erik nodded, "Yes. Your taste in music is well, strange."

Poppy chocked her head," How so?"

Erik picked up the discarded CDs. "You have classical, but then you also have music I can't describe, only that it is terrible."

Poppy snickered, "Which ones?"

Erik went though the CDs he was holding, "A Elvis Presley..."

"How the hell did that get in there?"

"...a Aerosmith..."

"Opps..."

"...and something called...The Rocky Horror Picture Show."

Horror crossed Poppy's face, "Oh my! Erik, I am so sorry you had to listen to that!" She hugged him; Erik was so shocked that he didn't move. "Erik it's ok. The horror of it will pass!" She let go of him but kept her hands on his shoulders," Now. Are you sure you're ok? Why am I asking? Of course your not! You heard the music of horror!"

Erik looked at her like she was insane. She probably was. Erik took her hands off his shoulders. "Come. I have enlisted the help of a...friend of mine. She can help you even more then I can on some things."

Poppy put the CD player on the couch and began to look for her cane, "Who?"

Erik placed his cape upon his shoulders," Madame Giry. She and a few others know English. Now come."

"Ok, ok. "She continued to feel for her cane, finding it, she jumped up and tapped over to Erik. He helped her into the boat. Little did he know that the little hug Poppy had given him was part of his "training". He had not pushed her away, probably was too shocked. But still...Poppy snickered quietly. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?

Erik was indeed shocked. Every thing in his body had screamed to push her away, but he had found himself enjoying the hug. His mother had never hugged him, so he had welcomed it. He shook his head. They had reached the other side of the lake. Erik led her up though the cellars. Along the way he told her what to tell them. "You are from America. Cannot speak French. No family, no were to go, so the only place you could go was to the Opera house to hopefully find a job."

"Well, you sure know how to depress a person."

Erik turned to find her grinning. "Of course. Now be quiet. At dark you will met me at the west hall. I will be waiting for you there. Don't be late."

"Yes sir!"

At the West hall, Madame Giry was pacing back and forth. A whisper came from above. "Erik?"

"Yes."

She sighed. "I wish you would stop slinking around in the dark."

He hissed, "I have no choice!"

Madame Giry shook, but before she could apologize she heard a voice.

"Erik! It was a phrase. Remember people skills here. You can't go hissing at people like a cat or a snake. You could've started will something like," a tall redheaded girl stepped out from the shadows, "Hello, Madame Giry."

Madame Giry took her hand. "Bonjour, mademoiselle. Welcome to the Opera Populaire."

"Thank you."

Erik stepped out from the shadows. Madame Giry turned to him, "This the girl?"

"Yes. Find her something to do. At dark make sure she's back here." With that he disappeared into the shadows again