Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera or anything that goes with it.

Hello again! Thanks so much for the people who are enjoying my story and are leaving reviews! I reallllly appreciate them. I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter, please keep the reviews up! Thanks!-QKeys

Chapter 3- First Compassion

Charlotte stood staring at the boy. She wanted to run; she wanted to scream that someone had just been murdered! But she could not. She was also frozen and all she could do was stare at the murderer in front of her. Suddenly, a gypsy's voice startled her;

"Quasie! Quasie what taking to long? You there Quasie?"

A million thoughts went through Charlottes mind. Ignoring all of them, Charlotte did what her heart thought was right.. She quickly ran into the cage and pulled out the shocked boy by the hand.

"Quickly! We must hurry! Charlotte whispered. "They shall kill you if they find what you have done!" Terror filled the young boy's eyes as he started to understand.

"Wait!" he gasped. "My toy!" Before Charlotte could protest the boy quickly scurried into cage and grabbed his sock puppet, then ran back out to Charlotte.

"Is there another way out?" Charlotte whispered.

"Y-y-yes! I-i-i-n the back!" The boy stuttered.

Charlotte looked around and spied the flap opening. She started pulling the bewildered boy with her. Right as they ran out of the tent, she heard gypsies yelling and screaming.

"Murder!" "Murder!"

"He went that way!"

"Get the police!"

Oh no! Charlotte thought. They've found the corpse! There coming! Never running faster in her entire life, she dragged the boy to first place that hit her mind; the cellars under the opera house where she stayed. No one goes down there except me Charlotte thought. I'm sure he can stay there until I find someplace better. Charlotte ran around a corner, still dragging the poor boy with her, to her secret entrance in the wall. Opening the door, she stuffed the poor boy inside, breathing hard. Looking around, she stepped inside also, clanging the door shut as she disappeared into the wall.

The bewildered boy stared at his rescuer as she quickly clanged the door shut. She slowly turned around to face him. As soon as she did, the boy could not stop staring at her. She looked about older, probably 5 or 6 years. She was beautiful, with huge eyes that lit up her entire face, and perfect rose colored lips. Her cheeks were pink from running; her auburn brown hair was pinned up in the back, so you could see the features of her face more clearly. She had a sweet, sympathetic look to her. The boy thought he was in the presence of an angel.

After many moments of just staring at each other, the boy finally found the nerve to speak;

"A-a-are y-y-you a-an a-angel?" The boy whispered.

The girl smiled, a lock of hair falling into her face. "No little boy. I am no angel. But I will try my best to protect you, if you listen to me. Do you understand?"

The boy nodded vigorously, his bag almost falling off his face.

"Good." Now…do you have a name?" Charlotte asked this question uncertainly, for she doubted those horrible gypsies would name him.

"W-w-well o-once w-when I-I w-was l-little…the boy paused, swallowing as a tear dripped down his face…"M-my m-mama a-a-accidentally c-called m-me b-by a-a n-name…" He paused. "E-E-Erik"

Charlotte watched the boy, having a hard time not crying herself.

"She named you accidentally?" She whispered.

"S-she s-said I-if I-I h-hadn't b-been a-a d-demon s-she w-would h-have n-named m-me…" He paused as his eyes squeezed shut tightly. "E-Erik."

Charlotte also squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block the tears from pouring out of them. After a few moments of controlling herself, she finally opened her eyes.

"Erik it is then." Charlotte did her best to smile at the shivering boy.

"Now Erik…" Christine said. "This building is the Opera Populaire. This is where I stay. You on the other hand are going to stay in this building…but in the cellars. Follow me."

Christine then opened another door which led down many stairways. She started walking down the many stairs, leading a amazed boy by the name of ERIK.

Erik followed Christine down the many stairs to the cellars, his mind felt like it was in a tornado. My name Erik thought. She called me by my name. Erik's eyes filled with tears again, but this time with tears of happiness. No more "Boy" and "It!" No more "Demon" or "Monster"! My name is ERIK! Erik whispered the name to himself, testing the feel of the name in his mouth. It felt wonderful.

"Were here". Charlotte finally came to a stop. They had been walking down stairs for about half an hour, and Erik was grateful for his legs were a bit tired.

They had arrived at what looked like a small lake. A lake underground? Erik thought.Charlotte started walking toward a small boat, Erik following close behind. Christine climbed into the small boat, and then beckoned Erik to do the same. After they were both in the boat, Charlotte picked up the huge paddle and started rowing them across the small lake. Erik continued to stare at Charlotte. He couldn't believe that someone was finally showing him compassion. Feeling his stares, Charlotte looked back at him.

"Were almost there" she assured. Erik looked ahead. They were nearing huge cage door. Charlotte pushed against it, and almost magically, it started opening. Charlotte rowed the boat the rest of the way in, and then stepped out. Erik lifted himself out of the boat also, and once he was out, his jaw dropped in awe.

There were many platforms, with many beautiful candles around. There were about 5 or 6 huge mirrors, with thick red velvet curtains draped over them. They were miniature play sets, costumes, and old dusty props lying all over. But best of all, in the center of everything there was a gigantic organ, with many candles lit around it. Erik had never seen anything more beautiful in all his life.

"This is the cellar." Charlotte said as she tied up the boat. This is where you will live for now. No one comes here anymore, as you can see, many years ago this was a place to just dump costumes and props from past operas." She looked at Erik, who was staring intently at the organ.

"Do you know how to play?" Charlotte asked quietly.

"N-no." Was Erik's soft reply. "B-b-but I-it l-looks b-beautiful." He stared longingly at the organ, wishing more than anything he knew how to play it.

"I will teach you then." Charlotte smiled as Erik's head shot up, she could see his eyes shining with happiness.

"Erik" Charlotte said gently. "You don't have to wear that bag here. It's alright. You don't have to be scared of anything anymore. I won't let anything happen to you."

Erik stared at Christine, then after many moments, slowly removed the bag for the first time willingly.

"Good Boy. Are you hungry?" Christine stared at Erik's skin tight stomach, answering her own question before he even answered.

Erik nodded, and Christine reached into her pocket and pulled out a bag of biscuits, packed as a snack for her later today.

"Here. It's not much but it's all I have right now." She handed him the bag of food and watched as he ripped it open, gazing hungrily at the feast laid out before him.

"I have to leave now. There probably wondering where I am. But I will be back, I promise. Just stay here, and don't leave these catacombs. Understand?" Erik nodded. Charlotte started to untie the boat.

"C-charlotte..." Erik cleared his throat, trying not to stutter. "W-hen you see m-me…w-what do y-you see? W-what is wrong w-with me?"

Charlotte stared at Erik's face for many moments, than answered his question honestly.

"There is nothing wrong with you Erik. When I look at you I see the most beautiful boy I have ever seen." And with that Charlotte climbed in the boat, and started to row away, trying not to think about the mess she had gotten herself into.