Because people think Erik is dead...I have posted a new chappie! It's short...
oo0o0oo
There was silence...silence...
Silence to overpower him. He needed music...
He heard steady breathing next to him. He wanted to move, but everything hurt...especially his chest. It was full of blinding pain, and he could feel a wet washcloth pressed to it, along with several other pieces of dry cloth.
Suddenly he smelt vanilla and soap, feeling arms wrap around his neck and take care not to touch his chest. Finally he could hear her voice.
"...so glad you're awake, I thought you died despite what the doctor said, but here you are, awake and breathing..."
He tried to pick up an arm, but pain shot through it, and he moaned quietly. Erik tried to open his eyes, but it seemed like too much work. The arms released him.
He heard something being lifted off a table. A hand lifted up his head, and he felt his lips being pressed to a glass. Cool liquid flowed down his parched throat, and he swallowed with difficulty.
"There, that should help...really Erik, does it hurt? Are you warm...perhaps hungry?"
He shifted a little, trying to get more comfortable, but judging by the increased amount of pain from movement, that was about as comfortable as he was going to get. With pain, he barely shook his head no.
"Are you thirsty?"
Again he shook his head. Even the very small amount of water was enough for him.
After a few moments, Erik opened his eyes a little. His vision swam for a moment, then cleared.
Tori was sitting in a chair not far from him, a glass of water and a jug next to her on a small table. The walls were made from a familiar type of rock, and he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that he was lying on blood red sheets, his limbs swathed in blankets. His shirt was opened fully, and a wound under his heart was covered in bandages, little spots of blood here and there.. Everything else ached, his head throbbing the most painfully.
Tori, noticing that his eyes were open, reached over and pulled the blankets down a little more, exposing more of his chest. Cool air flowed over the remaining skin, and he shivered.
She felt his forehead. "Your head feels fine. Do you want to know what's going on?"
He made a small motion with his head.
She sighed and smiled gently at Erik. "Alright. It turns out that the bullet missed your heart and didn't go deep, but it was enough blood and pain to leave you unconsious for a few days. The doctor said that you would be immobile for a few days, but that you would be alright. Yes, you are in your house, in my bed, seeing as it was the closest and most comfortable. Now, about your opera...we had to stop it after you passed out. Everything was hysterical for a moment, everyone being ushered out by the managers. They seemed to have changed sides a little too quickly, once they saw that I cared for you." She smiled again. "Carlotta is also going to be taking my place until you are well enough so that I don't have to stay by your side constantly."
His eyes widened.
"Don't worry, it's alright, really...they'll put me back in the leading roles as soon as I return. Unfortunately, while you are immobile, you cannot play any music..."
He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a gasping noise and the words:
"Will you sing?"
It was barely a mumble, but Tori heard the words clearly. She smiled slyly.
"Not until I'm finished with something."
"How long...?"
"By tomorrow. Now sleep." She leaned down and kissed the right side of his forehead, where he noticed that the mask had been removed. He croaked again:
"Mask..."
She hugged him. "I just removed it, for your comfort. Now take my word, and sleep."
As if her words had triggered something, exhaustion overcame him again and he closed his eyes. Erik felt warm lips being pressed to his skin again before he fell into the endless void of sleep.