A/N: All right, you guys convinced me for another chapter and if many of you thought the last chapter was bad… then I'm not going to say much about this one, except it will cause more questions. But I will give a teeny tiny hint from last chapter… it wasn't as it appeared to be. You know the drill so please don't forget to review! Thank you Halley for editing this!

Chapter Twelve:

Confusion

Days seemed to have passed before Emmy at last woke up from a heavily sleep.

"My head," she groaned, holding her head with her hands. Looking up, she found herself in her bedroom. How did I…?

Thinking back, she knew she had been on the stage singing Think of Me when Trey and Sarah walked in on her. She remembered worrying about them because of Erik but she couldn't warn them… then Erik swung his cape around her and… and nothing.

Why is it now that I cannot remember anything when I'm around him? It never was like that before…

Emmy placed both feet on ground and pushed up, only to fall back onto the bed, her head pounding to beat the band. "Uh!" she moaned.

The door flew opened as her parents and Phantom came in. The black Lab sat against her bed, his tongue hanging to the side as Gloria walked around him to feel Emmy's forehead. "Hmm, no temperature and her color is back to normal," she murmured and faced her husband.

"Mom… Dad…" Emmy glanced at them nervously. What's going on?

"You gave us quite a scare young lady," her father said, rubbing his forehead. "You've been out for almost a couple hours."

"A couple hours?" Emmy repeated. "What happened?"

"We were hoping you could tell us. Sarah and her boyfriend found you lying unconsciousness in the choir room," Gloria exclaimed. "Honey, are you feeling well? You were frightfully pale…"

"I'm fine but my head hurts," Emmy admitted and then frowned. Found unconscious by Trey and Sarah?

"I hope you're not getting ill," Gloria babbled on. "Amelia, what did you do that caused you to faint?"

"I—" Emmy paused and stared at their faces. If Sarah and Trey found her… did they tell her parents about Erik? Judging from their actions, Emmy would have to say they didn't know. But then why didn't they tell? Sarah was terrified and Trey came running towards her when they spotted her maestro. Surely, they would have told her parents! For some odd reason, Emmy felt chills running down her spine. If her parents knew about Erik, they would be all over her, she was sure of it. And right now, all they were doing were fussing over her about her health.

Emmy swallowed, as her parents patiently awaited her explanation, and said, "I was seeing how high and long I could sing. I must have forgotten to take a breath…"

"Well, next time don't do that," Gloria scolded gently. "You were lucky your friends found you."

"Yeah…" Emmy murmured, her mind already wandering with questions.

"Get some rest and if you're not feeling better by tomorrow, we'll keep you home," Will told her and kissed the top of her head.

She mutely nodded as they left, leaving Emmy with Phantom. Gazing down at the big puppy, he nudged her leg, whimpering for some attention. Giving in, she petted his head and down his back as he pressed his backside into the bed. While scratching him, Emmy was lost in thought.

It was unlike Sarah to skip any details. Something as drastic as seeing some man in black grabbing someone would cause any common sense person to tell anyone! Yet, why did she and Trey kept silent? Was it because they found it hard to believe? Or was it because someone got to them?

"Erik…" she whispered.

Of course! He was unhappy for the interruption and he must have threatened them not to say a word… It sounded like an Erik behavior but it wasn't a Sarah's. She loved to gossip and she didn't take crap from anyone, not even adult's. And if she found something juicy that would cause trouble, she would open her mouth about it. Yet… nothing. Not even Trey, who was your typical good guy.

This doesn't make any sense, she contemplated. What's going on?

"What's wrong with me?" Emmy quietly questioned aloud, her voice shaking. And since she knew what happened, why couldn't she tell her parents?

Tears were silently coursing down. Never in her whole life had Emmy been so confused. Something wasn't right, but what exactly? Was Erik doing something to her? Could that be why she can't remember anything or why she couldn't tell the truth?

Looking down at Phantom, he was smirking at her. I know what's happening to you, his expression said.

Gasping, Emmy moved away from her dog. But he continued to stare at her, this chilling look set on his canine façade.

Ripping her eyes away from him, Emmy, wide-eyed, gazed at her Phantom collection. All around was the Phantom, everywhere, the black beady eyes all ridiculing and cold.

Whipping her head around, the lifeless pupils were locked on her. You chose this, they seemed to say. This was your decision and now you must pay.

"No…" She shook her head fiercely. "No! No!" Emmy cried, burying her face into her hands. "Leave me alone! I don't want this anymore!"

Yet, the silence thickened around her, and a sinister chuckle reverberated…

Too late.

TBC…