Chapter TwentyTwo

DISCLAIMER: OK; I don't own phantom of the opera. Plain and simple

Erik woke before Karen the next morning; but he didn't get up. He stayed with her; stroking her hair and staying with her. It was when she turned over to him; he realized she had been awake; just not moving or speaking. She whispered for him to leave her alone. He didn't know if that was what she needed or not; so he did. But made it clear that he loved her. She lie there for hours. Not moving; or saying anything. When her neck began to hurt from resting in one position for too long; she turned over. She would do that every once in a while; and she could hear Erik playing the organ for her.She closed her eyes and let the sound of the organ lull her to sleep.

She was awoken a few hours later; Erik had a bowl of cantaloupe in his hand; asking her if she was hungry. She shook her head and closed her eyes again. Refusing to speak. Erik sat the bowl beside the bed; and sat with her.

"I know it hurts." Erik told her; even though he was not sure if she was listening. "The pain will pass soon; and you will be back to your old self. Until then; Karen; please eat." She shook her head again. Speaking not a word. Erik stroked her hair slowly; until she moved away. "Iris is to be buried tomorrow. Do you want to go by the cemetery?" She shook her head. "Alright. Do you want to talk to Meg?" She shook her head again. "If you do want anything. You'll tell me right?" There was a pause; no movement from her. Then she nodded. He leaned over to her and kissed her. "I love you." He waited a few minutes; as if she were going to reply; but when she didn't; he got up and left her be. A few minutes later he heard his music box. He got up to see her stairing at it; as it played Masquerade and the cymbals hit each other. He hated not being able to help her; she wouldn't talk to him; she wouldn't let him try to be there. All she wanted was to be by herself.He saw her glance at the bowl; considering wether or not she was hungry enough; finally denying it and returning to the monkey. He wanted to be able to take her pain away; he wished he could. Her eyes closed; and soon she was lulled to sleep by the monkey.


Meg appeared after Karen went to sleep. She was thigh deep in water, but came anyway. Erik was reading a book when he looked up and saw Meg.

"How is she?"

"Terrible." Erik replied sadly. "She won't talk to me. She hasn't eaten since yesterday at breakfast; and she just recently fell asleep." He stood to find Meg a towel to dry off with. "I hate seeing her like this."

"I know." Meg replied. "Seeing Iris the way she was; it's no wonder that she won't leave the room. She didn't have her arms; and her eyes. Erik, her eyes were frightening. All we can do is try to help her. Until she gets through this."

"That's why she's staying here." Erik told her. "I don't think she'd be able to take the pity of the Ballet girls; or the reporters trying to interview her. I think she just needs to be away from the rest of the world." Meg nodded in agreement.

"This would be the best place." She told him. "She will be able to stay in bed. No one will bother her. Everyone thinks she's two towns over with her man." Erik listened to her as she went on. "Mother even said this would be best for her." Meg and Erik walked to the arch that lead into the bedroom where Karen slept.

"She hasn't said a word since this morning." Erik told her.

"I'd give her a few days." Meg spoke up. "It's normal for her to be depressed after seeing her sister like she was. I'll come back in a week. That should give her a while to accept it." Erik nodded and escorted Meg back to the mirror. When he came back Karen's eyes were open and she was stairing at the monkey. It wasn't moving; or making any noise; but she was watching it.She bursted out into tears; Erik went to her side and sat with her; stroking her hair.

"Would you mind." He started. "If I layed with you?" There was a pause; and then she shook her head, showing him that she didn't mind. He layed on the left of her; and held her in his arms. "Meg came by while you were sleeping. I told her you were sleeping; and she asked how you were doing. Are you feeling any better?" She shook her head. She held onto his shirt and wanted so badly to sleep through it; she wanted it to be all a bad dream.

"I hate this.." She cried. "I want it to be a dream. I want it all to end.." He held onto her and cooed her.

"I know..I know.." He brushed the side of her face; catching a few loose tears. "Are you sure you don't want to go to Iris's funeral? There won't be many people. I think she'd appreciate it if you went." Karen remained silent; as if trying to decide wether or not she should go.


The next day; Karen wouldn't speak to him. But she sat in the bed as if she was thinking; she suddenly rose from the bed and stumbled due to laying down for so long. But then walked into the main room while Erik was playing the organ. He stopped playing and looked at her; waiting for her to either move; or speak.

"I want to go." She spoke. "I owe it to her." Erik nodded; and she went to change into something appropriate for the occasion. A long black gown with lace around the breasts. Erik escorted her to the boat; and made sure she stayed dry. When they got to the mirror; they saw Meg waiting in Christine's room. She too; was wearing black.

"Hello Karen." She spoke softly; trying not to upset her. Karen nodded; showing that she knew Meg was there; and the three of them left for the cemetery. The blond girl walked infrount; letting Erik and Karen speak among themselves. Erik kept her calm; he kept her from breaking down; and tried to put a smile on her face. But her face was set in stone; the unhappy expression was engraved in her face; and she felt it would never change. Meg stayed behind until they got next to her; they all walked in a line; and they tried to make her feel better.

Karen's skin was pale; and she was always cold. Erik put his cape around her; thinking it could have helped; but it didn't much. She kept it on though. They got there just as they were finishing filling her grave. Her tiny tombstone poked out of the snow; and her coffin was no longer visible. The grave-diggers left; Karen, Erik, and Meg walked to Iris's grave. Karen felt herself growing colder; and her heart breaking even further. The pain was too real to be a dream. She ran her hands over the tombstone; wiping the snow off it to see Iris's name. Meg had her hand on Karen's bare arm; and Erik had his hand on her shoulder. Ready to help if she needed it. She staired blankly at the burial site for what seemed like hours. Letting the wind whistle around her; and the snow drop on her cold-as-death face. It was true. Iris was gone; and she was never coming back.

She started crying. She fell forward onto her plot and cried. Meg and Erik were there; but she couldn't feel them. She felt numb; but she knew they were trying. She cried for her sister; she cried for the life that was taken away; and she cried because; a sister is the only loyal person someone can count on when everyone else is dead. Karen could have easily been lied to by Erik and Meg; but she always knew that Iris would never, ever, lie to her.


so sad. Reveiw!