Chapter Thirteen

A few days later, Leah was huddled in front of her small brazier. She had wrapped a blanket around her thin nightgown and tucked her feet into warm slippers. For once in the past week or so, she was almost relaxed. Victor had woken up that day, and was doing much better. The path to the door was almost cleared away and they would begin production again tomorrow.

Leah felt her eyes wanting to close and did not refuse them. She hovered on the verge of sleep for a moment or two, and thought she should move, at least to her bed. Sleeping in a chair was not the best thing for her back or neck.

She slowly got to her feet and shuffled towards her bed. A sudden draft chilled her and she frowned. Her window did not let in that much air. She heard a soft creak behind her and narrowed her eyes.

Leah bent her knees slowly and felt around the end of her bed. She came into contact with a length of solid wood and Leah wrapped her hand around it, keeping it hidden under her blanket. She straightened just as slowly, keeping her back to the rest of the room.

"Good evening my sweet," The Phantom's voice came from behind her, closer than Leah had thought.

Leah turned slowly, keeping her makeshift weapon out of sight. "Good evening," she said, keeping her voice calm.

The Phantom was standing near her mirror, dressed in a clean black suit, his blond hair falling over the collar of his dark cloak. His dark eyes shone with an odd light and Leah thought she could see madness deep within them.

"And how are you doing tonight my dear?" He asked, sounding genuinely curious.

"Just peachy," she said vehemently.

"What ever is the matter my sweet?" His voice was as sweet as poisoned honey.

Leah glared at him, saying nothing. She was a little surprised that the sight of him did not inspire fear anymore. His handsome face hid a twisted mind and his charming little grin made her hate him even more.

He walked forward, holding his hand out as if inviting her to join him. "I have come to reward you for being such a good little girl," he said.

"Oh really?" Leah asked sarcastically. "Well, I happen to have a gift for you as well."

The Phantom smiled, looking pleased. "Do you now? And what might that be?"

Leah curled her finger at him. "Come closer," she said invitingly.

Barton's smile widened and his eyes sparkled. He stepped closer to her and Leah suppressed a grim smile. "Now close your eyes…"

He did as she ordered and stuck his face out a bit, as if expecting a kiss. Leah let her lips stretch into a humourless smile as she lifted her arms back, raising the bat. She swung hard and struck the Phantom in the side of his head with a delightful crack, sending him sprawling across the floor.

He hit the ground hard, blood dripping down his neck from the gash in his skin. He put a hand to it and stared at the blood on his fingers. Ever so slowly, he raised his head to look at her, eyes narrowed dangerously. He uttered a loud growl of pain and rage and leapt to his feet.

Leah pulled the stick back, ready to hit him again. But when she swung, he ducked and caught the wooden bat, pulling it from her grasp. Leah backed up quickly, bumping into the desk chair behind her. Turning, she lifted the heavy chair and threw it at him. Thankfully, he was very close, for she could not throw it far. It knocked him to the ground again, breaking on impact.

Leah ran for the door. She managed to unlock it before she felt a heavy weight slam into her back, knocking her head against the solid wood door, stunning her. A hand wound through her hair, pulling her away from her escape. Blood ran down her face and her forehead stung where it was cut.

"Now," the Phantom growled into her ear. "That was not a very nice gift, now was it?"

Leah jabbed her elbow into his stomach, freeing herself from his tight grip. He staggered back, and then dove at her, once more blocking her attempt to flee. They fell to the ground and the Phantom tried to hold her down in one place. Leah fought back and cursed him, barely noticing where his punches were landing.

She managed to get her leg free and kicked at his knees and dug her knee into his stomach. He leaned back enough and she got her arms free and pushed him off of her. They both struggled to their feet, bleeding from numerous places. The Phantom had his back to the door, effectively blocking it. He was looking at her with a puzzled look on his face.

"You are not afraid of me," he said to himself, sounding pleased.

Leah narrowed her eyes, misinterpreting his tone. "Does that bother you?" She all but hissed, throwing whatever she could reach at him. "Can you not handle me when I am not afraid? I bet you would love it if I was scared!" She punctuated her sentences with thrown books and vases, and even her boots that she found. She could see how angry he was getting, but it did not matter. He was right. She was not afraid.

"I bet you would just love it if I were to start screaming and whimpering. Oh please," she said in a simpering voice. "Do not hurt me, I am ever so afraid!"

He had gotten very close to her, faster than she had noticed. He reached out and smacked her across the face, hard. She fell back and hit her head on the ground, white stars exploding across her vision. Leah's mind wanted to sink into darkness, but she fought to keep conscious. She rolled onto her side, seeing the big black boots stomp towards her. They were standing right in front of her face and Leah spat on them, more blood than spit.

The Phantom drew back and kicked her in the face and her mind gratefully sunk into the quiet black depths of unconsciousness.


Leah awoke a short time later, cold air on her skin rousing her from her comforting sleep. Without opening her eyes, she knew that she was not in her room anymore. She felt the gentle rocking of a boat on water, and the confirming splashes of an oar or maybe a pole pushing the watercraft ahead.

Leah felt goosebumps rise on her skin and she felt clearly every rip and tear in her thin nightgown. Her skin was wet, from blood or water, she was not sure. She listened carefully, but could not hear anything that could reveal her location. Very slowly, she opened her eyes a crack. She saw the Phantom's wide back, using a long pole to pull the heavy boat forward. She was lying in the bottom of the boat, near the back end.

She carefully shifted around, but felt no chains or ropes binding her. Above her was a damp ceiling, and she was sure it was the same ceiling that had been above her the last time he had taken her away. There were pillars everywhere, thick ledges encircling them at the water's level.

Leah turned her eyes forward again, watching and loathing the person in front of her. The Phantom rowed on, not looking back once. She sat up slowly, but the boat did not even shift with her movement. She waited, but Barton did not look anywhere but ahead.

Leah put all her weight onto her hands and lifted up, pulling her legs underneath her. Her arms grew tired quickly and she lowered onto her legs, and slowly lifted her hands. Still the heavy boat did not wobble and Leah began to hope. She stood up fully, using all of her grace and balance to keep still. Leah could not let the Phantom see her like this, she could not handle another fight.

The Phantom was amazingly oblivious, and did not notice her. She waited until they passed close by a pillar and Leah, very carefully, stepped from the boat onto the pillar's ledge. The pillars were all in straight lines, and everywhere she looked, everything was the same. She did not know how she would get out of this place.

Leah lowered herself so that she was seated on the ledge and slowly put her legs into the water, creating as little ripples as possible. The water was icy and Leah winced. She slipped into the water up to her neck, the coldness numbing her limbs. She heard splashing ahead and to her left and held her breath.

"LEAH!" The Phantom roared. "Where are you! Get back here! DO NOT make me chase you down you stupid girl!" The anger in his voice terrified her.

Leah ducked under the ledge, the water level just under her nose. She heard the Phantom pushing the boat past her ledge. She flinched as he yelled.

"I will make you regret the day you were born if you do not show up THIS INSTANT!" His angry voice echoed through the immense chamber.

Leah pushed herself through the water and watched the boat disappear. She swam after it, keeping close to the ledges, the ripples of her movements disguised by the larger ones made by the boat. The Phantom would go towards the way out, thinking she had escaped, and ironically, he would lead her to her escape.

She tried to keep as close to the retreating boat as she could, but the water was very cold and her limbs were getting sluggish. She swam from pillar to pillar, keeping out of sight and slowly growing very tired.

Eventually the Phantom got too far ahead and Leah lost sight and could not hear his curses or threats anymore. Warm tears slid down her face to mix with the cold water under her chin. She ignored them and kept going in a straight line, hoping she would reach something familiar. She swam for a long time, every so often climbing out of the water to rest on a ledge and thaw out her body.

Off to one side, in a completely different direction than she had been swimming, came faint noises, coming closer to where she was. Leah quickly slipped back in the water and hid behind the pillar. Soon, too soon for her comfort, the Phantom came gliding into view, his face almost burgundy in anger.

Leah took a deep breath and sunk underwater. The cold water enveloped her everywhere and her breath was tight in her chest. She waited for a long time, giving the Phantom lots of time to sail far away from her. She waited until her body cried desperately for air and then resurfaced, gulping at the cold, damp air.


Hours later, Leah was ready to give up. She had swum in every direction and did not reach anything that looked like an exit. She was afraid to stay out of the water very long, the Phantom might come around the corner at any minute. Her legs had gone completely numb long ago and nothing she did could warm them. Her fingers felt solid and twice their normal size. And she was tired, so very tired.

Leah rested against a pillar, her hands like clamps on the ledge. She clung to it and let herself float, closing her eyes and decided to rest. Just for a minute.


The next morning, the Opera House doors were opened for the first time in a week. The managers were first inside, barking orders and issuing commands, Madame Giry at their elbows ready to give them her reports and updates. The rest of the workers poured in after them, eager to get out of the cold. Jim was one of the first ones inside, eager to speak with Leah. He had heard what had happened to the Tenor and hoped that she would be willing to accept his apology. He should not have accused her the way he did, it was her new friendship with the Tenor that had been bothering him.

Jim ran lightly up the stairs and down the long hallway to her room. It was still early, she would probably still be asleep. He knocked on the door, listened, and heard nothing. He knocked again, louder, and called out; "Leah? Are you awake? It is me, Jim."

Nothing. Nothing moved within her room. Jim frowned, maybe she had spent the night somewhere else? The dormitories maybe? He knocked once more and tried the handle. It was unlocked, and Jim's frown deepened. He opened the door and saw nothing, no lights were lit.

He reached for the small table and lit the lamp, turning it up high. And almost dropped it.

If Leah had looked around her room before being kicked to unconsciousness, she would have recognized that her room echoed Carlotta's room, only much worse. It was a mess. Tables were overturned and broken, her chairs were smashed, bed linens and blankets ripped. There was broken glass and shattered vases everywhere. And there was blood splattered on everything, soaking into the torn rugs on the floor.

Jim's face was drained of all colour and he took a deep breath, suppressing his fear. He let his anger bubble up and pushed away his fear for her. He took a couple steps into the room and looked around as much as he could without disturbing anything. The bathing chamber was untouched, and Leah was nowhere to be found. She was gone.