Chapter 11- "This Haunted Face, Holds No Horror For Me Now"
The face that stared back at him was unrecognizable. His eyes brimmed under two beautiful shaped eye sockets, past a symmetrically contoured nose, and down two equally shaped cheeks as he smiled with the smile of an attractive man who recently discovered his reflection. He was Narcissus and could not stop grinning; mirrors would never hold fear for him. After about fifteen minutes, Erik turned Dr. Fournier who was admiring his work with a superior grin.
Now having observed every nook and cranny of his face, Erik now explored the contours of his face with his sensitive fingers. The disbelief he experience while touching his face filled him with a joy that he could not express. He longed for his organ to write sweet symphonies conveying this new feeling.
Dr. Fournier handed him his mask, "Everything is healed beautifully, I don't think you will need this anymore." Erik took the mask and stared at it. The empty shell seemed to shrivel in front of his eyes. He almost instinctively put the mask back on his face. Dr. Fournier raised his eyebrows.
"I want to surprise Isabelle," Erik said decidedly, "I don't think she will recognize me."
"She will, but I must say you are quite improved. She'll be happy for you." Erik shook the doctor's hand tightly, unable to express his gratitude. He walked out with his mask on, barely able to contain his glee. Isabelle was sitting in a chair her hands tightly folded with anxiety. When she saw him she stood up quickly and then lost courage as she walked towards him. She looked so frightened when she saw his mask on his face. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she whispered in his ear,
"Oh Erik I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry that I made you go through this. It doesn't matter, it doesn't! Just, take this stupid thing off."
Before Erik could resist stopping her, Isabelle ripped off the mask and dropped it in shock. She nearly fell over before Erik grabbed her to stabilize her. She shrugged him free backing up as she observed his face with an open mouth. Erik tried his hardest not to smile but he could not control himself and his perfectly proportioned grin beamed across his face as Isabelle cupped her hands over her mouth.
"I cannot believe…" she began to shake with her overwhelming feelings. She did not know whether to cry from happiness, fear, or anger. Her happiness for his new life, her fear that he now wouldn't need her and her anger that he had lied to her, all these emotions added to her expression.
Erik seemed to understand her reaction for he approached her and put his hands on her face. She melted at his touch but remained resolved to be a little angry at him. She pushed him again and tried to walk away, he grabbed her again but she slapped his hand away and walked towards the door. He put his hand on the door so she couldn't open it. Isabelle shrieked but he would not move. Finally she faced him,
"What Erik! What do you want from me now? You got what you want; you're… completely and utterly attractive. We're both frauds though, we both know how homely we are inside and yet we will fool people for the rest of our lives. I haven't changed Erik, I'm still the same frightened girl I was years ago. I care about you more than I have ever cared about anyone but I don't know if I can be yours anymore. Now that… you'll have your pick of women and I can't… I can't live with you always wondering. I'm leaving. You look…" she walked up to him and placed a faltering hand on his cheek. She smiled and kissed him deeply. They shared a passionate embrace but then she pulled away.
"You are the most attractive man I've ever kissed, Erik… and you are also the most unattractive…" she turned to look at him on last time, "don't follow me Erik, spread your wings, find me if you need me. Otherwise, you know where I'll be. Just… don't forget the man you are." With that she left Erik standing there are she went out the door and turned around the corner.
Erik tried to run after her but somehow, she was gone. He held the mask in his hand and looked around the city. The city breeze blew on his face; he looked up into the sun and felt the warm rays on his cheek. Where was he to go now?