Chapter 22: Sheltered

Erik had been right to close Phantasma early before putting it into lockdown as all his employees took shelter within the concert hall and the former phantom smiled as he saw Claire preparing various mugs of tea, coffee and hot chocolate for the little ones.

Claire went around handing out blankets so people could stay warm due to lighting having cut the power which resulted in the employee's children crying out in fear and Erik sighed,

"Gangle with me" he instructed before going off to check the fuse box; Grumbling when he discovered that they had been fried and Erik knew that they wouldn't be able to be repaired until the storm died allowing him to send someone to the mainland for new parts,

"It looks like we're gonna need to survive on candle light for the time being" Erik sighed, closing the fuse box and returning to the main auditorium and couldn't help but smile when he found Claire and Antoinette dancing with the children in order to make them feel better during the storm.

Meg sat away from the crowd; She reminded herself that she didn't deserve to sit with them... Not after what she had done but that didn't stop Claire from going and sitting by her side and presented her with a mug of hot chocolate,

"Extra marshmallows" she told her gently as Meg reluctantly accepted it with a sad expression before murmuring a quiet thank you and Claire gave a sad smile,

"... I miss my son everyday" she murmured causing Meg to look at her quickly with a guilty expression as tears began falling down her face,

"Claire, I am so sorry" Meg told her quickly but Claire gave her hand a reassuring squeeze,

"Meg, it's alright... We all become angry and frustrated now and again... It just seems that you were strong for so long that... You just couldn't take it any more" Claire told her with an understanding tone causing Meg to give a sad sniffle,

"I... I do not deserve your kindness, Claire... What I did was awful... I have no doubt that Erik will banish me from the isle once this storm breaks... It is less than what I deserve" Meg said but Claire gently brushed away her tears,

"Don't worry about, Erik. I shall calm him down... I'll talk to him about returning you to the chorus line but I can't make any promises but I can assure you that I will not let him throw you off this island" Claire vowed before giving her a comforting hug.

Claire was as good as her word when she discussed the matter with Erik the next morning; It had taken some time but it was after the storm had finally broken that Erik calmed down. He refused to return Meg to the chorus line but instead agreed to place her in the role of a costume girl and Antoinette agreed that this was a suitable result after her daughter's actions.

It was also that very same morning that a stranger arrived in Phantasma... A man by the name of Darius Dufour. Of course he was only a stranger to Claire, Meg and Antoinette but not to Erik. It was Darius whom had helped Erik with the establishment of Phantasma but Claire couldn't help but feel like a timid mouse standing before a cobra waiting to strike as Erik introduced them both,

"My apologies for my being late, Erik but the storm prevented my returning on time" Darius explained,

"Not a problem, Darius. How was your business trip?" Erik asked,

"Profitable. I have once again obtained a new sponsor for Phantasma that shall keep us going for the next three seasons until their contract is renewed" Darius informed him proudly which caused Erik to feel the same as they began to discuss the details.

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TheAuthor1996