Chapter 11: Even Dreams Need Financial Support

Erik was pacing the dark dock side and was growing more and more concerned when there was still no sign of Rose,

"Erik, We don't have time. We need to go" Madame Giry insisted but the former phantom looked at her sharply,

"We go no where until Rose is by my side" he snapped with a firm growl that caused the ballet mistress to sigh... Erik had almost given up hope until he saw Caesar, carrying Rose as he raised towards them before coming to a halt and Erik noticed how his faithful steed bobbed his head whilst neighing in distress as Rose weakly dismounted,

"Come on... Let's go" she murmured but Erik was quick to assist her and handed Caesar's reigns to Madame Giry's daughter, Meg,

"Rose, what's..." he tried but withdrew his hand from her waist after feeling a damp patch and he saw the blood that had coated his hand,

"ROSE!" he yelled as she collapsed weakly and Erik was quick to lift her into his arms before carrying on board the vessel that was waiting for them.

Erik laid Rose carefully onto some piled up flour sacks that Madame Giry's friend was shipping to America,

"Rose, what happened?" Erik demanded as he applied pressure to her wound and watched her wince in pain,

"... The... The vicomte was leading the authorities... He... He thought I was you... There was a gunshot..." Rose murmured and Erik felt himself grow numb as Madame Giry rushed forward with a first aid kit and began tending to Rose's wound and it was very lucky as it was only a flesh wound so it was easily patched up.

Meg was tending to Caesar when Madame Giry came to Erik's side as he looked out at the ocean that surrounded them,

"... She's resting. She should be alright once we reach our destination" the former ballet mistress assured,

"... That boy thought she was me... I gave her my cloak to make sure she wouldn't be cold..." Erik murmured after a long moment of silence,

"It wasn't your fault, Erik. Rose is safe. We all are. That is all that matters" she reasoned,

"He could have killed her, Antoinette" Erik growled firmly, storming away to another end of the ship; Madame Giry gave him a few moments before following after him,

"That's the first time you have addressed me by my first name in years... I am glad. It shows me that you finally realize that we are equal... I guess it is Rose I can thank for that" Antoinette said gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder,

"... She's certainly brought you back to life" she pointed out gently and Erik could only look down sadly,

"And yet I can't love her as I love Christine... I'm not worthy of her kindness or friendship" Erik murmured but Madame Giry smiled at him gently,

"Go... You should be by her side for when she wakes up" she encouraged, giving him a gentle push so that he moved towards the hold before going to be by Rose's side.

~ A Few Weeks Later ~

Rose had walked with a slight limp until her wound had fully healed; It had left a slight scar but nothing too serious. Erik was just happy that she was alive; It was one rare afternoon that she found her masked friend doing some architectural design instead of composing,

"What are you working on?" she asked after entering the small, damp apartment that she, Erik, Meg and Madame Giry had been living in; The landlord had allowed Erik to build a pen in the back alleyway in which Caesar was kept,

"Just... Something that has been lingering on my mind" Erik brushed off as Rose admired the designs over his shoulder which she placed her hands on causing him to close his eyes contently,

"Erik... These are amazing... Is this a theme park of some kind?" she praised and Erik placed a hand over her own,

"Yes... There was a vacant island that I saw when we first pulled into port and... Since then, I have been imagining a place in which people like myself can live without fear. Where they can display what makes them unique and people will love and applaud them for it" Erik explained as Rose sat down beside him,

"Erik, this is an amazing idea! We should make this idea a reality" she encouraged,

"An idea like this would cost a very high amount of money" Erik grumbled but it was his statement that caused Rose to have an idea.

A young man sat at his desk whilst reviewing the documented business proposal that Rose had presented to him,

"Hmmmmm... And who did you say you represented again?" he asked curiously,

"Who do I represent?..." Rose repeated aloud and thought of how Erik's location and identity still had to remain a mystery or the Parisian authorities would surely track him down... A mystery... Mystery... Mister... Y... Mister Y,

"I represent Mister Y. A great architect as well as composer. He has come to New York in hopes of making his idea of this new age theme park into a reality. The money he has currently he wishes to keep aside so that he might begin searching for employees. This loan would supply the funding so that beginning can begin immediately if granted" Rose explained and the banker gave a thoughtful hum,

"... I see. Well I agree that this is a very intriguing idea... But before I grant this loan. The bank will need collateral" the banker explained and Rose nodded in understanding,

"Yes... I do have this necklace. I've had it a long time but... It does have a diamond set into the frame" Rose explained, removing the necklace before handing it over and watched the banker examine it with a magnifier,

"Indeed... This is definitely a real diamond... And I suppose that the designs are promising... Very well" the banker agreed before applying a granted stamp to Rose's business proposal and wrote out a cheque for $10,000,000 and Rose could only smile brightly before thanking the banker over and over again.

Erik was stunned when looking at the cheque which Rose had presented to him,

"I can't believe you did this for me" Erik murmured,

"I believe in this idea, Erik. I need you to have as much faith in yourself as I do" Rose told him before hugging him gently,

"All we need to do is start looking for sponsors to fund the park so that we don't get in trouble with the bank... Madame Giry and Meg can oversee the progress of construction" Erik reasoned as he hugged Rose back and she looked up at him curiously,

"What are you and I going to do?" she asked,

"You and I are going to find people whom have suffered as I have... We are going to build up the community that will live and thrive within the grounds of Phantasma" he told her with a smile that Rose easily matched.

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Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996