Eric lay on the pile of blankets, his fever had finally broken but he was still really weak.

The room door unlocked. Eric struggled to sit up before the two disgusting men came in. "Time to start work." The bigger man commanded. Eric glared at the man "get up!" He screamed grabbing Eric's shirt pulling in him up.

Eric gasped feeling a stabbing pain in his broken toes.

The man threw the bag on Eric's head leading him somewhere.

He could feel cool night air on his hands, the atmosphere smelled of popcorn, and baked goods. Eric could hear people talking and children laughing he was not comfortable with all this.

The man threw Eric into something that felt like bars. "If you screw this up." The man whispered into Eric's ear before hitting him.

Eric listened for what was going on. Suddenly a trumpet sounded. "Lady's and gentlemen! Come feast your eyes on a true demon from hell. This monster has built for the shah of Persia, and served as a master torturer taking people back down to hell with him!"

Eric felt sick. These things were true he did all of this he tried to block out the words.

Now he has resigned in the Paris Opera House haunting everyone, he has kidnapped a beautiful singer keeping her for himself. After trying to kill everyone he was finally caught."

The crowd grew silent except for a few whispers. "Now let's look at the mark of the devil!" He announced ripping off the sack.

Eric exploded tackling the man he wrapped his bony hands around the mans bearded neck squeezing. The other owner of the freak show came to his rescue smashing a steel pole across the twisted side of Eric's face.

Eric stumbled up the cage spinning. People were screaming men were covering their wives and children's eyes. Eric covered his face, falling to his knees. "Get up!" The man who Eric attacked choked kicking him.

"Stop!" a man cried from the crowd. "Why should I?" The show owner mocked, kicking Eric again.

"I'll give you $100 to set him free." The man insisted.

The beating stopped, "150 and you can take him."

"Fine"

Eric tried to stay awake as he watched the man drop down next to him. He was probably in his 50's, Soft blue eyes and silver hair.

"It's ok." He cooed when Eric started struggling. Eric somehow trusted this man letting him help him up on his feet. Eric found himself in a carriage with the silver haired man.

"My name is William Smith." Eric looked up at the man, "Um, Eric." he replied nervously.

"Why am I here?" Eric finally got the courage to say. The older man smiled, "I have an opening for a manager and writer for my new opera house, I thought you might be interested." Eric looked up in awe his icy eyes sparked.

"So you go to a freak show to pick one up, and then choose some monster that almost killed his handler?"

The man chuckled lowly, "I guess that does sound odd."

Eric nodded sarcastically.

"Actually Eric, I was at the opening of Don Juan."

Eric lifted an eyebrow and leaned slightly forward.

"I learned about you and how you managed to run the opera house, when I heard the introduction tonight I knew it could be no other."

"Well Monsieur I am obliged thank you."

The mans eyes sparked, "I searched the stage after the… Incident, and found this."

Eric gasped, his mask the man had his mask. Memories flooded to his head, he was in complete shock.

"Well here we are." William announced Eric looked up at the magnificent stone building.

"It doesn't have an underground lair but it is very nice I think." William chuckled warmly.

Eric hinted a slight smile climbing out of the carriage.

Eric followed the man to a small house to the side of the Opera House, "Will is that you?" a voice questioned from upstairs.

"Yes Marge, come down and meet our new manager."

A little woman came down the stairs she was dressed in a simple dress her black hair was dusted with grey, her smile gave Eric a sense of comfort and security.

"Marge this is Eric, umm?" He gave a questioning look at Eric.

"Destler" Eric announced warmly giving a slight bow with a regained confidence.

Marge gleamed, "Well make yourself at home, I will get you a drink."

Eric thanked her as he sat down on the divan in the living room. "Are you working on a show at the moment?" Eric asked William.

"Yes actually we are casting for Hannibal."

Eric nearly choked on his glass of scotch in shock the same performance that him and Christine first worked on.

"Do you know that one?" William questioned.

Eric nodded and gave him a few of his tips on the show.

The three talked and got acquainted this couple were very like able, they didn't care about his mask or his past. They seemed to see past what everyone saw, they saw him as he was.

"How long have you been in America?" Marge asked offering him another drink.

Eric shook his head. "Only a few weeks."

"Where were you before this?"

Eric hesitated for a moment deciding not to lie to her, "Persia mostly, for the last year I have been in Paris."

"Wow what did you do in the middle east?"

"Studied architecture."

"Excuse me I think I should head off and get a hotel while they are still open." Eric voiced before the two could pry deeper than they had already.

"Nonsense." the couple said "we have a spare room."

"I don't want to put you out." But they insisted leading Eric upstairs.

"Ok darling," Marge muttered, "Who is he, he doesn't have a penny to his name, his clothes are filthy. He is no famous architect or composer."

"Have I told you about the Phantom of the Opera?"

Marge chuckled, "Of course." William tilted his head towards the stairs.

The women's brown eyes widened. "He is a good man, no one has given him a chance to do anything so he had to make due being hidden." he then told her how he had found Eric that evening.

She shook her head in awe.

Eric sat at the desk in the room unable to sleep. He shuffled through the desk looking for some blank paper, and a pen and ink. Finding it he didn't waste a second to begin writing.

My Angel of Music Christine,

Every moment away from you has been like a lifetime, I love you more than anything.

I am in America and just got a job at the Manhattan Opera House.

It has been a living hell but that is over now.

I wish I could have written sooner.

When I get my first pay I will send you a ticket here if you still want me.

Give Rosa a kiss.

Your Love

Eric

Eric smiled sliding the paper into an . He sat up all night thinking of what his life held now.

I couldn't stand Eric being there any more. Please let me know what you think.