Ok it took forever to write this one, I have really busy and unable to have tie to type you guys the next chapter. Now I finally have found time to get on. I have two people who say they are willing to help me so that is great. Blondeducky77 pointed out that my chapters are short. Yes they are, I just found it easier for me to write shorter chapters, that way it gets to you guys faster and I often go till I meet a good cliff hanger. I have decided though that this chapter will be longer…a lot longer. Oh yah, Catmarie of course you love Meg rolls eyes
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She looked up at him, her breath coming in gasp as she tried to think her dream over. Did she really mean that, had she really fallen in love with Erik? It was hard to believe, no she couldn't it was just a near death dream stirred by strange emotions. But could she forget how safe she felt in his arms?
She looked at him sitting up, he said something about her mom and swimming, but her mind wouldn't comprehend that. Slightly dazed she said 'Sorry, but what did you say?'
All she could see was his dark eyes, she couldn't take her eyes away, it was almost as if she was in a trance. Then she gave herself a soft shake clearing her mind. She tried to stand only to find that her legs were like jelly and she went tumbling down again.
She found herself once again heading face first towards the lake, great, right back where they started. She closed her eyes and waited for the fall, but the hard concrete never came. A strong hand grabbed her forearm and caught her.
The Hand placed her back on her feet. She looked around and found Erik holding on to her, he then turned and brought her away from the lake. Once she was a good distance away he let go of her arm and stared at her. He spoke then his words now clear but it wasn't the same. 'Nothing Important'
Then she thought that maybe he would be angry, they both where soaking wet and the air was cold. But, If he was really mad at her for something he would have just let her drown in the lake. But why had he saved her, then once he saved her he proceeded to mock her. She just didn't get this man.
The cold air again bit at her wet flesh, luckily there was no wind down here. She felt her teeth start the chatter, she tried to stop be holding her jaw tightly together but It didn't work. She looked up to her rescuer and said. 'Thank you Monsieur for saving me'
She watched as he turned around and took a few steps towards the lake. After she was done speaking she watched him shrug his shoulders. How different he was from everyone else. He picked up his mask that she had dropped before turning around. She couldn't help but roll her eyes, everything revolved around his mask or so it seemed. She had yet another question for him 'Why did you save me?'
……:……
She seemed to be dazed, possibly she swallowed too much water. Erik watched her for a moment, under his breath he spoke, it came out louder than expected though. 'I Thought that your mother would have taught you how to swim'
Luckily for him she didn't comprehend it and asked him to repeat it. He told her it was nothing important. He watched as she stood, or at least tried too. She stumbled towards the lake. Her legs looked like jelly and collapsed from under her sending her towards the murky water.
Erik quickly put out his arm out and grabbed her. Once he felt her in his palm he pulled her backwards so she could stand. He turned around and took her away from the lake making sure that she would not fall in again.
Something inside of him asked him why he again saved her. He shrugged it off and told himself that he didn't feel like another swim. He turned around to face her and behind her he saw the white mask still on the floor.
He walked foreword past Meg and towards the shore. He heard Meg give her thanks, he shrugged his shoulders it had not been anything much. Anyone would have done it, then again he wasn't an anyone.
He leaned down and picked up the mask. For a moment he stood there staring down at it. He let his hand graze over the top. His mask was his only thing that gave him pride. Many new the mask and feared it. It gave him a sense of power, without it he was weak. He turned around when Meg asked him why. He answer had already been thought up. 'I was in your debt, Plus I would not being doing your mother any favorers by watching you sink to the lakes bottom.'
He notice her body give a big shiver, it was only then that he noticed that she was cold….very cold. Her lips where turning blue and her teeth clattered together. He on the other hand was not cold. He never was cold. He had groan immune to most cold temperatures.
Erik knew that he had some clothing in the back, taken from the stage. One of them she might like, he turned his back to her and walked a few feet before saying 'Come, I have some extra clothing in the back.'
He began walking towards the room, he glanced over his shoulder once to see if she was fallowing. She was close behind him. He took her down the long hallway until they came to double doors, they where rather large and made of the finest wood. Erik put his hand on the door and it swung open to revile a room with a large dresser in it. There was other things that Erik had gathered over the years in there also. He spoke to her voice once again returned to its state of emotionless 'You shall find clothing in there, You can go threw the stuff till you find something that you like'
He left her there to change out of her cloths. He walked away quickly disappearing into darkness. He had made his way to his room. Silently he slipped inside and closed the door. He changed himself into different clothing, this time his shirt was a deep red and he had replaced the gloves and jacket once more. He then came to the appearance of The Phantom once again.
After he was fully dressed Erik comes out of his room locking the door behind him. He Then makes his way into the main room with the organ. He sites down in front of the Organ his hands lightly run over the keys without making a sound.
……:……
She looking in aw at the great room before her, it really took her breath away. Hesitantly she walked inside the beautiful room, her eyes scanning every inch of it, top to bottom. She looked at him as he said she could chose something to wear. If the clothing was as exquisite as the rest of the room, then many of the dresses would be far to fancy for her. She turned in time to see him close the door to the room to give her privacy.
She was right when she assumed that the clothing would be wonderful. There were rows of bright, colorful dresses lining the walls of the closet. How would she ever find something in all this? Well it was always fun to look, even thought many of the dresses she would never wear she could still admire them, right? Of course she could!
It must have taken her about five minuets to find one suitable. Quickly she slipped out of her still wet dress and into the simple powder blue v neck dress that she had found. It had simple lines and a single white silk ribbon that tied around her slim waist. Figuring she had time to waste she spent a few more minutes looking through more of the fancy dresses.
When she finished looking at the dresses, she was about to leave to room when she spotted a full length mirror. It seemed to be the only one not broken, stopping she looked at the mirror, and she saw her self staring back. She smiled at her image she felt pretty, it was nice.
Leaving the room behind she managed to find her way back to the main room. She stopped in the door way and looked around. She soon spotted what she was looking for. He was seated at the bench of the organ not playing, just sitting there. He seemed to be lost in thought and who was she to interrupt him? Not wanting to say anything she just stood there, watching him.
He didn't notice her he just sat there silently. She watched him in silence, what was he thinking? She slowly walked towards him on once more steady legs. Stopping right behind him. What was he looking at? She stared over his shoulder at the organ, there was no music on the stand and he seemed to only be stared at the organ as if afraid to play it.
'Monsieur what are you looking at?' Her voice was steady, with almost a hint of humor in it. She would probably scare him, but that could be amusing. After all to say he was yet to be aware of her standing there. How long had he just been sitting there? Interesting. At last she spoke again, sarcasm oozing from her soft voice. 'You know people usually play music when they sit at an organ.'
……:……
Dust had been layered up upon the organs surface, lightly he brushed away at the dirt causing it to fall softly to the ground. Key by key he wiped off the dirt, soon the true beauty of the organ appeared. When the keys where done he blew across the top sending more dust into the air. At once the organ seemed to glow in the rather dusty home.
Erik raises his hands as if to play but he stopped finger tips rested lightly upon the surface. He had last played this organ for the making of Don Juan Triumphant. It had not been played since. He felt the need for its music to split the silent air, but he couldn't find it in himself to play it.
He never knew that Meg was behind him, he had more of forgot her. He for the first time started to think what he was going to do with his life now. Should he return to the life of the Opera Ghost? The Mobs might come after him again, more caution was to be taken if so.
Why would he want to return though? Music…Music was lost to him a thing that had been taken away from him. He didn't know if he could hear Carlotta sing another verse, he would have to end her singing once and for all if so.
Then again where else could he go? This was his home, and yet his prison. Others feared him because he wore the mask. It all was fear for the unknown. The idea drove him mad that people feared him just because of that. That's why in turn he gave them a reason to be scared. He now enjoyed there fears because he asked for it. He sighs and it seems to ripple threw his whole body. He stared at the keys as his thoughts whirled.
He shook his head as he still looked at the keys, he was used to being alone so he had not been waiting for Meg to arrive. When he heard her voice he turned his head sharply to see her over his shoulder. He noticed the humor in her voice as she spoke. He glared up at her not in the mood for joking around, he then stopped and looked her up in down. She had chosen the light blue dress it fitted her well. He turned his gaze away and stood up.
He moved out from in front of the Organ he again glanced down at it before he returned his gaze towards Meg. She spoke again mocking him. Once again his eyes narrowed, she was pushing it. He then took in a breath and calmed himself down his face stayed strait but his eyes show the humor. His Voice spoke quickly throwing back a quick remark. 'You know people usually swim when they jump into a lake.'
Once again he was beginning to get lost inside his own mind with thoughts. He realized that she must have been down here a long time, with the exception of the time when she went to repair her hand. Her mother would have come searching for her by now. He turned his gaze to Meg and asked. 'Where is your mother?'
……:……
He wasn't as surprised as she had wished but still she could tell that she startled him a bit. That was good enough for her. She looked upon his face, well at least half of a face and a mask, she could tell that she had clearly annoyed him. He didn't want to be bothered at that moment. Oh well that was too bad for him.
She glared at him when he remarked on her swimming skills, he went too far with that remark. Bu then how was he supposed to know that she had tried to learn when she was younger. In fact it was her father who had tried to teach her. But how was he to know that after her fathers death she had never tried to swim again. She spoke with an agitated tone. 'I would like to see you try to swim in a corset'
Her voice was no longer playful, It was cold and emotionless much like his voice all the time. She preferred not to think of her father, or her life before she and her mother came to live full time at the opera house. Se watched as Erik let out a amused laugh, it was chilling and made shivers go up her spine but she held her ground.
That was the same year she had began learning ballet. It had been a good way to get her mind off of things. He wanted to know where her mother was… 'She left a note saying that she's in England on business, why?'
Still angered she watched Erik, he seemed quiet amused about her little comment. The way he was thinking made her even angrier, but she held her tongue. Humor was thick in his voice when he spoke 'Don't think they would come in my size….'
She placed her hands on her hips, his humor was in poor taste. She fumed why he went on replying to her own question. 'Because she is not looking franticly for you, I would have thought that she would have come down here looking…I was just hoping the those fool of managers did not fire her or anything foolish like that……….Even if your mothers not here to worry you better be getting back.
She glared at him eyes narrowing even more. He thought he was so funny did he? Well she could be just as 'funny' as him. She was trying to think up something sharp to say back to him when she realized what he had said. So he thought he could just get rid of her like that? Ha, as if.
She still had questions to ask him. Since it seemed that he refused to kill her, it seemed that she was safe to ask all the questions she wanted. Besides how was she supposed to explain this dress? If no one from the opera house noticed that she was in a new dress her mother would surly find it when she got back. 'How do you know my mother?'
……:……
He watched her smirk fade. He had touched a nerve and knew it. When she spoke about him trying to swim in a corset he couldn't help but laugh. He wouldn't ever try to put on a corset let alone swim in one. She seemed angered by his question, well he had been angered too but he had just thrown it back on her. He spoke raising a hand to his face. 'I don't think they come in my size'
She seemed to still be fuming but the curiosity got the better of her. He shook his head and turned towards the boat, she did need to return. Plus her endless questions where getting to him. He spoke quietly in a more slow emotionless tone. He told her that she had to return.
He watched her eyes glare back at him, he still had on his smirk as he waited for something to be thrown back. Nothing came though, she seemed to be reluctant to leave. That would be ok, she was light and would not make that much of a problem. For the moment though he paused as she spoke.
His eyebrow lifted as she asked how he knew her mother. He had known her mother most of his life, from the time that she helped him escape up to he point where she was helping keeping him a secret. His smirk had faded to his thin line that he almost always seemed to have displayed upon his face.
He sighed, she asked so many questions! It was strange how much she was a like and yet different from her mother. He needed to return her before anyone came looking. His voice was quick and had an irritated tone to it. 'Long ago your mother helped me escape from a horrid prison. She lead me here and helped me live without the torment of others.'
Erik watched her standing still, it was obvious that she was not moving. At the very least she was not moving without force. Erik took a few steps foreword closer to her, his eyes narrowed. If he could avoid throwing her in the boat he would. His voice spoke with a more dangerous tone to it. This time not asking but telling her. 'Mademoiselle get in the boat you shall return!' He waited for her response, the look on her face told him that he was going to have to result to force.
……:…….
Meg knew she should stop asking questions, but once more her curiosity got in her way. For as long as she could remember she had been asking too many questions, most at the time at the wrong time. The first time she remembers her mother getting really mad at her was when she was asking too many questions about the phantom of the opera. Funny that now she would be asking him too many questions about her mother.
So he wanted her to get into the boat? Well if he was going to take that tone with her, it was going to get him no were in their little battle of wits. She wasn't done asking him questions. With her face strait she asked another question 'Why where you in prison?'
She watched as he gritted his teeth. Now she was getting somewhere, maybe he would realize that she could not be pushed. Then his emotion changed and he laughed out loud his cruel voice echoing off the walls. He walked up to her, it was then she remembered his grip on her wrist, he had been unable to walk then and he had been weak. He was not weak now……what harm could he do to her now?
For a moment his eyes closed, and when they opened is looked as if she saw the pits of the underworld in his eyes. They burned with hatred, and yet there was pain. Words where thrown at her his voice in a low hiss. 'Why do you think? Why have I been down here all my life, why have I endured hatred from everyone. At least you know that, if not, you are one who does not notice what ever goes on'
He reached out and grabbed her arm, his hand was tight around hers. He began to drab her towards the boat. Once again something snapped in her and made her want to rebel against his strong hold yet again. So he thought he could use force on her again did he? Well this time she was ready for him.
When she felt his grip upon her arm yet again she felt her own anger rising at his inpatients. As she was pulled along she did the first ting that came to mind and sat down. She pulled all her weight down as she sat on the cold grounded and smirked up at him.
This was rather amusing to her actually, to think that she was down here. A place that she had been forbidden to go. Not only that but she was talking to the opera ghost, who was, but a man. Well, she wasn't really taking, for the most part she was just getting him angry. Her voice spoke rather calm 'Monsieur you should really work on your anger…'
……:……
When she did not move he gritted his teeth, she was pushing the wrong buttons. When she asked (yet another) question he laughed cruelly his voice splitting through the air. This girl was clueless to the world, she did not know of the wickedness of men. She did not know that they all judged on appearance and how they tormented ones who where not perfect.
His eyes danced with hatred, memories flashed in his mind. His mother trading him to the gypsies. The cage he was placed into the whip that was brought down upon his bare back….The bag with two holes that he had placed over his head. It was all too much, he let a hissing noise emit from his throat as he reached out and roughly grabbed her arm. His grip was tight but it was not like the one that he had on her that one night. He turned with her still in his arm and started to walk foreword dragging her if necessary behind him. Words where spat out expressing his feelings.
Erik all of a sudden felt his hand being pulled down. He turned quickly, maybe she had fallen. It would have been for her own good. No she had not fallen then she had merely sat down in protest. He watched her for a moment as she smirked up at him.
His gaze did not change from his sullen angered mood. His mouth was in a strait line and the anger seemed to die into nothingness. His eyes once again became unreadable nothing but black holes upon his face. His voice spoke cold and still irritated. 'If you insist on making it this way than shall be it.'
Erik walked over to Meg's side he paused for a moment. Why, for a moment of suspense if you could call it. Still holding onto her arm he pulls up making her come to her feet. With his other arm he rapped it around her waist, then he lifted her into the air she lands upon his shoulder. He then started to walk foreword. He didn't know how she would respond to that, he could really care less. He walked away from the lake this time though. Going in a boat with her like this would not be a great idea.
He heard her shout from upon his shoulder. For the moment he ignored it, he walked towards the long hallway. Stopping for a moment to make sure his keys where in his pocket. Hearing the clanking sound of the keys he walked on.
It was than that she began to struggle, like she suspected it had little effect on him. He just held tight to around her waist so she would fall or he wouldn't lose his balance. Once again he heard her speak. 'You know monsieur, the lake is the other way.'
He chuckled as she spoke yet again. His voice spoke it held the humorous tone again. 'We are not going to the lake….No you have proven to be too difficult for that…I can deal with you in other ways though' What he said was entirely true but the way he said it may have seemed to mean something else. His pace was quick as he turned down another hallway. They passed door after door, for once the hallways was dimly lit lighting there way.
Coming upon a plain wall he stopped quickly. Her weight was thrown foreword but he had been prepared for it placing a foot foreword for balance. He put his empty hand on the wall and slid his hand down it. Meg was facing backwards and was unable to see what he was doing.
The wall the opened like a door swinging inside. Erik stepped inside quickly and the door slammed shut beside them throwing them into darkness. Erik then pulled Meg from off his shoulder and set her down upon the ground with a thud. Erik reached into his pocket and pulled out a small candle. He managed to light it and set it on the floor. The room was full of mirrors and a metal tree stood off to the side.
……:……
She couldn't read his expression on his face. What was he thinking? He did not seem too angry with, actually that was pretty good for him, considering his record. She stared up at him, the smirk leaving her face. He was up to something. All of a sudden he swept down and lifted her off her feet. The next thing she knew she was over his shoulder. She called out 'Excuse me what do you think your doing?'
He ignored her! This was frustrated for her, she kicked around a bit but found it got her no where. Where were they going? All she could see was behind him as she tried to wiggle free of his grasp. She was tempted to punch him, but she had a feeling that would have little affect. She looked at the lake and the boat at the dock. Where was he going? The lake was the other way. Her voice was annoyed, not likening the position she was in. 'You know Monsieur the lake is the other way..'
She felt a fear began to arise with in her. Meg struggled as best as she could trying to get free of his grip, but he only held her tighter. She felt her heart beginning to beat faster, what did he mean he had other ways to take care of her? Where was he taking her?
He found it funny, but then again his humor could be in very poor taste. She tried to crane her neck to see what he was doing when they stopped, but had no luck. Where every they were going the door needed a key.
He put her on the ground, not very kindly. It was dark, she felt fear coming over her. Where was she and why did he bring her here? He then lit a candle and she felt all color drain from her face. It could not be? They were only rumors! But here she was in the room she had heard so much about.
There were mirrors on ever wall, a giant metal tree was in the center of the room. She looked up at him, not trying to stand knowing her legs would not hold. At last she found the strength to speak…ok it was only one word. 'Why…?'
……:……
Erik did not turn to look at her as he set off across the room. He stopped at one of the mirrors and reached down into his pocket and pulled out the key. He reached up put the key into a slot. He didn't twist it, not yet.
He turned to see that Meg's face was pale and she stood there like a deer in headlights. She managed to squeak out why. For a moment his eyes softened, he turned his head away sharply and listened to the sounds from the wall. Not hearing anything he turns again to Meg.
He walks over to her and crouches down. He looks at her his eyes once again emotionless. When he met her eyes he saw much fear for what he was going to do. He was not going to do anything…but he had indeed frightened her. He speaks quickly to her his voice the same as his eyes, but yet they where soft compared to his normal harsh tone. 'Don't worry its just another exit, What ever you do though do not ever come back this way. If you do I may not know for days so do not try to return.'
Erik then stands back to his feet and walks towards the door. He reaches up and twists the key. The mirror slides open to an empty room. Meg would know her way once she got out. He motioned with his hands for her to go.
Erik watched her turn from terrified to angry. Why did he even try? He watched her as she walked quickly towards him her shoulder hitting his chest, what ever she was trying to make a point of it did not go through too well do to the fact that Erik was barely budged by it. It was so typical to do that. He narrowed his eyes at the back of her head as she past.
Erik watched as her form disappeared around the corner. Shaking his head he walked foreword and reached up pulling to the mirror back down. It threw him in darkness. This is how it should always be, him bathed in black shadows.
Sighing he reaches up with his hand and grabbed the key from the door. Then turning on his heels he again makes his way to the other side of the room. Once gain he unlocks secret door and he climbs through to the other side.
Erik quickly ended up in his room again, he walked to the bed and sat down on its side. For a moment he listens but not hearing anything he reaches up and removes the white mask. He laid in his lap a hand lightly rubbing over its surface.
Than his hand reached up and felt over the rotted flesh of his face. The rooms seemed quiet. He was surprised that he even thought of that, it always silent down here. It just seemed different with out Meg. He shook his head and stood up, placing the mask once again upon his face.
……:……
She could have sworn she saw a look of pity in his eyes before he turned from her. Was this going to be her end? Alone in this room with no one knowing where she went? She watched him as he just stood there staring at the wall. What was he doing? Not wanting to get him angry again she just sat there silently. She felt a single tear reach her eye, but she just brushed it away quickly, no she was stronger than that.
He came back to her and explained what was going on. She felt her fear wash away, but in its place anger began to set in. Did he find it funny to make her think that she was going to die, even after she had almost died three times in two days, well she could now make that fore times in two days. Well if this was his attempt to get rid of her he would get a rude surprise.
She stood up she brushed the dirt from the skirt of her dress. Her blue eyes were icy and she said noting as she slowly walked towards the open door. She kept her head help high and before she left; she stopped and looked him right in the eye. As she left the room she ran her shoulder into his chest walking away, yes she knew the way. But this would not be the last time he would have to put up with her, this could be fun…
-Hey I told you this one would be long. This one to all of your surprise has not any cliffhanger then again you could call Meg telling herself that she would return a cliff hanger. I don't know when the next chapter will be up because this is close to where The Role-playing stopped but I will try to make it asap-