Chapter 8
"Erik!" She yelled. Did you have to yell? My head hurt from when I was hit in the head by Maxwell. As soon as Hazel had left, I did my disappearing act. Maxwell stared around the room trying to figure out where I was hiding. Quickly, I ran up behind him and grabbed the gun from his hands. For a few minutes we wrestled around the lair; in the process, knocking mostly everything on the floor. When I was about to punch Maxwell in the face, he brought his fist around and knocked me pretty good in the side of the head.
I was dazed for a few seconds, but quickly recovered. As soon as I saw the chance, I knocked Maxwell to the ground and kicked in the head just hard enough so that he'd be knocked out. After I was sure he was out cold, I grabbed the luggage; mine and Hazel's. When I made it outside, I walked a few blocks and found where I hid my horse, Accipitrem De' Nocte (Hawk of the Night). He stood there hooked up to the carriage I had "borrowed" and ready to go. I tossed the bags inside and took off to find Hazel.
"Please no more yelling, Hazel." I said. She looked down at her feet. "It's not you, Hazel. Come, we must leave now." Silently, she opened the carriage door and hopped in. As soon as the door was closed, I put Accipitrem into a trot and we began our long journey to Nante. It would take us at least 10 days to reach there. Let's just hope we make it there without running into any problems.
...
I stared out the carriage window feeling very sad to be leaving the place I had lived for my entire life. Goodbye, my sweet Paris. I will remember you forever and always. Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't hold them back. Silently I sobbed into my cloak that Madame Giry gave to me. Memories filled my mind, whether they were good or bad it didn't matter. I knew that this was for the best and thought I should make the most out of it as I can.
My heart stopped when I saw the house sitting upon a hill. It couldn't be, but it was. I sadly gazed at my old home. No, I won't cry over that anymore. I have spent so many years crying about this and I won't take it any longer. Suddenly, I heard a voice from above.
"Hazel, don't cry for us anymore. We are with you where ever you may go."
"My little Hazelnut, follow where your flawless heart may lead you and don't forget that you are a wonderful dancer. Never neglect your practice". My father's voice was completely recognizable.
My mother's voice was very clear. "Hazel, enjoy your little adventure. We will always love you..." I stopped crying at that moment. My lips were shaking and my head was spinning.
"Mo... mother and fa... father, I... love... you too." the words barely poured out of my mouth. I can talk again!
"Erik! Erik, stop the carriage!" I yelled. Suddenly the carriage came to an abrupt halt. The door to the carriage flew open.
"What's the matter, Hazel... you... you just talked?" Erik stammered and I nodded. Don't nod anymore!
...
"Yes, Erik. I can talk again." Hazel said. Her voice was soft and gentle like a butterfly's wings. She was beaming and her eyes were bright with excitement, as well as red from tears. I pulled her into my arms and held her there. My angel can speak and in astonishment, I am speechless! When she finally pulled away, she said "We should be on the way again, I suppose."
"Good idea, Hazel." I replied and we both resumed to our positions. Accipitrem whinnied at me and I knew he was anxious to be moving again, so I took the reins into my hands and we took off down the road. I wonder what got Hazel to speak again, but now isn't the time to ask. She will tell me when we stop for the night.
...
When I woke up, I was lying on the cold stone floor of the secret lair. My head was reeling and when I stood, I had to grab a table to stop myself from falling. Ouch, that fool will pay for taking my Hazel. As fast as my hurting head would let me, I made my way back to where I entered the underground. I walked through the opera house and made my way to the stable.
I walked into the stable yard and asked a stable hand to fetch my horse and saddle it. He quickly nodded and ran to get my horse. I watched as the young boy had trouble saddling my pure bred Arabian. When he was finished, I payed him 2 francs and he ran happily away. I turned and broke into a full gallop. Where I was going was an unforgivable place where not paying a debt would be fatal.