I can't believe I haven't updated in soooo long, I apologize to whomever is left reading this. I don't even have a good excuse.
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Chapter 10
Carcer De Somes
Erik stood in front of the Viscount intent on finding a reason to continue arguing. He could not, however, unearth and coherent reason to stay. To say that he did not care was too bold face of a lie for even him to pull off, especially when the Viscount, more than anyone, knew just to what extent that was absolutely not true. He instead simply sighed and motioned to his manservant standing inconspicuously in the corner to fetch his coat. He would not bend to Raoul however. He insisted on his own transportation that would simply follow the Viscount back to his estate, the Phantom refused to be trapped in a vulnerable situation again.
He was almost in disbelief that he was retuning once again to the house of horror. He stared pointedly out of the dark window in his ornate carriage to take his mind off the destination. Just cresting over the trees, he could see the yellow orb of a full moon, gazing down upon the earth in a peaceful meander over the crisp night sky. The thin clouds cast a musty golden haze around God's eye, obscuring the definite lines and transforming the sphere into a distant stage light, setting the scene.
They were only a few hours away and would be at the manor long before dawn, giving the encounter an air of illicitness, arriving under the cover of darkness, Erik was unsure whether this was intentional or not. He glanced in front to the boy's carriage but could not see inside.
Erik lamented his slow loss of stealth, as he needed it less and less. Before he had been nearly omnipotent and very deadly, now he was constantly battle vulnerability and confusion.
The horse's hooves made a satisfying crunch on the gravel roads and the rhythm was extremely soothing to the weary passengers. The masked man fought the pull of the gentle lull. He began again to hum, to fight off sleep. It was another change he noticed in himself, he had never had a problem not sleeping, it was in fact quite the opposite. Now however he dreaded the nightmares he faced when he succumbed to the inevitability of sleep. Morpheus was not kind to him. He reached for more sweet release and as the smoke filled his lungs he began to see everything very clearly.
The moonlight filtered in through the sheer white materials floating over the tall majestic windows. The heavy drapes were pulled aside to let in the night air. The manor had a musty air that lingered in the darker rooms and refused to be exercised. Erik joined Raoul in the gilded room where the young Viscount had already dived into the crystal decanter. He swirled the dark liquid in the glass, making the ice tinkle. Erik sank lightly onto a dark colored chaise and regarded the other man evenly.
"So you say she is dying, why are we not with her now?" he asked scathingly.
The Viscount did not answer. He was fixed staring blankly ahead as if there was no one else present. Finally, after a long moment, he swung his head around to regard his masked visitor.
"You," he started. "You are the reason that I shall never know happiness, that she never knew it. You must drag everyone into your chasm of agony." The Viscount staggered up, swaying with the alcohol. He lunged.
Erik re-acted quickly. He darted aside letting the boy swing harmlessly. However, Raoul continued past and rang a bell near the dark doorway. Servants entered, too many for Erik to hold off in his present state. As he was being apprehended he lamented the loss of his power. Everyone had lost this game.
They dragged him along the ornate halls. He almost didn't care to where. He knew they would kill him; that was the purpose of the visit. Nothing more. He allowed himself to be taken. It wasn't like he had anything left to fight for.
Is there anybody going to listen my story?
All about the girl who came to stay
She's the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry
Still you don't regret a single day.
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Next one will be longer I swear.