Chapter 8
"Do you need a house-keeper?" Max asked. The dust build up was terrible, and she had bad allergies.
"Why?" Erik asked his body stiffening on the stool. She shrugged her shoulders, feeling a bit uneasy.
"Surely I can't stay in a house that's full of dust! I'll be sneezing and coughing all the time. It'd interrupt an important conversation, even if I were in another room." She said, looking around the room for the third time. He relaxed a little, but was still watching her intensely.
"If I agree, you must not meddle. Only dust the tops of the items. Understood?" Erik asked as he stood.
"I understand."
"Good." He said, sounding a little relaxed. He walked out of the room and began stepping into the boat.
"Where are you going?" Max asked, anxiety filling her voice. "You aren't going to leave me here alone, are you?" He let out an annoyed sigh.
"It won't be for long. I have to go get some things for Christine."
Max glanced around.
"I'll go for you. Give me a list of what you need and I'll go get it." She offered. His shoulders shook as he chuckled.
"You'd run to the police first thing after you get out of here." His melodic voice sounded from behind the mask. Max shook her head furiously, suddenly acting like a stubborn child.
"I have no life out there. My husband is gone. If you let me do this, I could go to my house to let my dog go and gather my belongings. I won't talk to anyone, I swear it. Please, just don't leave me alone!" She could feel tears build up in her eyes and she blinked them back. There was a short but unnerving silence, and she guessed Erik was considering her offer. He sighed again before stepping out of the boat.
"When you come back, say 'Erik, it is I who disturb the waters of your lake! Do not send the siren.' And you will have a safe trip back. Though, if you forget, you will soon only be found at the bottom of this lake. Do you understand?" He asked as he wrote a list on a scrap of paper.
"I do." She replied after realizing he couldn't see her nod.
Erik handed the paper to her and walked over to the magnificent organ. Max read, with difficulty, the childish writing and nodded to herself. She stepped into the boat and slowly began to row to where she guessed the other shore was. It was a long journey, longer than when she swam. After what seemed a lifetime, the boat bumped into the shore and Max hurriedly stepped out, eager to walk again. She felt around for the stairs, for she had forgotten to bring a lantern with her, and clumsily made her way towards the Rue Scribe. Oh no! What if someone sees me while I'm exiting? She thought. She shook her head and continued up the stairway. Finally, the ground leveled out and she had her hands out in front of her. Before she reached the large stone, it opened for her. She smirked as she thought of how Erik could have possible figured out how to do something like that. She glanced down the street before hurrying out and scuttling to the entrance of the Opera Garnier. From there, she walked the familiar way to her house, not caring to take a ride from a brougham.
When she reached her home, she was greeted by an excited Emily. The large dog nearly knocked Max over.
"Emily! Shush! I'm going to let you go, okay?" She said as she filled the bowls with some meat and water. She walked into her room and found a large case she could use to carry her things in. She opened her wardrobe and threw all of her clothes into the case then grabbed a brush and hand-mirror. The last thing she put into the case was the picture of William. Then she left her house, leaving the front and back doors open, and looked at the short list Erik had given to her.
"Red ink, paper, a bottle of red wine, and some fish." She read aloud. She looked up and smiled, for the shops were only a little ways away. She counted the francs she had in her own possession and that Erik had given her for the shopping before drawing in a deep breath and making her way to the first shop.