Ghastly Familiar

By BeckyLynnetteCohen

Disclaimer: I own Anna Maria, Samantha, Jean Claude, Sydney, and Savannah. That is it.

Chapter 15: 3 years later.
Anna Maria pulled up to the familiar location, throwing her sunglasses down on the dashboard of the Aveo. Glancing at the trimmed lawn and the cars in the driveway, she remembered all the hard work she put into the house and particularly a certain skinny man with a half mask. Driving around the side of the house she noticed the window to the music room was completely covered in black. Sighing, she parked the car along the side area and got out.
"I hope this works...." said Anna Maria, mostly to herself.
Quando sono sola
sogno all'orizzonte
e mancan le parole,
si lo so che non c'è luce
in una stanza quando manca il sole,
se non ci sei tu con me, con me.
Su le finestre
mostra a tutti il mio cuore
che hai accesso,
chiudi dentro me
la luce che
hai incontrato per strada. Time to say goodbye. -- Con te partirò.
Paesi che non ho mai
veduto e vissuto con te,
adesso sì li vivrò.
Con te partirò
su navi per mari
che, io lo so,
no, no, non esistono più,
it's time to say goodbye. -- con te io li vivrò.
"Noveux." said a voice from behind her.
"Please let that be who I think it is...." said Anna Maria turning around.
"If you hope it's Erik, then you're dead wrong." said the man.
"Nadir...."
"Erik's alive.... barely." said Nadir.
"Oh...." said Anna Maria.
"He's been asking about you." said Nadir. "Before I wrote you, did you ever plan on coming back?"
"God, a million times." said Anna Maria.
"Why didn't you?" said Nadir.
"Sydney got sick and passed away.... and then school.... and then Savannah's car accident.... it's been a lot to deal with. And I didn't know where to write..." said Anna Maria.
"I'm sorry to hear about your parents, Anna." said Nadir.
Anna Maria winced a little at the usage of her own name. "C-can I see Erik?"
"Of course." said Nadir. "He's currently resting at my estate."
"Want me to drive?" said Anna Maria.
"If you would." said Nadir.
"Watch your head." said Anna Maria.
Anna Maria and Nadir drove off in silence. Upon reaching Nadir's huge house, Nadir let Anna Maria inside.
"I've gotta get back to work, but Erik's upstairs in the first door to the left." said Nadir.
"Thanks, Mr. Khan."
"Nadir, Anna Maria." said Nadir.
Anna Maria winced again and walked inside and up the stairs and knocked on the door.
"Khan, what have I told you about knocking?"
"Um... it's not Nadir..."
"A-Anna?" said Erik.
"Hi." said Anna Maria "Anna.... my Anna...."
Anna Maria walked over to Erik's side and he grabbed her tightly.
"I love you.... I missed you so much." said Erik.
"I missed you too." said Anna Maria, her eyes tearing up.
"Oh, Anna, honey, don't cry, sweetheart." said Erik, brushing Anna's tears away.
Anna Maria looked at Erik and took in how gaunt he actually looked. He looked as though he hadn't slept in weeks and he was skinnier than the last time she saw him.
"Ok, catch me up to speed, babe. Did you finish your Music Education stuff?"
"Yep... A little later than I would like to, but that's because Sydney got sick. He passed away two summers ago."
"Oh, Anna... I'm so sorry." said Erik.
"I hate to sound like an annoying infomercial... but.... WAIT! There's more! Savannah got into a severe car accident and let's just say she didn't walk away from it...... So yeah, the last 3 years have been hell for me."
"Baby, I'm so sorry."
"Erik, I just want you to be ok. When Nadir wrote to tell me that you were sick, I freaked. I don't want to lose the love of my life too."
"You won't. You're with me again, so I have a will to live again."
"I'm here as long as you need me to be."
"Forever then?"
"Clothes are in the car...."
"You're amazing Anna!"
"I don't think so but eh... sure... So how's life with you? Other than the being sick and all.... obviously."
"I've been good.... Kinda miss the singing you and I used to do. I keep thinking of the last song you sang.... That one goodbye may seem forever song....."
"I hate that song cuz it makes me cry."
"I know the feeling."
"Speaking of feeling.... Are you up to singing or..."
"Anna, I'm the Phantom of the Opera.... of course I'm up to singing."
"I know stupid question, right?"
Erik and Anna Maria both laughed.
"Nothing's changed has it?" said Anna Maria.
"Your hair's gotten longer...." said Erik, "but no, nothing's changed."
"Yeah... I'm still a freakin' blonde..... Sydney wouldn't let me dye it before he died."
"What color would you dye it?"
"Either a dark brown or red."
"I like your hair blonde. Sydney was right about that.."
Anna Maria smiled. "I figured you'd say that...."
"So what are we singing?"
"I'm not sure yet.... I have CDs in my car but not nearly as much as I do back home...."
"Well then go get 'em!"
Anna Maria gave Erik a glare to which he smirked. "Oh fine."
Erik laughed and kissed Anna Maria's hand. "Hurry back."
"I will." said Anna Maria.
Anna Maria literally bolted to her car, unlocked it, grabbed the case of 72 cds and bolted back into Nadir's house in less than 5 minutes.
"Don't kill yourself trying to hurry back...." said Erik, looking at her as she walked in the upstairs bedroom he was occupying.
"Shove it." said Anna Maria.
"You're not allowed to say that, remember?" said Erik, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Ha ha! That scared the crap out of me you know that right?" said Anna Maria.
"My goal was accomplished then." said Erik, sitting up and patting the bed next to him.
Anna Maria sat next to Erik and hugged him. She had missed him and almost gave up her music education degree because it was too painful to deal with after leaving him. Sydney and Savannah pushed her to keep going and she put a copy of her diploma on Sydney's grave after she achieved her goal.
"So, songs." said Erik.
"Yeah... um...." said Anna Maria.
"I have one I want to sing." said Erik.
"And that is...."
"This one."
Erik leaned over and popped the CD he just stole from Anna Maria's case and found the track he was looking for.

How can i just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace
When i stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me,
When all i can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain and even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now, oh there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face
Ooh take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds and that's what i've got to face
I wish i could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much i need to say to you,
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all
So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face
Now take a look at me now, cos there's just an empty space
But to wait for you, is all i can do and that's what i've got to face
Take a good look at me now, cos i'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance i've gotta take

"Phil Collins.....Hot damn, you are so much better than he is Erik!!!" said Anna Maria.

"Thanks. I'm so out of practice...." said Erik.

"I thought you did fine." said Anna Maria.

"And it's your turn babe." said Erik.

"Can we do one together?" said Anna Maria.

"Depends...."

"You know it."

"It's not Point of No Return again is it?"

"No.... I love that song but no."

"What song?"

"....'All I Ask of You'"

Erik stared at Anna Maria. "You're joking right?"

"No...."

"Ok.... we'll do it, but if I say Christine, don't get pissed...."

"I know...."

ERIK
No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here, nothing can harm you -
my words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry -your tears.
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you . . .
ANNA MARIA
Say you love me every
waking moment, turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .
ERIK
Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . .
ANNA MARIA
All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .
ERIK
Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Iet me lead you
from your solitude . . .
Say you need me
with you here,

beside you . . .
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Annie,
that's all I ask of you . . .
ANNA MARIA
Say you'll share with me

one love, one lifetime . . .
say the word and I will follow you . . .
BOTH
Share each day with
me, each night,

each morning . . .
ANNA MARIA
Say you love me . . .
ERIK
You know I do . . .
BOTH
Love me -
that's all I ask of you . . .
Anywhere you go let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask of you . .

"Annie?" said Anna Maria.

"Eh, it fit." said Erik.

"It did?" said Anna Maria.

"Shut it!" said Erik, blushing.

"Anyway what's next?" said Anna Maria.

"It's my choice right?" said Erik.

"Yep." said Anna Maria.

"I heard this song on an old show Nadir was watching on one of his off days." said Erik

"He has off days?" said Anna Maria.

"Yep." said Erik, "Anyway I really liked it so yeah..."

A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows for Lullabye Bay.
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting,
Waiting to sail your worries away.
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain,
And your boat waits down by the key.
The winds of night so softly are sighing.
Soon they will fly your troubles to sea.
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain.
Wave goodbye to cares of the day.
Watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away for Lullabye Bay.

"You know what's sad? If I ever have kids, I always told myself that I was gonna sing this song as a lullaby to them." said Anna Maria.

"That is kinda sad." said Erik.

"I know..." said Anna Maria, flipping through her CDs.