Chapter II.

Second Thoughts and Scary Locals

Why oh why did I decide to fly? Couldn't I have taken a boat or something, or blink like Jeannie. I'm in a big silver coffin just waiting for a problem Tania thought to herself. She was starting to get scared. She really had no idea where to stay, and not a whole lot of knowledge on the French language. Just some words for when people were not nice to her. Remember Cody, your old boyfriend? He never liked when you would fly, and you were always the one telling him it would be ok.. Remember? Oh shut up, I don't want to think about that now.

Yes you do-

"Ladies and gentlemen this is your caption speaking, we should be landing in France in about 15 minutes. Local time is 11:15 pm and the temperature is about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. On behalf of all of us here at Delta, we thank you for traveling with us and we hope to see you again soon. Enjoy the rest of the flight and have a good trip." 15 minutes. She had 15 minutes to come up with a plan. Ok Tania, think think. This is important she yelled at herself. She was still thinking and fighting with herself as she checked into customs and collected her bag, and finally through going into the bathroom for a makeup redo. If she had been paying attention, she would have noticed a man a few years older than her hovering around. Walking to the exit, most taxis were either gone or off duty. "Shit ass wanker fuck head and hole" she muttered hitting the wall. "I could give you a ride" a voice said from behind her. Turning around, there was a guy in jeans and a Led Zeppelin sweatshirt. "Oh no, I'm fine really. I'm just sitting here enjoying the view"

"View of what? A garage? Come with me, the car's just parked down the street. It's no trouble at all." Boy if this doesn't sound like a line that one Ted Bundy would have used, she didn't know what was. She didn't answer and backed up slowly, preparing to run away. Grabbing her by the shoulders, he attempted to pull her in his direction, but not before a whack over the head with a purse sent him stumbling back, momentarily releasing her. Seeing this could be her only chance, Tania ran… Headfirst into a pole.

When she woke up, she was no longer in front of the airport. Oh God, Mr. Crazy serial killer kidnapped me. No, wait.. If he kidnapped me, I wouldn't be here waking up right now. So I'm not with him. But then where am I?

"Good, you finally decided to wake up" came a hevily accented voice from behind her. "Erik, your new lady is awake." Erik? My name isn't Erik. Who's he? Who are you? "Erik" finally stepped into view.

"I got it from here Nadir, you can go now."

"I'm warning you, you better not do anything to this girl. I know she's down here and she's with you, if anything happens, it's your fault." Watching him leave, Erik stepped closer to Tania.

"You better have a good explanation for what you're doing down here my dear. In fact, that's the only reason why you are not dead right now. I figured your story would be one for the history books." So this was Erik huh? Very Charming. Giving him the once over, she saw he was tall. Much taller than she was, he could probably snap her neck in pieces and think nothing of it. He had dark hair that came just over his ears, deep blue eyes that could make the pope swear, and he would be very handsome if he decided to smile, not glare like she was the plague. Completing his face was a white mask covering his right side. Good God now it all made sense! Erik! Mask! Killing! This wasn't some crazy guy off the streets, this was the Phantom!

"Explanation? No, no. None of those. See Mr. um, Phantom I don't know how I got here myself. That's all I can offer you. Last thing I remember is trying to run away from some guy, and then boom, I'm laying here right in the middle of your living room. All I wanted was to come to Paris, track down my father and maybe, just maybe become part of a family again, but noooo that would be something I want, something I would enjoy. Instead I'm stuck here" she huffed staring at a speck on the wall. Erik seemed to shrink in front of her Stuck here. Another one who doesn't want to be with me. He got up and moved over to the organ, back turned so she wouldn't see him cry.

Great look what you did you big oaf! You've gone and hurt his feelings. Go apologize right now, the only person you can actually say you know here and you pull this in his own house. Get going now, GO! She got up slowly and padded over to him at the organ putting her hand on his shoulder softly. Erik shuttered at the willing touch that didn't involve a whip or a belt. "I'm sorry, that didn't come out how I wanted it to. Just try being thrown into this situation and you'd react the exact same way, you just get scared. I don't mind being with you, I really don't. Now you can not talk to me just like you're doing or we can start over here. It's your choice, but I just wanted to apologize." Erik rubbed her hand for a few seconds before getting up, leaving Tania to stare up at him like a lost puppy. "Did I ever say that you could stay here?" he asked, ducking as a pillow whizzed closer to his chest. "I hope so, for your sake. If you don't, I'll hang around by the door and cry all night until the neighbors throw shoes at me." Erik laughed " What neighbors? There's nobody here but me. Besides, that's blackmail."

"Ohh I wouldn't call it that"

"Well I would"

"Call it what you want, do I get to stay?"

"Well, we can't have you teaching Ayesha bad habits about keeping me up all night, so yes you can stay" he muttered before throwing the pillow back in Tania's direction.

"You're letting a poor, scared little girl into the home of the famous Opera Ghost? Oh bless you warden" she said giving him a mock bow.

"I'll let you stay here, but don't think I'll show you how to return from anywhere in the Opera House. I don't trust you enough. You can certainly explore, but if you get lost, you're on your own."

He didn't trust her enough? Just 5 minutes ago she was close enough to remove the mask if she do desired. He confused her, one minute was joking around just as she was, and the next he didn't trust her. "My, we're blunt aren't we?" Erik just stared at the floor. "Well, when the floor is done putting on an art show for you, would you mind telling me where I can sleep?" Silently Erik picked up her bag and brought her to a room. "I'll leave you alone now" he said almost inaudibly, and before she could protest, the door closed and he was gone. "It's not that I don't want to trust you" he whispered to no one "I really do, it's just too much has happened that I can't."