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A few weeks passed. Erin began wondering-Will it be safe for me to come out?
I met Madame Giry at the Opera House right before rehearsals would begin.
Meanwhile-
Erik's Thought's
Erin asked me to do it-take off that mask that I had hidden behind for so long. She told me I no longer needed it. And she does love me without it! Oh, my dear Erin, you did this for me. You freed me for good! She had left to go upstairs in the opera house.
Back Above-"Erin, my dear. It's good to see you well."
"Yes," I replied, "I apologize for killing Lynette, my mother, but…I had to. Am I called anything negative now?"
"They just call you Erin. Some of the meaner ballet dancers call you the Opera Ghost's Servant, but you're not."
"Am I wanted? Am I safe here?"
"The police don't know what you did. Only the people present at the wedding know, and I suppose that's fair, too."
"Erin," she said, "you don't love being told what to do. What has happened between you and Erik?"
"He finally relinquished his mask. No more masks. None."
"Why?"
"I told him he doesn't need it anymore."
"Erin, enjoy your life, but you have shown your heart. I'm not saying you had a reason to kill Lynette, but she deserved that. She disrespected you and that's one thing you and Erik have in common."
"But my mother didn't fear me."
"I think she did, Erin. She had this sense of your intelligence, your awareness, and she just wanted you to perform like she did. When she pushed you, you pushed back-hard. You grew up on your own. I also believe she was threatened by you-if you weren't in your society; you would end up below everything. And only when you were successful, she offered you a suitor, but never accepted you as a writer. Erin, it was more for her reputation. As we know."
"When Passion is taken off the stage, what will happen?"
"They'll probably move it to other opera houses across Europe. But in three days, it is the final show. Erin, they are going to pay you for it. Your opera. How much? That depends on the managers. But your opera has brought much profit and many tickets. They will call you down during intermission."
"We'll be here and you can see that Box Five is clear. We may use it; we may not. Undecided, still."
"Erin, very well."
Soon it was our gala night. We prepared for our final show. At the arrival, we waited in our box. Then, right before intermission, we headed down to the ceremony.
One of the managers said,
"We are going to introduce the writer and the composer of Passion, Erin Richardson-Chalet Muhlheim and her husband and partner, Erik Muhlheim, or otherwise known as the Phantom."
"Where are they?"
Erin's thoughtsI heard them calling us. Erik didn't seem like he wanted to go out without his mask. He didn't feel ready. But he needed to. I just hope I did what I could. And I said what I thought was necessary to show Erik the truth.
"Erik, you can do this…I'm not afraid of you and you were born that way. It's not your fault. You're no longer the Phantom-you never were to me. You are Erik and that's what I am going to let them see."
Erik's thoughtsFinal Gala night…the final night of our opera, Passion, to be shown for a while in this opera house. Erin told me that I was never a monster or Phantom to her-just a person. Finally, I have what I wanted! To be treated like everyone else!
Erin POV
I walked in first, and Erik, at first, tried to hide. I whispered,
"We are here for our opera."
He stopped trying. I did notice a few people making faces, but we were not here for them.
When we arrived on the stage, the other manager said,
"For a successful opera month, you have earned us so much money! This is your payment of 100,000 francs! This isn't even the whole ticket sales and we've consistently had a full house. We have made much more!"
We accepted the money, but what would we do with 100,000 franc?"
I thought,
I don't know. Much can be done with it.
"Do you know what we
can do, Erik?"
"We no longer have to hide anymore. We can
live wherever we want."
"No-We will always be a part of the opera-no matter what."
I nodded.
"That is why I'd rather stay here, for we'll have money, class, and live."
Erik nodded.
"Erin…" he began, "do you want to stay here? It's very sad and depressing. Do you like it?"
"Erik, I have everything I need right here."
Erik began to sing to me.
You found the man
Behind the monster
The person
Who just needed love?
Secretly, secretly
Oh, Erin
I sang.
Do not fear me
For I see you
Erik went to his organ and just as he was about to play, I heard something.
Feet walking. Police. A few people. Angry mob? No.
"Erik, someone's coming. We have to hide."
"Let them come."
"What if they want to harm us?"
"Erin Richardson-Chalet Muhlheim, come on out wherever you are!"
They were getting close. Should I run? I felt very scared and I didn't want them to find us.
Then, they came.
The main officer said,
"Well, if it isn't Erin and the Phantom of the Opera, the happy couple, and we have been informed that Erin has killed a woman-her mother-Lynette Richardson Chalet. Do you admit to it?"
If I say yes, what would happen/ But no…it was a lie. And I could not lie. At all.
"Yes. I have killed her."
"You're under arrest! Men, grab her!"
For that moment, it was a blur. They grabbed pulling my arms back and I could not move.
Then the chief said,
"Take him with her, too!"
I showed fear for the first time to Erik.
As long as you're safe, I thought, I will live.
That night, Erik and I were thrown in a cell until tomorrow for the trial. He and I lay together on the cot and hoped that we would live after this.
---
The judge said,
"The trial of Erin Richardson-Chalet Muhlheim has begun."
He banged his gavel.
"We also have two witnesses her husband, the Phantom of the Opera had a woman that was present at the wedding, who finally reported this horrible crime."
The prosecutor said,
"Erin, you are charged with the murder of your mother-a horrible
sin. Do you plead guilty to this?"
"I plead guilty to this."
"Before we make a final decision of your sentence, let us call the woman up."
"Erin-she killed her mother in front of the people at the wedding. With a sword. Erin just suddenly stabbed her. Lynette tried to shoot Erik, her husband, and Erin was shot in the arm. But she was still able to stab."
The prosecutor smirked.
"You should have done as your mother told you, you naïve child."
"Erin, is any of this true?"
"Yes, I killed her solely for the reason I wasn't what she wanted and she tried to kill Erik, my husband. She said she would kill me if I got in her way. I just was injured, though."
The judge said,
"We shall discuss your punishment."
"Punishment?"
"You've admitted to killing your mother."
A few hours passed.
"I'm tried for murder and I killed in self-defense. Why can't they see my good? I'm your wife, and that's why they won't let it go."
"For doing such a
crime," the judge said later, "you shall be beaten in public.
Think of it as an alternate to dying. I think you have a good heart,
but the law is just."
Erik said,
"I sense your fear, but not of me. A crime for protecting me. Being beaten for me. They will humiliate you, for I have seen such humiliation, long ago…as a child. I have learned if you fight, it will just be worse. Erin, you are not weak. Your mother tried to and that's what made you stronger. Unlike me…"
"It's not your fault, Erik. You promised me you would not kill and I did, too. But I never thought I'd actually do this. And I must accept that I broke a promise, and that's why I am being beaten."
Then, I began to sing.
Twisted every way
What answer can I give?
Am I to risk my life?
To win a chance to live?
Do I have any other choice?
(Song changes to "Phantom of the opera, Erin sings female part only!)
In life you came to me
In my life you came
Your voice that calls to me
You speak my name
And do I dream again
For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Helping me write
Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear
I took that mask you wear
Then, he joined in.
It's us they hear
Your music and my talent (My music and your
talent)
In once combined
Then, they grabbed me.
"Time for your beating. If you wish to see it, come along, Erik."
As I was led, I heard people yell and boo. It felt demeaning. What have I done?
Then, I heard a muffled voice announcing the charges.
"Begin the beating!"
And it began.
They had tied my hands back. But I closed my eyes. I could not watch it at all. The pain was unbearable. I felt them hit each part of my body with more and more. Then, a yell,
Survive my, Writer of Operas!
Erik…
"Fight for our Opera!" he called out.
They continued on. I found hard not showing what I truly felt.
"Fight it for me!"
I did feel his calls were not orders. They were calls of encouragement. He needed me.
"Fight…"
"Survive, my writer!"
"Go for me!"
When he finished, I started
to get up, even when they still were beating me, I stood firm. Yes, I
was severely injured with several bruises, laceration, and even welts
all over my body. Even my face. Once they finished, the prosecutor
yelled out,
"Behold, the wife of the Phantom!"
That was viewed as an insult. I loved Erik, even if he was the Phantom of the Opera. He hadn't been that to me at all. And he did not murder with me around, either. And then…I fainted…and it went black….
Third person POV
Erik went to Erin and he left, carrying her to his lair. He put her on the bed, and let her rest. Erik went to his spot next to her, but he knew the life of Erin Richard-Chalet Muhlheim would change something when she woke up.
Erik thought,
I had never seen Erin so scared before! The police grabbed her like an animal that needed to be broken. We stayed together, but I have not much to say of that…Erin owned up to killing her mother, but who wouldn't? I have never seen an uglier piece of carcass than Lynette! How could she be the mother of my sweet Erin? How? Poor Erin, the court just teased her and they were going to humiliate her even more! Then…the beating…it was horrifying to me…I thought of my childhood and the days as "freak exhibit." I saw that…but it is making her stronger. I called out to her, and she began stronger, still. Erin, Erin, I love you! They called her "Phantom's Wife," and that was an insult to the both of us. As if she was the disfigured one! I will care for you…as you do for me…
Erin POV
I woke up and opened my eyes. I first moved me head up and I still felt the pain of not being able to move. I felt like I had been tied down. What now?
I called for Erik.
"Erik? Erik?"
"Erin? You are awake. Let me help you."
He helped me sit up and he said,
"You stayed through
this for me. Even though you can barely move."
"Erik, I know,
but…"
"I will take care of you."
I nodded.
A few weeks passed. I slowly regained strength and almost all my injuries were gone. A month had gone by and I was well again.
I felt like-yes, as if it never happened! But it did!
Erik is a good husband to me, but I felt like mentally I needed to leave. Just go. Did I feel safe with him? Yes. Why did I want to leave? It was time for me to move on. Not from him, but to truly live my life unrestricted. I did not mind the catacombs, the bed, or even the animals, but it was time. Time to leave.
I only had a few belongings and brought a sack with my belongings in it.
"Erik, my dear, come here. I wish to speak with you."
"I have lived a good life with you for our time together, but I need to move on. Not from you or here. You can go with me. Just take what you need. Our opera can be started fresh."
"Do you want to leave me? I knew it…you married me out of pity, you lying writer! You used me! You tricked me!"
"No, Erik, no! I chose to marry you 'cause I do love you! It's not because I want to leave you and listen-I'm here to protect you. You need me."
"Then, stay."
Then,
his eyes met mine.
"This…is not because you don't want to be beaten again. You will remember it, as I've done."
Erik POV
Why does she want to leave? At first, I was truly angry, but then I looked in her eyes. However, I was just worried about her loyalty-but to think I doubted it! I hear her in the Opera House-she is scared and I don't think she will leave. I must be here for her.
Erin POV
I went up to the Opera House seats down at the bottom. There was no one there and I wished that I wasn't hurt. I protected someone I loved, even though it was a broken promised and a sin, killing my mother.
You were never the daughter I wanted! I remembered her saying.
You are not trying hard enough! Practice until you cannot move!
That woman. Oh, how I wish that she had not let me kill her! For that is what seemed what she asked for.
Even as a grown woman, she tried to hurt me.
Erik heard me walk above, for he came in the floor seats of the opera house.
"Are you leaving me? You said we belong here. For the first time, I saw fear when you were beaten. They yelled how horrible you were. You aren't."
Then, I began to sing to my Erik.
She was once my one companion
She was all that mattered
She was once a friend and mother
Then, my world was shattered
Wishing she was somehow here again
Wishing she was somehow near
Sometimes it seems if I dreamed
Somehow she would be here
Wishing I could hear your voice again
Knowing that I never would
Thinking of her
Taught me to do
All that I dream what I could
Erik walked toward me.
Sing for you, those wrong companions
She was warm and gentle
"She meant a lot to you until…" Erik began.
Too many years
Fighting back tears
Why can't the past just die?
Wishing you were somehow here again
Now we must say good-bye
Trying to forgive
Then, I gazed toward Erik and I grabbed his hand.
Teach me to live
Give me the strength to try
No more memories
No more silent tears
No more gazing across the wasted years
Help me say good-bye…
Help me say good-bye…
"Come on, Erin, let's go back to the lair."
Erik thought,
Now I understand-at last! Her mother meant something to her, but she has to understand she must learn to forget her mother. And now…I think she did now…with my help.