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Chapter 5 – "My Name is Erik"

Nicole was furious with the police. They were messing up everything. Not only could she not man the art half of the theater but also the capture of the Phantom would give the Opera House bad press. She wanted to scream but knew that that might lead to her capture too.

"Okay, calm down, Niki. You can work this out. Just think…"

Then, like a mallet, it hit her. She could report the capture before the police did. That way she could turn Erik into a martyr. A poor disfigured, isolated man singled out by the police because they couldn't fins a better suspect. It was perfect! The people would take pity on the Phantom and see his artistic genius as well as she did. They would demand justice be served.

Best of all, the people would be doing all the work, not her. Therefore, she could claim she had nothing to do with the information in the papers. Reporters were greedy that way. They would make sure everyone knew it was only them that saw it.

She smirked. And men always said women didn't have any brains…

XXX

Over the next couple of weeks the people of Paris reacted the way Nicole had predicted they would.

The police station was constantly filled with letters demanding the Phantom's release. People would march in front of it continually raging at the Commissioner if he and his crew tried to get them to leave.

The police knew that the Phantom was guilty but couldn't prove it and it was because of this mainly that he was finally released.

On Christmas Eve, Erik returned home to the Opera Populaire.

Erik jerked awake and immediately felt his muscles stiffen. Sleeping on a cold stone floor will do that to you after awhile.

He tried to remember what had awakened him and then heard it again. A light clinking sound. Almost like sliver hitting porcelain. He reached for his mask on the night stand table and placed it over the disfigured side of his face. He felt a little better.

He rose from his swan-shaped bed with some difficulty and shuffled to the doorway. Looking out, a curious sight greeted him.

Nicolas Leroux was sitting at the table reading some newspaper articles with steaming plates of food in front of him.

Erik made his way to the table and sat down, raising an eyebrow when Nicolas looked up from the newspaper he was holding.

"Happy Christmas, Phantom."

Leroux then handed him the newspaper, he took it and the headline read: "Genius of the Arts Released!" Erik went on to read about how brilliant he was and the reason he wanted to stay away from others was because he was disfigured. The police were only out to get him and he truly was a genius when it came to the arts.

Erik's eyes widened when he saw the statement Leroux gave to the reporters, "The Phantom will be present at the Opera Populaire's New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball. I, unfortunately, can not attend. So, you'll have him all to yourselves."

Erik looked up at Nicolas. "I wondered how I had gotten out of jail. Do you know who started this?"

Nicolas smirked, "I told you I'd protect you from the police, did I not?"

Erik did vaguely recall that, "And what's this about you not being there at the Ball? It is one of the most important annual event of the season!"

Nicolas swirled his water around in his glass then set it down, "I have other plans."

Erik crossed his arms and looked at the man in contemplation. Then shrugged, "Do as you wish."

Nicolas smiled at him, "Then let us enjoy this Christmas Dinner! I didn't make it just so we could stare at it, Phantom!"

"My name is Erik." He said quietly and lifted a spoonful of soup to his mouth and sipped it.

Nicolas's smile grew, "Alright, Erik."