Note: References from the movie will be put in parentheses.
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Chapter Twelve
I awoke in the swan bed, Erik's cloak wrapped around my body. I wore the same scarlet, black and gold dress from the night before. I remembered what had happened and got to my feet, taking the cloak off. "Oh, Erik…" I whispered into the dark. A few candles still burned, and that was enough.
I took one of Erik's white half-masks in my hands and looked it over, tracing the shape with my finger.
I sighed and ran to the edge of the lake and then began to trudge through the water back to the hallways of the opera house.
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I opened the mirror-door and slipped into my room. I set the mask down and then changed into a white blouse and deep blue skirt (like Christine wears in "Twisted Every Way").
I wrapped a black cloak, one of mine, around my shoulders, keeping the hood down. I took the mask, hiding it within the cloak.
Many people questioned on where I was going at such an early hour, but didn't answer. Others gave me disgusted glances for loving the monster that dwelled underneath the Opera Populair. I tried to ignored them, but their comments were too much. Tears welled in my eyes and slowly fell out.
I left the opera house and came upon the carriage driver.
"Where to?" he asked.
"The prison, if you will take me there," I muttered. Handing him a small bag of money, he nodded to me and I got into the carriage. I tightened the cloak around my shoulders, still holding the mask.
All I could think about on the carriage-ride was Erik and Jude… Jude, I could tell, loved me, but he was married and Erik was my parents' murderer, yet my heart still beat for him.
When we arrived, I got out of the carriage and walked into the prison, telling a policeman who I wanted to see. He eyed me curiously and led me to Erik.
Erik stood in his cell, standing in a dark corner, looking down.
"Erik…" I called softly.
He looked up quickly and rushed to me. His arm reached through the bars of the door and caressed my cheek. "Emily…"
I closed my eyes momentarily, soaking in the feeling of his touch. "Erik, why didn't you fight? Why did you let them bring you here?"
"You," he said plainly.
I stared at him confusedly.
"You opened my eyes. You told me that I was a coward for not receiving my punishment."
"I was wrong. You don't deserve to die!" More tears fell as he stared me in the eye, sadly.
I took the mask from my hand and handed it through the bars.
Erik studied it briefly and then took it, placing it on his face.
I reached a hand through and touched his cheek. I could see him close his eyes and breathe in deeply. He reached a hand up and touched mine. Erik lifted my hand off his cheek and he held it in his. "Emily… Know that I will always love you…"
"Yes, Erik, I know. I love you, too. I can't see you die," I said, a few small sobs shaking my words.
"I have kept you from living your life for too long." Erik kissed my hand lightly and let it go.
"Please…" I whispered.
"Leave, Emily," he ordered.
"I'm not going anywhere," I protested.
"Go!" I could tell Erik was beginning to become uneasy. He didn't want to hurt me.
"Gently he carried my soul into song… Singing the darkness of love…" I stopped; I couldn't remember what came next. I looked down; my eyes shut tight, pushing tears out.
Erik walked away from the door and I stared at him for a few moments before turning and walking out quickly.
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"Emily! Emily, what's wrong?" Jude asked when he saw my crying. I sat on the stairs in the foyer.
"He's going to die, Jude," I sobbed. "He's to be hung tomorrow at dawn."
"Emily, you have to forget about him! He killed your parents!" Jude said. He put his hands on my shoulders and shook me a bit.
"I don't care that he killed them… I love him and you… You ruined everything. You took me from him." My eyes were red and my cheeks were wet with tears as I looked at him.
"I didn't take you from him," Jude argued. "He was going to take you away again. I can't see that happen because I love you."
I looked up, my lips parted a bit. "You are married to Aurora. You cannot love anyone but her…" I was disgusted by his mind.
"I love Aurora, but I care about you more!" Jude said. His hands moved to my cheeks and he pulled my neck towards him, embracing me in a kiss.
My eyes shut and I, for but a moment, kissed him back before pushing him away. I got to my feet and stared down at him. He lifted himself as well.
"I never want to see you again, Judas DeLouis!" I yelled. Turning, I ran away from him. The nerve of him, kissing me and trying to earn my love while he as a wife!
Jude stood there watching her run.
My running slowed to a walk and my breathing was sharp and quick.
"I have to save Erik…" I whispered to myself.
I walked to my room and opened the door, walking in. I took my cloak off and sat down on my bed. My hand reached up and I gripped the rose charm on the golden necklace. I released it and rubbed my face. I was tired and worried and… Too much was happening… To much…
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Time passed by slowly as dawn drew near. It seemed as if dawn would never come, time taunting me.
"Emily?" A voice disturbed my thoughts and I looked over at Meg. "Emily are you alright?"
The two of us sat on the edge of the stage, listening to Monsieur Reyer and his orchestra's music.
"What?" I said, dazed. "Oh, yes… I'm alright…"
"Is it Erik…Emily? Are you worried about him?"
I looked at my hands in my lap. "You have no idea, Meg."
"What about Jude? Have you talked to him since last night?"
I nodded hesitantly.
"Well what did he say?"
"'What did he do' should be the question," I corrected her.
She knitted her eyebrows at me, obviously confused. "What do you mean?"
"Tell your mother to keep him away from me," was all I said. I didn't want to say anymore.
"Emily, tell me what happened!" Meg demanded.
"Fetch Aurora for me, please, Meg," I said.
I could tell she still wanted me to answer, but she got up and gracefully walked away going to find Aurora.
When Meg came back with her, I stood up and Aurora smiled a bit. "Hello, Emily. Are you doing alright?"
"I could be better," I answered. Before she could say anything else, I announced, "Aurora, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"You need to leave Jude. He doesn't deserve you."
"Emily… If you love him-"
"Love him? That's exactly the opposite!" I argued, my temper rising a bit. "He's not who you thought! You have to leave him."
"Emily you're insane!" Aurora exclaimed. "The Opera Ghost really got into your head!"
"He has nothing to do with this. Only you, me and Jude," I said firmly.
Aurora opened to protest, but couldn't say anything, because I cut her off. "This morning on the stairs, Jude came to me and I explained to him why I was sad. But then, everything went wrong. He… He kissed me Aurora."
Aurora's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "You-"
"It wasn't my fault!" I said, interrupting her once again. "He kissed me and I protested! I pushed him away saying I didn't want to see him again."
Aurora didn't say anything. She only turned and walked away in tears.
Meg looked at me, her eyes wide. "Is it true?"
"Every word…" I whispered.
"But… Where is he now?"
"How should I know?"
Meg sighed and sat down, telling me to sit down as well.
"Will you be okay?" she asked me.
"I just need some time to think before the morning," I said quietly.
Meg nodded. "Maybe you should get some rest. Mother will be attending the, uh…hanging at dawn."
I nodded. "Thank you, Meg." I got up and walked to my room, telling my friend 'goodbye'.
Meg was right. I needed rest, but I was trying to decide if I should go to the hanging or not. I didn't want to see him die, but I wanted… I wanted to be there with him. If Erik had to die, I would watch him die…
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Author's Note: I apologize because it's so short! XP I'm so, so, so sorry! But a lot is coming for Chapter 13 [Maybe 14 and 15], so stay tuned!
Please review, I want to know if it's okay…
Also, watch out for a new fan-fiction I'm working on for "Lords of Dogtown". I can't tell you what the story's called yet, because I'm not sure, but it will be on my profile later.