Only Time Will Tell

Chapter 2: Risks

Sakura: Konnichiwa, mina-san!

Meg: What's with the Japanese?

Sakura: I just felt like it.

Meg: … ok

Erik: Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen.

Mme. Giry: Ready for the next chapter?

Erik: This one is much better than the previous!

Sakura: Yes. Yes it is. And! Afterwards, we have a special guest.

Christine: He's very polite.

Sakura: Unless he tries to attack you… Anyway, here we go!

XXX

As soon as Annie took Erik's hand, he flinched and scrambled away from her. Annie, surprised, scooted back the other way. "What did you do that for?" she demanded, standing up. "You… I just wasn't expecting that," he explained as Annie heaved a sigh. "I have to leave you now," she told him.

"Why? I don't want to be alone."

"I don't want to leave but… They're looking for me. I have to go back to the dormitory."

Erik stood up and walked towards her, a strange look on his face that Annie couldn't decipher. When he was close enough, Erik put his hands roughly on her shoulders. "How do I know you won't go and tell them about me?" he asked Annie in a fierce voice. Annie looked back at him, confused at his sudden change in mood.

"Why would I tell them about you? I've helped you this far, haven't I?"

"Yes…"

Erik nodded but didn't let go and as she turned to leave, he yanked her back to face him, meeting her eye to eye. "If you do tell them about me, I swear to you, I'll kill you." Her eyes widened as Erik continued. "And you know I could do it, too. You saw me kill that man earlier today. I could kill you and walk away without a thought," he said with a small smile. Annie's mind was suddenly very far away, remembering what had happened only hours ago.

The sound of a dying man filled the air as she stared at the deformed boy. Then there was only silence, a silence louder than the screams that would follow. A full-grown man had just been brutally choked to death by a small child. This was no ordinary boy. He looked up at her as if daring her to call for help. She saw no mercy in those intelligent eyes.

Annie snapped back to reality and shook her head slightly. "You wouldn't, Erik. Not after what I've done for you," she whispered, trying to keep the fear from her eyes and failing. "Promise you won't tell. Not even one person. Nobody must know about this, Antoinette! Nobody!" Erik shook her roughly before letting her go.

"I swear on my life that I won't tell anybody you're here!" Annie said quickly, still quite frightened. Erik nodded once more. "Good. Now go," he told her. As she turned to walk away, an idea suddenly came to her mind. "Erik. I had a thought… You can't stay in this room forever so… I was thinking that when I'm not here visiting you, you could explore the Opera House and get to know your new home. But after they blow out all the candles, wait here for me. I'll come back. That, I promise you," she told him in a shaky voice, her eyes wary but sincere. Erik looked at her and there were questions in his eyes. He held his tongue, though, knowing she had to leave and be "found".

Annie turned to go, wishing she could stay, knowing she should stay, but telling herself to move. She padded silently through the familiar halls of the Opera Populare until she reached the dormitories. She opened the door as quietly as she could and entered, almost walking straight into the ballet mistress before a hand stopped her. She looked up into the face of a very angry woman who marched her straight back out.

"Where in the world have you been, girl?" she exclaimed.

"Madame Chaffe… I… I got lost and… I couldn't find my way back!" Annie stammered, trying to make up a story on the spot.

"At least you've returned safe and sound," the Madame said with a sigh.

She then ushered the young ballerina back through the door.

"But you will have to face the consequences. Now go to bed, Antoinette. You have lessons tomorrow."

"Yes, Madame," Annie replied in a whisper as she lay down on her cot. She pulled the blanket up to her chin and waited for sleep to come.

Just as little Giry was falling asleep, Erik was doing the same. He had curled up on a pile of old costumes and covered himself with a torn and ratty curtain. He sneezed, the dust in the air making his nose itch, and closed his eyes wishing he had some way to see in the dark. For all he knew, there could be somebody in the room with him. They could be carrying a knife. He sat up and looked frantically around. Had he just heard the sound of feet on cold stone? He shook his head. Stop being so paranoid, Erik. Nobody would be looking for an ugly little kid in the middle of the night… right? He kept reassuring himself and eventually fell into a fitful sleep. His dreams were filled with flames and the faces of angry men. No matter how hard he tried, they kept finding him and would laugh wildly, their eyes gleaming with madness.

Erik woke up in a cold sweat, his eyes searching the room for any other signs of life. He carefully stood up from his makeshift bed and walked towards the hallway. A shaft of light was shining down through a dirty window, casting shadows that shimmered like spirits on the stone walls. Erik remembered what Annie had told him and snuck silently through the halls, beginning an adventure of great mysteries and secrets.

As Erik started his day, so did the ballet rats. Madame Chaffe woke them as she had the day before, telling them to get out of bed and ready for lessons. The girls all grumbled, complaining that they didn't want to get up. "Just 5 more minutes…" some mumbled, rolling over, while others slowly got dressed. Eventually, they were all up and ready. They paraded to the ballet studio, each taking their place at the bar. Antoinette was near the front as usual, her being one of the best of the ballerinas. They went through the positions, starting in first and ending in fifth. They stretched in silence as they waited for their class to start. Annie yawned quietly and wished she were in bed just as many of the others were thinking the same thoughts. Sadly, though, it was not to be, as Mme Chaffe reentered the studio and looked sternly at them. Every girl quickly scrambled to get back into first position and then waited for instructions. They went through different exercises before moving away from the bar to travel across the floor.

After two hours of working in a stuffy, hot room, they moved out into the theater. The girls were rehearsing a ballet for the opera Les Huguenots when a rope suddenly fell with a thud onto the middle of stage right next to Annie, making her stumble in the midst of a step. A few girls screamed and there was much confusion as they tried to figure out what had happened. Annie looked up to where the rope had dropped from and saw a fleeting glimpse of movement. She smiled knowingly, standing still in the midst of panicked girls. Mme Chaffe then announced that practice was over.

Erik grinned to himself as he climbed about the rigging. This, by far, had been the highlight of his day. He continued to spend the rest of it following Annie as much as he could and then waiting a while after all the candles had been blown out before taking some food from the kitchen and finding his way back to the props room, eating while he went.

He found Annie waiting for him, leaning gently against a wall with a candle by her feet. She was smiling at him and holding something behind her back. "You didn't tell anyone," Erik spoke, his voice echoing off the walls. "I promised, didn't I? I keep my promises," Annie replied with a nod. "What are you holing behind your back?" Erik asked her, his eyes narrowing behind his mask. "I've brought you some gifts. Here," she said and held out what she was holding. It was a small, black mask that would cover most of a person's face. Also in her other hand was a small bag containing money. "I found the mask backstage from an old show and this is some money I was saving for sweets. You can have it, seeing as you don't have much in the way of anything." Erik took the mask and money. He proceeded to take off the sack on his head and pull the new mask over his face. It fit him well and he smiled. "Thank you, Annie… You dance very well, by the way," he spoke to her softly, blushing. The grin that Annie gave him was enough to brighten the whole room. She laughed quietly and turned to go, making no comment about the rope. "Sweet dreams, Erik. I'll see you again tomorrow." She glided out of the room, leaving Erik with his new possessions. The candle flame flickered and caused shadows to dance around the room. He was no longer scared, though, for that flame was a little glow of hope in the middle of dark despair. He quickly fell asleep among his pile of costumes and his dreams were filled with dancing and music.

XXX

Sakura: There's our second chapter! I'll write another one tomorrow and post that. In the meantime, let us welcome our first guest! Please give a round of applause for Dr. Hannibal Lecter! Welcome, Dr. Lecter.

Dr. Lecter: It's a pleasure to see you again.

Sakura: And you.

Erik: Good day, Hannibal. You look well.

Dr. Lecter: And well I am, Erik. Have you been writing any new pieces lately?

Erik: Yes, as a matter of fact. I am in the middle of writing a new opera as we speak.

Mme Giry: Dr. Lecter, we meet again.

Dr. Lecter: Annie! I thought I had seen you for the last time, yet here you are.

Mme Giry: Here I am. How did you get to be here, anyway, if I may ask?

Dr. Lecter: I walked.

Sakura: Charming as ever, Doctor. Would you like to do the honors?

Dr. Lecter: It would be my pleasure. As always, we would like to thank our fellow readers and writers. We would also please ask of you to review these chapters. It helps her to better the story. Thank you all for reading.

Erik: If you don't review, you just might get hanged…

Mme Giry: Erik!

Erik: I was kidding!

Sakura: Quiet down. I have another link! Please, again, copy and paste then delete the spaces. If you don't, you won't get anywhere. Thanks for reading!

LINK:

h t t p : / / w w w . h u l u .com/watch/52190/saturday-night-live-save-broadway