Show me what it's likeTo dream in black and white,So I can leave this world tonight.
Unknown Soldier - Breaking Benjamin
(4 Years Later)
I am dead inside. No tears fall from my eyes. Rafe has been gone four long years. My heart is heavy in my chest as I watch the last wave of soldiers return to a ruined France. His face is not among them and I return to the organ to finish the last notes on my opera. My voice rises up the cellars and echoes back to me.
Erik and Brittany had a perfect baby boy. Rene Destler, who is a extremely poised prince of the night. He has learned his ruling grounds over the house and is quite comical when he bosses around Andre and Firmin. Did I mention he is only 3? With curly black hair and cutting grey eyes, he could be mistaken for my child, but is not.
A small bundle of brown hair flew towards me and landed, giving me sloppy secondhand kisses. Shanton was my little angel in the midst of tragedy. Her blue eyes pierced my soul and calmed the rough waters of insanity. Pale hand on mine she lead me away from the organ and up the many stairs to the lobby where my worst nightmare was awaiting me.
Paul had looked better years ago when he took my letter in his sweating palms and made no promises. At least his uniform had survived.
", I gave Rafe the letter those many years ago. Here is every letter he gave me on the field for you, in the event he would not return." In his hand, a bloodied brick of paper that he held out to me in surrender. Erik glanced from my weakening body to Paul.
"Maybe this isn't the best time. If you would kindly leave the premises I can assure no harm will be fall you." He paused stoically and took a deep breath, "She could become very violent soon. I suggest you turn your happy ass around and leave."
I glared at Erik with fire in my soul, "No." I grasped the letters to my chest and breathed in the scent of war. "He's dead isn't he?"
Paul looked down, and my world went black.
(Erik's POV)
The bastard never understood that she was on the precipse of insanity. He just simply did not get that her heart was burdened by the weight of almost losing her career and her lover. Shanton delicately danced as Rene's eyes watched her protectively.
More like brother and sister than cousins they were. Rene's strong attitude at his age determined his future better than my own. I would leave the name of Phantom to my own son, though he would never be forced to wear a mask and hide behind the name of Angel. My son, so tragically beautiful how he could come from one as wicked as I.
Shanton was the living reincarnation of her father, just with Noemi's grace and aptitude for learning. Her movements reminded me of the gypsy camp and how much I despised what Noemi did just for a meal. For god's sake she could barely stay on a horse when we fled the manse for a better life in Persia. How foolish was I...How incredibly foolish.
Noemi was laid up in her room, alone. I fear that the sickness is spreading now in her veins, the dark victim of a tango between happiness and a depression so deep, she is not even allowed anywhere. I wonder if Rafe even has an idea where ever he is how much pain she is in. Just to live rips her heart wide open and lets it bleed all over the world.
When I said I was dying about a broken heart, I was saved by Brittany. But who will save Noemi?