-1Finally! I've posted another chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Special thanks to skoteinos Metamfiezomai.
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Anna and I bade Erik goodnight and left for the bedroom he so kindly allowed us to use.

I took the lantern that hung on the doorpost and lit it. I opened the door and was quite surprised by the room. It was done in such a cheery and bright fashion, and in such contrasts to what I had seen of Erik's lair, that one had to note it.

It took Anna aback too, for she exclaimed loudly. "What's this? A lady's room!"

"It is very much so". I agreed. It was decidedly feminine and very pretty. I was sure it had once been intended for Christine Daae, had she not left with her young man and was never heard of again.

Parts of the stonewalls were hung with silk pink tapestries.
Large white bookcases, their shelves filled with books, lined the left wall. Dominating the middle wall was an elegant canopy bed. On either side sat a nightstand done in the same heavy dark style. On the opposite side of the room were a quaint writing desk, a rich burgundy settee tucked neatly into a corner and a very ornate armoire. The cold stone floors were softened with a large braided rug. Paintings of fruits, ballet girls and landscapes added to the room's gaiety and charm. Completing the room's homey feel was a large whitewashed fireplace.

I am a great lover of art and engage in the pastime whenever I can. These paintings, even to my untrained eye, had superiority to them; they had such life to them so that they almost seem to move. I could hear the ballet girls laughing and the wind blowing through the trees.

Taking my time to examine each painting, I slowly moved about the room, allowing myself to be immersed in their beauty and richness.

Anna busied herself with studying the book titles, often exclaiming excitedly when she came across one she was familiar with.

I finally made my way to the way that hung over the fireplace. The painting had me completely enthralled. It was of a young woman, whom I immediately recognized as Christine Daae. She was dressed in a most becoming white dressing gown, her dark curls flowing gracefully down her back. Her expression had been captured perfectly as she stared intensely at her reflection in the gold-framed mirror. She had a look of astonishment on her face, her mouth slightly agape.

There was uncertainty, excitement and perhaps a little fear shining in her mournful brown eyes.

I wondered why she should be so taken with herself; then I saw it. A faint figure staring back from the mirror. Was it Erik? Did the mirror conceal a passageway-just like the attic?

With a sigh, I turned from the portrait; maybe one day I could ask Erik.

Anna had already undressed and crawled into bed. She sat there with a scowl.

"What's wrong?" I asked, approaching the bed.

"Do you think we made the right choice-I mean with helping him."

"Is that what's bothering you? Of course we did the right thing, dear."

"I don't," she said bluntly.

"Why on earth not?" I had not thought about how Anna might feel about this situation, so I had never asked her.

Anna pouted. "If you must know, I think he's a monster. Perhaps you-"

"You never said-"

"I'm not finished!" Anna practically shouted. I raised a brow. "Well then, continue."

"Perhaps you feel differently, but hate him! I hate that terrible white mask he wears, the nasty pranks he plays on innocent people, the way he creeps through the Opera House. No one feels safe! I only did it to help you. I wish I were anywhere but trapped in this dark tomb, with that horrible man! I want my father!" Anna wailed. Tears ran down her cheeks and she fell into the pillow sobbing.

I stood there not knowing what to do. That I was responsible for her current distress weighed heavily on my heart. I would never, never have sought her help if I had known her feelings. All at once, the realization of my situation which was having to care for a injured volatile man and a young girl who didn't want to be here, and the horror of the day started to take it's toll. I felt tired and depressed. I needed to rest.

I undressed, tended my wounds and crawled gratefully into bed beside Anna.

"Don't worry Anna; I'll not let anything bad happen to you. I promise," I whispered.

She nodded but did not rise from her pillow.

I thought sleep would come easily, but it did not. I spent most of the time thinking about Erik, Monsieur E, Anna and my parents. Thinking of them made me cry. I blamed my parents for my distress. If they had never left me, for some unknown reason-though I suspected it had something to do with the villagers, I would not be in my currant situation. When I at last nodded off, it was only to a troubled sleep, full of dreams and tossing and turning. I finally gave up trying and got off the bed.

I lit a few candles and dressed in my same torn clothing. Before leaving the room, I threw a sorrowful glance at the poor child on the bed.

There were a few lit candles on the organ and tables, casting a beautiful glow on the lake and shadows over places in the room. I noticed things I had not noticed earlier, such as the little gondola bobbing gently on the lake and the black lace curtain that surrounded the swan bed.

I approached that bed with a little apprehension, but was completely taken back to discover Erik was not there!

"Looking for me, Mademoiselle?"

The rich voice, so near my ears, sent my heart pounding against my chest. He must be standing close behind. I spun around quickly. No one.

"Where are you?" I called out.

"Here." The voice seemed to come from the organ.

"Please, sir, do not tease me. Where are you?"

"Behind the bed. Come forward."

I turned in that direction and saw what--oddly--looked like glowing cat eyes in a corner. I obediently went forward. There was Erik leaning against the wall.

"What are you doing? You should have stayed in bed," I scolded, and then waited for Erik to react.

He remained expressionless. "Good morning. I trust you slept well."

Not at all what I expected him to say. I felt embarrassed for my rudeness in not inquiring of his well-being.

"I slept well enough. How are you? Not in too much pain, I hope."

"My side aches like the very devil."

"I am very sorry to hear that. Now let me help you back to bed."

He glanced at the bed and I did not miss the disgust that crossed his features.
"It wasn't meant for me. And I shall not spend another moment there."

"Perhaps a chair then?" I suggested. Erik nodded and allowed me to help him to a high-back chair typical of the renaissance era.

"Have you a kitchen? I could fix something to eat."

Erik gave me a sweeping glance that missed nothing. "You don't look as if you know anything about cooking. You're so thin and-"
I heard quite enough. "Please refrain from making any comments on my physique. I am aware of my image and don't need you to point anything out," I snapped but swallowed, with difficulty, the scathing retorts that would have accompanied that little speech. "If you will just tell me where the kitchen is, I'll be much obliged."

He did not appear too pleased. "You're right. I should not have picked out your imperfections. The kitchen is that way," he said, pointing to an inconspicuous opening.

"Thank you." I gave an overly elaborate curtsy, grabbed the nearest candelabra and fled.
"Don't touch any other door. Understand?" he shouted.

I kept walking and pretended not to hear. My confidence in my ability to handle this situation began to waver. "What have I gotten myself in to?" I moaned out load.

The kitchen was rather large with dark cabinets lining the lower wall. Everything typical in a kitchen was there. The dishes were stacked neatly on the counter top and a rummage through the cabinets showed there were more than enough to eat.

I fixed some hot tea, along with sausages and rolls and place them on a serving tray I found.
Erik was still in his chair when I arrived. I sat the tray down on a little table and faced him, hands on hips.

"Those bandages will have to be changed and I hope without incident, then you may have breakfast."

Erik snorted but made no attempt to stop me. I was actually quite surprised by his compliance.

I cleaned up and handed him his plate. "Please try to eat as much as possible. If I won't be considered a nuisance, I should like to join you."

Erik glared at me. "You needn't take pity on me, Mademoiselle."

"I want to sit and eat with you."

I thought his lips quivered slightly, but at a second glance, he seemed quite composed.
"Very well then. You may stay if you choose."

I gave him a smile. "I'll take Anna her plate and be right back."

Anna was sitting up when I entered.

"How are you feeling?" I gave her a reassuring smile.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't really know. What do you have there? Something to eat? I hope so, for I'm simply starving."

"Yes. Would you like to eat alone or…with Erik and me."

"With him? Surely not!" Anna had such an incredible look on her face that I could barely contain my laughter.

"Very well. I shall be back shortly," I said, trying to keep a straight face.

I left the room and rejoined Erik. I chose a comfortable looking chair near his own.

"How do you know when it's day or night?" I asked sipping my tea. That question had been nagging my mind since I awakened.

"See that clock?" I followed his gaze.

"Yes."

"A little sun rises in the corner of its window and gradually moves across, like a real sun,. And when the day is over, a little moon takes its place and the journey begins anew. It also plays different tunes for day and night."

"Very nice! It is such a brilliant piece. How did acquire it?"

"I made it." he replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

I took that opportunity to ask him about the paintings. "The paintings in the bedroom-you are the artist?"

"Yes."

I gave a cry of delight. Erik was quickly becoming a great genius in my eyes. He played instruments, he composed such beautiful music, he painted masterfully, and he designed and created such ingenious things. And I was not the only one who thought highly of his intelligence. Madame Giry had often enough praised the brilliance of her Opera Ghost.

Being in the presence of such a man, made me feel very simple and inadequate.

I quickly finished my meal. Erik, I noticed, had barely touched his.

"Was it not to your liking?"

"It was fine."

"But you've barely eaten anything," I pointed out.

"I'll eat it later," he mumbled and dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

I was a little hurt, but tried my best not show it. "You rest then. I shall check on you later. May we read the books in the bedroom?"

"Yes, of course you can."

"Thank you Erik…for everything."

I gathered all the dishes and washed them, then joined Anna. We amused ourselves for a while with various books. I with Wuthering Heights; Anna with a collection of Poetries by Shakespeare.

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I just finished reading Gaston's book. It was so good. Loved Raoul in it. Christine had more backbone. I cried like a baby at the end. Do not forget to review.