Thanks to all who reviewed. Thanks so much guys for giving me your feedback. It helps make me a better writer. You know, I've never written a story this long before.

So this a first for me!

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Erik's POV

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It was with a measure of relief that I locked myself in the safety of my room.

Leaning against the door, panting for breath, I murmured repeatedly: "Oh dear God! Oh dear God!"

I sank slowly to the stone floor and stared at my hand, the one she held and rubbed. She touched me! Willingly! She wanted to be my friend! Willingly!

My breathing was slow and painful. My heart pounded against my chest so hard I was sure it would burst through.
I could not get her out of my head. Those exotic wide eyes, those full lips, that tender expression on her face. Tender expression? For whom? I dared to hope… that. What? What had I dared to hope? That she felt something for me. I laughed aloud, a hoarse grating sound.

I had to crush those feeling now! Hope, I had learned from experience, was a dangerous thing.

My mother, Christine, my association with humanity, had burned that opinion forever into my mind. Yet I still could not stop thinking of her.
Therefore, my thoughts continued in that direction, twirling slowly and tremulously through my mind and soul. I reveled in that brief tortuous pleasure.

Now I remembered why I avoided humanity for so long. It exposed my long buried weakness; I wanted to be with people, longed to talk with them, be like them.

Now that little imp had awakened that desire once again. Curse her for that!

I moaned banging my head repeatedly against the door, ripping of the wig and mask in frustration. It felt so good to have those awful things off, to feel the cool air against my skin.

I reached up and touched my face, withdrawing my hand with a wince. It burned with pain when I touched it. Swollen too.
It would look repulsive, always did when I wore that wretched thing for long periods of time. I threw the mask a loathsome glance.

It never failed to remind me that I was a monster.

I laughed sneeringly, remembering how I use to strike terror in all those who were unfortunate enough to see 'the devil's child'.

A vision of Christine played before my eyes. Her dark eyes wide, her pale face the picture of innocence and fear. That look on her face when she first removed the mask. Oh God, I would never forget the pity in those mournful eyes as she handed me my mask.
When she realized her Angel of Music was nothing more than a horrifically deformed man. A monster!
Nor could I forget the words she spoke to her young man about my face. "Horror, horror, horror!" she had cried out, and how she had lied to me about how she really felt about me. "My lies were as hideous as the monster that inspired them."

I put my hands over my ears trying to block out her sweet voice and those harsh, yet truthful words that issued forth.

Tears were running down my face now; and they would not stop. I rose and stumbled blindly toward my coffin, falling into its velvety softness and wishing I would never wake up.

I clung to the pillows, crying then laughing, and then crying again, until my brain could not form one coherent thought. Completely exhausted I slipped into a troubled sleep.

"It's alright. Christine is here." I turned towards the angel's voice.

"Where?" I called out desperately. "Where? I don't see you."

"Here behind the curtains, Erik.

The curtains? I got out of bed and pushed back my own curtains surrounding the coffin.
"Where Christine?"

"Behind the red ones." she said sweetly, and then laughed. "Come find me".

I followed the direction of the voice. There where the red curtains directly ahead. I could see her shadow.
I reached out and pulled the curtains back. Nothing but an open casket.

"Enough Christine." I growled. "Stop playing these games."

"Are you very angry angel?" she asked from some unknown place.

"Yes. If you don't show yourself I shall leave you forever."

"Oh! Please, I beg of you, do not leave me!" Christine wailed.

"Then show yourself." I demanded.

"I cannot."

"Why?"

"I'm tied up. He will be back soon. I can hear him now! He's coming!"

"Who Christine?" I ran forward, reaching out blinding, trying to find my angel.

"He's coming!"

"Christine! Answer me! Where are you?"

"I don't know! In…in some sort of…box I think. It is dark in here! Oh I am so frightened Erik."

"I'm coming my child.

I headed back towards the coffin. It was closed now. Strange noises, like that of scratches against wood emanated from inside . I opened it. There was Christine, lying there calmly, looking seraphic and ethereal, eyes closed, lips and cheeks rosy.
I leaned over and kissed her cheek tenderly, longing, in several places. To my dismay, her smooth skin melted into a hideous deformity beneath my lips.
I could not hold back my screams of horror.

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Darcy POV

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I counted today of as a bitter disappointment. So close, I had been so close to breaking through to Erik. To being the friend, I knew he desperately needed.
Yet when I offered my friendship, he fled!
Why he did not snatch, at what was hanging right there in front of him?I was sure his reaction was based on his experience with Christine's rejection. Exactly what had she seen under that mask?

I remained on the floor for a few minutes, trying to visualize every possible facial deformity he could have. That was entirely left up to imagination, since I hadn't really seen that many people with facial deformities. Non-I thought of repulsed me enough.

I stood, shaking off my dress, and then stretching.

Anna was sitting on the edge of the bed when I entered, her slender legs dangling.
I plopped down beside her, staring up at the stone ceiling.

"Darcy are you-are you very…angry?" Anna stammered.

I rolled over and propped on my elbows to face her. "What are you talking about?"

"Because of what I did! I have made you unhappy! "She blurted out, chin quivering. "You wanted to be alone with-with him, and I ruined it!"

"No, my dear girl! You've not ruined anything." I gathered the edgy child into my arms, gently pushing in her nose with my finger.

"You could have killed him though." I murmured, shuddering. The thought struck more terror in my heart than it should have.

A sudden thought made me hold her an arms-length away. "Where did you find that pistol?"

"There." she whispered, pointing toward the little writing desk. "It was hidden among some of the papers." she explained.

"I wonder why it was placed there." I gently pushed Anna out of my lap and crawled out of bed.

A quick rummage through the draws revealed a note, written in a decidedly hurried hand.

It read:

I have been locked in my room by the voice, by my angel of music! No! He is not really that. It was all a lie! How childish, how foolish I have been! His love frightens me, that almost obsessive worship of me, falling at my feet, kissing the helms of my dress. And those cries and moans, I doubt if I shall ever live a day I do not hear them in my ears.
Though I fear him, he has some terrible hold on me. He controls me and I am afraid I shall never break free.
There are times when I do not want to! His music feels me with such ecstasy, such raptures. If I leave him, then I shall never again enjoy those feelings that remind me so much of my dear father.
I have sitting before me a gun, one that I stole while Erik was out and left me to wander freely. I shall use it should my captor, this madman, stops behaving like a gentleman.
I would rather die with honor, than suffer disgrace at his hands.
I hear footsteps! He back and coming towards this very room! I am frightened!That poor girl! Erik is so unruly and demanding, and Christine was such a simple and pure child. She would not have been able to handle him.

I gently folded up the letter, ready to place it back in the drawer.

"What's that you're reading Darcy?" Anna asked, attempting to snatch the letter from from my hand.
I held it high above her head, trying to choke back my laughter at Anna's jumping and flailing.

"Anna if you don't desist this nonsense this moment…" I threatened, unable to hold back laughing any longer.

"I know something that always works." Anna chortled, hands held out like spiders, taking menacing steps forward."

"Oh no you don't!"

"Oh yes I will." Anna countered, continuing her advancement.

I backed away still laughing. "Anna I'm warning you, if you tickle me I'll-"

She attacked before I could finish speaking. We both fell to the floor in a heap shrieks, laughing and dresses.

Anna was unremitting in her assault.

"Stop! Stop this…very moment…or I'll…or I'll," I shrieked between fits of laughter.

"Give me that paper first."

"Never…I'll not surrender. That is…enough. I said…enough!" I exclaimed more seriously, no longer wanting to continue with this ridicules game.

We both got up still giggling. I hid the letter back in the drawer.

"We're like sisters aren't we Darcy?" Anna asked, tidying up her hair in the mirror.

"We are." I agreed with a smile. "But for now young lady you should rest. Later I will draw you up a nice hot bath. How's that sound?"

"But of course Mademoiselle." Anna replied with a mock bow. She crawled into bed and I tucked her in.
"He play divinely does he not?"

She asked suddenly, worrying her bottom lip.

"He does."

"Do you think he meant to hurt you?"

I shook my head. "No. I just think he is used to frightening people to get his way."

"Should I try to like him?" Anna asked sleepily. "I will if you believe I should."

"Yes Anna." I kissed the soft forehead. "Rest now."

I returned to the main room, to see if Erik was there. He was not. Disappointed, I walked over to his organ. On the top were an ink tray and scattered papers. I picked up a few examining them. They were compositions, very complicated ones.

A scream shattered the silence. It was coming from behind a black velvet hanging. It no doubt led to Erik's room. I decided to find out what was going on.

Behind the hangings was a long tunnel, dimly lit by a few sconces. I followed it warily. Water droplets and spider webs added to its spooky effect. The tunnel veered off to the right, stopping right in front of a solid wood door.

"Erik?" I called out. "Are you alright?"

No answer.

I tried the doorknob. It was unlocked. The door opened with a slight wining sound. I proceeded tentatively.

I was caught completely off guard by his room; it felt like I had stepped into a funeral room. Black hangings on the wall darkened the room. However, the coffin underneath a canopy hung with red brocade curtains caught my attention. That sight sent a shiver down my spine. Is that where he sleeps? In a coffin? I shuttered again.

I looked around the room further, trying to keep my mind of that horrible coffin.

An organ, smaller than the one in the main room, sat against one wall. Golden candelabras lined its perimeter

My attention was once again drawn to the coffin by the slight moaning sounds emerging from it, followed by another small scream. Erik was having a nightmare.

I walked over to the coffin, disturbed though I was by it, determined to rouse Erik from his sleep.

What I saw repulsed me. Erik without a mask. None of my previous imaging had been sufficient preparations.
My reflexes kicked into action and I felt a familiar burning sensation tear though my stomach and up my throat, as the bile rose. I forced it back down.
Half his face looked like the rotting flesh of a corpse. The skin was raw, discolored and swollen. Pus oozed from ulcers on his cheekbone and brows, most likely from rubbing against the mask. His nose was clasped on the left side. I also noted his hair was a sparse and plastered to his skull.

No wonder he keeps that mask on. It was truly hideous and I fought back the urge to turn and run from this room. Far away from….from what? Erik? That poor man whose only desire was to be loved from himself?

Remorseful tears stung my eyes as I searched for that white half mask. He would never forgive me if he knew I saw his face.
Christine ripping off his mask at the Don Juan Triumphant had sent him to he brink of madness; I would not make the same mistake.

I found it flung against a wall, along with his wig. I scooped the mask up tenderly and walked back over to him. I carefully replaced the mask on his face, still barely stomaching the look of it. Now that it was on, I gave him a gentle shake.

Those golden eyes fluttered open and stared up at me, bewildered.

"Wha, happed?" he mumbled still confused.

"It's alright Erik. You were having a bad dream, but I'm here now." I whispered soothingly, massaging his trembling muscular shoulders.

Recognition dawned on his face and he bolted upright, his hands flying to his face. Assured the mask was there, he released the air he was holding.

Erik shifted golden eyes boring into mine. "What are you doing in here?"

"You were having a bad dream. I heard you screaming from the other room, so I came to check on you."

He narrowed his eyes. "Really? Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you come and check on me?"

I knew what he wanted to hear. "Because I wanted to Erik."

My reward was a slight tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Well I'm up now. There's no need for you to hover over my head." he said, quickly returning to his temperamental self.

"Of course Erik." I replied, hiding a smile behind my hand. "Would you like something to eat?"

"Yes…if" He stared at me, eyes round, mouthing slightly agape

"If what?" I prompted.

He dropped his gaze. "IF…if you'll eat…with me."

I laughed this time. "Nothing would please me more."

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Hey, I am getting better with updating on time.
Don't worry, their happiness wont last long-that's all I'm gonna say.
Please Review. It keeps me going.
I need a Beta who is willing to stick with me and offer help and advice.