Chapter Three
The Opera Years 1850-1870 Part I
Through the years Erik had been plunged deeper into despair with each passing year of continuous torture and deprivation. How long can a body or soul survive with little to sustain either? Nico kept him away from the others. His cage would always be placed far from the encampment after performances. He would be wheeled into a huge musty smelling tent just before the fair would open for business. Nico wanted to increase Erik's sense of aloneness so he would place a cover over his cage when not performing.
During the heat of summer the airless cage would begin to feel as if it would stifle him. He would pant like the other animals trying to breath in enough air to sustain him. He had grown used to the soiled straw from the release of bodily waste. He no longer gagged at the stench of his own body and cage. He had learned to ration water and food as Nico reveled in depriving his little Devil's Child of the simplest necessities of life.
The only small comfort had been a little monkey one of the fair workers had thrown at him out of some whim or small feeling of sorrow for The Devil's Child. Erik did not care why it had been given to him. It was his and his alone, his one comfort in this hell where little comfort could be found.
Erik had ceased to respond to the beatings he received every night for the pleasure of the crowds. His master, Nico, had discovered that if he beat Erik while the customers stood by in awe and fear, the coins thrown increased with the more violent displays.
Perhaps those imbeciles did indeed begin to believe Erik to be some sort of demon and not merely a poor little boy who had the misfortune to be born with a face only half formed in an acceptable visage.
Erik had stopped praying years ago for anyone to save him or for mercy from a God he had found it hard to continue to believe existed. The world consisted of only pain, degradation, humiliation and the greed and cruelty of whatever master controlled Erik's fate. He had no freedom, no freewill. At times Erik found it hard to remember that he was a human and not an animal or demon. Any happiness he had left in his memories faded to only vague wisps of remembrances.
The only little bit of defiance Erik still displayed once in a while was to refuse to act like the animal or Devil's Child he was supposed to be. On those nights he would simply lay with his burlap sack covering his face and his hand grasping tightly to his little monkey while his master beat him. Nico cursed Erik wishing to send him back to hell for his continued defiance.
In his thirteenth year there came a night when all of Nico's efforts to force a response from Erik failed. Nico beat Erik more than usual and much more violently trying to force some sort of reaction out of him. The crowd wanted to receive their money's worth.
Erik felt the sack being ripped from his head even as his one comfort was torn from his hand. When the sack had been removed Erik covered his head with his arms. He worried what Nico might do with his companion. Nico became incensed as he carelessly tossed the monkey down to the floor of the cage. Erik felt the lash come down on his back again and again. Erik's hand searched blindly until he felt that tiny bit of cloth that comprised the sum total of his one companion and friend. This little piece of cloth had been Erik's one possession for the last six years.
Some might have scoffed to know a boy just on the cusp of reaching manhood clung to a toy with such tenacity. Erik's development had been arrested severely, not only mentally but physically as well. He did not look much older than eight or nine.
Dimly Erik heard the screams and gasps as he rolled to his back. This gave the onlookers a clear view of the demon they had paid to see. Satisfied they threw coins down in front of the cage. Erik's chest heaved trying to hold back the pain so he would not shed one tear. It had become easier with time to ignore his agony somewhat. He had built up a tolerance for pain, at least pain a body may suffer. If he could have learned how to close his heart to love as well, then he would have saved himself from those crippling emotions when ones love is rejected.
Erik looked at those faces gazing back at him. Desperately he sought to find just one person who did not experience some sick pleasure from his agony. He had almost given up when he spied a young girl perhaps six or seven years older than himself. The sadness of her eyes and the tear trickling down her cheek gave Erik a spark of hope for his future. If one person could care perhaps there would be others.
His musings were brought harshly back to reality when he felt the lash slash across his already raw and bleeding flesh. Erik crawled on his hands and knees until he found his monkey that he had let go of during the beating. Curling up with his friend clenched tightly to his chest Erik endured all that Nico delivered. Erik's refusal to beg for mercy infuriated Nico. He ripped the monkey from Erik's hands then with a smirk he threw it across the cage as he delivered one final lash that struck Erik's back and arms delivering an agony most men cold not tolerate nor survive.
Enough! Erik's mind shouted. Seven long years of this had finally brought Erik to the breaking point or the point where desperation would give him what he needed to free himself.
Coming to his hands and knees once he no longer felt the stinging of the leather striking his skin, Erik began to rise. As he found a steady foothold his fists clenched as he saw Nico greedily gathering the coins thrown just outside Erik's cage. That money should rightfully be Erik's. Had he not suffered every day of the last seven years? Did he not deserve some compensation?
Not really knowing his intention, Erik crept up behind Nico who continued to be engrossed in the counting of his ill-gotten gain.
Erik quickly reached out wrapping his arm around Nico's neck. All the rage that had built up over the years gave Erik the strength to tighten his arm around the man's neck in a grip so firm Nico could not break Erik's hold. The iron bars served as a brace for Erik to lock onto as he pressed Nico's neck backward with all the strength his rage afforded him. Slowly Erik felt Nico's resistance ebb out of him. When Erik felt the body sag he released his master's limp form letting it fall to the ground.
Only after the body lay lifeless just outside his cage did Erik become aware that someone had witnessed his crime. The sad eyed girl from before stood there glued to the spot with horror. Erik thought she would scream and bring others to come for him. She did nothing at first. Seeming to come to some decision she knelt down and began to search Nico's pockets. Erik thought perhaps she was planning on taking his purse but she brought out the key to Erik's cage instead. Erik could not let himself hope she planned to release him.
Incredibly the girl went to the door and inserted the key in the lock. No sound had ever seemed so wondrous as the clicking of that lock that freed Erik from this torturous world that had seemed to be a lifetime.
They stood there dumbly staring at one another. What to do now? They were brought rudely back to reality by a man coming through the flaps of the tent. It was one of the fair's security guards. Seeing Nico lying there motionless he shouted.
The girl grabbed Erik's hand tugging him along behind her. He had no idea where to go so he let her lead him as he followed her like a child would follow the Pied Piper.
They traversed through so many streets and alleys that it would have been impossible for Erik to remember all of them. Blindly he followed his savior. When they stopped before an iron gate in the side of a massive building Erik looked questioningly toward the girl. If he thought he could talk he would have asked where they were. Since he had not been allowed to speak for so many years he doubted his ability to do so now.
Once they stepped through the grate the girl took an unlit torch from the wall. Blindly she searched around the little shelf beside where the torch had hung. When her fingers grasped around what she had been seeking she giggled in triumph. Lighting the torch the girl proceeded to lead Erik into the darkened tunnels. Erik was led into the darkness of the underbelly of L'Opéra Populaire for the first time. One tunnel after another she led him through until they came to an underground lake. Erik stood looking on in awe.
"You must stay here until we can figure something out. I would bring you up with me but I am only a ballet rat with no room of my own. My name is Antoinette, Antoinette Devereaux."
Erik tried to tell her his name but his throat felt as if it had locked tighter than the door of his cage. He could not form any words.
She must have thought he was a mute as her face took on sadness again and she said kindly, "That's alright. Don't worry. We will find some way to communicate. I will think of a place for you to stay other than this dark and damp underground. For now stay here until I can come down with some clothing and food. Do not go into the tunnels too far as you will become lost. Do you understand me?"
Erik nodded his head. She smiled in relief. He reached out his hand to let his fingers trail down over her soft hair. The ribbon that held it back had come loose as they ran and tendrils of soft yellow hair hung around her face.
Long ago an angel had given him solace in a dismal world and now once again an angel had found him. It did not matter if she were actually a living girl and not a real angel. To Erik it seemed as if divinity had touched her with the goodness and purity of an angel.
"I must leave now. The others will be worried about me as I was supposed to stay with the group. Madame Celeste will be angry with me. I must at least show up for roll call at bedtime. I hope they have not called out the authorities."
Antoinette removed her cloak to hand it to the boy. He looked so cold, lost and forlorn. She did not know if he had killed that man or merely rendered him unconscious. Either way she did not hold any blame against him for his actions. Her only difficulty had been standing there witnessing such cruelty while adults and children alike had encouraged the whip in that man's hand to come down again and again against this poor boy's back. Antoinette did not see him as any sort of devil or demon. He was merely an unfortunate young boy who suffered from some sort of defect.
Erik took the cloak she held out to him after many seconds of standing wondering if she meant for him to take it or not. When she had not drawn it back around her shoulders Erik could only think she offered it to him. Smiling once more when he held the warm cloak to his far too thin chest Erik watched as the girl, Antoinette sprinted away as if her feet had wings.
Once he was alone Erik sank down and drew the cloak around his thin shaking shoulders. He closed his eyes giving silent thanks for whatever fate or deity that had blessed Antoinette with such a kind heart. If not for her Erik would have killed Nico and been found in his cage. He did not doubt they would have hung him on the spot.
Erik did not know it at the time the far reaching consequences of his savior's actions, how many lives would be affected by that one act of kindness.
Antoinette came as often as she could. She had practice everyday then had assigned chores to complete that had to be done in exchange for being allowed to stay in the opera house dormitories.
Erik had found his voice. It had been feeble sounding in the beginning and he had struggled to make the words in his head come out his mouth. Eventually his normal voice returned. Antoinette told him his voice had a very pleasing quality and that he should try to sing. He had blushed at her compliment. No one for many years had given him anything other than pain.
During Antoinette's increasingly longer absences Erik had begun to explore his new home. He had told Antoinette he would rather stay down below than try to find a place where he would be accepted above. Antoinette would come to regret allowing Erik to stay down in his dark and lonely world.
Erik found a little place under the stage where he could listen to the music being played. His fingers itched to try to play the piano. One night when everyone had finally left Erik had stolen out into the orchestra pit giving in to his need to play the notes resounding in his head, some he had heard played and others that were his own imaginings.
Just by watching and listening he had learned much about this instrument. Erik had a gift many accomplished composers and pianists would envy.
Erik had at first been tentative with the keys. It had been so long since he had touched a piano let alone heard the sweet sounds they made. Once he felt comfortable he played some of the same compositions he had heard from his little cubbyhole as well as some of those notes that floated around in his head. He did not know how he knew which keys to press he was just glad to have the opportunity to do so as the music in his head had begun to drive him crazy with the need for release.
Erik did not know that the conductor had come back for some papers he had left behind. The man stood in the shadows watching this mysterious unknown musician. Alphonse Reyer had thought for the last few months that someone had been watching other than the audience. He had dismissed his prickling skin as some sort of reaction because of his thoughts not due to any real apparition or ghost haunting the opera house.
When the boy had stopped playing Alphonse had been going to approach him but the boy had shocked him when he had removed the grate from underneath the stage and disappeared into the opening. The grate had then been placed back into the opening.
Alphonse recalled the rumors of a phantom or ghost having been haunting the opera house the last few months. Just about the time he had begun to have that feeling of being watched during rehearsals and performances.
It would seem they did indeed have someone haunting them. Alphonse did not for one moment believe this to be some apparition. What he had seen had been a living, breathing child, a small boy as near as he could tell. The child had only trousers and a cloak to cover him. His feet had been bare. From what little Alphonse had taken in the boy and soap and water had long since parted ways.
Perhaps this was some orphaned youngster who had found a way into the underbelly of the opera house. Well God bless him, Alphonse would not be the one to inform Monsieur Lefèvre of his existence. Who was he to begrudge the poor soul what little comfort he could find?
Alphonse decided he would come back every night to see if the little vagabond had returned to play. Indeed Erik did continue to come. He had also begun to avail himself of other things in the opera house such as clothing, shoes and food from the kitchen.
He took so little no one noticed at first. Only as he grew and his appetite did as well did the cooks begin to think they had a thief among them. One who stole food and candles. At times small pots and utensils would go missing never to be found again. Wardrobe and the props departments had made complaints of missing items as well.
After having observed Erik for almost a month, Alphonse decided he would leave a note lying on the piano the next night with a gift. Alphonse had his suspicions about this boy but he needed to be sure.
When Erik came as usual he found the note lying upon a small instrument that Erik thought looked like the fiddles the gypsies would play. He could not read the note of course as his skills had not continued to be honed in the cage of the fair. No one cared whether The Devil's Child could read or not. Rochelle had taught him a little but not enough to read a letter. He laid the note aside to gingerly pick up the violin.
He had not played one since Javart had taken away that privilege years ago, but he had always had a wish to do so. Such tortured notes could be expressed through those strings as could joy and love.
Erik rested the instrument between his shoulder and chin as he had seen others do. Even here in the opera house there were dozens of men playing such music it almost brought tears to Erik's eyes at times. Now Erik closed his eyes trying to remember the notes he had heard played with this instrument and the placing of fingers to make a particular sound.
He experimented making the most horrible earsplitting sounds. Alphonse began to think what he thought about the boy had only been wishful thinking and he had known how to play the piano all along.
Alphonse had just turned away to leave when he heard the first heavenly note fill the auditorium with its sweet sound. Turning back he could only gape in wonder. If he was not mistaken this was an original piece. Alphonse knew he had never heard it before. Alphonse wished he could see the boy more clearly. The next time he might leave a lamp lit so he might catch a glimpse of his little phantom.
Dear God what he wouldn't give to be able to teach such a talent. To share with the world such a gift would be the pinnacle of his career. As on the other nights once he had played for an hour or so the boy left. This time he took away with him a note and the violin.
The next time Antoinette came to visit him Erik showed her the note. She read it to him not believing the incredible offer Monsieur Reyer made to the boy she now knew as Erik.
She told Erik he must accept Monsieur's offer. Erik told her he would accept the offer to teach him music but he would not be leaving his home. If Monsieur could not accept that he would simply learn what he needed on his own.
Antoinette had begun to feel uneasy with how well Erik fit into this dark world. Most people would seek the light. Erik seemed to prefer the shadows. Because of his face she supposed it was understandable.
Erik told Antoinette what to write in answer to the note. This would be the first of many notes Antoinette delivered for Erik, soon to be known as the Opera Ghost or Phantom of the Opera. The only difference in future notes would be Erik had learned to pen them for himself.
Antoinette left the note just as everyone had been dismissed for lunch. She made her way to the orchestra pit and placed the note where she was sure Monsieur Reyer would find it.
So began Erik's instructions in the art of music. Soon Erik surpassed his teacher. As many times as Alphonse beseeched his pupil from the shadows to join him in the light so he might share his talent, Erik refused each and every time. Erik had little trust in anyone. Antoinette he trusted implicitly but anyone else not at all.