A/N: I'm sorry for not updating sooner then this. My fan fiction site wasn't working.

Oh, I figured out how to make the correct "e" in DaaƩ. Press Alt while typing in 0233 I just thought I'd let you all know. .

Now I will make all of you Erik fans very happy, cuz I'm going to start out the chapter with him. I think you've waited long enough. I didn't think I would go that long without Erik. I love him, and I think he is the best.

Thanks for all the reviews: Scarletguillraven, GIGGLE WOMAN, gerlorie, Morte Rouge, Phantomfan220891, Erik's Secret Admirer, Leli1013, Twinkle22, whatakick, Mademoiselle Fleur Augereau, the Mouse in the Opera House, Gerardphantomhot, ErikMySweet, siriuslyaphanatic, and tink20.

Chapter 20

Erik sat shivering in the storage room of a cargo ship with his knees tucked under his chin and his arms hugging his legs. It had been a day on this boat that was headed towards the Paris docks.

Erik's stomach rumbled, begging for some food. He couldn't last much longer if he didn't get some food in him. 'Surly this boat has food on it,' he thought. He stood up walking unsteadily due to the constant rocking of the boat. He soon adapted to the rocking and glided to the ramp. Without a sound he walked up the ramp until he reached the door. He put his ear up against it and listened. There was no sign of anyone on the other side. He slipped through the door. He was hit by the aroma of soup as he crept into the room.

He creped into the kitchen. He peered into a pot half full with leftover chicken soup. He removed his mask. His mouth started to water as he brought the cool rim of the pot to his lips. He swallowed the room temperature soup greedily. In a matter of minutes he was finished and fit to burst. He wiped the mess on his face with his sleeve and placed the burlap sack on his face.

He returned to storage room slowly. He plopped down next to a wooden crate and propped his back up against it. He rubbed his full belly while pondering about Christine. 'I hope she is okay. I do miss her. But she will come to me. I will see her in a few days at the Opera House,' he thought while smiling to himself. 'While waiting for her I will build my home below the Opera House.'

His eyelids drooped as he drifted off to sleep.

XXX

After a few days wait, Erik felt the boat lose speed. 'At last, I will get off this infernal boat,' he thought with relief. The door to the knob in the room turned and slowly opened. Erik picked up his bag of belongings and hid behind a crate. A well-built man came down the ramp pushing a cart followed by a second man," The men walked toward Erik's hiding spot.

"Markus, help me pick up this crate over here," the obese man called to the other, pointing to the box next to Erik.

Erik kept to the shadows and quickly glided to the next crate that was closer to the door.

"Hey, you boy! What are you doing down here?" Markus yelled.

Erik's heart skipped a beat. He sprinted to the door.

"You're not getting away so easily, boy!" the heavy man yelled. "You go after him, Markus. He is the little thief that has been stealing our food. He may have stolen some of our goods."

"Don't worry, Staffan, I'll get the little bastard," Markus hissed.

XXX

The boat came to an abrupt stop at the dock.

Erik's lungs felt like they were about to burst, but he still pressed on. He soon heard the thundering footsteps of Markus following in hot pursuit. Erik picked up his speed. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the exit and belted towards it. He made it onto the dock and ran as fast as his legs would carry him towards the city.

Markus followed the boy. "When I catch you, there will be hell to pay!" he yelled to Erik.

Erik looked back to see the man gaining on him. He had to reach the city and lose him there.

"Thief! Thief!" Markus yelled into the night. A few officers looked up to see what the commotion was about. "Thief! Thief! The one with the mask!" Markus bellowed.

The officers saw the masked boy that Markus was chasing. They mounted their horses and followed Markus.

Erik heard a galloping horses quickly closing in on him. He made a sharp turn down a dark ally, thus loosing the horses. 'Now to shake off that idiot, Markus,' he thought.

As Erik sprinted into the nearest building he could find, he bumped into a soft object.

"Uff."

Erik scuttled away before the person could see him.

"Who's there?" a women's voice called.

Erik hid behind a church pew. He knew that his racing heart and heavy breathing would give away his hiding spot.

The women walked closer to Erik. 'Obviously she will find me. I might as well ask her for help. She looks harmless,' he thought.

'Ah, but she might be like everyone else. She may be like mother. Looks harmless, but cruel and heartless.' his mind yelled back.

'What have I got to loose. I need to find the Opera House. If I don't, I will never see Christine again.' he retorted.

Erik stood so that the woman could see him. Erik studied the women as she studied him. The women was dressed from head to toe in black. Her dark red hair that was tightly braided ran down her back. She looked as if she were in her mid thirties.

"I need your help," Erik said without a trace of weakness in his voice. Tell me where the Paris Opera House is," he commanded.

"Why do you need to know?" she asked.

"I need a place to stay," he confessed. 'Why did I tell her. She can not be trusted,' he told himself silently. 'Well, she already knows what I look like. Damn, I might as well tell her my life story,' he mused.

"The Opera House is not a hotel," she laughed.

"I have no time for jokes, Madame." he hissed.

"Please, call me Antoinette."

"I am in no mood to play game either," he growled. He clenched his fists into a tight ball.

"And why are you so impatient to know?" she asked calmly.

"If you must know, I am being followed. Now will you tell me were the Opera House is?" he replied impatiently.

"Did you break the law?" she questioned.

"Not really. I was hungry and there was no other place to get food," he replied.

Antoinette studied him for a minute.

"Come with me and I will take you to the Opera House."

A/N: Antoinette is Madame Giry for those of you who don't know.

Please review.

-Jess-