Weird, I know, right? I didn't update as quickly as before. Well, forgive me if you were overhearingly stuck in suspense. I hope very sincerely to get new reviewers, which would be awesome, but I can't keep my hopes up so much, after all, the reviewers I have are already excellent enough. I hope that you may not see the sudden writers block I had in the process of writing this chapter, I hope you don't mind because I would like to give this particular impression of the dullness but not while making the writing dull, so I would have to have some sort of event going on at all times. I think it might be horrible how I'm doing it, so that's exactly why I had a writer's block. *sigh*... Well, anyway, enjoy this chapter.

Please, please, please review. I love you all for doing so already!

~The Phantoms Flutist~

Chapter 7:

Relief

It was like an eternity before everything started moving again, and the world came back to life. I had my hand outstretched with the mask, kneeling down to his level, and he looked at me with his golden eyes, and at the mask as if I would it was going to bite him, looking to me like a child... Nobody has ever said such heartfelt words to me, and nothing so complex in my wildest dreams. How could he love me so? I was human, a girl, and stupid and naive and a child that is scared of her own shadow if something is far too large for her to manage she screams and runs and rebels until it's over... How could he love me? How could he care when everyone else except Raoul didn't? How could he even begin to understand where my own two feet were when I didn't? And he tells me these words with utmost sincerity, with care and pitiful need...

He was still at my feet, his waxy forehead bent over, and I was frightened in such a way to touch it, but I did so anyway, I wanted to comfort him with the same desire I had to run. I wanted to tell him it will all be fine, but I didn't find the words to piece together. I had the human desire to help, but how could I? If he looked up again, I would probably scream and run off... and I didn't want to, but it seems only reasonable. I stood there, touching his shoulder, and the simple touch made him shiver.

"Erik..." I began, piecing together any words that came to mind to create a logical sentence for once. "I didn't understand you at first... but I think, finally, I do in a way..." I whispered so quietly, I was surprised my mouth was moving at all. With a shaking hand, he took the mask, and placed it back over his face, seeming to shed a few years simply with that, and he rose to his long, skeletal form, taller than me as usual, and I remained kneeling on the ground. I looked up, wiping the few tears I had left.

"Thank you," His voice was so soft and gentle... Oh, how lovely... it seemed to be that his face was the price for his extraordinary talents and inhuman voice. I shook my head, finding myself lost once more, looking onto his masked face, but only seeing his true face anymore, not even any clues to a natural face. I rose to my feet as well, taking my own face into my hands. I began to run quickly, not knowing what else I could do, and I ran out of the room, slamming the door behind me.

I ran up the stairs and into the familiar hallway with the familiar room and a bed that would hear me out... So confused and bothered.

I collapsed on the bed, and cried into the pillow, finding myself once more in my prison with a man I still hardly knew, who looks like a corpse and loves me. Oh, God... what do I do? What do I do?

A knock startled me, and I rolled onto my stomach. "Go away!" I hissed between sobs.

"It's me," Anne's voice sounded through the door, and knocked again, "Can I come in?" She asked innocently. I didn't have to answer before she slid in through the door, and came straight to me in the bed, sitting at the other end. The kindly women rubbed my back.

"I didn't mean to..." I whispered, shaking my head, "I didn't mean to hurt him..."

"You didn't take the mask, did you?" She asked, suddenly aghast.

"No, it... fell because... I don't remember, but it fell and... and... I saw... and..." I trailed off, my heart thudding at the memory. I leaned into her shoulder and sobbed, and she rubbed my back.

"I know, dear, I know..."

"Do you?" I asked, instantly curious.

"When I first met him, he had his mask off when I came into the room. I barely saw it, but it was just enough to understand, but all I could do was walk back out of the room, clutching the towels in my hand and waiting for him to come over the sudden fear."

"How...?" I asked, shaking my head, "how did he become like that...?"

"That is something you will have to ask him, for I cannot explain." She inquired softly.

I remained there, crying into her shoulder, regretting everything as it gripped my heart and squeezed it, and I didn't know what to do now.

I heard something crash downstairs, and her head shot up.

"Something more..." She shook her head, and patted my back once more, I watched as she left, and feeling slightly comforted with someone there like a mother and it was nice to actually have someone there for me, for someone to understand. I felt grateful, all of a sudden, that Erik was rich enough to have servants. I'm just terrified of when the time comes that he thinks of taking everything from me, to strip me completely of all my happy thoughts all together. And I thought I was doing quite well without my father until Erik came along...

I didn't want to be in this room for so long, but I felt that if I stepped out of the room once again, than something may attack and break me down even more. Maybe... I'll take a bath... get away from this room without actually leaving. I agreed to this all myself and stepped into the bathroom.

I let the warm water flow, letting the heat rise and soothe me somewhat. I stepped into the filled tub, and laid my head back taking in the aroma. I looked to the water... it would be so easy to simply slip into the water and let go of everything. So easy... I unconsciously slipped into the water, letting my head go under, and I stayed there for at least 10 seconds before I got terrified of death in itself... letting the darkness take over, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I came out of the water, coughing up the water I actually did take in unconsciously, and blinked away the water, shuddering.

I was falling, falling and I couldn't see anything. Panicking, as I flailed my arms out in the water that was far too over my head. I was frightened, my heart thud in my throat, and I was in the water, letting myself drown, without knowing how to come back up. I was going to drown... I was going to drown... It was dark... and there is a hand outstretched in the water with the light surrounding it. I grabbed it... holding onto it for dear life...

The memory was painful, my cousin pushed me into the pool at only 5-years-old and I didn't know how to swim until my dad dipped his hand into the water to fish me out. For the next 5 years I was terrified of water, not going into the pool no matter how hard my friends tried to convince me... And ever since I had some sort of strange feeling that the water was a bottomless pit that would swallow me whole and I'll never see the light again...

There was a knock on the door suddenly and I shot up in the water, looking at the door.

"Christine?" Erik's voice was on the other side. What do I say? I swallowed hard, choking on more water.

"What do you want?" I coughed again.

"Just wondering... where you went..."

"I'm taking a bath... go away." I demanded coldly, and I believe I heard him sigh, and he walked away. I was instantly relieved that he didn't open the door because I forgot to lock it.

I heard the other door shut as well, and my heart slowed back to its normal pace, and I relaxed back into the water, leaning my head back, and shut my eyes, trying to forget though it was not successful at all. I eventually sank into a nap.

I awoke when the water was freezing, and the world felt slightly different... I was taking a nap naked in the bathtub... oh, that was a mistake. He could have been in here! I jumped out of the tub and dried off quickly, putting my clothes back on, and dried my hair briefly for the ends were slightly wet and went into my empty and dull bedroom only to collapse on my bed once more, and fell asleep once more.

I woke up in the middle of the night, somehow believing it was a bright and glorious morning, and found that it was 4 in the morning, and it was still night outside. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to go back to sleep, but after another half hour of staring at the dark ceiling, I couldn't bare simply laying there anymore. I settled with putting on a pair of sweatpants and bringing a book I brought up from the library before the incident, and I went down to the living room to read, not wanting to stay in my room or venture back into the library in fear of the memories...

I looked inside the door to the living room to see if Erik would be sitting right there, and if so, I fully intended on going back to my room. Fortunately, he wasn't, so I went ahead and stepped inside shakily, and sat onto the sofa where I usually sit, leaning my back against the armrest, and began to read with somewhat comfort.

As I read I could hardly concentrate, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of such a man is living with me. He caused the entire room to fall apart out of sudden rage. He didn't touch me, though, he seemed to harm everything in the room except me and Ayesha, as if there was a bubble. But he was capable of that much... Could that happen again? I shuddered... my future looked extremely dim, and I felt as if I was drained. No, I can't go to Juilliard like I dreamed. And, no, I cannot be in a Broadway play or maybe even an opera. No, I won't be able to see Raoul again. Yes... yes, I am very much so stuck here just like him, and we'd be together, just as he said, and he'd say he love me and would I huddle up like this, terrified of him and what he may do, jumping and screaming at anything he would do... And I would cry which would get me nowhere, my only social connection being the maid. How sad. How terrible.

The more I thought of it, the more I began to ponder if he would actually let me go. Stubborn just as I was, I suppose, neither of us giving in, leaving a big and miserable mess.

I could escape, I suppose. I could run out the front door and keep running though I never was even good at running and I haven't ran from something before, so I couldn't judge just how fruitful my escape attempt may just be. He would be mad, perhaps. Maybe sad... Oh, I couldn't stand those tears again! It hurt a lot seeing someone as strong as he was break down in front of me and cry. He lost his dignity for me, but I didn't remove it. It fell... and he was mad because he thought I stole it. He didn't listen...

This was so wrong, so twisted of a situation. Is he even considered my guardian anymore? If not, it could be holding me hostage, or a disappearance. But who would know me to care? Raoul thinks I simply left him, I'm sure. But what if he doesn't think that?

The rest of the conversation in my head was filled with the following "what-ifs" and exceptions of the "what-ifs" I was asking to myself. I looked to the small clock on the side table which read 5:40.

I began to notice soft music starting to play in another room, obviously the music room, where else? It wasn't something I've recognized before, though, it was so bittersweet and heart-wrenchingly beautiful, and it was being played by a violin. A part of me wanted to close my ears and hum softly over it to block it from reaching my ears, but then the other part was curious and spellbound, and I felt vulnerable to whatever lay before me on the other side of this wall. How could I give in so easily?

I rose from my seat, the silent war beginning in my head to walk straight or turn back and go to my prison room. Come to think of it, this would be the perfect time for something... well, without another word for it, bold.

"What are you doing up so early, Christine?" Erik's sudden presence in the room startled me once more, carrying a violin in his hand, looking slightly drained.

"I..." I began stupidly, searching for the correct words. "Wasn't able to go back to sleep when I awoke suddenly, so I decided to read. I think... I'm going upstairs now." I began to walk off and to the foyer, but something touching my shoulder caused me to pause in my tracks.

"Wait, please stay down here. Just... please?" He begged of me imploringly, using his voice more than anything else.

"I'm going upstairs." I rebelled sourly, shrugging out of his grasp.

"How could you want to stay up there?" He asked suddenly. I thought about it for a second, "Do you hate me so?"

"I don't hate anyone..." I whispered knowingly, and it was true for I was raised to be that way but I've neglected it so long, how could I hate Erik? He who weeps at my feet, a grown man, and tells me he's given me all this out of love, I don't see how anyone could even turn around and say how much I hated him again. "I don't hate you."

I wanted to know the thoughts running through his head right then. I don't know, maybe he was dead set on me despising him, that that took him in surprise. Either way, he was more settled then before, and I turned to look at the only lovely feature that he has physically which are his eyes, which could be considered beautiful for they are the most interesting shade of brownish gold that glowed... If that makes sense. I just thought it was interesting to stare at the the only exposed normal feature and how he conveys emotions through only his eyes silently.

"Will I ever be allowed to leave, Erik?" I asked quietly, trying hard to sound strong about it.

He was thinking, I knew it this time, he was actually planning something in his head, concocting something that is promising.

"How about we go for a little outing tonight? You and I."

That wasn't exactly the answer I was expecting, but it sounded good enough for now. I suppose I shouldn't ask for much after what has happened, what's been exposed...

"Where shall we go?" I timidly questioned, playing with the fabric of my pants entwining in my fingers over and over again.

"You'll have to wait and see," He replied in a brighter tone. "I suggest you wear something formal."

Suddenly excited at seeing the outside world again after who knows how long... It was like my entire time being here was simply a blur.

"How long have I been here?" I thought aloud, looking to him.

"Three weeks more or less."

God, that long? I nodded acknowledgedly, "When will we be leaving?"

"How about before dinner?"

"But..."

"We will have to miss the lesson today," he replied, already knowing what I was going to hint at. I nodded and walked away from him without further ado. I stayed in my room for the rest of the day, drawing on paper I found and writing with a calligraphy pen that was simply fun to write with.

The rest day passed by as so, Erik trying to spark a conversation at the table during breakfast, but I simply ignored him, waiting for the time when he announces that we'd be leaving. I waited impatiently almost, walking back and forth across my room. I looked at myself, which was a mess, in the mirror, and decided I should occupy my time to looking decent, for I honestly looked dead.

I picked a white summer dress, which had a halter top, tying around my neck, and a v-neck which I was rather cautious of... I suppose it was that I didn't want to make him... look too much further. I tied my unmanageable curly hair into a pony tail to keep it off my neck and powdered my face to hide the dark circles around my eyes... I looked almost back to normal, or at least somewhat if I was to show my face to anyone besides Erik. It then bothered me that I had no idea where we were going.

"Are you ready to go, Christine?" Erik knocked on the door.

"Yes, hold on." I replied hurriedly, taking in a deep breath of nerve. I opened the door to find him standing right there, looking down to me, amused. He outstretched his hand for me to take but I found myself simply staring at it. He put it back to his side slowly, and began to walk and I followed him behind.

We went out the front door, this being my second time leaving through here, but last time I was too involved to notice the outdoors and the garden and fully appreciate it.

He noticed my interest in the surroundings, "Do you like it?" He asks that a lot. Why should my opinion matter when he's always so proud of everything else?

"Yes," I simply answered and he walked on to the circle where a black sports car was waiting with tinted windows, Thomas, the driver, was standing near the door, opening it for me, and I stepped shakily inside breathing, "thank you," and went furthest to the window as I could, seeing Erik was going to sit right next to me. I looked out the window again, holding my hands on my knees to keep from showing any sort of nerve. It was fine, I suppose, because he was looking out his own tinted window, watching outside of it in pretty much the same position as I. I looked back out the window before he had enough time to notice that I was staring at him with a weird expression.

I was tense for the entire ride and very uncomfortable, for it was, indeed, a long car ride.

We were traveling into a city that I have not been to before, it was a very small city, though, business buildings, offices, restaurants, all the basic sort of things that a small city such as this would have. I looked to see small boutiques flowing with people... people... It was nice to see society once more after being kept in.

"We'll be getting off here," his voice sounded from beside me. I opened my eyes wide in surprise and instant curiosity. Not only was I worried, but I also found that I'd be receiving many stares simply because of the man I'd be walking next to.

Erik opened the door and got out, and outstretched his hand for me to take, and I stared at it once more. "Dear, I insist upon it this time." He remarked. I took his actually gloved hand this time, and let him hold it, though I was intending on trying to pull it out if he held it any tighter.

I stepped out of the car by his side, with a crowd of people walking by. None of them, out of my utmost startled point of view, turned to see the man walking by in the mask. I looked up to see if he was still there as we walked along the side walk, and of course he was... but we just weren't getting any curious stares. Weird.

I had to walk fast to keep up though, it felt like I should run. His legs were so long, therefore his stride was probably triple my own. I felt stupid running while he was walking but, once more, nobody turned to look. I peaked behind my shoulder to, indeed, see stares as we walked by which relieved me in a way. It was evidently too busy of a city to even manage to turn at strange people if there was enough. Reminds me of New York City, now that I think back on it.

We stopped at a restaurant that looked even fancier than where Raoul took me, and... it was deserted. I looked up to Erik and waited for an answer, but I didn't receive one. Okay, then, Erik... why not? It was Italian, my absolute favorite foods, with the lights glowing dim and the waitress didn't even look up when we first came in.

"I'd like the table I reserved, please." Erik mentioned and the young waitress turned around, startled, looking to me then to him, and nodded slowly. Erik let go of my hand finally, and I massaged it, feeling the bruise show itself once more to me that he placed there before.

We sat down to a menu, a napkin expertly folded, and a glass of water laid out at both of our seats. It was too insanely normal that I thought my mind could explode. "You're waiter will be out in a few minutes." The hostess said to us and walked off shakily, looking back to us as she strut away.

"Did you buy this entire place out, or something?" I asked quietly, looking to him who was already looking at the menu. My brow furrowed... and so now he was going to eat in front of me? Ha ha... wow...

"Yes," He answered indifferently. What else could he have done?

"Okay, then," I replied quietly, placing the napkin into my lap, and opened the menu... the prices were so high, but what did it matter? I wasn't about to show my surprise if not already conveyed through my sudden gasp. He showed no interest toward it, looking through the menu, I thought, until in my peripheral vision, his glowing golden eyes were placed on me. "What?" I asked and he shook his head and went back to looking through the menu.

"Are you actually going to eat?" I questioned.

"I might."

"Interesting." I replied, "Why don't you eat in the first place? Is food not good enough for you?"

"There are some things in life that are more fulfilling than a brief alternative." His answer struck me as impeccably strange.

"But people have to eat once in a while or else you could die," I said, the words were small, and dully said. I think he smiled at them, and I felt stupid once more.

"Why would that worry you?" He asked tilting his head to the side.

"I'm not sure," I replied, looking distractedly to the menu to see what was on it. Dishes that even I didn't know how to decode. I looked to the list that was labeled "lasagne" and stuck with looking through descriptions of delicious-sounding foods that I was actually familiar with.

The waitress came around and offered the drinks, and I simply took hot tea as usual, and Erik took a glass of wine which was obviously expensive enough that he would have to drink it. Already making my decision, I now had to decide whether or not I should actually talk to him. He was obviously desperate to take some words out of me... I was stuck with him for now, so why not?

"I suppose... that we have a truce, then?" I asked slowly, and he looked up, surprised.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You know... that accident and... I saw..." I arched my shoulders, playing with my hands, feeling extremely awkward.

He shrugged, "I had the reservations made beforehand, so it wouldn't matter."

"You could have canceled," I offered, arching one brow.

"That's correct, but I didn't want to waste it. I figured that you would dearly enjoy what I am going to take you to." He answered unfurling an elegant hand conversationally.

"There's more?"

"You'll see," he was amused once more by my pressing questions, as if I was his toy again.

"So... are we? You know..."

"Yes, I suppose so." He answered, nodding, leaning into his chair. I nodded as well, feeling slightly better off, feeling the guilt that never seems to have left me, finally get off of my shoulders