Under The Spell Of A Phantom.
Seven: Dreams
She was dreaming...
Ruby was wandering through a long and never ending hallway filled with paintings on the blue walls and fresh flowers in vases.
Music was playing softly, it grew louder and stronger as she reached towards two large golden doors that opened by themselves.
Over a thousand people were dancing in a large ballroom, their faces were covered by masks but took notice of her entering.
Suddenly shy, Ruby looked down at her comfortable flat shoes that appeared through her flowing and beautiful pink dress.
Then the music changed from a gentle melody to a much more romantic and lush harmony which grabbed her attention instanly.
Her eyes roamed up to where one tall figure, dressed fully in black except his white frilly shirt, stood staring back at her.
Ruby felt that it must've been Erik because no other man could ooze such sexual presence and was undeniablly attractive.
But there was something different about him this time, something that made her gasp and rise those strong feelings once more.
He wasn't hiding behind a mask, there was no signs of disfigurement or pure horror on one side of his handsome, breath-taking face.
Walking slowly towards her, Ruby just froze completly on the spot waiting for him only for he to stand before her within mere seconds.
Erik rose his gloveless hand to her, she simply took it without tearing her gaze from his haunting and soul-capturing eyes.
He led her in the middle of the floor, others made way so that they could begin to dance along with the echanting music that was playing.
So in sync and powerful they were that everyone else stopped what they were doing so they could watch this couple sway perfectly.
Never had Ruby felt so happy being in his embrace, her heart pounded against her chest and her mind ran wild for just being with him.
Erik spun her around so that her back was against his chest, his hands roamed down her neck, her shoulder blades until they hovered over the rise of her breasts.
Ruby sucked in a breath as his talented fingers gently caressed them until they slid down her stomach to grab her thighs and spun her back around to dance once more.
Her body was afire, just what on earth was Erik doing to her? She couldn't possiably be in love with this man already? Or was she before it was too late?
The music was reaching it's end, a another surprise was up his sleeve by the way a wide smirk was across his face which made Ruby shiver.
He gathered her with a tight grip and lifted her up the air, several gasps came out from the audience's mouths even the musicans were shocked too.
She looked down at him, laughing and shutting her eyes to let the sweet bliss overtake whatever made her fear, angry or anything that would upset her.
Erik lowered her down slowly once the melody faded away to oblivion though the notes would forever be in Ruby's mind until her dying day.
Laying her head against his broad chest, the claps and cheers were for them no other could match what just happened tonight.
"Open your eyes, Ruby." He whispered softly, she let out a smile across her face for hearing that beautiful voice finally.
Moving her head, she slowly opened her eyes to wide them in pure horror. No, it couldn't possiably be a nightmare!
Instead of the man that had a pure face, in his place was the disfigured creature that haunted her dreams ever since she discovered it that very night.
She backed away, screaming and wailing like a mad woman betrayed by the man she clearly loved. But he wasn't the only one who hid a secret.
The dancers tore off their masks, every single one had angry botches but their eyes were blood red and their teeth were deathly sharp.
Ruby began to ran but Erik's vice-like grip grabbed ahold of her arm and spun her around to face him.
"You will never escape from me, just like her. But this time, I will have what I want!" He let out a evil and chilling echoing laugh.
Ruby awoke, screaming and covered in sweat. Eleanor burst through the door, holding a candle stick in her hand.
"My daughter, calm down! It's just a nightmare!" Her voice reassured her but she couldn't stop screaming.
Mr Johnson came in, watching the scene unfold before his tired eyes, he was angry for being woken up but it wasn't his place to say anything.
Eleanor put the candle down to embrace her daughter, rocking her side to side while Ruby let her screams slowly quieten down.
"You must tell me what's wrong." She asked her, cupping her tear-stained cheeks with her shaky hands.
"I can't." She replied, lowering her weary head back on the pillow clucthing her sheets up to her chin.
Eleanor looked at Mr Johnson hopelessly, if she wasn't careful she would lose Ruby to this mysterious behaivour she was going through.
With a heavy sigh, they left the room to shut the door behind them. She could hear faint mutterings of their voices until they died away.
Ruby looked at the candle, it's soft golden glow made her eyes slowly close to go through yet again a another unsettled dream of one person.
Erik.
