I awoke the next morning in a strange room. I look around, and find myself in a soft bed. The room around me is dark, with candles placed non-descript around the room's perimeter. I sensed a presence in the room, and slip my head back under the sheets.

A familiar voice chuckled from near a candle. "Don't worry, my dear. There's nothing to be afraid of." I hear him cross over to the bed, and sit down on it. "Will you come out now?" He asked merrily, while gently shaking my shoulder. I didn't feel any malice from this man, so I slid the blankets down just a little, so my eyes showed.

The first thing that caught my attention was his eyes, which were the only things illuminated in the darkness. They were the same golden eyes that I saw yesterday, and he had the same raven hair. Even though I couldn't see his face, I knew he was smiling. "What is your name, child?"

I bit my lip to hold back tears. I hate it when people ask me my name. I can't answer them unless I have pen and paper or something of the like.

The man chuckled softly. "What's the matter, Mon Cherie? Cat got your tongue?"

Now the tears began to flow freely. Even after five years, I couldn't get over loosing my voice. I lifted a hand to my throat, and shook my head.

He took the hint. "Are you…mute, mademoiselle?"

Yes, I nodded, ceasing my tears. The man made a face of understanding, and patted my shoulder once more. "Mademoiselle, do you have anyplace to stay, or would you like to live at the opera house? I could give you a job when it opens."

I was shocked. The man barely knew me, but was offering me shelter and work? He's the only one who's shown me this sort of kindness these past five years. I nodded my head eagerly.

The man laughed. "I knew you would accept," he said, rising up. "Wait one moment, I'll be right back." He exited the room to an adjacent one. I pushed the blankets off me, and swung my feet onto the floor. My scars were still covered by my shawl, thank goodness, and looked around for my future employer. I peeked into the adjacent room, and he wasn't there. I thought this was odd, and I went back into the bedroom, perplexed.

"Lose something, my dear?" I spun around, and to my surprise, there was the man with the amber eyes. He was chuckling, answering my unasked question. "There are many secrets about my opera house," he said, "You may never find them all out!" From behind him he pulled out a beautiful dress from behind his back. "Here. Thought you might like this."

I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven. This wonderful man was offering the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen in my life, even better than the dresses that I'd worn as a younger girl, before the—

Oh, Oh.

I couldn't wear that dress. The front was way too low cut, It would show my scars! And the sleeves! They would show off my arms as well. Oh, dear. I couldn't wear this, and I sure as God couldn't deny a gift from this man who had saved my life twice…Oh, dear….

"Will you take it?" He stepped a little closer to me, extending the dress.

Suddenly, I got an Idea. I took the dress, nodding and smiling. He smiled back. I scurried into the bathroom, and quickly change into the dress. I nearly wretch when I see the scars I'd hidden for so long. Then I found what I had been looking for: a sash. I took the sash and draped it around my shoulders so it hid my scars and looked stylish. I then presented myself for the man in the other room.

His eyes widened, and he seemed impressed. "My dear, you are, as they say in America, a knockout!" He chuckled, and extended a hand to me. "My name is Dominic."

I smiled, took his hand and curtsied. I motioned for a pen an paper. He obliged and found me the items I was looking for.

"My name is Rhyder." I wrote. I handed him the paper. He read it, saying, "Rhyder. An unusual, lovely name."

I thought I was going to die. I curtsied again, but--Oh, horrors!-- the sash slipped from my shoulders.

I gasped inaudably, and covered my chest as well as I could with my arms. But, alas, the scars on my arms showed. I turned quickly from Dominic to hide my shameful body.

"Rhyder! Dominic cried, "Are you alright?"

I couldn't face him. I was too ashamed to show myself to the only person who has looked at me without scoffing in disgust and turning away. I bolted to the bathroom, and locked myself in. I slid down the door, and started to cry into myself.

"Rhyder!" Dominic called to me again, "What's going on? Do you need help?"

Stupid...stupid...stupid! How could I think that I could hide myself?

"Rhyder, If you can hear me, dear, please knock on the door." He pleaded.

I knocked. I was so scared he was going to see me.

"Rhyder...please let me in!" He tried to push open the door, but I was still blocking it. I scrambled up, and hid behind the door. When the door opened, I turned to face the corner, with my arms tucked into my chest.

"There you are!" I heard his sigh. "I was worried about you--" He stopped short. He couldn't see me where I was hidden. "Rhyder?" He closed the door, and found me. "Rhyder! Why are you hiding? What's wrong?" I felt him gently take my shoulders and spin me around to face him. What could I do? I dropped my arms helplessly at my sides and drop my head in shame.

"Why...why Rhyder...I..." He found my scars. I begin to cry again. I knew I should leave before he threw me out, so I tried to push past him and get out the door. I didn't know where I'd go, but I knew I had to get out of there as fast as possible. I managed to get out of the bathroom before he took my arms, spun me around and embraced me.

I was shocked. Didn't he see my arms and chest? What's the matter with him? Is he insane? "Rhyder, I don't know If you'd remember, but...when the Opera disaster happened five years ago...Do you remember somone lifting you out of the fire?" He asked.

I was right. Dominic was the man who saved me. I looked up, and nodded yes. And when I looked up, I saw his whole face for the first time. His face was unnaturally handsome, with a chisled chin and a perfect nose. Once again, I motioned for a pen and paper. Once again, he fetched It for me. I wrote, "You were the one who saved me."

He smiled, revealing beautiful white teeth. "Yes."

"Thank you. I ran into here because I didn't want you to see my scars. I've always been ashamed of them."

He took the paper, and exhaled loudly. "Madmoiselle, let me tell you a story. There is a man I know, and once, when he was very young, looked at a mirror for the first time in his life and thought he saw a monster staring back. But it was only his reflection. You see, his face had a deformity, and he only realized then why no one would talk to him. Years later, he was sold by his parents into a gypsy circus. That's where he lived for many long, terrible years. Until one day, a young ballerina came and helped him escape to the opera house where we now stand. Underneath he lived, never venturing out into the outside world. Myself and Madame Giry--the girl who helped him-- are his only friends. Five years ago, on the very night of the disaster,he dared to show his face to the girl he loved. She rejected him for another. A shallow Viscount with no care for the music my friend cherished and created. Because of my poor friend, I would never ever do what that girl did to him. Understand?"

Oh my... I thought, The poor man... I blinked a few time, surprised to find tears there. I took back the pen and paper from Dominic and wrote, "Yes, Dominic," --It was lovely to write his name-- "Thank you again--for everything. No one has ever shown me kindness like this before."

He smiled kindly when he read my note. "You remind me so much of Erik."

"Erik?"

"My friend."

I noddded. Dominicpulled me away from his hug and asked me, "Would you like a tour of the Opera House? It would be my honor."

"It would be mine as well," I scribbled. He ofered me his arm, and we left the room and into a day I'd never forget.