Erik's POV

Over the next two weeks, I laid in bed and spent my time recovering. There wasn't much to do except read or work on my music, but I did what I had to do. When I was able to stand on my feet again, I did so by using a staff to help me around. Even though I was able to walk, my leg still bothered me. Luna Park was at its season end, and therefore, I made it my personal business to head there and search for the one who went by "Mr. Squelch."

It was a rainy and terrible day, but I made my way to Luna Park and stayed hidden as Mr. Tilyou headed towards the freak show tent and began yelling.

"Mr. Squelch!"

The man known as Mr. Squelch came running out and the moment I seen him, I knew he was the man I was looking for. He was bald and muscular…But even though he was muscular, he was still afraid of Mr. Tilyou…Who wouldn't be? Especially when he threatened you with your job every second of every day.

"Yes, sir?" he asked.

"What did I tell you about lifting boxes and weights?! I want you lifting human beings…I want you lifting animals! And then, I want you crushing their bones…"

"Sir, please…That's monstrous…"

"People don't want to see you lifting weights, you dumb animal! They want to see gore…they want to see the monster within! You either crush bones or you're going to be out on your sorry ass! Understood?!"

I waited until Mr. Tilyou was gone, before following Mr. Squelch. I wasn't sure where he was headed, but I followed the man. When he entered a pub of some sort, I followed behind him, following him all the way to a table that was towards the back.

"Mr. Squelch," I firmly stated, stepping forward. The man looked up at me and gasped…Oh, I knew he recognized me.

"What? Are you here to break my leg now?"

I stood in front of the man, eyeing him up and down.

"You have a sense of humor, man, but no, I am not here to break your leg."

"Well, then are you here to shoot me? Go right on ahead, man…I deserve it."

I pulled out a chair and took a seat, placing my staff on the table.

"No, you're here to beat me to death."

"As you know, I've been laying in bed for the past two weeks recuperating from my injured knee. And during that time frame, for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why you hurt me and then helped me…Seemed like a waste to me."

"I didn't want to do it…" the man cried. "I never want to hurt anyone, but that bastard Mr. Tilyou won't have it any other way. He ordered me to break both your legs…He threatened me…"

"With him, it's either you do as he says, or you job is on the line…"

The man's eyes widened. "That's exactly right…How did you know?"

"Because I used to be in your shoes. I used to be Mr. Tilyou's punching bag. But I got out."

"There's nothing I can do," he said. "This is the only job that I can get. I've applied everywhere, but no one wants me. If I lose this job, I'll be on the streets."

"No you won't…" I said. "There is another way."

"How?"

"Yes, I should have killed you, but I couldn't…You helped me after injuring my leg. If you would have been listening to Mr. Tilyou, you would have broken both my legs and left me. Why did you only fracture one and carry me home?"

"Because I never wanted to hurt you, sir…I…I was doing it to save my hide. I was doing it to stay in work, but after I dislocated your knee, I couldn't go through with breaking your legs. It was wrong…And somehow, Mr. Tilyou never found out that I only fractured your leg. I guess him seeing that you weren't in your office made him believe that I went through with it. Forgive me, sir…I never meant to cause you any pain."

"How would you like to take your revenge on Mr. Tilyou?"

"Revenge? I don't want to get into trouble, sir…"

I chuckled. "What if I offered you revenge that would be completely legal and it would hurt the man greatly?"

"I'd say you're crazy."

"Come work for me in the spring, Mr. Squelch…"

"Work for you?" the man asked. "What do you do?"

"Do you ever walk past thirty fifth?"

The man nodded. "Only every night, sir…It's on my way home."

"Then you must have seen the construction going on?"

"Yes, but what exactly is it?"

"It's a park, Squelch… It's going to be opening in the spring, and it's going to be called "Phantasma." Come work for me…I am going to create a world for people like us, where we can work and live in peace. The only thing you will have to be lifting in my park is weights, sir."

"You would do that for me? After everything I have done?"

"Call it a revolution against Mr. Tilyou and Luna Park."

The man held out his monstrous hand and I shook it.

"Come by my office in the next few days and I'll have you fill out some paper work."

"I will...And what is your name?"

"Mister E…"

"It was nice doing business with you, Mister E…"

I rose from where I was sitting and smiled. "The same, Mr. Squelch."

Satisfied that I had my first worker on board, I left the pub and headed home. It was getting dark, and I wanted to get off my feet. I was thankful that my home was empty, for I wasn't in the mood for company. After struggling to climb the flight of stairs that led to my room, I took a seat on my bed and rubbed my sore knee. I wasn't exactly sure where Gustave and Christine were, but the house was quiet and I could only be thankful for that.

I had closed my eyes and dozed off, waking when I heard feet running up the stairs.

"Mr. Erik…Mr. Erik!"

The door to my room flew open and the child entered.

"What did I tell you about knocking!" I growled.

A few moments later, Christine appeared and grabbed the child.

"Gustave, I told you not to come running up here."

I knew I had frightened the child, for he gasped and hid behind Christine's skirts.

"Gustave, go downstairs and I shall be there in a minute."

When the boy was gone, Christine looked at me and apologized.

"Erik, I'm sorry…"

I rubbed my aching temple and groaned. "Christine, I told you before that this was my room. I don't wish to be bothered every second of everyday. If you can't obey the rules, I'll have to ask you to leave this house."

"I'm sorry, Erik, it won't happen again. Is everything all right?"

"Yes," I groaned, leaning back and closing my eyes. "Everything is fine. I'm exhausted, is all. I've had a long day and my leg is still hurting me. I'm going to rest for a while if that's all right with you?"

"Yes, I'm sorry…Gustave and I were going to go to the boardwalk and have some pizza. He was hoping you would join us."

"No thank you, Christine… Goodnight."

Christine didn't say another word and left. When my room was silent once again, I closed my eyes, only to hear Gustave's soft voice from behind the door.

"Mr. Erik, please go out with us to have pizza…"

"No, Gustave," I replied. "Now go downstairs and play."

"You worked all day, Mr. Erik… You have to be hungry."

I was getting angry now, so angry that I got to my feet and approached the door, pulling it open to spot the boy lying on the floor.

"Do you want a beating, boy? I asked you to leave me alone and I want to be left alone! Do you understand?"

"I will leave you alone, Mr. Erik…But please say you'll go out to dinner tonight with mama and me."

"If I agree to go with you and your mother, you promise to leave me alone for the rest of the evening?"

He nodded. "Cross my heart, Mr. Erik."

I sighed. "All right, Gustave. Go down stairs and I'll be there as soon as I change."

The boy wrapped his small arms around me, but I pushed him away.

"Do as I say before I change my mind!"

"Yes, Mr. Erik…"

I wasn't sure why this child made me change my mind, but there was just something about him that reminded me of myself. After throwing on a clean shirt, I donned my mask and wig, placing it on and heading downstairs to meet Christine.

"See, mama…Mr. Erik decided to come!"

Christine smiled. "Well, I'm glad he did."

"They just opened this place that sells something called "Pizza." Gustave said. "Mama and I went past it today and it smells amazing, Mr. Erik."

"Very well, then…"

Gustave wrapped his small hand around my own as we headed out towards the boardwalk.

"Tomorrow is Luna Park's last day…" Christine said. "I'll miss it, you know."

"Summer will be back again soon, Christine," I assured. "Besides, you will be preoccupied all winter with practicing."

"Does this mean that I can practice too, Mr. Erik?"

"And just what, exactly, would you be practicing?"

"Music, of course. I've always wanted to learn how to play the piano…You said you would teach me."

"I did, didn't I? Well, a promise is a promise, Gustave. We shall start as soon as the summer season is over. I still have to keep up with my construction of my park."

"Could I help, Mr. Erik?"

"We'll see."

Once inside the pizza parlor, I sat Gustave and Christine down in a booth while I ordered our meal. Afterwards I took seat across from the both of them, Gustave smiling widely at me. I wasn't sure why he enjoyed spending time with me, but it made me feel a little better about my appearance. Soon, Gustave was beneath the table and coming up to my end of the table. He crawled into my lap and rested his head against my chest, wrapping his small arms around my torso…

"Mr. Erik, will you and I be best friends forever?"

Christine's smile faded as she looked across the table at me… This boy had become so attached to me over the past few weeks that it was hard not to love him. But I didn't love anything… Or at least I thought I didn't. Yes, he and I were close, but never once had I ever loved him until the day he wrapped his arms around my frame. No one had ever done so willingly… What made things even harder was when he looked upon my face and smiled. No, I knew this child and I were bound to one another until the day we died, even if Christine and I stayed nothing more than friends.

"Of course," I choked. "Always…"

When our dinner arrived, I sat there picking away at my meal while Gustave indulged into his. I wanted nothing more than for this child to grow up happy and I would see to it that he did.

"I really like pizza, Mr. Erik…" Gustave yawned after we left. "I think it's my new favorite food. Could we come back again soon?"

"Sure…Perhaps another night."

The boy climbed into my arms and I carried him home, his body becoming limp in my arms. Why was it that I felt so much like a father to him, when I was hardly that? Had I actually adopted him in my mind? No, I couldn't think like that. I was anything but a father and I knew I never would be. Christine would always be his mother, and I would always be his friend. After placing the boy's sleeping form into bed, I removed his shoes and covered him up while Christine kissed him goodnight. Afterwards, I didn't say a word to Christine as I headed up the stairs to my room. Though, Christine called for me before I could even reach the bottom stair.

"Erik?"

I stopped in place and gazed down upon the woman.

"Yes, Christine?"

"You know, in all the years I've known you, never once had anyone acted like Gustave did tonight. He wrapped his arms around you and asked you to be his best friend for life. What have you been doing to him?"

"If you believe that I would ever hurt him…"

"Never, Erik. I know you may have hurt many others, but I know that you would never lay a hand on him. But what I meant to say was why? Why is it that he feels so connected with you? Sometimes, he never does that with me. I'm lucky if I get a hug. I know he loves me, but in my heart, I know that he needs more."

"You're speaking like my mother right now," I said. "She too, wondered why at times. I was never close with her, and maybe that's because of the abuse she bestowed upon me. But even so, I never once wrapped my arms around her, nor did I act like a son should around his mother."

"So, you did that to your father?"

I shook my head. "I never knew my father, Christine. He died before I was born…In my heart, I know what Gustave needs, because when I was his age, I was begging for the same thing."

"And what was that?"

"A father, Christine. Even though I never knew my father, I wanted one more than anything in the world. I always wanted to feel a connection with a male version of myself. And as the years of my childhood passed, so did my hope of it happening. And now, I have what I need and so does Gustave. He has me, and I have him. We share secrets, we help one another when help is needed. I may not be his father, but I can be his friend, and he can be mine."

I saw a tear escape Christine's eye as I walked up the stairs.

"Goodnight, Christine…"

"Erik…"

Christine came running up the stairs to stop me. When she caught up to me, she spun me around and placed her lips against my own. Oh, what in God's name was she doing? But she didn't linger…No, she simply pulled away after a quick peck to my lips and smiled.

"Thank you…" she cooed.

"For what?"

"For giving Gustave what he needs."

"I believe I should be the one thanking him, Christine."

Christine pressed her lips against my own again, this time lingering a bit longer. Though, when she kissed me, my body went ridged and I sighed. Oh, I needed this…

"Then let me thank you tonight…"

But in my heart, I couldn't…

"Christine…please, don't anger me tonight. I told you no."

"Will there ever be a day when you give me a chance, Erik?" she cried. "You don't have to be alone…"

My heart was aching as I gently pushed her away and entered my room.

"Goodnight, Christine."

My heart had grown soft, and yet, my soul hardened, for to love Christine and feel the pain of losing her once again would simply be the death of me.

Hey everyone, sorry about the long update..Still on vacation and had a long and tiring yet fun day at Harry Potter...Anyway, please review and thank you to those who have been reviewing! On another note, my published book got into the book stores! Made my vacation and week!