Chapter 6

Quick note: The flashback will be in Erica's POV and there are a lot of twists and turns so be prepared, and PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE BOTTOM! IT'S IMPORTANT! Thanks for the reviews, and that's it! 8D

I recognized this girl. Her hair that was blonde (no matter what she said), her brown eyes that resembled her mother's, and her West Virginian accent that sounded identical to mine. This girl, who was slightly taller than me and was obsessed with Phantom of the Opera, was Erica.

For a moment it seemed neither of us breathed. Then, quite to the Phantom's displeasure, we screamed while running to each other and embracing. If anyone else would have seen us it would have looked like we were trying to strangle each other. The Phantom took a step back to let us have a moment, simply watching over us.

Erica is very sentimental, which is why I wasn't shocked when I saw she was crying a little. I wasn't, like I said before, I'm a normal teenager; but she knew how emotional I must be to actually scream for joy. When I finally realized who she was with I pushed her at arm's length amazed and asked, "Where have you been, and how in the Hell did you find the Phantom?!"

Erica laughed, "Where have I been? I've been at the De Chagny estate."

My eyes widened when I connected the dots, "You're the De Chagny adopted sister?!"

When she shook her head with a smile as bright as could be I screamed, "I should have known! Nobody but you would be in a landslide and only hit their head. You're going to get a blood clot one of these days after hitting your head."

After a slight pause I pointed a finger at Erik and asked, "Besides that though, how did you meet him?"

Erica turned to see Erik giving us a mischievous smirk before turning back and giving me a haughty smile of her own, "Who am I?"

I sighed, shaking my head, "You are the most obsessed Phantom-Phan in the world."

"Yep!" She smiled, "So this is what happened..."

Flashback

My blue silk dress, that resembled Christine's from the 25th Anniversary of the Phantom of the Opera, kept tripping me as I kept a quick pace with my 'brothers'. Why can't they just stop for a moment so I can slip away quietly?

I had to find the Phantom this time; I was unable to last time because my idiot 'brother' had come looking for me during Christine's Aria. Well, at least the movie scene where he left the box made sense now. Seizing my opportunity, I slipped around a corner without Philippi or Raoul noticing. They were looking for someone who designed the props and did the art work for ll Muto.

That is impressive that somebody is that artistic in this day and age, but they were not my priority. I know I'm acting like a girl in a Fan fiction, but maybe if I find the Phantom he'll know how to get me home. Not that I wanted to go home that badly, but if he couldn't then at least I could meet him. I wonder what version he is? ANYBODY but the non-deformed, perverted, rat telepathic Phantom! That was by far the worst version I have ever had the displeasure of seeing.

I quietly snuck up into the cat walks, knowing that Buquet was about to die, I hoped that I could meet the Phantom before that and ask for his help. The Opera started and I waited to spot the Phantom; sadly, since it was me up here I made an utter fool of myself.

I tripped on a rope then fell into a whole bunch, yelping as I became mercilessly tangled within them. I always panic when I'm trapped, and I think I made it worse. Correction, I did make it worse. The ropes pulled me off of the rafters as I thrashed about; so I was dangling over the stage. I was barely out of the audience's sight, while my heart began to race and the ropes buckled under the strain of my weight.

My eyes darted all around for something to grab on to, but I found nothing. As I looked up again I saw something stir in the darkness; the Phantom.

Soon, a man with a white half mask was standing above me, hauling me up as I grasped one of the ropes with white knuckles. My feet finally touched solid 'ground' and I released a shaky breath that left me dizzy. When I regained my senses the ropes were untangled and the Phantom was pulling me out with an aggravated huff. Yeah, yeah, I know; I screwed up.

Relief washed over me, but before I could thank him, Joseph Buquet was suddenly behind the Phantom and hit him in the head with an empty wine bottle. The bottle shattered, but the blow wasn't hard enough to bring the Phantom down. Erik cracked his neck then turned, and as Buquet ran from him he began to give chase.

I stood frozen in place, terrified of the utter hatred and blood-lust I had seen swim through the Phantom's eyes before he went after Buquet, and after a blow that surely would have knocked an ordinary man out, I was too shocked to move.

Before I had snapped out of whatever stupor I was in I saw Buquet hanging off the side of the cat walks; dangling limp. The Phantom was breathing heavily and refused to move from where he was standing, staring down at the body twisting in the air.

I gasped, hearing footsteps coming from the secret staircase I had discovered on one of my prior visits. I seized the Phantom's arm, my voice rising in pitch as I begged, "Monsieur, this way. This way, Monsieur!"

The Phantom snapped out of his daze, quickly pulling me into the shadows and signaling for me to be quiet. I saw two people enter the door, a man and a woman, but I didn't see the woman's face. I recognized the man however; he was the man that ran into me the other day. The man was crying and as the woman ran to comfort him the Phantom dragged me towards the hidden stairs.

We ascended up, and up, and up; until we reached the roof. When the door burst open the Phantom threw me out and barked, "Who are you? Why did you help me?!"

I jumped, trying to seem brave by straightening my back and raising my chin before answering, "I'm Er-"

At that moment Christine and Raoul burst through the other door, making a loud metal scrape as they did. The Phantom suddenly grabbed me and pulled me behind the infamous statue of 'Apollo's Lyre,' clamping a hand over my mouth and daring me with his eyes to make a sound. He had his back to the statue with me standing in front of him, listening intently as Christine began to sing. I winced, Oh no, here we go.

...

After Christine and Raoul sang their lover's duet and fled the roof, Erik finally released me. He had started to shake after Christine and Raoul had kissed, whether from anger or betrayal I wasn't sure. His breathing also came in small gasps as if he were on the verge of crying, which I knew he was, and it was breaking my heart.

I stepped down off of the small stone perch we had been standing on, watching as Erik, seeming to forget I was there, and stumbled over to the fallen red rose tied with a black ribbon. He began to sing softly to himself then hunched over in pain. I wanted to comfort him, but I couldn't think of anything to say.

Erik's head suddenly shot up as he crushed the rose in his hand, then he ran back to the statue we had been hiding behind, climbing on top of it and belting out the oath, "You will curse the day you did not do, all that the Phantom asked of you!"

I let Erik have his moment, but when he didn't come down and proceeded to stare down at the street below I quickly yelled above the wind, "Would you come down Monsieur, please!"

The Phantom turned sharply towards me, remembering that I was there, then jumped down growling, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

I stood straighter, lifting my chin defiantly and fighting against the urge to shiver from the cold and replied, "I just want to talk to you. I think you owe me at least that, Monsieur. My name is Erica."

At hearing this, the Phantom's eyes lit up, as if knowing something I didn't. "Do you know who I am, exactly?" Erik asked, turning his head to the side.

I grinned coyly, "I know everything about you. If you don't believe me then let me go ahead and say; your name is Erik, you are an 'Angel of Music' to Christine who you secretly love, and Madame Giry saved you from a travelling circus where you were named, 'The Devil's Child'."

At Erik's expression I smiled brighter, "Yeah, I'm your biggest fan."

Erik suddenly grabbed my wrist in a vise like grip, pulling me back towards the stair case with a grunt. A bolt of fear shot through me for the first time and I gasped, beginning to struggle; which, to a person watching, must have looked funny since I am the weakest human being alive.

"Let go, let go this instant! What are you doing?" I asked, still trying to get free.

"Just come with me and nothing bad will happen." Erik answered ominously.

Once again fear gripped at my heart and I could do nothing but pull and twist my wrist futilely, so I did something desperately stupid, "I'm going to scream if you do not release me right now!"

The Phantom kept walking towards the steps; as he reached for the door handle I took in a huge breath of air, surely filling both my lungs then let out a blood curdling scream. The Phantom let go of my wrist, grabbing his ears and falling to his knees. I backed away from him as fast as I could, out of breath and gasping for air. I realized as I stared at him that he could be the violent Leroux version, and that I shouldn't trust him just yet.

The Phantom stood once again yelling, "For God's sakes woman, you are louder than Carlotta!"

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said as I pushed my body into a fighting stance.

"Don't do that again!" The Phantom snarled. He stared at me a moment then lowered his voice, "Your body is shaking, is it from the cold?...Or are you scared?"

"Both," I said while staring at the Phantom curiously.

"Let us go inside," Erik ordered with a soft melodic voice. "You must trust me. I will not harm you, this I swear on my honor."

I was still a little wary, but knowing that no version of Erik had ever gone back on his word, nodded slowly and dropped my hands, letting Erik tuck my shivering form within the confines of his cape.

We walked down to the Chapel silently; when we were alone what he revealed shocked me. "Your friend, Hailey, is here as well. She has received a job as the art designer for each production; she designed what few props you saw tonight. She has been looking for you and would be pleased to know that I have found you."

My eyes went wide as I smiled. Erik nodded then exclaimed, "I will send for her now, allow me five minutes." I nodded, bouncing up and down where I stood like an excited five year old.

End of Flashback

"The rest you know," Erica said as my mouth hung slack. She laughed at my expression then playfully slapped my arm, "Earth to Hailey, we're in 1871 Paris, and you're drooling."

I shook my head to clear it, "I still can't believe that you're here, I'm so glad that Anthony bumped into you or I never would have known that you were even alive!"

"Anthony...was that the man who crashed into me?" Erica asked curiously.

I snapped my fingers then pointed, "That's the one."

Erica smiled knowingly, "Oh...he's cute. You two are close, huh?"

I rolled my eyes, "Oh, shut up. He's just a friend. Yes, he is cute, and a really sweet guy...but just a friend."

Erica lit up then sang, "Dum, dum, dum dum, dum, dum, dum dum; Hailey's in lo-ove!"

I tried to hit her but she ducked; then she proceeded to skip around the Chapel while I chased her, saying, "Hailey and Anthony, sit-ting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-, whoa!"

I stuck my leg out, successfully tripping her. Erica quickly threw her hands out and caught herself before completely hitting the ground. I smiled triumphantly, "Anything else you want to say about me and Anthony?"

Erica glared at me, "You little sh-"

She stopped suddenly and glanced over at Erik who was watching her intently. I stuck my tongue out, knowing that she wouldn't dare cuss in front of Erik. She instead shook her head, "Sorry, but come on! You get to embarrass me about my crushes; can I not have this one?"

I pretended to think then said, "Ah-no."

Erica crossed her eyes, making a goofy face, and then laughed, "Fine, I see the status-quo here."

Erica's eyes widened then she face-palmed. "Ah man, I need to find Raoul and Philippi, they must be searching the Opera from top to bottom looking for me."

She jumped up quickly, about to leave the Chapel when Erik said, "That will not be necessary Mademoiselle. I informed them that you two are in fact old friends, and you wish to stay here with her for a while."

Erica sighed with relief then said, "Well, that's fantas- wait, does Madame Giry know I'm staying?"

Erica crossed her arms like a parent would when scolding their child and I nearly busted a gut, "Erica, you are seriously going to treat the Phantom of the Opera like a child? Are you serious?"

Erica smiled, "He is not an Angel, nor a genius, nor a ghost. He is Erik."

I face palmed, "For God's sakes, do not quote that damn book, I haven't read it and I know almost every line in it thanks to you."

"Book?" Erik asked, stepping forward towards us.

Erica dropped her head into her hands, "Way to go Hailey; I was hoping that would be a silent joke!"

"I didn't know!" I defended, "It was so blatantly obvious; and I thought you couldn't wait to brag about how much you knew about the Phantom!"

Erik's golden eyes followed us back and forth as we argued. "I only mentioned what I had to to get him to believe I was from the future; I still can't even tell what version he is from." Erica said as she gestured towards Erik.

Erik stared at Erica strangely asking, "Version? Excuse me?"

Erica shrugged, "There's more than one version of you, most act the same, but some are very different."

"As in psychotic, evil, or perverse." I clarified.

Erik looked insulted for a moment and opened his mouth to respond before he closed it and settled into a moment of silent confusion. He sighed then said, "I believe it is in my best interest to just ignore that comment.

Erica laughed and I turned to ask her, "So, you really don't know?"

Erica stopped laughing, pulling her gaze away from Erik to look at me before shaking her head. Giving Erik a curious look she pushed herself off the ground, quickly dusting her hands off before circling Erik twice.

Erik tried to turn with Erica and when she stopped in front of him he eyed her warily. Not liking the silence as Erica examined him Erik asked, "Must you stare at me so intently?"

Erica looked away for a moment giving a quick apology before saying, "What I've already decided is that he isn't the Lon Chaney/Leroux version, or that Robert Englund version. That's only because he isn't speaking in the third person, and you can plainly see he is still wearing his mask and not a meat suit."

Erik's eyes widened in concern and asked, "I am not wearing a what?"

Erica grimaced, "I'll explain later, it is a pretty grim."

Suddenly, Erica stood on her tip toes and looked closely at Erik's 'face,' causing him to lean back slightly from her and put distance between their heads. Erica's hand rose slightly then flinched back as she bit her lip and asked, "May I? I will not touch the mask, you have my word."

Erik was silent as he eyed Erica suspiciously, but after a moment he nodded once and bent slightly, so Erica didn't have to sway on her tip toes like she did. Erica grinned, "Thank you."

She reached up and tugged on his black hair a bit before slightly tousling it; smiling before she concluded, "Thank God, he's not the Julian Sands version, or Claudie Rains version, he has black hair. Sadly, he also isn't the Charles Dance version because his hair is a wig."

Erik's eyes widened, "How many 'versions' are there...and how many do you know?"

I laughed at this, "Way to many for me to count, but apparently enough for her obsessive mind to remember in order from the date they were released."

"Oh, shut it." Erica said to me chuckling, and then turned to Erik saying, "There are nine versions that I know of, and I can remember them because I have a photographic memory. Now, both of you be quiet; there are only two more he could be and I have to think."

Erik's eyes searched for a moment, "You said there were nine, and there are only two more I could be, correct?"

"Yep," Erica said as she measured his height and inspected his clothing.

"Your calculations are wrong then," Erik said. Oh, that's a big mistake dude.

Erica quirked an eyebrow up at him, "Say again?"

"There are three versions I could be if there are nine." Erik said almost proud that he had corrected her, which only made me cover my mouth to stop from laughing. Erica simply smiled calmly stating, "You don't look like the 1987 animated version to me, since you are flesh and bone."

Erik was silent after that...although I couldn't help but snicker at his embarrassment.

"Okay," Erica said throwing her hands up in the air in defeat. "I can't tell if you're the Ramin Karimloo or Gerard Butler version. You're looks are mixed," Erica poked Erik in his chest saying, "You have the build of Gerard, but the contours of your face, from what I can see resemble Ramin."

Oh no, I can see where this is going. Apparently Erik did as well because he stiffened, looking over to me to deny or confirm his suspicions. I mouthed, 'I don't know' but it didn't seem to calm him.

"There's only one way to find out," Erica said as she leaned up against the wall.

"What?" Erik asked suspiciously as my hands clenched into fists at my sides from worry.

"Simple, just sing something," Erica said. "A scale, a crescendo, a song. Anything."

I relaxed, realizing she wasn't going to ask Erik to remove his mask, but Erik still stood stiffly where he was and didn't make a sound.

Erica's face fell in disappointment, shaking her head, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that. You'll only sing for Christine, I understand. It's not important really, you are who you are. I mean, the two versions were very similar so..."

Erica trailed off and stopped, seeing Erik relax, but stood straighter and switched to her, 'proper voice', as I called it. She could mimic a French accent, a British accent, a Scottish accent, and her 'proper accent' was where she dropped her West Virginian accent to take on a more aristocratic voice that had no accent relatable to any language.

"Let us go Hailey." Erica said, "I wish to see my 'brothers' off if they are still here."

I hate when she does this; when she gets crushed she hides her emotions.

"What are the chances they're still here Erica?" I asked, as she began to walk out of the room.

She turned to look at me and I understood, she just wants to be anywhere but here.

I gave in with a huff, striding over to Erica as she addressed Erik, "I will talk to Madame Giry and ask to stay the next two nights...but no more than that." Erik nodded once and as he turned to go Erica said, "I wish you happiness; and I hope if you do not find it now you will one day."

Erik turned and looked at Erica curiously as she curtsied then fled the Chapel. Erik bowed back in shock, even though Erica was already gone. Erik stared at the door for awhile before saying, "I will see you two before she leaves; she is a curious girl, is she not?"

I snorted, "Curious is an understatement; different is more like it, it's what has been making people pick on her since the sixth grade." The Phantom looked at me curiously so I corrected myself, "Since she was eleven."

I stared Erik in the eye for a moment, pausing for dramatic effect, before saying a quick 'good-bye' and following the way Erica had gone. What, Erica is the only one who can have fun here? I like making people feel bad when they deserve it.

She stood at the end of the hallway talking to Madame Giry. When I saw Erica smile I knew it was okay for her to stay. She smiled even brighter as I approached, "I can stay for my two nights, and I also received permission for something else."

"Well then," I said, "I'll show you to my room."

Erica cocked her head, "You are not going to ask me what I received permission for?"

"No," I said. "For two reason; One: You talking like that is getting old, you were born in West Virginia, so talk like you normally would. Two: I'm afraid to know what you did this time, the last time you said you got permission for us to do something we got hit by a car."

Erica laughed then pulled my arm, "C'mon then, let's go and I'll show you!"

...

"Erica, are you serious?" I asked as she climbed onto the stage carrying two pillows and two blankets.

"Déjà vu, and yes, I'm serious. C'mon, don't tell me you've never wanted to camp out on a stage."

I shook my head, "Since when have you?"

She paused then sighed, "Fine, I've only wanted to do this if it was the Phantom's theatre."

I plopped down into a sitting position, "Dare I ask, why his?"

"I want to hear him play his music; the Phantom almost never sleeps and the rumor is you can hear his music coming up from the catacombs on the stage." Erica said with a distant look in her eyes.

I grabbed a pillow then lay down on my stomach, showing her I'd let her win this one time. She squealed then laid on her stomach as well.

...

After we talked for a couple of hours we decided to call it a night. As we situated ourselves I heard Erica whisper, "Listen."

Faintly I heard it; it was a very soft lullaby being played on the organ. I chuckled a bit, "I think he's sorry for hurting your feelings."

Erica turned on her side whispering, "Apology accepted, but I will hear him sing." Erica paused, as if afraid to say something, and then asked, "Do you think we're dead?"

Sorry for ending the chapter like this, and sorry for the late update but school was cancelled last Friday. Not to mention there weren't a lot of people who reviewed. Thank you to the ones who did, and I will update again next Friday if I get at least 5 reviews; I'm not one of those people who HAVE to have reviews, but I would like some feedback. Until next time,

Phan3145 8D