Chapter 7: The Man Behind the Monster

Meg stood in shock where Erik had just left her in mere seconds. She slowly turned around to try to figure out where he went, the tears still streaming down her face. "E- Erik?" She asked softly. She quickly wiped the tears running down her eyes, making her eyesight blurry. She blinked and looked around her once again, just to be sure that he had really disappeared.

Meg sighed and walked over to the room that was made for Christine. She sat upon the bed, lost in thought as she stared up at nothing. How could Erik have survived all he went through? Meg thought numbly to herself. First the beginning of his life started out horrible, but then he had come to the Opera and just had to fall in love. He fell in love, but SHE never saw it. All she saw was how horrible Erik's face was, how terrible his temper got, how possessive he was of HER.

"It's not fair," she murmured out loud.

"Life isn't fair."

Meg jumped off the bed in surprise, and turned to see Erik standing in the doorway. "Erik?" she asked calmly, even though she could see it was him. Who else would be wearing a white half mask?

Erik blinked at her. "I didn't mean to overhear your private conversation with yourself, but I wanted to tell you that I have prepared some food for you."

Meg smiled softly. "You didn't have to do that for me, Erik." She glanced at her feet before looking back up at Erik. "But thank you for being so thoughtful."

Erik nodded briskly, and after bowing, he swept his cape and walked away. Meg quickly followed him, and looked at the table to see what she was going to eat.

"I wasn't sure if you liked fish or not," Erik murmured softly, "but it tastes pretty good."

Meg nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Erik. I love fish." Her smile suddenly turned to a frown when she realized that there was only enough food for one person. "Erik?" She asked, turning to him. "Aren't you going to eat?"

Erik quickly shook his head, his eyes avoiding hers. "No, I'm not that hungry."

Meg walked over to him and gently laid a hand on his arm. "Erik, that can't be true. Please," her large light brown eyes pleaded with him. "You don't have to lie to me, Erik."

Erik and sighed and gently took Meg's hand off his arm. He then pointed to his mask. "I can't eat very comfortably with this on. It rubs against the skin, tearing off whatever the excuse of skin I have left."

Meg blinked back tears, the sadness of it all nearly overcoming her. "Erik, I have seen your face, and I don't believe it's as bad as you make it out to be. Please, will you eat with me?"

Erik's face hardened. "No."

Meg sighed, knowing when she was beaten. "Fine. If you won't eat with me, will you at least sit down at the table while I eat?"

Erik glanced at her, and she saw his jaw tighten. But instead of turning away, he nodded briskly and sat down in the chair across from Meg's.

Meg smiled. Now, for the hard part. "Erik?" She asked when she had finished all her food.

Erik simply looked up at her, raising his eyebrow questioningly.

"Can… Can I take off your mask?"

Erik's eyes widened and he scooted his chair away from Meg. "Why?" He snarled angrily, standing up from the chair, letting it fall over. "So you can stare at this hideous face and mock it as everyone else did?!"

This made Meg angry. "How dare you compare me to those other people! I don't want to mock you're face! I would never do something to you like that, Erik! I actually have some compassion in me! I care about you, Erik!"

Erik's eyes narrowed and Meg blushed as she realized what she had said and quickly corrected herself. "As a friend, of course."

Erik nodded sharply. "Of course." He sat down, watching Meg warily as she came closer.

Meg was taking her time, not wanting to bring out the Phantom in Erik. She slowly reached for the mask… and gently lifted it off his face. "There," she said softly as she set it carefully on the table. She looked into Erik's eyes, her gaze full of compassion. "I'm sure that feels a lot better, doesn't it, Erik?"

Erik could only nod as he carefully watched Meg's face for any hint of fear or repulsion. But, of course, it never came. "You know, Erik, you're face really isn't that bad. I'll bet that if you left the mask off longer, then the redness would go away."

Erik frowned. "And what do you care?" he asked bitterly, as he snatched the mask off the table and quickly put it back on his face.

Meg's brown eyes filled with hurt at that statement. "Erik, why must you always assume the worst from people?"

Erik narrowed his eyes, his gaze full of hatred suddenly. "When you lived the life I have," he snarled, "You learn that no one is ever worthy of your trust. I trusted HER, and look at what happened with that!"

He didn't even see it coming when Meg gently took the mask off his face again. He quickly grabbed her hand roughly, probably bruising the skin. "What do you think you're doing?!" He roared angrily, his gaze piercing.

Meg stubbornly held onto the mask, her eyes matching Erik's intensity. "I am looking past the 'monster' to see the man that is cowering underneath it."

… … … … … … … … … … …

Erik felt his brain almost exploded from that information. "What is this foolishness you are speaking of, Meg?" He snapped angrily.

Meg's eyes seemed to pierce right through the darkness of his soul, trying to find the light that she thought was there. "Oh, you have a terrible temper," she snapped, "but underneath that and the ferociousness you call 'The Phantom' is a man that is full of nothing but scars from the past. You're hurting, Erik, and don't you dare try to tell me otherwise!"

Erik stepped back in shock, unable to even think of anything to say in return to her.

Meg's eyes softened and she handed him back the mask without a word. "Erik, however you're feeling," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his, "I want you to know that I will never shun you. I will never cower or run away in fear, and I will never ever betray your trust. Whatever you need, I will always be here for you."

With that being said, she turned away and walked back into her bedroom.

AN: Wow. I absolutely loved writing this chapter. I almost couldn't stop my fingers from typing more, but I have to save it for the next chapter! Many many thanks to all of those that reviewed! I appreciate it soooo much! You guys are awesome readers! I'm so pleased, I could almost update on Monday…. Wait a minute! How does this sound to you readers:

If I can get 9 reviews by Monday, I will update on Monday instead of Friday! If you give me more than 9 reviews by Monday, I will update on both Monday and Friday. :)

Remember! It has to be 9 reviews, or I won't update until Friday. ;)

((REVIEW for an early chapter))