Chapter 7: Schemes

Third Person P.O.V

Claude and the phantom just stared at one another, the silence was heavy and uncomfortable. Claude had dried off quite a bit but the chill in her bones was still there she had even gained a cough and a sneeze. She sat near the fire, warming her body, what was she thinking? Her skirt was much too thick to swim through the water, of course it would get caught.

"Here, drink this Claude." The Phantom had quietly slipped into the room and handed her some tea.

"Thank you." She said it flatly and snatched the tea cup out of his hands.

"Claude, please try to be civil with me." The anger was bubbling to the surface he reached to his hip instinctively feeling his Punjab lasso.

"Civil? Civil! How is keeping me against my will civil, let alone humane! I came here from America to full fill my potential not to rot in this hell!" She was shouting now her powerful voice was echoing off the walls.

"I would watch what you say next Mademoiselle, you're trying my patience." His eyes turned cold. But Claude was not intimidated.

"You've been trying mine, I thought I saw goodness in you but I was wrong, you're a monster." His eyes changed they were no longer cold but they were empty of all emotion.

Slowly he walked towards her, Claude backed up slowly but once her back hit the cold stone wall she knew it was all over. It was a quick action, the lasso was around her neck and he was chocking her. She could feel the life draining from her body, her lungs burned and screamed for oxygen. Tears streamed down her face as her world started to grow dark, but then suddenly the pressure on her neck was gone.

She collapsed onto the marble floor, her lungs were still burning as she gasped for air. She looked back up at the Phantom, no longer was there no emotion but instead it was replaced by a deathly glare. Claude hadn't felt this feeling in a long time, this feeling was foreign: true horror. She kept her eyes on him, the tears were still streaming down her face as she held her neck. He stepped closer to her, holding his hand out for her to take however she coward away from him.

"You forced my hand Mademoiselle, you see I am not like the men on the surface, I am not a fop. I will not hesitate to kill… anyone." His hand was brushing through her hair no, in an act of comfort but it just made her more afraid of him.

"Now Mademoiselle Basset I have a proposition for you." He helped her up and led her to his study room.

Claude's P.O.V

I could still feel it… the rope cutting into my skin… the air leaving my body… I was about to die by his hand. He had led me to his study room and made me sit at a long oak table… he brought me tea. I felt sick to my stomach this was a true psychopath and I was his prisoner. He paced around the room for what seemed like countless hours and finally he stopped and approached me.

"Claude…" He reached his hand towards my neck, I was sure there was a bruise forming now.

"Please don't hurt me…" The tears had started streaming down my face once again. H retracted his hand and stood up straight.

"Claude, I have a proposal for you… a bargain if you'd wish to call it that." His hands were behind his back which was turned to me.

I remained silent.

"There is a certain gentleman who threatens to ruin everything for me, in fact he's going to steal something very precious to me." He put his hands on my shoulders as I tensed up.

"What does that have to do with me…" My voice was quiet and broken, it hurt to talk.

"Well, I need you, my little pawn, to seduce this man make him fall deeply in love with you so his intentions are directed elsewhere." My eyes widened, he wanted me to seduce someone.

"What if I refuse?" I kept my gaze down on the table.

"Then you will never see another ray of sunlight again in your life and I will make sure your Aunt will never find you." He leaned down and whispered into my ear.

"Do I make myself clear?" I slowly nodded, as much as I wanted to disagree I couldn't go against his word.

"I'm glad we agree."

The Next Day

The night before I couldn't sleep and if I did I only dreamt of drowning in that cursed lake or being choked to death by that deranged maniac. However, sleep did come eventually and it was thankfully dreamless. When I woke up I was welcomed by the smell of toast and marmalade. My stomach roared and demanded that I'd get up and eat. I slowly sat up, my body was sore from the event of yesterday my throat hurt the worst. I crept out of my bed and walked over to my mirror passing the food as my stomach protested.

The woman before me in the mirror was not me, hell she hardly looked human at all. Instead she looked like… a phantom. Her eyes were hallow no emotion seeped from them, under her eyes were dark circles and bags from a restless night before. I was right about my neck bruising there was a dark purple ring around my neck there was also a few rope burns here and there. Sighing I turned to face the vanity the resided in the room, on it rested a dark purple dress with a turtle neck and long sleeves. Probably to hide the bruises from my Aunt and any other on-lookers.

"How considerate of him." The sarcasm was thick in my weak voice.

I ate my meal and got dressed, I had decided to let my hair fall loosely past my shoulders I couldn't muster the strength to pull it up.

"Mademoiselle, I am coming in." I heard that voice that I was so fearful of the t=night before. Even now I felt slight timidity.

"You look like hell." He took one quick look at me and handed me various items.

"There is face paint, rouge, lipstick and charcoal use these items to make yourself presentable." He turned his back to me and started walking but he paused.

"Pin your hair up as well, that red mop of yours is a mess." With those words said he walked out closing the door behind him.

I looked down at the makeup he'd given me, was I really that ugly? I walked up to the vanity and sat down putting the items down delicately. I picked up the face paint and put a small amount onto my fingers. I started to dab the product under my eyes, ever so slowly the dark circles disappeared. Next I took the charcoal and lightly lined my eyes, I must admit that it did bring out the purple in my eyes. I opened the compact and wrinkled my nose in disgust, it was a dark red definitely too strong for my complexion. I put it down and settled for pinching my cheeks till they turned a soft pink. Much like the rouge the lipstick was much too dark for me so I just sat that down and looked at myself in the mirror.

Much like earlier this morning I did not recognize myself, though this woman actually looked like a decent human being… it wasn't me. She looked presentable and pretty, I was plain. I sighed as I divided half of my hair and pulled one half up, I twisted the top half into a loose bun and pinned it down. Standing I smoothed my dress and walked out of the door, this would have to do for the Phantom. I walked down the stairs and found him sitting at his organ muttering incoherent words to himself.

"Excuse me… I'm ready for… whatever it is I'm doing today." I kept my eyes to the floor.

"Good, you look better now that you've covered up that filth on your face." He stood and circled around me.

"Now you will be allowed six hours on top of the surface, I expect you to use those hours wisely. The gentleman you're seducing is wearing a long brown coat and he carries a walking stick, senseless thing to carry he doesn't have a limp or anything." His hands were once again folded as he pondered this.

"Alright, when may I leave?" I was eager to see the sun again, my skin ached for its warmth.

"You may leave immediately the boat is tied so you may take that, but make no mistake Mademoiselle, I will be watching you. Remember your freedom and life depends on it." I nodded and started to walk off towards the lake, when he was out of sight I bolted. I was finally leaving this hell hole… For now at least.

It's starting to get real juicy guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I enjoyed writing it I can tell that I'm starting to get back into the swing of writing! Anyways Review please!

-Kara