Hi everyone, I am soooooooooooo extremely sorry for the delay of updating on this chapter. I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and, if you celebrate it, Hanukah! I have been so busy over the past two weeks so I haven't had much time to write. Good news though, I just found out that I have been casted as a lead in our school's musical so yay for that! Any ways I am so happy you all enjoyed the last chapter, and I hope everyone enjoys this one too! Please read and review I love hearing what you all think.

Thanks so much!(:

Chapter 19:

Horror filled his dreams as he slept for what felt like days. He tossed and turned in an uncomfortable stiff chair as his nightmares plagued his mind, none of them which he could truly remember.

Waking with a gasp, Erik sat up quickly in his chair panting with fear as sweat dampened his brow. He searched the room around him for any sign of danger but there was nothing. The few candles that lit the room earlier had gone dim and now only a small flame flickered from the candle upon the bedside table. As his eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness, another gasp escaped his lips as he caught sight of something; someone.

She was awake and sitting upright in bed as she stared at him. Her skin was ghostly pale and her body still quivered. Her eyes no longer held there beautiful blue-green glow, and she looked completely disoriented and confused.

"May, your awake." He nearly shouted, as he sat on the edge of the bed facing her. "How are you feeling?" he asked hesitantly.

She did not respond. She just stared at him with fear filled eyes. Her hair fell haphazardly around her face and over her shoulders, and she looked so small and innocent in Erik's clothing that was obviously too big for her.

Erik was frightened by her stunned appearance and didn't know how to properly handle it.

"Are you still cold?" he questioned.

May stared at the blankets that were piled upon her lap. She waited a moment then slowly nodded her head.

"Here, I'll get another blanket." Erik went to the large wardrobe across the room and retrieved another blanket, then returned to May. He lightly draped it over her shoulders. "Better?" he questioned.

May still stared at her lap. After a short pause she slowly shook her head and pulled at the blanket until it was off of her. This confused Erik.

"So you're warm," he pushed on. She shook her 'no' still staring blankly. He was even more confused now. "Does your head hurt?" she nodded. "How about your throat?" she nodded once more. Erik moved closer to her and leaned down catching her eyes in his gaze. "Are you going to talk?" he asked calmly. May held his gaze for a short while then slowly moved away from him, without responding.

Erik was at a loss, he was confused as to how to approach this. Deep down he believed that May's sudden silent treatment was due to seeing his face and all the horrors of the past day. But he was a baffled as to why she would already be awake; it seemed too soon for her to be up and recovering.

May's back was now to Erik. He waited for a while and just watched her; her shoulders would rise and fall with the quick pattern of her breathing which was unusually fast, and her body trembled with each shiver it produced. He moved closer to her on the bed.

"May, look at me." He stated sternly. The girl did not budge, he was now getting impatient. "Fine," with that he grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him.

In the short amount of time May was turned away her condition seemed to worsen. Her forehead was covered with sweat and her shaking was even worse. She was clutching tightly to her stomach, her breathing was rapid and extremely fast. Through Erik's eyes, she looked like she was dying. He began to panic.

"Oh my god May," he gasped as he pulled her closer feeling her forehead. Her skin was warmer than he had ever felt, and she was dripping with sweat. He held her back at arm's length.

"May, I need you to tell me what's wrong." He demanded. She did not respond. She desperately reached out with her shaking left hand and helplessly gripped Erik's shirt, not knowing how to tell him what was happening. Erik was terrified; he was on the brink of hysterics.

"May please tell me," he demanded once more. "Are you going to faint?" no response, "May, speak to me, tell me what's happening." still no response. She was now shaking worse than ever. She tried to sob but nothing came out.

"May, what's happening, are you going to faint?" he asked again more frantic. She finally shook her head. "Speak to me, please." He nearly yelled. Suddenly May retracted her hand and clasped it tightly over her mouth, while her other hand still clutched her stomach. Erik realized what was happening.

He desperately asked one last question. "Are you going to be sick?" With tears streaming down her eyes, she nodded her head quickly and desperately.

In a matter of seconds May was in Erik's arms as he ran her to the bathroom and practically threw her over the sink. In the instant she was set down her retching began. Erik watched with horror as the poor sick child before him heaved into the sink. It killed him to see her like this, he hated the sight and he hated himself for inflicting this upon her. Holding her up by the waist, he retracted one hand and quickly pulled her dark blonde curls away from her face.

He couldn't do it; He couldn't bear to watch her vomit and quiver in pain. He quickly pulled his hands off of her waist and backed away from her until he hit the wall behind them. Tears began to flow from his eyes as he stared at her again; so innocent, and so sick. Suddenly he sprinted from the room unable to handle himself anymore.

With his back against a wall Erik collapsed to his knees and sobbed as he listened to the echoed sounds of May's heaving. Just remembering the way May looked killed him. She looked so ill and warn down; he honestly believed she was going to die. He sobbed louder. There was no way in hell he could lose this girl; if she died he truly believed part of him would as well. May meant too much to him and he couldn't bear to live without his one true friend.

As his sobs lessoned Erik became aware of an unusual sound. Wiping his eyes and rising to his feet, he paced to the door of the bathroom and listened closely. It sounded as if May's heaves had finally stopped but now it sounded as if she were crying. Her light cries echoed through Erik's mind as he stood and listened. Finally after waiting long enough he burst into the bathroom and nearly collapsed as he saw the sight before him.

Upon the cold ground of the bathroom laid a sobbing and shivering May, with blood pouring from her face and onto her clothing.

"My God!" he yelled as he ran to the girl lifting her to her knees before him. "May look at me," she wouldn't look, she stared at her lap and sobbed as the blood ran. "May, May look at me." He yelled sternly. After a few seconds she looked at him. Blood was pouring from her nose; somehow her vomiting must have triggered it. Pulling her hair away from her face again, Erik looked straight into her eyes. "You are going to be ok, do you hear me, you will be alright."

Before he could help stop the blood, May's expression changed and in seconds Erik was holding her over the sink once more as she retched. The blood still poured and as her vomiting came to an end she fell limp in Erik's arms, sobbing. Erik quickly grabbed a hand towel then lowered May to the ground. He pressed the towel lightly to her nose and held it there as she cried.

"E-Erik," she coughed. He pulled her up onto his lap so that he could see her. Using a shaking hand she pushed away the towel from her nose. Suddenly she began to cough and sputter. Erik held her closely making sure she wouldn't make any sudden movements and injure herself. As her coughing ceased all that was heard was her silent sobs; Erik couldn't help but let out a few stray tears as well.

"E-e-Erik," she stuttered as she cried.

"What is it May?"

"I-I want to go home."

She wants to go home. He kept saying over and over in his mind. What does she mean by that? Racking through his mind he remembered the night she revealed all of her secrets to him; the one that stuck out the most was when she said 'I do not consider the Opera house my home.' Surely the opera house was not her home, but where was her home, and why would she want to go back.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Erik pulled May tighter to him cradling the girl against his chest as she sobbed. Blood still dripped from her nose and was now staining Erik's shirt but he didn't care. He lightly stroked May's hair trying to sooth her.

"You are going to be okay May, I promise." He gently rocked the girl in his arms. "Maybe one day I can take you home." He said softly.

Hours slowly ticked by, leaving Erik and May in complete exhaustion. Every so often May would wake from her unconscious state and vomit, or fall into a violent coughing attack. After her sick spells were done she would fall limp against Erik and plummet back into a dark unconsciousness. Erik was mortified seeing the girl so ill; there was nothing he could do to make her feel any better and knowing that made him feel so pathetic and worthless.

It was sometime late in the afternoon now, and May hadn't woken for at least an hour or so. Finally able to get some rest, Erik fell asleep with his back against the wall and May, limp in his arms. Both his and May's clothing were stained with blood from her constant nose bleeds.

After a long trek down to the lair Nadir Kahn calmly made his way into the bedroom where he had last left Erik and May. Upon entering the room he began to panic when he saw that the bed was empty and neither of them were in sight. Dropping the medical bag of supplies he had with him he sprinted into action and suddenly burst into the bathroom and stopped with a gasp as he witnessed the sight before him.

Upon the ground of the bathroom laid numerous bloody rags and a couple waste baskets and chamber pots. Scanning his eyes around the room Nadir spotted Erik asleep with an unconscious May cradled in his lap. Blood splattered there clothing and May looked deathly pale. Nadir panicked.

"What in Allah's name happened here?" he questioned loudly. Suddenly Erik jolted awake and sat up quickly, glancing around in confusion. Suddenly he met eyes with Nadir.

"Nadir,"

"Erik, what has happened?" He demanded. Erik maneuvered May in his arms so that he was capable of sitting up straight.

"She woke up last night and was even worse than she had been before she was shaking so horribly and she was sweating, and God was she pale. I have never seen her more white before. She then began to vomit profusely. I couldn't do it Nadir, I just couldn't. Watching her so sick like this killed me." His child like ranting began again. "I fled the room and left her alone to heave. After I while I came back in and found her upon the ground with blood gushing from her nose. Throughout the night she continued to vomit and she would have terrible coughing attacks, each time her nose would bleed more and more. Finally after so many hours she stopped and has been unconscious ever since. I don't know what to do Nadir, she's so sick; I don't want her to die."

Nadir kneeled down beside them and glanced over May then met Erik's glare. "She will not die Erik, I promise that. Now come along, let's get her back to bed."

Erik bundled the girl in his arms and carried her out of the bathroom and onto the bed. Retrieving his bag Nadir fled to the side of the bed where Erik now stood. Searching through his bag he produced a small leather kit and a vial of some sort of clear liquid.

"Luckily I have something that can help May greatly; it should stop the vomiting, and at least quiet the coughing for a short time. This should also help with any more shakes or chills she may have." He explained as he set the vile and kit upon the night table. "But the only way to give this is through an injection." He confessed. "Are you alright with that Erik?"

Erik was worried, he knew that this injection would most likely hurt but with May in her unconscious state she would most likely never even notice. She needed to get better and Erik knew that this might be the first step to that.

"As long as it's safe."

"I can assure you my friend, that this is very safe," he paused. "Should I begin?" he questioned. Erik nodded.

Opening the kit, Nadir produced a small syringe. He then filled it with the liquid within the vial then held it carefully.

"Erik, are you sure you are all right with this?"

Erik thought one last time then made his answer. "Yes, do whatever it takes to make her better."

Nadir nodded slightly. "Why don't you hold her still in case she makes any sudden movements."

Without saying a word, Erik moved around to the other side of the bed and placed his hands upon May's shoulder pinning her lightly against the bed. Glancing back up at Nadir, Erik watched as he gently lifted the girls arm and injected the medicine into her. Setting her arm down, he placed the vial back into his bag and the syringe into its case and back into the bag as well.

"Well that should do it." Nadir sighed as he sat on the rocking chair beside the bed. Erik removed his hands from May's shoulders but stayed seated on the edge of the bed.

Nadir spoke up again. "So, did anything else happen that I should know about?"

Erik thought it over. "Not exactly, it was mainly just a lot of vomiting and coughing, well and blood but otherwise nothing else."

"Alright then." He sat back in the chair.

"Well… she did say something rather odd." He thought about what she had said to him in her sick state.

"Oh really, and what was that?"

He hesitated a few moments. "… She told me she wanted to go home."

"Home?" Nadir questioned.

"I was just as confused as you are." At that moment he was still very confused.

"Well that is rather odd, has she ever talked about her home before?"

"Never; she... well she… I guess you can say she is an orphan in a way." It hurt him to say it, but it was true. May was indeed an orphan, just like Erik in that case. Both were left at a very young with no money, no friends, no family, and no home. Both struggled for so long and will still struggle for years to come.

"An orphan, really?" Nadir questioned.

"Yes, her parents died when she was really young." He explained.

"I did not know that." Erik nodded in response.

"What do you think she meant Daroga?" Erik asked innocently

"Erik my friend, it could have meant anything." Erik sighed in confusion. "Maybe she didn't realize what she was saying; she might have been completely disoriented."

"Your right," he sighed. He glanced down at May watching the steady beat of her breathing. Her shaking had finally stopped but all of the color was completely drained from her face. "But what if she did mean it?"

"Well she is in a strange place, maybe she is not used to the lair yet." He paused. "Why don't you go up to her dorm and maybe bring down some things of hers."

Erik glanced at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe bring a nightgown of hers or some kind of trinket that reminds her of home. It may help."

"That is actually not that bad of an idea."

"Then why don't you go up and I will watch May."

"Are you sure?" Erik questioned

"Go man, it will all be alright."

He gave one last look over May, nodded to Nadir then went to grab his cloak.

Making his way from his lair to the halls of the opera house, May hadn't left Erik's mind once. He was so concerned about her he didn't know what to do.

The halls of the Opera Populaire were completely empty, due to the scare of the Opera Ghost in his reign of terror. Maneuvering his way through hidden passages and short cuts, Erik found May's room quickly. Looking around one last time he quickly checked for any sign of stray wanderers throughout the halls of the dorms. With no one insight he pushed upon the door and entered without a sound.

The room was very dark and dismal, with not much to decorate it. He had been in her room before, but not with the guarantee of no one entering. Walking slowly he grazed with long fingers across the soft warn bedspread that covered her bed. Turning to face it he gave a slight chuckle under his breath.

Lying upon her bed was a small ratty looking stuffed puppy. He remembered May telling him about the dog while she spilled all of his secrets to him. Smiling softly, Erik paced to the side of the bed and gently lifted the dog. It was a very soft color of brown with dark ears, and a dark tail. There was a lilac colored ribbon around its neck. Running his fingers over the stuffed animal's soft coat Erik stopped suddenly and dropped the animal upon the bed.

What is happening to me? He asked himself inwardly. I am completely losing my phantom façade. He felt himself slipping away from the phantom he truly was. He was being gentle to caring to a friend, kind to an inanimate object, and shockingly generous to Nadir. He could not lose the phantom within him but yet whenever he thought of May he could feel himself sliding away.

"Damn you Erik." He said softly. He sat down defeated upon the bed. This girl was truly getting to him.

Pushing May out of his mind, Erik stood and picked up the stuffed dog placing it in a small bag. He moved silently around the room glancing over every inch. He stopped before her desk as his eyes caught upon something. A small sketchbook.

Lifting it carefully into his hands he flipped through the pages. Each page had different drawing; some of random objects such as her ballet slippers or flowers, and others just random doodle of no worth, but beautiful all the same.

He placed it into the bag and backed up accidentally hitting the chair of her desk and knocking something off of it. Cursing inwardly he peered toward the ground. Erik was greeted with the sight of May's satchel. Some of the objects held inside had fallen out onto the ground; including her journal. Erik bent down and picked up carefully.

Examining the cover closely, he was hesitant to open it. Do I dare? He asked himself. Its personal maybe I shouldn't. He flipped it over and over again in his hands. But I've done it before, what's the big deal. Oh but I can't. He ignored his inner thoughts.

He flipped open the journal and turned to a recent date and read.

November 20th,

Erik and I fought tonight. He was furious with me. All I did was look through his sketch book; all of the drawings were beautiful but they were all of Christine. Yes Christine. It scared me; I had no idea why he would be drawing her, and why he would draw her over and over again. When he confronted me I realized why. He loves her, he has to love her. He became even angrier with me and ended up forcing me to leave the lair. For some reason I cannot comprehend how he loves her so; yes she is beautiful and amazingly talented, but I just cannot picture Erik loving someone.

He flipped a few pages ahead before finishing.

December 1st,

Jack kissed me the other evening. Oh it was so beautiful. The entire evening was so lovely; his family is so nice and welcoming I felt just at home with them. Jack's niece especially is so sweet and adorable. After a while Jack took me outside and was in a fuss about something but once I was able to calm him he unexpectedly kissed me. In that moment there was no up or down, and now day or night, it was just us in the cool evening breeze. The wait to have my first kiss has been well worth it. It was all so beautiful. That evening it began to snow so we had to stay the evening. We slept in Jack's old bedroom; him upon a couch and me in his bed. When I returned back to the opera house I went and spent most of the evening with Erik.

Once more he skipped ahead without finishing. Erik noticed that this was the last entre in her journal.

December 4th,

Il Muto opens tomorrow and I am extremely nervous. I know I am ready but I have just been feeling very ill lately. Erik has been watching me closely and making sure I get better. Jack has also been watching me too. They are both such lovely people. Jack is always so sweet and caring, I feel as if every time I am with him, my feelings toward him grow stronger and stronger. I love to revel in all of the time we spend together. I am so happy I have him in my life right now. I also thank god every day that I have Erik in my life as well. Erik is such an amazing person; I love to be around him. There are times when I can just sit and listen to him talk, or sing, or play for hours. Yes he has a horrible tempore, and has a horrible reputation within the opera house but I cherish his friendship more and more every day. He is such a beautiful person with an amazing talent, oh how I wish he would just reveal himself to the world, but know that he can't. I pity the poor man. No one should ever have to live in such solitude as him and no man alive should ever be shunned from society.

I know that he has his secrets and yes I have mine but oh how I wish to know what lies behind his mask. It taunts me every time I stare into it. He is a very handsome and beautiful man; beautiful. Oh very beautiful. Everything about him screams beauty. Just the way he carries himself and how he walks and talks is just so elegant and beautiful. His music is just as beautiful as him. Every note that he ever plays or sings is so capturing and beyond lovely. I could honestly get lost in his music for hours, days, even moths. Oh how pathetic I sound as I spill my feelings into this worthless journal. I am so childish aren't I?

Shutting the book abruptly he couldn't believe what he had just read. What could all of this possibly mean? He wanted to scream, he wanted to run, but most of all he wanted to wrap May in a large embrace and never ever let her go. Everything she had written touched him so deeply, and he was so thankful for the girl.

Placing the journal back into the satchel, he placed it back upon her chair, and then raced around the room grabbing useless items of hers and a couple nightgowns. He left the room in a hurry and ran through the catacombs sprinting back to his lair. Once he reached it he entered the bedroom where May lay. Nadir was still beside the bed but he flew to his feet as Erik burst through the door completely out of breath.

"Erik, are you alright?" Nadir asked hurriedly. Erik quickly collected himself.

"Y-yes I am fine… Um how is she?" he questioned pointing to May.

"She is doing fine, she should be better in a few days' time."

"Great!" Erik exclaimed. Nadir then turned and collected his bag and coat.

"Unfortunately I have to take leave at the moment. If anything changes or you need any help, please don't hesitate to send for me."

"Will do, my friend"

Nadir nodded. "Take care of her Erik, Good day." With that he turned and left. Erik walked out of the room and watch Nadir as he left, and as soon as he was gone he sprinted back into the room.

Flying to the bed Erik let himself go as he lunged forward and wrapped May in a tight embrace.

A few stray tears slipped from his golden eyes as he held onto the girl tightly.

"Thank you May." He whispered into her hair.

I hope you all enjoyed! Please review, Thanks so much!(: