Here is the next chapter and things get a bit more interesting :) Only own my own character and none from Phantom :) Hope everyone enjoys this chapter :D

Heartache and Pain

Chapter four: Music of the Night

Charlene's POV

The next morning I got myself ready for the day and wondered whether or not I should go out for a walk. Could I bring myself to go outside after my attack? I decided to go downstairs to help myself to breakfast then it can help me decide whether or not to go for a walk in the park that was nearby. I got downstairs and proceeded to make myself some toast. But where did he keep the bread and the butter? I would ask someone for help but I couldn't bring myself to ask them where anything is. I mean I shouldn't trust them even though they have looked after me for quite a number of weeks since the incident. Maybe I will be able to trust men eventually but is it all worth it in the end? I mean what man would love a disabled freak like me? I rubbed my arms unconsciously still feeling the scars I sustained from that night; I still had nightmares about my ordeal and would be wide awake for the rest of the night. I am usually scared to fall asleep in case the nightmares come back. The only thing that helps me to sleep at night is Erik's singing voice. I didn't realise he had such a beautiful voice until that first night when I had a nightmare and he sung me to sleep. As I continued to look through the cupboards I suddenly heard someone coming up behind me and jumped out of my skin.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. What are you doing?" Erik asked. I just looked at him without saying a word then went back to looking through the cupboards.

"Do you want some breakfast?" He questioned and I nodded quickly in agreement.

"Do you want some toast? We should have some bread in the cupboard." He questioned and yet again I nodded in reply. I then saw him get some bread out of the cupboard next to the fridge and even put it in the toaster.

"Why don't you help yourself to some fruit juice or water from the fridge whilst I make your toast for you?" Erik questioned and I went to the fridge for some orange juice to put in the glass that was on the tabletop. I then sat myself at the table drinking my orange juice whilst waiting for my toast to pop up.

"There you go, buttered toast just the way you like it." Erik said politely which startled me a little as I was in my own little world for a moment. I nodded and started eating my toast.

"I've got some important work to do in my office today but Nadir will still be here to keep an eye on you. But I will be back this evening in time for dinner. See you later." I nodded and went back to finishing off my toast. I then decided to go on a walk but not telling Nadir. I just needed some space for a while away from the flat as I have been cooped up in here for too long now. After washing my dishes I took my coat and went out of the door knowing Nadir was in the study and won't notice my leaving let alone my absence. As I walked around the park I decided to sit by the water's edge to watch the birds swimming on the water's surface especially the swans. I saw two together and knew they were mates as swans mate for life. Could I find someone that special and spend the rest of my life with them? I have always wanted to find someone special in my life but didn't know whether a guy was interested or not and the first relationship I had only lasted two months and then he broke up with me because I wanted a meaningful relationship but he wanted a sexual one which I wasn't ready for. I haven't really had a relationship with another guy since. And now after this rape incident I don't think I could bring myself to have another relationship ever again. Just as I decided to go back I heard someone call my name. I turned around and my heart stopped in my chest for a moment. But why was he here of all places? I thought I would never see him again after the relationship ended but he was here now in front of me.

"Look I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot after the relationship but can we at least be friends?" He questioned. But could I trust him after what he done to me? I didn't answer but instead ran all the way back to the flat. But I didn't make it as I was grabbed by the arm and I instinctively struggled even though they had a gentle grip on my arm.

"What are you doing out here?! Nadir was supposed to keep watch. What were to happen if someone kidnapped you or hurt you? I couldn't live with myself if anymore harm was to befall you." He explained firmly and I looked up to see Erik staring down at me with his hand around my arm. Was that concern in his eyes or was I imagining things? I thought to myself. I then followed him back to the flat and went up to my room. But before I got to the door I heard him yell out Nadir's name angrily and decided not to get involved as I knew things were about to get ugly.

After about half an hour I noticed things had quietened down and decided to go downstairs to watch some television before dinner. I soon could smell dinner cooking and turned off the TV so I could eat dinner at the table before Erik and Nadir eat their dinner as I couldn't eat with them quite yet. After finishing dinner I washed my dishes and went to the bookshelf to read a book. But for some reason I couldn't concentrate on any of the words and decided to turn in for the night.

The next morning I awoke to beautiful music and I got out of bed to find out where it was coming from. For some reason I couldn't resist following the music and I eventually found myself in what I believe to be the music room. I just stood in the doorway whilst listening to the music echo around the room. When I was awoken from my trance I realised where I was almost immediately and ran out of the room. But before I even made it out of the door I was grabbed around the wrist and I heard a voice exclaim.

"Why are you leaving so soon? I could tell you enjoyed my music very much." He questioned curiously.

"Why don't you trust us? It's been a while since I rescued you and every time I touch you flinch or move away from me. You know I would never hurt you don't you?" He questioned curiously. I nodded but still didn't say a word. Erik didn't have any more to say and left the room to get on with some work I presume.

Erik's POV

It had been three months since I rescued the girl from them three men that night and she still hasn't said a word and rarely does near us since that night. I think she has gone mute after her ordeal and decided to talk to Nadir about our next course of action in order to help this girl heal after her ordeal.

"Nadir what shall we do about the girl? She hasn't talked in three months and we still know nothing about her. Do you think she won't talk to us because we are men?"

"That is a possibility yes since she had such a traumatic experience associated with men. Maybe she will open up to someone of her own gender. Don't we have a colleague at the office that is female?" Nadir replied.

"Yes we do actually. I'll call Christine right now and ask her if she can come round in the morning to have a chat with our guest." I replied quickly and I got up to make a phone call so I can talk to my colleague called Christine.

After spending an hour or so on the phone I realised it was approaching dinner time and knew I had to cook dinner for our guest as she would probably be quite hungry by now but when I looked in our fridge I realised we hadn't done any food shopping since last week and we have run out of food. What would we have for dinner now though since there is no food in the house? I then decided on ordering a takeaway as I was too tired to cook or shop for food. I decided on a simple Indian meal as I wasn't too sure what our guest liked and things were quite awkward between us right now. After ordering I got the plates and drinks ready; one set was put on a tray to allow our guest to eat it in the privacy of her room or in front of the TV, whichever she felt more comfortable with.

Charlene's POV

I was just sitting in front of the TV watching some episodes of Doctor Who and I realised I hadn't heard from Erik in a while since our encounter in the music room. My thoughts would occasionally drift back to the music he played. I never realised he could play the piano but who composed the piece of music he was playing? I didn't recognise it from a well known artist so who composed it? I went back to watching TV when I heard the doorbell ring and that's when I heard footsteps approaching the door and open it. I couldn't really hear what the two people were talking about so I went back to watching my programme.

"Dinner's ready for you. I'll leave your dinner on the table for you." Erik explained suddenly and when I looked up I saw him carrying a tray with a plateful of rice and curry with a na'an bread and poppadom on the side. I then ate my dinner whilst watching another episode of Doctor Who.

After several hours of watching TV I felt my eyes droop slightly and surrendered to the darkness as sleep took over.

When I woke up the next morning the first thing I saw was darkness and I tried desperately to find a light switch. I have always hated the dark for as long as I can remember and haven't really outgrown it yet. When I finally found the light switch I realised I was back in my room. But how did I get here? Last thing I remember was me sitting in front of the TV watching Doctor Who episodes and the next thing I knew I fell asleep in front of the TV. Did Erik carry me up here? I mean if he did carry me up here why did he do it? He could have left me on the sofa to sleep the night but instead he took me upstairs and tucked me into bed. I think he did it because he was concerned about me sleeping on the sofa after the previous incident that happened when I hit my head whilst sleeping on the sofa. Why has he helped me so much though? I decided to ponder over my thoughts later and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day. When I got downstairs though the first thing I noticed was a strange woman sitting opposite Erik talking whilst eating breakfast. Was she his girlfriend or lover perhaps? They did look so happy together. Why did this worry me though? Am I feeling jealous that someone could potentially love Erik rather than me? I shouldn't be jealous though should I?

"Ah I see you have met Christine; she is a colleague at the office I work at helping people like yourself." Erik explained matter of factly. I just looked at her with a sense of distrust but I wasn't sure why.

"Hello my name's Christine. Would you like to tell me what your name is?" She questioned politely. I shook my head and turned away from her slightly.

"I know you won't trust me right now but if we keep meeting up like this for a few more weeks I think we should become firm friends." Christine explained kindly. I crossed my arms and shook my head with a frown on my face. I would never become friends with her; she has Erik for a boyfriend, she is prettier than me and she hasn't got a disability like I do. Put it straight she is everything I want to be but not what I am in real life.

"Come along why don't we sit in your room and talk?" Christine questioned. But yet again I refused and instead I ran out of the room and locked myself in the bathroom.

"Wait come back!" I heard Erik yell but I kept myself locked away in the bathroom and wouldn't come out even when Christine and Erik knocked gently on the door.

"Will you please come out?! What is with the distrust all of a sudden? Christine is here to help you heal; nothing more. Please come out and talk with Christine even if it is for five minutes. Just please come out." Erik pleaded from behind the door. I thought for a moment then decided there wasn't any harm in talking to her for a few moments. I proceeded to unlock the door and came out of the bathroom.

"Now why don't we sit in the sitting room and have a talk?" Christine questioned and I followed along behind her.

"Now before we talk how about you tell me your name first?" Christine questioned kindly. I looked at her for a moment then shook my head rapidly and just ran out of the room and lay on my bed crying until I fell asleep...