Okay here is the next chapter! Sorry I probably could have had this out sooner but I was distracted by writing another story. Anyway enough excuses, onward with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. (Forgot to do this last time. My bad)

Erik POV

I had convinced Madam Giry to follow me into the tunnels. I told her there was something of utmost importance that I needed assistance with. She refused at first but must have seen something on my face because she grabbed a candle and followed without speaking another word.

I grew more nervous and impatient the closer we got. Finally we reached the lair, I lead the way to the second bedroom. Upon entering the room, I realized Madam Giry was no longer behind me. She stood in the doorway, a nervous expression on her face.

Relax, as if I would try to bed you.I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"There! You must help." I told her while pointing to the bed.

She refused to move. Growling in frustration, I strode over to the bed. Yanking the curtains back, to reveal a battered young woman. Madam Giry gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Oh monsieur, what is this?!" She questioned in a frightful tone.

"I found her like this. Near death, laying in the snow. Can you undress her?"

"Oh! Why?"

"Her clothes are in shreds. They're covered in snow and mud. I cannot help her if she remains in them." I stated, before moving beside her to touch her forehead. "She's burning. She may have already caught a fever. Who knows what else."

Frowning, she moved in closer. "She is young, her size is very small. She cannot yet be a woman. Who would do such horrors to a child!"

"I do not wish her to feel improper when she awakens, which is why I asked you to undress her. Though I would like your help to bathe and treat her."

Madam Giry rolled up the sleeves on her robe, before moving in closer to inspect the young woman.

"She hardly breathes. She looks sickly white, her lips have already begun to turn bluish-purple. She may already be too far gone." She noted, then made a 'shoo'ing motion with her hand. "Leave now, I will undress her. However she will have no clothes to put back on, these are not worth saving."

"Then what will-"

"Hush now, be gone. I will cover her up with something. Right now we must act fast, leave!"

With a scowl on my face, I spun around and left the room. Who does she think she is? Too order me around so much. I should frighten her and remind her of who exactly I am. I thought darkly, then shook the thought away. The first person to show me any kindness and I wish to harm her?

I moved to the kitchen and filled a basin with water, then started collecting things that I would need to clean her wounds. Next I searched for any medical supplies I had to clean her wounds. Satisfied this was all we would need, I grabbed the basin and went to the door.

"May I enter now? I have gathered some supplies we may need."

"Yes monsieur, you may enter now." She replied.

Entering the room, I put the basin on the table before leaving to grab the rest of the supplies. Madam Giry had undressed the young woman, leaving the dirty clothes in a sopping wet pile by the doorway. She had draped a sheet over the woman's chest, leaving the area above and below her breasts exposed. Another sheet was draped over her hips, covering up to about mid thigh. I flushed at the display of skin. It's not that I had never been with a woman, its that this could very well be a young girl and not a woman.

"Come now, we must hurry. The chill on her skin is terrifying. She needs rest." Madam Giry spoke while she grabbed a washcloth.

We started at the bottom of her feet, there was small cuts that looked recent on the soles of her feet. Probably from running barefoot through the streets. Her left ankle was swollen and raw, with a scar that went all around it.

"She must have been chained up. The cuff has dug so deep, the scar will likely be permanent. The only thing we can do is clean and treat it. Let's hope it doesn't get infected." Madam Giry said, staring sorrowfully at the wound.

We worked our way up, cleaning and treating her injuries as we went. Bruises littered her body, some new, some old. There was two toes that looked as if they had been broken and had not probably healed. She had a couple small scars on her thighs, they looked to be from a small blade. They weren't very deep, light almost white in color. I probably would not have noticed if I hadn't been so close. There was bruises shaped like handprints on her thighs and hips, which caused Madam Giry to release small whimpers. Her eyes were misty, I feared she may cry. I stayed silent, in hopes that she wouldn't. I have no idea how to handle a crying woman.

Upon reaching her midsection, we discovered two broken ribs on the left side and four severely bruised ones on her right side. Breathing would be painful for her for awhile. The bruises there were of all different stages of healing. A scar was on the right side of her midsection, it was darker than the others. Probably the oldest so far that we have found.

More handprint bruises were on her arms, and one on the base of her throat. They looked to be fresh. Her hands were small and dainty. A few of the knuckles were busted open, either from the cold or a fight. Her left pinky had been broken and poorly set. Her nails were short and chipped, with blood underneath them. Possibly from her abusers. She put up a fight, the thought comforted me only a little.

Her bottom lip looked as if it was healing from a previous wound, only it was reopened recently judging by the recent dried blood. Her nose was swollen, but thankfully not broken. A black eye was forming on her right eye, it was probably caused at the same time as the cut that was on her cheekbone. Both were fresh wounds that were still swelling.

Finally we finished treating all her injuries and covered her back up with the sheet and comforter. Underneath the bruises and swelling, I could tell she was beautiful.

Who would torture someone this beautiful and young. Beating her till she most likely unconscious. Monsters. MONSTERS. I will find them and when I do... I thought darkly, planning revenge for this beautiful stranger. If she doesn't survive, I will make them watch as I rip them apart one by one.

Madam Giry was gathering the soiled washcloths and adding them to the ruined clothes pile. They would all need to be disposed off. I joined her in moving the supplies out of the room, quietly as not to disturb the occupant. When all was done, I grabbed a pitcher of water and a cup, placing them at her bedside. Along with a new cloth and a fresh basin of water.

"Monsieur, where did you find her?" She questioned while staring at the woman on the bed.

"Outside the opera house, on the ground by the alley."

"We must take her to a doctor!"

"No! She stays here!" I growled back.

"She could die! We did all we could but we are not doctors!"

"She stays here! She will not die!"

"Monsieur please! She needs -"

"She needs nothing. We did everything we must, now it's up to her to fight the fever!"

"You are acting like a child!" Madam Giry yelled in frustration.

A groan sounded from the unconscious form on the bed. Walking back over to her side, I dipped the cloth into the water and gently wiped at her forehead.

"I will help her." I told Madam Giry sternly.

"She needs medical help. If you do not take her, then her death will be on you monsieur phantom!" And with that she turned and left the room.

"I will not let any more harm come to you." I whispered gently, while staring at the strange young woman who had somehow captured my attention. All that is left to do now, is wait.

Review responses:

Ari, ZabuzasGirl, Shella the Dovahkiin, Kaylyn Palmeter – Thank you all for the reviews! I'm glad you all liked it! Here's the next chapter, enjoy! =D

Sorry about any mistakes you may find, I tried my best. Review, follow, or favorite!

xBeautifullyxxShatteredx