Past the Point of No Return

Chapter 7

One Week Later

"Daroga. It's been a whole week since you got that letter. She said she would only take two days!" Erik exclaimed, pacing back and forth in Nadir's drawing-room, running his fingers through his jet black hair. "Something bad must have happened to her."

"I agree, Erik," Nadir replied, stroking his beard thoughtfully and gazing into oblivion.

"Oh, this is all your fault!" Erik suddenly exclaimed, seething with rage.

"My fault?!" Nadir asked, completely flabbergasted. "How is this my fault?!"

Erik pointed an accusing finger at the Persian. "You didn't let me go to the de Changy estate and kill that insolent boy the moment I read that damned letter!" At this point, the Phantom had full control.

Nadir opened his mouth to reply, but the Phantom raised a hand, silencing him.

"I don't want to hear your excuses, Daroga. If you had let me go, that wretched boy would not have Christine and her daughter." Erik's voice broke as he said the next sentence running a hand through his hair. "Oh, their life must be like a living Hell now." The Phantom's voice shook. His hand flew to his chest as he turned toward the Persian man sitting on the sofa. Erik threw his other hand to his side and his thunderous voice, filled with grief, echoed in the small house. "I know what it's like to grow up being beaten for something you cannot control," The Phantom's jaw quivered a bit, making Nadir realize that he was crying. He didn't even know this child, yet he was weeping over her fate. Erik walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Nadir, putting his face in his hands.

"I know, Erik," Nadir placed a comforting hand on Erik's shoulder, but the masked man violently shrugged it off.

"I don't need your pity," Erik lifted his head and took a shaky breath. "I can only imagine the torture and pain that they're going through now. In many cases, beatings get worse after escape attempts." The masked man looked his friend square in the eye and said, "I know from experience."

Nadir's eyes softened. "I know, Erik." He desperately wanted to reach out and comfort his old friend.

"Christine just sounded so desperate in that letter," Erik said dejectedly, helplessly hanging his head.

"I know Er-"

Erik's head snapped up and his eyes burned into Nadir's dark brown ones. "Is that all you can say, Daroga?" Erik snapped irritably. "'I know, Erik?'"

"No," Nadir replied, furrowing his brow. "I was going to ask if you'd like to pay some old friends a visit."

Erik sprang up out of his seat. "So you have come to your senses, Daroga!" Erik exclaimed triumphantly.

"I suppose I have," Nadir mused, also standing up. "Let's go, Monsieur Phantom,

"Yes," Erik replied darkly. "Let's" Erik briskly made his way towards the door, grabbed his cape and fedora, and exited the house.

He said that a bit too eagerly, Nadir thought as he followed his masked friend out of the house. I'll have to keep a close eye on him.
Nadir made his way to the door when Darius called out.

"Master, wait!"

He turned around to see his servant hurrying towards him with a small bag in hand.

"I apologize for eavesdropping, sir, but I heard your conversation with that strange man and decided that you might need this." Darius held out the bag to Nadir, who took it from him and took a peek inside to see numerous medical supplies packed. "Who knows the type of condition you might find them in," Darius explained.

Nadir closed the bag and looked up at his servant.

"Thank you, Darius, that was very thoughtful of you," Nadir replied. "And you are forgiven for eavesdropping but don't make a habit of it, understand?" Nadir pointed at his servant as he said that in a harsher tone.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Master," Darius said, bowing to Nadir.

"Good," Nadir said in satisfaction. "Erik and I are going to rescue them now, so please prepare the spare bedroom for Christine and her daughter," Nadir instructed while walking to the door and putting his coat on. Erik was waiting for him and leaning on the door with his arms crossed impatiently.

Darius bowed himself out and went to do as instructed.

Nadir looked at Erik expectantly.

"Ready to go?" He asked his friend, who scoffed in annoyance

"I've been ready, Daroga," Erik replied, standing up straight, fixing his suit, and opening the door for Nadir. "After you, Daroga," Erik said, wavk g his companion out.

"Thank you, Erik," Nadir said with a nod as he walked out. Erik followed him and shut the door tightly.

At long last, they were on their way to save Erik's Angel of Music and her daughter, who Erik was sure would be just as amazing as her mother in every way. Although Erik had to admit to himself, he was most excited about getting revenge on that damned Count. Yes, Erik thought. He shall pay for the suffering he put my Christine through. And her innocent daughter.