The Book Thief and the Phantom

Masquerade

Rudy disappeared only moments later. I went to sleep with a heavy heart and a lonely feeling.

I opened my eyes in Erik's lair. He glared down at me.

Stranger than I dreamt it,

Even now, your love to him, the corpse you loved before?

This dead-eyed suitor,

Who never burned in Hell, and lives in Heaven,

And I, so secretly, secretly.

He looked at me with loathing I had only known once before, when a soldier caught me giving bread to a Jew. But aside that was also hurt.

Waiting.

I stared back at him. My fear caused my hand to shake in his as he helped me to my feet.

"You saw us." I whispered. "How?"

"In my own nightmare." he replied. "What kind of boy is he to turn your head in such a way?"

"We knew each other as children. Years ago. We were friends." Even my voice shook.

"Friends? That is not how I saw it." I could feel him seethe through his words, like a fiery stream.

He must care, I thought, if he gets so angry at me for seeing someone other than him.

"W-what are you going to do?" I whispered.

His voice dripped with poison. "You will join me when I interrupt tonight's Masquerade."

*****

I wore a red and black strapless dress decorated with feathers. My blonde hair was braided with a rose tied into the end. I thought painfully of The Standover Man, of Max's hair like feathers. Was this a cruel trick to make me feel sorry for myself? Because it was working.

I had seen Raoul (I had learned his name) and Christine together. They were engaged. This clearly angered Erik. I watched sorrowfully at the people singing, enjoying themselves.

Masquerade!

Paper faces on parade!

Masquerade!

Hide your face so the world will never find you!

Masquerade!

Every face a different shade!

Masquerade!

Look around, there's another mask behind you!

Masquerade!

Burning glances, turning heads!

Masquerade!

Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

Masquerade!

Grinning yellows, spinning reds!

Masquerade!

Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you...