A Song In The Dark

Escape

Erik tapped rythmaticaly on the cot humming to himself. He sort of had a plan of escape, mostly it was don't get caught. He had found out that the guards would put sleeping powders in the prisoners food Friday night so the guards could go and get drunk that was when he would strike. "Now to get rid of these chains." Erik grumbled testing their strength, Erik moved as far as his binds would let him, "ok, one, two," he took a deep breath and braced his feet to gain leverage and pulled, Erik heard a crack and pain shot through his hands. The cuffs slipped off easy, he looked at his hands his thumbs were broken and immobil. He reset his thumbs and waited for his strike.

The guards started there drinking before the prisoners got fed which was to the benefit of Erik's plan, "here's your food, monster." The guard slurred, evidently very drunk. Erik smiled and grabbed the knife Nadir gave him as best he could with his immobile thumbs and positioned himself behind the door. The sound of the lock clicking gave him the signal. Erik ripped the door open grabbing the guard muffling the man's screams with his hand, quickly he slit the man's throat and threw him in the cell locking it behind him.

Erik lurked through the prison halls looking for an exit. Down the hall he spotted the door he waited till the guards were distracted by a chugging contest to sprint across the hall and slip out the door. Erik tucked his cloak collar up over his face and toned his hat down over his mask.

The Paris streets were empty, it was a cold night the frozen snow crunched under his feet his ears burned and the frozen air caused his hands to hurt worse than ever. He approached Ada's house debating weather or not to knock on the door or just hide out on the streets.

Erik gently tapped on the door wincing in pain, He could see two people in the parlor window through the curtains . "Erik!" Denis gasped opening the door for Erik and pulling him inside. "I thought..."

"I got out. Could I lay low here for a little while?" Erik interrupted. Denis nodded, "our father is on a business trip, he'll be back in a few days you can stay till then."

"Thank you." Erik sighed removing his hat and cape. "Erik you did it!" Ada squealed wrapping her arms around Erik and smothering him with kisses. "I told you I would." He assured. "What did you do to your hands?"
"Oh they will heal it's fine." Erik insisted.

"It's late I'll show you to your room." Ada offered leading Erik up the stairs. "Make yourself at home, goodnight I love you." Ada sighed giving him a delicate kiss. "I love you to." Ada left, Erik wished she could have stayed he wanted to embrace her in his arms. Erik sat on the bed it was soft, after 3 weeks of sitting on a wooden cot a real bead felt like heaven. Erik untucked his shirt and pulled off his shoes. He fought to stay awake but soon he drifted off wrapped in a warm quilt in a warm house.
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-FLASH BACK-
"You told him I was a mason?" Erik growled looking at the shahs contract. "He would kill you if I didn't, don't worry Erik I've seen your sketches you can do it." Nadir promised. "I will not build something like this." Erik argued his temper rising. "If you don't he will stick you in a freak show, or plaster your head in his wall."

"Fine take me the the shah." Erik mumbled. Nadir nodded and lead him to the palace. Erik hated Persia. He had been living at the Paris opera house for a few years until he got bored and hopped on the first ship out he found himself in Persia. The king hunted him down for his face, now the Daroga has made a deal to keep him safe.

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"I expect you have come here to accept my offer." The shah stated.
Erik lowered himself on one knee in respect of the sick twisted King, "Sir, I accept the request to be your mason but I can not build you torture chamber."

"And why not!?" The shah roared "surly a face like yours, straight from hell can construct this!" Erik's heart sank there was no way he could say no and survive. "Okay, I'll do it."

-END OF FLASHBACK-
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Erik sat upright in the bed the screams of the people, men, women, and children filled his veins. He was shaking, "do you always have nightmares?" Ada questioned her presence startling Erik. "Yes." He groaned, "every night."

Ada crawled in the bed beside him, she was wearing a loose cotton nightgown falling just past her knees, she made his heart rate soar. "Should you be in here?" Erik whispered afraid to even touch her and risk doing something wrong. "I just want to be with you." She mumbled snuggling up to him and resting her head in his chest. "I can hear your heart." Ada remarked.

Erik gave a little laugh and pulled her closer. "I love you." He muttered into her ear as she fell asleep.
Erik didn't dare to move a muscle, he lay awake listening to her breath. He loved her without her he could not live. Her presence calmed his nerves the questions of where he could go so no one could hunt him down. He felt like a real man, not just something that existed. With her he could feel love, something that even his mother said he could never feel.

The sun's morning ray's peaked through the window, Ada stirred "hmmm good morning love." Ada moaned.
Erik kissed her forehead, "sleep well?" She nodded giving a little stretch "I should get dressed before my brother finds out I stayed up here." Erik nodded in agreement. " I like you in the mornings." Ada giggled sitting up Erik felt for his mask which was off as well as his wig, showing his thin coarse blond hair.

He blushed she was really something else. To not be afraid of his appearance.

Erik put on his shoes and tucked in his shirt and made his way down the stairs fiddling with the small trinket he kept in his pocket the item made his heart leap and his knees weak.