After The Opera Burned || Phantom Of The Opera

Chapter 18 - America

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to RainforestGirl for writing a wonderful phan phiction that you all truly must read! This chapter does have drama building up, so stay tuned!

"There, that should be the last of it," Erik stated, handing Nadir a white piece of paper that was rolled into a scroll shape.

Nadir took it and placed it inside the black bag, launching it over his shoulder as he sighed, "Good, now let us go Erik. I do not like being down here for too long, you lose track of time and time we do not have."

Erik nodded, taking one look at his former home. The glass was shattered around the lair, the mirrors destroyed, all of his masks were shattered and broken with candles toppled sideways and papers scattered. The lake was polluted with his artwork and creations, the once mini stage he used floating away from him. Erik sighed, knowing his home was destroyed as well as his soul.

"Come," Nadir stated, walking back to the direction they came to which Erik followed.

The men collected a very large sum of money that the mob somehow did not find, along with some papers and artwork Erik could not bare to part with again. It had all fit in one bag for he did not bring any clothing or other trinkets from his days as the opera ghost. Following the passageway Erik had used before, they were now back in the alleyway Erik remembered walking when the fire had occurred, amazed that the passageway wasn't destroyed in the process. He was responsible for that fire and no one else, every day he felt guilt over it.

As they walked to their horses and arose onto them, two men in uniform turned around the corner and eyed them suspiciously. Erik moved his face away from the men, tying the bag to the horse's side as fast and secure as he could, not wanting to lose anything a second time while trying not to draw attention to them. Before Nadir could tell Erik to hurry up, the officers approached the two casually. Erik had his cloak hood up over his face, hiding the white mask that he bore on his face while Nadir only had a hat on, trying to hide his identity as well.

"Haven't seen you two around these parts of Paris before, no?" asked one of the officers, moreso towards Erik then Nadir. Erik was closer to the street on his horse then Nadir was, while Erik stared straight ahead, Nadir looked at the men with his best business like manner.

"We have not been here in quite some time my good men," Nadir replied, tilting his hat so they could see his face, "Forgive my friend here, he is quite tired and we have a journey ahead of us."

The officers looked at each other and then back at Nadir, "Where are you off to then?"

Nadir smiled politely, "We are heading back home Senors-"

"A Spaniard in Paris streets? The nerve," said one of the officers, spitting in Nadir's direction.

Nadir sighed, knowing he just messed up their smooth exit, "Yes, a Spaniard, and we wish you no ill will. Now if you would just let us on our way, we'd be happy to get out of your hair."

The officers laughed and shook their heads, "You two are not going anywhere until you answer our questions."

As the officers reached for Erik's cloak, the hood fell off and revealed the white mask Erik had tried to remain hidden. The eyes of the officers went wide in realization as Erik kicked his horse's sides to speed off and away from the threat. Nadir quickly followed suit, holding his hat so he would not lose it, it twas his favorite.

The officers blinked in confusion and then ran to their own horses, mounting them as fast as they could while shouting at each other, "After them!"

It was then that Nadir and Erik realized they were on a chase, a chase in which could have been avoided if Erik and Nadir were more careful but alas, they were not used to hiding for so long now, they were a bit rusty. The two did not look back, but the officers soon went from two and multiplied to four, all in the same uniform and all keeping up with their horses.