One Shots

Strange Angel pt 2

Erik's pov
I sigh and look at her.
"No Christine, I'm afraid I'm not the angel you'd hoped for."
I take a seat at the vanity as she looks at me. Whether it is in horror, anger or shock I'm not sure.
"I'm truly sorry for that my dear. But if I had revealed myself earlier you wouldn't have allowed me t-"
"Who are you?"
She demands. I smile.
"I'm a man in a mask."
"You know what I'm saying."
She almost snarled. I chuckled at her feeble attempt to intimidate me. She was only about 5'2, maybe 5'3. I stand at 6'4. The height difference between us is comical.
"I'm Erik."
I murmur. She cocks her head at me.
"Erik?"
"Destler."
"And you didn't tell me before because you thought I-"
"Would oppose lessons from me. It sounds silly, but perhaps you will understand in time..."
I say my thoughts drifting to the horrid deformity my mask hides.
"Maybe not..."
I murmur as I look in the mirror.
"Do you live here?"
She asks, cautiously as she sits on her bed.
"I do, in the vaults. Under the opera house. There is a lake there that no one knows about..."
I murmur.
"Perhaps you will see it one day."
I catch her eying my mask.
"Or maybe not."
"Ang-Monsieur Destler?"
"Call me Erik."
I smile slightly.
"Erik."
She murmurs.
"Why do you live here? Don't you have a family? Someone to worry about you? Your father? Your mother?"
I clench my fists.
"No. I'm alone and I prefer it that way. My mother is a wretched woman."
I reply through clenched teeth.
"O-oh... I'm terribly sorry. I-I didn't mean anything by it."
She seemed frighten. I could see it in her eyes. Those beautiful green eyes. So soft, warm and inviting. One could get lost in those eyes.
"I'm sorry."
I murmur. She nods and tucks a strand of loose curls behind her ear. Her auburn hair. Gorgeous the way it shined in the candlelight. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow. I could just make out the few freckles on her nose, and cheeks.
"It's alright."
She blushed.
"May I ask another question?"
She murmured and got up. As she stepped forward I tensed up against the chair.
"Why do you wear-"
I grabbed her wrist as she reached for the mask.
"Don't ever touch it. Do you understand me!?"
I snarled.
"Do you!?"
I snapped and she nodded. I let go of her and she backed away.
"I-I didn't-I'm s-sorry."
She rasped.
"I think it's best I get going."
I murmur and stand up. She said nothing. Just looked at the ground.
"If you do not wish to continue lessons, I understand. If you do, you know how to reach me."
I murmur. I went to the door and turned to her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her hand to her chest.
"Goodbye... For now."
I murmured as I slipped out the door.