My Angel of Music

Set Sail

The water under the ship was gray and choppy, fog drifting over our heads and making me breathe heavily.  The ship rocked back and forth with the moving waves, as my stomach churned and I clutched a hand over my mouth in fear that I would hurl.  

Erik and Annabel were still asleep in the cabin.  Annabel seemed to be born to be out on the open waters, she loved watching the dolphins, and never once felt sea-sick.  Erik and I on the other hand, weren't so stable.  In fact, it was apparent that Erik had never been out on the water.  The first two days he was stuck in the bathroom, puking his guts out, which worried me since he had not eaten well since the fire.  

I rubbed his back as his pale mouth moaned and clutched the bucket he was holding.  "Darling, pklease, allow me to fetch you a doctor."  I begged as he retched once more as the sip tipped to the side with the water.  He shook his head slowly, his eyes shut tight as if he were imagining he was somewhere else.  "No,"  he snapped.  "I am not dealing with another doctor ever again."

I sighed and wiped a stray hair from his face.

Now, I stood and watched the ship draw closer and closer to the shoreline  I wanted to let erik sleep as long as he could, but I decided to go ahead and make him rise.  

As I entered the extravaggant cabin, I smiled in relief.  After having to make new identities and hide our faces, we had made it.  Erik was now Mr. Y, and I his devoted wife.  

I sat down beside Erik's sleeping form and placed a ahnd gently on his chest.  "Angel, wake up."  I cooed soothingly, as I pressed my lips to his cheek.  A low growl erupted from his lips, and I slightly withdrew, knowing he was having s nightmare.  I gripped his hand but scooted away.  "Erik, wake up, it's only a dream."  I murmered.

Suddenly, he bolted up, his dark eyes wild and gleaming.  I quickly wrapped my arms around his trembling frame and rested my head on his shoulder.  "Only a dream.  Only a dream."  I whispered as he finally relaxed.  

Erik nodded and pried me off of him.  I frowned.  "The ship is boarding."  

 ***

I saw Erik visiblly relax when his foot hit solid ground.  I smiled as I watched Annabel's face light up at the lights of Coney Island.  I held Erik's hand, our fingers entwining, and Erik clutched Annabel's little hand as I carried Elsa, whose face was covered by a cloth.  No, I didn't want her to spend her lifetime in hiding, but right now, I had to protect her from prying eyes.

"America."  I breathed, smiling at the cool fall breeze and the smell of wild flowers that grew over the sand dunes.  "Welcome, to Coney Island!"  A man in a tux greeted us as we started to walk, bags in hand.  Erik ducked his head and I diverted my eyes from the curious people.

As we walked towards an unknown destination, we passed small booths with toys and games, that Annabel gazed at.  

We then, went through a large carnival type fair with even more colorful posters and moving toys.  ooohs and aaahhhs emitted from our daughter's delighted lips, to Erik's amusement.  But, soon enough Annabel's wonder turned to fear, and Erik's smile faded into a clenched frown.  

About ten tents on either side of us advertised different events from inside.

See The Tallest Man

Look Upon the Monkey Woman

Touch the Man Made of Trees

Freak Show!

Freaks Inside!

Laugh at the Freaks Inside!

I gripped Erik's arm as I saw his face go pale and his body go rigid.  His teeth were clenched, and his eyes were staring straight forward, almost as if he looked at the tent, he would tear it down with his eyes.  "Come on."  I stopped and scooped Annabel into my arms so we could walk faster.  I practically drug Erik behind me, almost running to get out of the dreadful place.  

"Miss, don't you want to see the terrible freaks inside this tent?"  A man in a lime green suit asked, holding open the tent flap where a fat woman sat in nothing but a corset.  I shook my head.  "No,"  I hissed, biting my toungue to keep from snapping at him.

Finally, the freak tents turned into food booths, and I exhaled in relief.  I glanced at Erik, and he seemed so tense and angry, I was afriad he would scream at any moment.  I quickly pulled him aside, next to a worn brick wall down a dark alley.  I set Annabel down and let Elsa sit next to her.  I pushed Erik against the wall, so he could have somewhere to lean, and gripped his arms.  

"Erik.  Erik, listen to me."  I whsipered, my teeth still clenched in anger.

"Erik, calm down.  We're out of it, now.  It's gone.  It doesn't even exist."  

His shoulders drooped, and he let his eyes close and his head tilted to the side.  I sighed and embraced him, my head on his shoulder and my hands clutching his neck.  "It's alright."  I cooed, hoping he would hear me from the dark place he was in.  He finally pulled away, and the wild anger had dimmed in his eyes.  

I smiled and kissed him, pouring all the reassurance into it.  I pulled away and smiled.  "I love you."  I whispered.  He brushed my lips with his thumb. "Christine....."  His voice was distant and full of longing.  I smiled.

We wandered around until we found a cheap hotel to stay in.  There, we all fell asleep, exhausted.