My Angel of Music

Freaks

The next morning, Erik shot up, and pretended as if nothing had happened.  As I made breakfast, and Erik sat at the small table, waiting, I spun around, my mouth open in an unspoken question.  Before I could ask, he rose his hand and set his jaw.  "Do not ask, Christine.  It never happened."  He said calmly, before starting to read the newspaper. 

I let out a cry of frustration before returning to the eggs.

***

The next day, after Erik left, Annabel wandered in.  "Mother, can you take us to the carnival?  Sophia always talks about it, but when as asks me, I have to tell her that I have never been!  And then she laughs at me because she says everyone goes!"  

I laughed at her childish notions and bent down to kiss her forehead.  "Alright.  That sounds like fun.  Go get dressed, and brush your teeth.  I'll be in to fix your hair after I get Elsa ready."  I ordered gently.  She let out a loud yell of joy before leaping off to go get ready.

I laughed as I saw her happiness and quickly dressed Elsa and placed her in the stroller.  I briaded Annabel's dark, unruly curls, and let a few strands hang in her face.  I smiled.  "You look beautiful, mademoiselle."  I commented, kissing her cheek.  She grinned.  "Not as beautiful as you, Mother."  

As we walked down the streets, many men stopped and whistled at me as I passed.  I rolled my eyes and walkled quickly past them.  American men were so repulsive!

Finally, we reached the carnival, and Annabel cried out.  Colorful banners flew through the air, and men standig on tall sticks shouted in English above us.  I laughed and led the children to a booth where we paid to get in.

The day passed in a blur of color and laughter.  It started to grow dark, and we started to leave, but before we could cross the threshold to the outside world, Annabel stopped in her tracks and pointed to a large tent with a big bold banner hanging over it.  Before I had time to read it, Annabel was racing inside, giggling in delight.  

"Annabel!"  I shouted after her, but she was lost in the sea of people watching the attraction.  I followed, calling her name as I went.  I finally spotted her little form, bouncing to get a look at what the people were staring at.  Some people moved away, their faces twisted in disgust and amusement.  Then, a shrill scream sounded throughout the tent, and Annabel came running to me, her eyes wild in terror and her screams lifting through the room.  

The crowd hurried from the tent, some laughing and some moaning.  Annabel pressed her body against my legs, and I held her face in my hands, wondering what could have caused such a reaction.  I looked up, and gasped in horror.

I looked down at the crying child and lifted her up into the stroller, wheeling her outside.  "Stay here until I come back."  I ordered.  The terrified child nodded, clutching her hands together.

I ran back inside the tent, shaking with rage and sadness.  

There were about ten people still in the tent, all laughing and pointing.  I ran in front of them and raised my arms to shield them from the sight.  "Get out!  The show is over, you evil beings!"  I cried, tears of fury forming in my eyes.  They all scoffed at me, before growing bored and shuffling out.

When they had all left, I slowly turned around to face the horror behind me.  I let a sob out as I saw Erik sitting in a pile of straw, his eyes closed, not even noticing me.  His mask was off, and his hands were bound by ropes.

"E-Erik?"  I stuttered, my voice soft and afraid.  His eyes opened slowly, as if he were hesitant to leave the dream he was in.  When he saw me standing there, his eyes widened and his face grew paler than it already was.  "Christine.  What are you doing here?"