The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 28

Erik's POV:

I watched as she flew from the room, and I let the tears flow freely down my horrible face. The woman I love just walked out of my life, all because the insanity took control of my actions. I feel my feet carry me back to my own bedroom before I collapse into the coffin in my room, weeping until my eyes grow too heavy to keep them open.

I awoke to the nose of humming, the humming of my beautiful Rose. At first I thought it a trick of my mind, reminding me of what I had lost, until I heard Daroga interrupt the noise. I rose out of the coffin and headed up the tunnel to the mirror of the dressing room and saw my beautiful Rosella unpacking a small trunk. I feel guilt and self-hatred overpower me as I see the small bandage on her forehead with the bruise that seemed to surround it, knowing that Daroga probably knew of today's events in my home.

"You're sure you want to stay here after everything that happened today?"

"I'm sure Daroga. I love him, and it wasn't his fault. It was mine."

I watch as Daroga starts to argue but he stops mid-sound with a single look from her, and I'm in awe of her control over the old man. It's as if she's his daughter, with him as her loving old father. I see Daroga glance toward the mirror and I know he probably knew I was here now, but he didn't say anything as he helped her move the now empty trunk to a corner of the room. I see a brief look of concern pass her face as she glances around the room and at the mirror, before looking back to Daroga.

"Are you sure he won't mind if I stay in here though? Absolutely sure?"

"Trust me my dear, he won't mind."

I see the briefest of smiles pass on her face before she gives him a cautious and slow hug, as if she is unsure whether she should or not. He only lets out a light chuckle before he pulls her closer into his chest, bidding her goodnight before leaving the room. She locks the door behind him before she picks up a nightgown and robe, walking behind the screen and changing. She comes out a few minutes later and I watch as she brushes her curls on the side of the bed.

The red streak blending into her black curls for only a moment before standing out again with each movement of the brush. Once she finishes brushing her hair, I see her glance at the mirror for a moment and I fear she senses my presence but she doesn't say anything even if she does. She blows out the candle after a few minutes, and I swear her eyes shine brighter than my own in the dark.

I watch as she goes to sleep, and I'm left wondering why she chose to return here. Why she still loves me. Why she thinks that the newly placed bandage on her forehead is her fault. Why she isn't terrified of me as she was in the lair a few hours ago. And why she is falling asleep here as if it's the only place she ever wanted to be.

I watch her sleep for a few moments before I walk back down to my lair. I sit at my organ and begin to play soft lullaby's on it, thinking of her. I feel a heavy sigh escape my chest as I wonder if there is still hope for us maybe. I hear a quiet yelp after another few songs and I quit moving my fingers across the keys as I listen. It's coming from her room. I stand and rush to the mirror with the lasso in hand, ready to defend her from the other two stagehands if need be but I see only her in the room.

She's still asleep but is tossing and turning, letting out an occasional whimper or yelp every so often. I listen as she starts to plead in her sleep in both German and Romanian, to beg for help, and anger flashes through me as I hear pleas for the burning to stop. I watch as she sits up in the bed with a loud gasp leaving her mouth, before I have a chance to step through the mirror to wake her. I watch as she looks wildly around the room, grabbing her side with a slight wince as she does as if she is in pain.

I see the insanity begin to swirl in her eyes, and I think of entering the room to try and help her but decide against it after the events from this afternoon come rushing into my mind. I watch as she stands from the bed and paces for a moment before she stops and leans against the wall on the other side of the room with her arms wrapped around her for a moment. I watch her breathing steady before she slowly walks back over to the bed and lays down.

I didn't expect her to go to sleep very easily and decide that a violin lullaby might be helpful. I walk back to my lair and start playing the violin, slowly walking back up the tunnel, finding her sleeping again when I reach the mirror. I play for another hour or two before I see her sleep grow restless again. I hear her pleas begin again, and I'm led to believe that she's having a nightmare concerning one of her harsher owners. I decide to intervene this time and step quietly through the mirror to wake her, but just as I reach her side her words stop me.

"please....no Erik....please stop."

It seems she wasn't having a nightmare about a previous owner but about me. I can hardly blame her though even as what remained of my heart shatters. This hideous face is the stuff of nightmares, that much I know. I turn to leave the room to get Madame Giry to wake her as she whimpers again and tosses on the bed.

".....Malik....don't hurt Erik......please.........please stop"

I freeze again as I turn back towards my angel laying on the bed. Was she actually having a bad dream concerning my own well being? How can she dream of me being hurt, and not want it after seeing this hideous face. I walk back towards her and gently take her shoulder into my hand before she shoots up out of bed and into a corner of the room and starts speaking in German before switching back and forth between three languages. I find myself thankful to know them all as I slowly approach her, her pleas growing louder as I do.

"Please Master Malik, burn me instead please. Please don't hurt Erik, I'll keep my promise to make more money next week. I swear it! Please burn me instead! Please!"

I watch as she stays kneeling on the floor, bowed in a fashion as if I am her master, all while her body trembles in fear. The way that she must have bowed to Malik and the other owners she had when he owned her, may he rot in hell for all eternity. I take a few steps towards her as her please stop and her body tenses in response.

"Rose.....it's me Erik. We're both safe in the Opera House, you were having a nightmare."

I watch as her body tenses more for only a second before she relaxes. She sits up from the floor and her bright eyes find mine in the darkness of the room. She slowly stands and pulls on a robe before walking to the bedside table and lighting a candle. I look at her face and see fear for the briefest moment before it becomes as blank as a starless sky. I turn on my heal and head for the mirror, unable to look at her knowing she fears this monstrous face, as she should. Before I can step through the doorway and flea her sight though, her voice stops me.

"Erik......forgive me."

"Whatever for Rose?"

"I should not have removed your mask without your permission, it was wrong of me to do so. But you should know I wasn't frightened of your face. I was thrown into a memory with Lord Byron when I saw the rage in your eyes. I saw you as him, not as my Erik. Forgive me for removing your mask and not being able to comfort you after."

I turn back to face her in a state of shock for why she's asking for my forgiveness. She said she wasn't terrified of my face, but my rage reminded her of Lord Byron. I'm no better than him really, worse probably. I feel my spirit reach an all time low as I look at her. Her eyes begin to fill with emotion as she stares at me, and I can see the heartbreak written on her face as she takes a few steps towards me. I see her hand reaching towards my face, the right side of my face with my mask and I freeze before taking a few steps away from her.

I watch as a rare moment of pain passes across her face before it becomes blank. I see her lip quiver for only a moment before she turns away from me, facing the bed and the dark side of the room. I see her shoulders droop as she stares at the floor, taking a few steps away from me into the dark, her beautiful voice dropping to a mere whisper.

"I truly am a Demon's child. I'm so sorry Erik."