The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 35

Rosella's POV:

"Stay hidden." (R)

I walked out from the kitchen, drawing the curtain behind me quickly to keep the child from seeing the others just yet. I saw Florica sitting on the floor humming to the small boy as he sobbed into her chest. I saw the bruises, whip lashes, and scars on his bare back but I was pleased to see only two cross burns covering his small pale frame. The one we saw him get tonight and another that was just beginning to heal above it. I looked away from the scars he had been given to meet Florica's gentle stare as she carded her fingers through his dark brown curls.

"Sage, I have someone that you should meet. Remember my flower I told you about long ago?" (F)

"You.....you said she escaped here." (Sage)

"That's right dear one, but she's back." (F)

"She wouldn't want to m-meet me." (Sage)

"Why not little Sage?" (R)

I watched as she boy's sobbed seemed to stop immediately as he froze against Florica's chest. He slowly leaned away and looked towards me while keeping the left side of his face turned away from me. My heart ached knowing that Erik had grown up this way as well and I acted without thinking as I reached out and slowly turned his face towards mine. My heart broke as he clenched his eyes tight as if not wanting to see my reaction. His face was marked it was true but nothing nearly as intense as Erik's, and on the opposite side than Erik's and without the irritation of a mask acting on it.

"Why did you think I would not want to meet you Sage?" (R)

"I'm....I'm the Devil's child, and Florica always spoke of you and you sounded like an angel." (S)

"Well she tends to exaggerate, and I'm a Demon's child who's in love with a Devil's child. There is no reason I would not be pleased to meet you." (R)

I watched as he seemed to relax some as I gently held his face towards me, even as his eyes stayed closed. Florica glanced once more at Erik who was now watching through the opening in the curtain before she smiled and nodded, having already put the pieces together about Erik's sideshow name from long ago.

"Sage, open your eyes little one." (F)

I kept a smile on my face as he slowly did, meeting his own soft blue eyes with my eyes. I wiped away the tears that fell from both eyes, not missing the look of shock on his little face as I touched his marked cheek with no reaction at all. Florica gently stood him on his feet before I stood and helped her from the floor as she gathered the supplies to bandage his arm. She was no doubt a pro at this by now.

"How can you....how can you stand to touch it like Florica can?" (Sage)

"There's no reason anyone shouldn't be able to stand touching it little Sage, as it appears as nothing more than a burn scar but not even so much like that as your skin is perfectly smooth. Would you like to meet the Devil's child that I am in love with? He is somewhat like you." (R)

I saw the hesitation in his eyes but he was not yet completely afraid of strangers, as his trust had yet to be broken. I saw him nod and before I even had to ask Erik stepped out from behind the kitchen curtain, leaving it open behind him though Sage didn't see Madame Giry or Daroga as his eyes were trained only on Erik.

"Hello Sage, I am Erik." (E)

"H-hello. You're like....you're like me?" (Sage)

"I believe so in some ways, though mine is worse than yours could ever be." (E)

I watched with a bit of amusement as Sage stood and tilted his head and stated at Erik, before Erik let out a long sigh. I knew that Sage wanted him to remove his mask, but I also knew that Erik would never do that in the presence of Florica for fear of her reaction as he knew how important she was to me. I felt that Florica would not care what his face looked like, but now was not the time to argue that to Erik. Florica started to bandage Sage's arm, and I watched as his smile disappeared with a wince before he looked back at Erik and then to me.

"I thought I was alone in being different." (Sage)

"No, you're are not alone. Not anymore little one." (R)

"I don't suppose there is room for one more in this escape plan then?" (F)

"How did you know Madame that getting him and getting out was the plan?" (D)

"Oh son, there is not a power on earth that would bring Rosella back to this hell unless it was to rescue another soul such as her own. I only wish to be rescued as well this time, and it just so happens I have a plan." (F)

"You.....you would come with us?" (R)

"Now that I've found you again little flower, I never again want to lose you. So, if you'll have me along I too would like to leave." (F)

"Daroga?"(R)

"I would be honored to save the woman that helped you Rosella. We will hide you both at the opera house for tonight and then perhaps later move you both to my house. Should you choose." (D)

"Yes, yes that sounds fine. Now for the plan, I will need Rosella and Erik to take Sage into the woods and wait for us. I have a few things here I wish to pack and then will need your assistance Monsier in my next part of the plan." (F)

I nodded with her plan instantly, glad that saw fit to keep Erik and I together. I worried over what he might do if he left my sight and I could not risk his safety for anything tonight. Erik nodded as I did before taking my hand in his as Sage took my other free hand, still looking to Erik in wonder and curiosity. Florica looked out the door of the wagon first before sending us on our way to hide in the woods. It was but a few moments of hiding in the woods, in Erik's arms as Sage was being held in my own that I saw the rest of them hurrying out of the cabin to meet us. I felt a breath of relief leave my body the moment they were with us before my attention was drawn back to Florica's wagon once more.