The Phantom's Daughter (Book 2)

Family

Elise didn't believe that what she was thinking could be true.
But the evidence was right there in front of her, playing the piano.
Gustave played the keys so beautifully, just as Erik did.
The boy was a prodigy, obviously the child of two musically gifted people.
Elise was a good performer, but she wasn't that gifted, as her mother hadn't been a musician. But Erik and Christine had 2 of the best voices Elise had ever heard, and they were both talented in many instruments.
The longer Elise looked at Gustave, the more she could see her father in him.
Even though Erik always wore a mask, and half of his face was hideous, the part of his face that was on display, was very handsome.
Gustave was perfect in every way, making Elise believe that Erik really was his father and not Raoul; the mean and controlling drunkard.

"I think it is about time I showed you the island" announced Erik.
Gustave jumped out of his seat and joined Erik's side.
"We need to talk" Elise whispered to her father.
She wanted to discuss the suspicions that they both had, but he waved her away.
"Later. Come Gustave, it's time for you to see my world" Erik said proudly, as he placed one hand onto Gustave's shoulder, and began guiding him out the room.
Elise followed close behind them, but neither of the boys looked around, to see if she was following.
Elise had never expected to have siblings, because she didn't think her father would go to another whore after falling in love with Christine. She also never thought that Christine would chose Erik over Raoul, let alone have a child with him.
But there was no denying that she shared similar features with the small boy in front of her.
While her looks were bland, and she had a very forgettable face, Gustave was the opposite, as he was a beautiful boy, taking all of Erik's good features, and making them even better.

Erik was eager to show Gustave every part of the island.
He started in the theatres, and public places, before going backstage and showing Gustave things that not everyone got to see.
Once that was done he began leading the way into his freak show.
When he had first created this act, Elise hadn't liked it, since she knew her father had once been forced to be a part of a circus act when he was a child.
But Erik's freaks were treated as well as the rest of the performers, and none of them were kept in cages.
However, Elise still avoided that area of the island, choosing to hang around the theatres instead.
But unlike her, Gustave seemed enthralled by everything he saw, including the freaks.

"You like it here?" Asked Erik.
"It's incredible. Everything here is beautiful" answered Gustave.
"Im glad you like it. Not everyone can see the beauty underneath. A lot of people judge things by there appearencesm, so they never get to see a things true beauty. But you do. You see the beauty underneath" replied Erik.
"I do. I always have seen things differently to other people... The things here are like something out of a dream. It's like seeing all of my most secret dreams come to life"
"I also see things differently, which is why I created this place, to make my dreams a reality"
"I love it".

Elise may as well have been invisible, for neither of the boys ever looked her way.
They were stood a foot apart, staring into each others faces, with huge matching smiles.
Elise was stood in the corner of the room, watching on.
All her life she had been an observer, watching other people's happiness from afar.
And now, seeing her father act that way with someone who wasn't her, made her feel utterly worthless and alone.
She had always been her father's only child, and that made her feel special. But now, if her and Erik's suspicions were true, that statement was no longer correct, for Erik had a son.

Elise turned her head, unable to watch any longer, and when she turned back around she saw her father kneeling on the ground in front of Gustave.
But before she could stop him, Erik placed his hand around the back of his mask, and pulled it from his face, along with his black wig.
This changed the mood of picturesque scene instantly.
Gustave began to scream in horror, as he looked at Erik's deformed face.
It wasn't long before Christine came running into the room with Meg at her side, as she had heard her son's screams.
Gustave leapt away from Erik, and threw himself into his mothers waiting arms.

"Hush now Gustave. It's alright, I'm here" reassured Christine.
"Meg, can you take him back to my room?" She asked.
Meg nodded and escourted Gustave out of the room.
"Forgive him, he meant no harm" Christine said quietly, as she stepped closer to Erik.
A part of Elise was glad that Gustave had screamed at Erik, because this meant that he wouldn't be replacing her any time soon. However a part of her felt sorry for her father, as she couldn't imagine how painful it must be to be treated like that, by your own child.
Wanting to remind her father that she was still there, and that she still cared, Elise approached him, and placed her hand onto his shoulder.

Erik stood to his feet, but didn't step away from Elise, as he glared at Christine.
"How could you think I wouldn't guess who he really is?" Questioned Erik.
"I don't-" started Christine.
"How could you think I wouldn't see?" Interrupted Erik angrily.
"Oh God"
"Do you have something to confess?"
"Please don't make me-"
"I want the truth right now, if so".

Christine turned to face Elise, as if seeing her for the first time.
"Elise, do you think you can give me and your father a moment alone? I promise we will talk later. But I need to speak to him alone first" admitted Christine.
"No, anything you can say to him, you can say in front of me. Besides, I think I have a right to hear what you have to say" replied Elise coldly.
"Fine" mumbled Christine, before returning her attention to Erik.
"All those ago, when you left me in the middle of the night, you didn't leave me alone. You left me with a son" she continued.
"A son... Our son" gasped Erik, even though he already suspected the truth.

"Ever since that night, I wished that somehow you could've known about him. But I thought you were dead, so I had no choice but to lie to everyone. I've kept this secret for 10 years, a secret that my marriage forbids. It's almost a relief to say it out loud for the first time" admitted Christine.
"My own flesh and blood. And yet he recoils in horror from me... Just like his mother" Erik said quietly, the heartbreak in his voice was easy to hear.
Christine stepped even closer to Erik, looking right into his distorted face, showing him that it did not scare her anymore.
"Forgive me. I beg you. If you can... I've brought you nothing but pain" she replied softly.
Erik said nothing.

"Tomorrow night, I will sing for you, will all my might, just as I promised... And then we'll go. You will never have to see him again" she continued.
"Promise me, that you will never tell him the truth. I don't want him to know that I'm his father" begged Erik.
Christine nodded her head, "I promise".