The Phantom's Family

Chapter 6

"Come with me! Quickly!" The Phantom ordered.

A very confused Elizabeth followed close behind the man as he ran from the box.

What had caused this sudden change in his behavior? Had she said something?

"Monsieur, have I done something wrong?" She asked.

He gave no answer. Elizabeth decided not to question further.

The Phantom eventually stopped outside of a room backstage. He quickly opened the meticulously decorated door and rushed into a rather large room.

He fiddled with the large mirror for a moment before swinging it open to reveal a dark passage.

Elizabeth couldn't help but gasp in wonder at the strange sight.

"Hurry! Before they come back!" He ordered.

Shaking her head, she once again followed the Phantom.

The passage was dark, long, and somehow... homey. As they continued down the path, a lake became visible, followed by a small boat on the bank.

"Is this the Paris sewer system?" She asked.

Through the darkness, Elizabeth could barely make out the Phantom nodding his head.

"Brilliant! This is amazing!" She breathed.

The Phantom, who seemed to have calmed down a little, looked back at her curiously. "You think so?"

"Of course!"

Soon, they arrived at the small boat and got in. Elizabeth had developed a new respect for the man who people thought was a murderous spirit.

"You're staring at me." He stated, breaking the silence.

"What?"

"You're staring at me. Why?"

"Well, I guess I was just wondering how you could be the same man who the people say are so terrifying..." she mumbled.

After that, the rest of the ride was silent. When they arrived at the other side of the lake, Elizabeth was in awe.

Directly in front of her, was a home of sorts. One that could only be described as a lair. Although she was impressed with what was in front of her, she couldn't help but wonder one thing.

"Monsieur, why have you brought me here?" She asked.

"You said it yourself back in box five. I'm just like you." he chose his words carefully, still unsure of whether or not he would regret this decision.

Still confused, Elizabeth stared at the ground as she tried to fit the pieces into place.

And then it hit her.

There was more than just a resemblance between the Phantom and herself, there was a blood relation! There just had to be! How else could the deformity be explained? They were the only people in France who looked the way they did.

"You're- We're- I'm...!" She stuttered pitifully.

Luckily the Phantom- her father- seemed to understand. "Yes." he nodded.

They sat in the boat for another few moments, just letting the information sink in.

Eventually, Elizabeth jumbled into the water and pulled the small boat to shore. Once the boat was close enough, her father stepped directly on to the dry land.

Together, they stood on the bank. "So... what do we do now?" She asked. "I have no idea. I've never been a parent before. What would your... Uh, other parents do?" He said. "No idea. Had I not run from my other parents, I would never have gotten into such a situation."

"Why did you run?" He asked.

Elizabeth looked to the ground, scowling. "I hated them. I didn't want to go back to our home in England. I don't belong there. But then again, I don't exactly belong anywhere..."

The Phantom nodded in understanding. He had felt the same towards his own parents. He hated them for completely different reasons, but he still knew how she felt.

And that was why he couldn't send her back to her "family" again. He knew he had to take this child under his wing. Because, after all, no child deserves to grow up a monster.