After the Fire (Phanfiction)

1

'We're looking for the Phantom! The monster who lives under the theatre!' That was the resounding cry through the streets.

Suddenly she saw a man running, a man with a black cloak and a hand pressed to his face. He looked empty.

She knew him to be the man who they were looking for.  On an impulse she ran towards him and grabbed his arm. 'Come with me!'

He did not resist as she pulled him along and into an abandoned warehouse.

'What happened?' She asked once they had caught their breath.

He merely shook his head.

'Listen I know you live in the Opera. I'll go get some things for you, if you tell me how.' She explained.

'They have found my rooms.' He snapped suddenly.

'Fine I'll go see.' She replied softly and slipped away.

Half an hour passed. He presumed she would fetch the police but she did not.

Instead when she returned she held an armful of clothes, candles, music scores and two masks. 'I thought perhaps you would want these.'

'Thank you.' He took them, and, turning away from her, slipped on one of the masks.

'You'll be safe here.' She perched on a crate.

'No one ever comes in here anymore.'

'Why?' His voice sounded harsh.

'Because it's abandoned.' She gave him a funny look.

'No. Why are you helping me?'

'Why not?' Her dark eyelashes hid alert green eyes that were studying everything about him.

He had no answer.

'I must go. I will be back tomorrow. Are you hungry?'

'No.' He shook his head.

'Well then. I'll be back with breakfast.' She nodded and turned on her heel.

~~~
He honestly didn't expect her to come back at all, but at dawn she was there with a load of bread and some apples. 'I'm sorry it couldn't be more.'

'This is more then enough.' He ate it hungrily.

'I'm sorry I couldn't get a piano or an organ in here for you.' She said, biting into her apple.

'I do not need one.' His voice was like a whip crack.

She blinked. 'But if you have music scores then you must be able to play.'

'I said I do not need one.' His voice was harsh still.

She decided to let that pass. 'I'm Henri. What is your name?'

A cloud settled over him for a moment, before it was gone. 'My name is of no consequence. I am called the Phantom now.'

'I don't think you are some how.' Henri observed softly. 'You seem more like an angel that's just a little lost.'

He looked back down at his bread, not knowing what to say.

'I'll call you Angel then if you won't tell me your name.' Her smile was gentle. 'Now I must leave before someone finds me here.'

'Wait!' He reached for her arm, hesitating just before touching it.

'If you need me then I work at the town in the bakery. I don't finish until later, but if it's an emergency I'll come.' She smiled kindly, squeezed his outstretched hand and kept walking. 'I will come back later angel.'