Of Masks And Roses

The Items

"I don't know why,

I don't know why,

We need to break so hard.

I don't know why we break so hard.

But if we're strong enough to let it in,

In, in.

We're strong enough to let it go, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-"

I reached forwards and switched the station, not caring how Emily was eyeing me oddly.

"-Cold sheets.

Oh where's my love?-"

I shook my head, changing the station again.

"-Shadows and the stars appear,

And there is no one there to dry your tears.

I could hold you for a million years.

To make you feel my love."

I growled as I changed the station again, feeling tears well up.

"-You promise me each time you leave,

You haven't seen the last of me.

It's just I never have enough of you!

Feed me any lie!

Just tell me this won't be the last ti-."

I felt a tear slip as I reached out and shut the radio off, then sat back in my seat, gazing out the window as I bit my lip. I gripped onto my shirt, using all my willpower to not break down in the car. I could feel Emily staring at me in concern.

"Are you ok?" she asked me as we pulled into the apartment parking lot.

I nodded, "Yes. Sorry. I just didn't want to listen to music, that's all." I mumbled as she parked the car, but jolted in my seat as she braked too hard.

Emily whirled to me, "What?" she asked, "Didn't want to listen to music? Since when do you not... are you sure you're ok? Listen, whatever is going on, you can tell me."

I turned to her, my mouth opening and closing, then I shook my head. I couldn't tell her. I didn't even know where I would start.

"Nothing is wrong, ok?" I said as I unbuckled and opened the door, "I just have a headache."

XxX

"I managed to bring some of your things from storage, like your bed, your electric piano, guitar, and some clothes," Emily said as we walked into her apartment, "But that's it right now," she shrugged, setting her keys on the counter, "I can only do so much by myself, I'm afraid. Perhaps tomorrow we can get some more of your things."

I nodded, looking around the place. It was fairly simple, a bathroom, kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. There was a couch and a T.V. in the living room, a few plants here and there, and a shelf full of our favorite movies. I was certain that The Phantom of the Opera was on that shelf, and it took all of my strength to not rush over to it and find the D.V.D case to see Erik's face again.

"Hey on the plus side," Emily smiled as she opened the blinds in the living room, light streaming in, "We finally moved in together, like we were planning before... well, before the accident."

I grinned, "Yeah."

Emily nodded, then walked over to a room to the right, "Well, this is your room. If you need anything, let me know, 'kay? I'm gonna go take a shower."

I walked in, then stopped short as I stared into my room at some objects on my bed. I spun around as Emily started to leave, "Hey, did you get me something?" I asked, feeling my heart start to beat.

She shook her head, "No? Only a few things from the storage unit... Is something wrong? Did I miss something important?"

I faked a smile and shook my head, "No, everything is fine. I just didn't recognise something. I remember now. Thank you."

Emily stared at me in confusion, before turning away and heading to the bathroom. I slowly turned around and re-entered my room, my gaze turning back to the bed, spying the objects that laid there.

I stared at it in shock, feeling tears well in my eyes as I stared at the sight. Quickly I rushed to the window and looked outside of it. There was no one, nor was there anyone in the closet or under the bed. I bit my lip and turned back to the objects, tears falling as I reached out to them.

Lying on my bed was a small black book, a green masquerade mask, and a creme note with a red wax skull.

I smiled slightly as I reached out to the book, flipping the pages open. All of the drawings that I had created over those months were right there. There were a few drawings of Erik, a drawing of Christine, of the view of the stage from the rafters, and a drawing of the view from the roof of the Opera House. There were a few more sketches here and there, of Simon, ballerinas practicing, other stagehands working, or of Erik writing his opera, and my heart swelled as I stared at them.

Proof of what I had experienced these past few months was sitting right in my hands. For the first time in a while I felt my heart soar with happiness.

"I knew it," I whispered, sniffling as I slowly sat the book back onto the bed and reached for the mask, "I knew it happened. I knew I didn't make it up. I was there."

I rubbed my thumb softly against the fabric of the mask, memories from that night at the masquerade drifting back to me. A night of swirling dresses and soaring music, of laughing and dancing. It had happened. It had really happened.

And then my gaze drifted to the note, and my face fell. Placing the mask back onto the bed I reached for the note and opened it, the wax seal had already been broken.

'Dear Scarlet,

I apologize that I can not deliver this to you in person. I'm afraid that I am far too busy at the moment preparing for my opera to do so. Here is your dress for tonight. I am looking forward to hearing your performance. I know that you're going to be spectacular.

Your faithful servant and friend,

Erik.

P.S. I found your masquerade mask the other night. I thought you might like to have it back. As a memento. Your performance was truly wonderful that night, and I believe you should have something to remember that by.'

I sat down on the bed, having to hold the letter away from me to keep myself from staining it with my tears as I quietly sobbed. Everything that I had put into the pocket of my dress that night was here with me.

But he wasn't. Erik wasn't here. And now I felt more alone than ever as I stared at the only object that proved to me that he ever existed.

I sniffled as I read his note over and over, and I couldn't help but smile slightly as I ran my thumb over his writing, the memories of our times together dancing through my mind and slowly I drifted off to sleep, holding his note to my heart.