Golden Eyes (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 18 - Erik's Story

I rubbed Erik's hand in mine and to reassure him. He needed it; I could tell.

“This isn't easy for you is it?” I asked. He shook his head. “You don't have too if you don't want to. I understand. I will always love you no matter what is in your past.”

“No, I think it is time.” He took a deep breath. “I was born in a small French village on the outskirts of Paris. I never knew my father because he left my mother when I was born. That is part of the reason my mother never loved me. She always said that I was the reason her lover left her.” He stopped and choked. I kissed him on the cheek. He smiled at me and continued, “We moved to Paris when I was a year old. My mother started a less-than-respectable job and I when I could stand on my own I became her personal slave. None of the men ever knew that I was her son. When I was eight a man decided to make my mother his personal mistress. I have to say that my mother was beautiful on the outside. He refused to take me. He said that Mother didn't need me anymore and Mother agreed. She turned me out on the street. At eight I was living on the streets. I made up my mind to find my father and kill him. I wanted his blood for leaving us without anything. I never loved my mother but I knew she would've been a lot better off with him. I never found him but I made a name for myself on the streets. You see, I looked older than I really was. Because of the deformities and my mask no one knew I was only a kid. I killed frequently. It was easy. I didn't like it but it kept me safe. By the time I was eleven no one challenged me. A few days after my twelfth birthday I made the biggest mistake of my life. I ventured outside the city. There I was found by Coco. He used force and a sleeping drug to make me completely unconscious for days. I don't remember much of those first few years. I all can remember is pain, screaming, and darkness. I was given an upgrade when it came to my mask. It was nice to have a new one but I paid dearly for it.” He tossed the mask from one hand to the other. “I tried to run but was always caught. I was an animal in their eyes and they treated me as one. It was them that inflicted the scars. My mother would hit me on the face but only with her hand on another blunt instrument. She only left deep bruises. They whipped me.” Tears were forming in his eyes and I was staring to cry as well. His life was one of horror. I reached out and hugged him tightly. He cried into my hair and I soothed him gently. I ran my hand up and down his back and cry with him. I could feel the marks on his back and I didn't want to know what would happen to him if he had been left in that place.

“Don't worry. You will never have to go back. You are safe here. You can live a normal life. You have someone who loves you more than life. I will never leave you of my own accord. Not ever.” He gripped me tighter and his sobs slowly stopped. At last he released me and looked deep into my eyes. I smiled and he kissed me again. I could tell he liked doing it and so did I. I kissed him back and for a moment nothing matter except him. At last we parted because our lungs were burning from lack of oxygen.

“You like doing that don't you?” I teased him a little.

“Of course, I have to make up for lost time.” I giggled at his statement.

“Well, I don't mind helping you. After all I do to though not as much as you.” He chuckled. I kissed him again. Not near as passionate as the last one but it still showed how much I loved him.

“Alair, would you tell me about your past?” I sighed. I wasn't sure if I wanted to talk about it too much. “You don't have to if-” I cut him off with a kiss.

“I need to.” I then proceeded to explain my whole story. Erik listened without a word and when I was done he hugged me tight.

“You had it bad too.”
“Yea, but I wasn't in a cage.” He smiled at me and kissed my forehead. I stood to my feet and walked over to his window.

“Erik, will Coco try to find us?” I looked back at him. He sighed and walked over to me.

“I don't know, Love. He might. If he does find us then he will have me to deal with. He ain't taking you without a fight.” I smiled at his use of “Love” and laid my head on his chest.

“If he comes, I want you to hide. I will go instead. He can't put me in a cage.” Erik drew back from me and I could see the shock in his eyes.

“What are you saying?” I smiled up at him.

“I will take your place. I can lie pretty well. I have done it before. All I have to do is tell a whopper of a lie and you will be free. I can always run away again.” He laid his hands on my shoulders and said,

“Coco will beat you within an inch of your life. He won't spare you. He might have treated you well enough before this but now you will be at his mercy. That man has no mercy. Has he ever touched you in any way?” I nodded. I could distinctly remember the first time he slapped me.

“He slapped me once.” Erik's eyes darkened with anger.

“He will do worse. No, I will go instead. What can he do to me that he hasn't already done. A cage, beatings, even death would be better than the knowledge that he is hurting you.” I tried to smile.

“With any luck he won't trace us this far. We are in Germany after all. Hopefully he won't find us.” I slipped my arm around his neck and kissed his soundly. We spent the rest of the day in the music room where Erik did some composing and I some reading. But even as I was overjoyed that my love had been returned I still couldn't get Coco out of my mind. He might come for us.