Golden Eyes (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 12 - Suitor

I walked up with Destine to her room and watched as the man placed her bags in her room. He bowed to us both and left without a word. I turned to Destine who was memorizing her room.

“Destine, who is that man?” Destine didn't look at me but said,

“My suitor. He doesn't understand German. I have to talk to him in French or Russian. He is Russian. His name is Zhek.” I looked at her and thought about the word “suitor.”

“Forgive me, but exactly what is a suitor?” Destine stopped and, finding her bed, sat down. She patted the place beside her where I joined her. When I had seated myself she said,

“A suitor is a man whom you are in love with and you are seeing each other as very good friends. The thing is he hasn't proposed yet.” Destine smiled.

“You love Zhek?” Destine nodded.

“Of course I do. If he should ask me to marry him I would.” I thought about it for a moment and said,

“You said he speaks French?” Destine nodded again. “Then I can talk to him.” Destine smiled at my eagerness.

“I was wanted to ask you something.” The way she was saying it told me it was something to do with Erik.

“What?”
“What is with your friend, Erik? He seems different. I didn't want to embarrass you or him so I didn't say anything but when I felt his arms, all I felt was bone. He seemed to have only skin, muscle and bone. What is wrong with him?” I listened and twisted my fingers nervously. I wasn't sure how to say this but it had to be said,

“Destine, Erik is different. He has a severe deformity.” Destine listened and her silence prompted me to continue. “When I was a slave to the gypsies, I was sold to a very large gypsy camp. My master's name was Jacques or Coco. He had what he called 'his prize' which he kept in a cage which was in a tend. I had been bought for the sole purpose of feeding 'his prize.' For about a month I fed 'his prize' who's name I learned was Erik. It was a month before I saw a show in which Erik would be chained to the piano and then would play. After that-” I stopped and brushed a tear from my eye. It was hard to believe what they had done to him. “After that his mask would be ripped from him and he would be beaten. You see, Destine, Erik looks like a corpse. His skin is the color of parchment, and he is highly boney. In fact I have fattened him up. He was even thinner when we ran away. That was close to ten months ago. We have been living with Uncle and Aunt for about six and a half months. Erik is a great man and a kind one. In his own way he is beautiful. He can't help what he looks like.” Destine was silent for a while then she asked,

“How old is he?”

“Twenty-seven.” Destine's jaw dropped but then she asked another question.

“How long was he in the cage?”

“Fifteen years.” Destine frowned.

“He must be in great emotional pain. Is there anything we can do?” I shook my head and said,

“No, except that we treat him kindly and befriend him. That is all I know what to do. I wonder if he and Zhek would get along?”

“I don't know. Zhek is pretty calm and can take nearly anything. In fact he is a retired police officer. It would be nice if they could become friends. It would do them good. Zhek has few friends and is wrapped up in his memories. Erik, as we know, is hurting from his past. Maybe they have that thing in common.” I smiled at Destine. She was right. Erik and Zhek might very well become good friends. I smiled at my cousin.

“I hope you are right. Hey would you like some help unpacking, then we could take a stroll and see if we can find Erik and Zhek? Would do you say?” Destine smiled and nodded.