The Fifth Cellar (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 14 - Mask Problems

Evangeline's POV:

I walked down into the dark tunnels once more. I hadn't been down to see Erik since he had taken Christine down there. I couldn't risk being seen. Only once had I gone to the fourth cellar and made sure they were okay. I didn't want her to get hurt. Christine had appeared the night before and I was now worried about Erik. Either she had fallen in love with him while she was there and he released her or that she had done something that made him drive her away. Either way it might not be good. I dropped into the mirror room and walked into Erik's home. I looked around and soon heard the piano from Erik's room. It was Don Juan and I felt the darkness rolling from it. It wasn't the same as when I had played it. I think it was where I had been playing in on the piano or that I was horrible at the piano. I leaned against the doorjamb and watched Erik play the piano. What I noticed first was that his mask was off. There was a mirror on the opposite wall and I could see the side of Erik's face. There was no nose and the color was yellow. I couldn't see much but that was enough. I want nothing more than to look at his face and tell him it didn't bother me but I knew it would only hurt Erik. I cleared my throat and Erik grabbed his mask which was laying on the piano. As he was tying it on, he turned and glared at me. His golden eyes were burning and if I hadn't known that he wouldn't hurt me I might have fled. I raised my eyebrows and said,

“Erik, what happened? Your mask was off, you were playing Don Juan, and you don't look happy right now.” Erik glared at me again and pointed toward the door. I walked out and he followed me. He pointed at my chair and he sat down in a chair of his own. He folded his arms and didn't say a word.

“Erik, answer me.” I shot him a glare of my own. He sighed and said,

“Christine took off the mask.” There was so much pain and grief in his voice I wanted to cry. I saw tears filling his eye sockets. I suddenly reached forward and with my handkerchief wiped them away. He drew back and for a moment I saw fear in his eyes. I carefully wiped them away as well as I could. It wasn't easy to do through the mask. He finally stood still long enough for me to wipe them away. I felt tears of my own coming to my eyes. If I hadn't loved him so much I might have thought this a good change. After all it was obvious that she had hated it. But I loved him so much that even though it was breaking me, I would try to help him win back Christine. I loved him so but didn't deserve such a genius. He looked up at me and tears hung in golden eyes. I laid my hand on the mask. I felt the bones under it and fought the desire to know what was beneath it. I quickly said,

“Erik, she will learn to love you. She will learn to see behind what ever is under the mask. One day you will have her.” Every word was breaking my heart more and more but I knew it was best for him. “Erik, one day she will see the genius that you are.” I gently removed my hand from the mask and returned to my seat. Erik laid his hand where mine had been and whispered,

“You didn't remove it?” He looked like he was in complete shock. I nodded.

“I didn't. You will show me when you are ready.” I smiled at him and removed a newspaper from my pocket. This was another part of the reason I had came down here. I handed him the paper and pointed to a certain advertisement. He read over and said,

“So there is to be a masked ball at the Opera Populaire?” I nodded. He looked at me and I could almost see an evil smile on his face. “Well, well, this ought to be fun.” He walked over to a wardrobe and opened it. I gasped when I saw what was inside.

“I bought this years ago. I see it will finally be useful.” I stared at the outfit inside. It was Red Death and I feared what Erik would do while dressed as Red Death.