~ by Amanda Pizzolatto
Erik coughed and gasped as he fled from the smoke into the darkened streets. He stumbled a few feet from the opera house before stopping and turning to look at the billowing clouds rising into the night sky. Years of hard work, his hard work, gone, up in smoke. But he couldn’t be mad, for he was the arsonist. The burning desire for companionship had consumed him, and now it consumed what used to be the only home he had ever known. But he was not angry as he watched it burn, as he thought he would have been. No, he almost felt relieved. He had created a cage for himself, a cage to be free of the world’s disdain for him, free of the loveless interactions he’s had, free to heal from wounds he’d carried all these years, and with Christine’s help, he did begin to heal. But that healing only seemed to really begin when he let her go. He finally understood what love was.
He coughed. The smoke was spreading farther down the street. Besides, he needed to get moving if he wanted to be out of the city before they started a city-wide manhunt, if they hadn’t already. He knew he needed to walk quickly, but he took his time, savoring every sight, sound, and smell of the streets he used to frequent. Even though he knew the Parisians hated him, he knew he would miss this great city. He kept to the shadows in his scenic route through the city, even though there were very few people awake, and those that were awake were fighting the fires at the opera house. At least, that’s where he thought, he hoped, they were. He certainly wasn’t going to head back and find out; he had to make it out of the city before the sun was up.
The sky was filling up with pinks, oranges, yellows, and blues as the sun peeked over the horizon when Erik exited the city boundaries and headed into the surrounding farmland. He turned and watched the sun’s light bathe the city with a glow, making the city look warmer than he had ever felt within it. A soft smile appeared on his face beneath the mask, a smile that went up to his eyes. He was glad this would be his final view of the city, his final memory. The fire at the opera house had been put out hours ago, the harsh, breath of smoke giving way to soft, wispy clouds. He could pinpoint the tower of Notre Dame, right as the echoing, melodious sound of the bells rang out across the countryside. His smile grew wider as a tear trickled down his cheek. Good, he got to hear the bells of Notre Dame one last time as well. He waited until the bells finished their song before turning and walking away.
He had gone only a few feet into the woods when he noticed a tall, darkly shrouded man looming before him. Erik was startled by the fellow but did not retreat when the dark man approached him.
“You do not shrink away,” said the fellow with a hint of awe.
“Was I supposed to?”
“Most do,” the fellow said softly, “but since you did not, well, I have a proposition for you. A job, if you will.”
“What does it require that I do?” asked Erik.
“You will be hired as a butler for my family,” stated the man matter-of-factly. “You will help in caring for the children, since I am unable to, see to it that their needs are met, and they are disciplined well. You will also have to be on the look-out for enemies who will try to kill them, especially once they have figured out whose children they are.”
“Whose children are they, if I may be so bold?”
The man smiled thinly at him. “If you do not wish the job, just say so.”
“I do wish to know by whom I am employed.”
There was a moment’s pause before the man spoke. “Are there any other questions you have? I will answer that, but last.”
Erik thought a moment. “Will I be able to continue writing my music?”
“Of course, you may. I’m sure the children will be delighted with hearing it, and learning it, if you wish.”
Erik nodded and thought some more. “Would I be able to return to Paris for a visit? Not right away, of course.”
“It would depend on when you request this visit. It might not happen until the youngest has turned fifteen, or at least he would have to travel with you.”
“If these children are delightful to be around, I wouldn’t mind that at all.”
There was another moment’s pause. “Any more questions?”
“I believe that covers it.”
The man sighed. “Very well. I am Hades, the Greek lord of the Underworld.”
“Ah,” said Erik, “no wonder others shrink from you.” He removed his mask. “It is, in a way, the same way others shrink from me, my lord, and why I did not shrink from you.”
“And why I sought you out, but it seems that your labyrinth under the opera house proved to be, well, quite the labyrinth for my messengers.”
“Ah yes, we are very hard to find once we are at home, it would seem.” Erik flashed a grin.
Hades chuckled. “Ah yes, so it would seem. Then I do believe you are indeed the right man for the job. Will you take it?”
“Since I have nowhere else to go, and it is a fine proposition, yes, I shall take it.”
“Good.” Hades held out his hand. “Then come.”
Erik took his hand, and Hades stepped into the shadows. The shadows seemed to expand until they were wrapped around them both. They took a few steps into pure darkness before a sliver of light could be seen. They walked towards it, and they came out onto an island.
“Where are we?”
“An island off Venice.”
Erik looked around, impressed. “You have your own little kingdom above ground too, huh?”
“Yes, I must; children should not live in the Underworld.”
Erik glanced at Hades. “Though it is rare to hear of you having children. It’s usually your brothers who have the demigods.”
Hades nodded. “Yes, it is rarer for me, but that is because I am more likely to fall in love with a woman because of who she is, rather than how she looks.”
Erik nodded. “True love, you mean.”
Hades smiled. “Right. Come, meet my children and their mother.” He paused and turned deadly eyes upon Erik. “And under no circumstances are you to touch Maria.”
Erik smiled at him, undaunted. “My lord, I have just had my heart broken by a woman, and yet almost healed. It is far too early to think of loving another. But do not worry, she is your love; I could never compete with you, nor would I want to.”
Hades nodded. “Good, now come.” Erik followed him into an elegant, sprawling Victorian house, the only building on the little island. “Maria! I have returned!” said Hades when the two entered the house.
Erik thought it wise to begin his butler duties at once and helped Hades take off his cloak. Hades nodded with approval.
“Oh Hades, welcome home!” called out a female voice as three pairs of feet came down the stairs. “Have you found a butler?”
Erik followed Hades into the living room, quickly putting back on his mask. This woman might be in love with Hades, but she still might be cautious around a living man who looked like a skeleton. Three people entered the living room at the same time – a lovely young woman and two young children. The eldest, a girl, looked no more than eight, while the youngest, a boy, looked no more than six. The woman raised her eyebrow upon seeing Erik.
“I believe I have,” said Hades as he approached the woman and kissed her cheek. “I found him in Paris. He’s an excellent musician as well, I understand.”
“You are too kind, my lord,” said Erik with a humble bow.
“Perhaps an example of your work, if you please?”
“I would be delighted.” Erik walked towards the grand piano, sat down, and began to play.
“Are you sure about this, Hades?”
“Of course, Maria, he’s the best.”
“But, why does he wear a mask?”
“He has a deformity, a deformity that makes so-called polite society deem him unfit to be seen.”
“Oh, how horrid!”
Erik relaxed somewhat at hearing those words; maybe they wouldn’t mind seeing his face. But his thoughts were turned from that as the softest touch he had ever felt brushed his leg. He paused in his playing and glanced down at the little boy.
“Well, hello there, little master. What can Erik do for you?”
The little boy smiled at him. “Erik plays the pi-ano so beau-beauti . . .”
“Nico, the word you’re looking for is ‘beautifully’,” said Maria.
“A rather large word for a small boy,” said Erik.
“Ah, but Nico is fond of words. He’s trying to keep up with his sister.” Maria smiled at the girl.
Erik chuckled and patted the boy’s head. “Seems to me like he’s doing a good job.”
Nico lifted his arms. “Sit in lap?” He glanced at his mother before looking back at Erik. “Please?”
“Oh, Nico, Erik might not be able to play with you in his lap,” said Hades.
“Oh, I can give it a try.” Erik picked up Nico and set him on his lap. He turned to playing again, his fingers flying expertly over the keys. But in a couple of minutes, he was done. Nico let out a little squeal and clapped his hands.
“I am glad the little master enjoyed it,” said Erik.
“Again, again, again!” said Nico.
“Hold on,” said Erik. He held onto Nico as he turned on the piano bench. “What do your mother and sister think of my music?”
“Wow,” said Nico’s sister in a whisper, her eyes wide.
Maria clasped her hands. “That was lovely! Yes, I completely agree with you, Hades; he’s perfect.”
Hades smiled at Maria. “I’m glad you approve.”
Maria grinned at Hades before letting out a gasp. “Oh, where are my manners? We haven’t been properly introduced! I’m Maria di Angelo, and these are our children, Bianca and Nico.”
Erik bowed his head. “A pleasure to meet you all. My name is Erik.”
“Do you have a surname?”
Erik shook his head. “I have never had one. My mother abandoned me when I was a baby because of my deformity, and the circus that took me in and raised me only called me Erik.”
“Oh, you poor thing,” said Maria as she frowned. “It really is a good thing Hades found you and brought you here. Please consider this your new home.”
“I am very grateful to you all,” said Erik with a catch in his voice. Nico moved on his lap, and his coat button caught Erik’s mask.
The mask came off.
Maria gasped while Nico and Bianca stared at him.
“Erik hurt?”
“No, Nico, he was born with it,” said Hades softly.
“You look like one of Daddy’s skeletons.”
“Bianca!”
“But it’s true!”
“But does it bother you to look at him?” asked Hades. The three glanced at Erik.
Maria shook her head firmly. “No.”
Bianca scoffed. “Of course not, Daddy.”
Nico stood up on Erik’s lap and looked him in the eye. “Are you angry?”
Erik blinked. “Why would I be angry?”
“You had the mask on, and I took it off.”
“No, Nico, I’m not angry; it was an accident.”
Nico surprised Erik as he wrapped his little arms around Erik’s neck. “I like you, Erik.”
Erik smiled as he returned the hug. “I like you too, Master Nico.”
“Well, now that that’s settled, why don’t we talk about your duties?” said Hades.
Nico glanced at his father. “Can’t he play again?”
“Maybe later, Nico. Right now, I have to talk to him.”
Nico pouted. “Fine.”
Erik chuckled. “Don’t worry, little master, I shall play again for you tonight, if you’d like.”
Nico threw his hands in the air. “Yes!!”
“Then shall we show him around the house?” said Hades.
“Right!” Nico grabbed Erik’s hand and began to pull him up the stairs. “Come on!”
Erik chuckled as he followed him and learned about what he needed to do to take care of and protect his new home. That night, Erik sang with such joy that the song sounded like it was straight out of heaven. He had entered a new chapter in his life, and he was liking it a lot.
Image Credit: Bard Judith
Characters from The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux and from the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan