Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

IV.

The following night Zuri awaited him nervously. What had so got herself into? Would

she really be able to make it in order to get an interview? What would he do to her?

There were so many unanswered questions in her mind as she watched the clock on the

table tick away. A sigh escaped her lips as she looked for him to appear any moment.

The seconds felt more like hours as they ticked on by.

His absence only caused the wait to be more intense than ever. Her body prickled at

the nervousness that was flooding her senses. "I half-expected you to be asleep." A

dark, musical voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see his dark form in

the corner of the room. How did he show up so unexpectedly?

She rose to her feet, revealing her body fully covered in a silk white robe and

matching gown. "It would be improper to be asleep. After all, you told me you would

be coming back to try to get rid of me."

"Yes. I did." He retorted, his voice mixed between indifference and lust.

She felt fear swell in her breast, "I might as well have agreed to be your whore

monsieur." She whispered suddenly. "You and I both know that you will not be able to

make me leave without some sort of...force."

Erik raised an eyebrow at her as she immediately regretted her words. She could have

and probably did give him an idea to get rid of her. Zuri quivered under his gaze,

the way he looked at her was that of calculation, as if he was trying to figure her

out. "Mademoiselle, I would prefer you to leave so I do not have to do anything to

you." He finally told her as his eyes met hers.

"And I, monsieur, would love it if you would give me a simple interview." She

returned as she kept his gaze.

"I do not care to share secrets with a twit like you." He told her as she frowned.

The word cut Zuri like a knife. She was not deserving of that kind of rudeness. "I

only want to hear your side. Would it be so terrible?"

"Yes. You and everyone else do not need to know about my business." Erik replied,

his mood growing ever angrier.

"Then perhaps you are a fool for thinking that I would share secrets with the rest

of the world." She returned coolly.

Erik growled loudly as he stalked over to her and grasped her wrist in a powerful

grip. "Let me tell you something you half-brained chit, you will never call me any

names again or so help me, I will punish you in a most terrible way."

"Rape monsieur?" Zuri questioned him.

"If it comes to that! Personally, I would rather not waste time with a...a

scatter-brained woman who has nothing better to do than to bother others." Erik

shouted loudly as she gasped loudly.

"I am sorry that you see it that way! Because I see a wonderful man who could be so

much more than he is if he stopped building walls and hiding like a ghost that he

proclaims to be!" Zuri shouted back with equal fierceness.

Erik pushed her on the bed and climbed over her body to straddle her hips. "I wish

to end your interference. I will make you yield to me mademoiselle and once you have

you will have to leave." He ripped open her robe and forced it down her body.

"Damnable wench!"

Zuri had known he would commit an act of violence against her in order to get her to

leave, but she truly did not believe he would rape her. "Please...you cannot do

this."

"Leave then!" Erik commanded. She shook her head as he forced her legs open and

pressed his knees between her legs.

"You cannot force me to obey you!"

"Oh mademoiselle, you do not know me that well. I will force you to obey me in any

way I wish. Whether it be through rape or another mode, you will leave me alone."

Erik replied as he pinned her hands to her sides.

She took in a breath, "I will not give up on you Opera Ghost! I won't!"

Erik burst out into a fit of cruel and harsh laughter, "Did you think that by coming

here you would save me mademoiselle? Did you think that you could change me or heal

my wounded heart?" He stopped laughing then slapped the side of her cheek, "You are

a fool. A fool who needs to learn a lesson."

"What is that lesson monsieur?" Zuri returned as her cheeks burned in anger.

"That you do not need to be in everyone's business. That your notion of romanticism

does not cut it in the real world. If you were hoping that I was some sort of dark

knight for you, I am afraid you are vastly wrong. I am a monster, one that has its

way and does not care if the ones it comes in contact with get hurt."

"I don't believe it monsieur. I refuse to." She gently placed her hands on his

shoulders, "I do not believe you are a monster."

Disgusted with both her and himself he pushed away from her. He stalked angrily

around the room. "How dare you!"

"I was trying to be..."

"Be what? Were you trying to pity the Opera Ghost?!"

"No. I was trying to show you that you are better than who you think you are." Zuri

shouted at him as she rushed from her bed and glared at him. "God forbid though that

you want that."

He whirled around and caught her by her throat. "Do not be smart with me

mademoiselle or you shall receive punishment."

"You haven't given me one yet. I think you lie." Zuri replied bravely.

He squeezed her neck harshly enough to cut off some of her air supply. Her hands

flew to his forearm to stop his actions. "I do not lie. Go home and leave me be." He

released her then said, "I do not want to waste my time with a foolish little idiot

like you."

"I am not an idiot! I want to interview you."

"You will not get one!"

"Then you will have to deal with me until you give in."

Erik burst out laughing, "Me? Give in to a chit like you? That is laughable."

"I will get my interview."

"You will leave." He snapped at her. "If you are not gone by tomorrow, then I will

take drastic measures and you will not like it." Erik then whirled around and

disappeared in the shadows, leaving her confused.

"Do your worst Monsieur Opera Ghost. Do your worst."