[A/N] Well, after many frustrating attempts, I've busted my writer's block. Here, at last is the fifth chapter. Do not fear, for the sixth chapter is already started. I promise to get it up as soon as possible. Check it out... this is a long chapter for me! Watch out, everyone cries at some point.

To you who noticed, I am aware that Imp has a phiction with the same name as mine. I brought this to her attention, and she says it's all right.

*******

Erik's P.O.V.

All the memories I had been blocking out came rushing back to me. Christine, oh God, Christine! Why hadn't I died? I wanted to die. All those people I had killed, just for her. I loved her. I only wanted the best for her.

I didn't enjoy killing. The only time I had wanted to kill was when that ignorant boy came to take Christine away from me. But, even though he infuriated me, I let him go, because I couldn't refuse Christine her love.

Who am I? What am I? I am the Angel of Death! I dwell in a dark hell, the prison of my mind. I have killed those who stood in my way. My demonic face is a curse to all that see it!

I became aware that Cat was shaking me lightly. I flinched away from her touch, realizing that I wasn't wearing a mask. I sprang from the bed, despite a feeling of lightheadedness. I backed slowly into a corner, trying desperately to cover my face.

"Erik?" Those soft, innocent eyes met mine. She was crying. So was I. She... she was crying, not from fear? Why was she crying then?

"I... I remember you. You were there, at the carnival. You ran away in tears. I scared you?" He looked so ashamed that I had seen his face.

"I wasn't afraid. I was sad for you, for the way they were hurting you..." I sank to the floor with my head in my hands. She took a step towards me and held out her hand. "Don't worry, I'm not afraid..."

"No!" Something inside me snapped. "No, no, NO! Don't come near me! I could hurt you!" Didn't she understand what I was? "You should be afraid of me! I am a creature of darkness, an angel of death! I am the living ghost sent from hell! Perhaps you've heard of me? I am known as the 'Phantom of the Opera!'"

*******

Maria's P.O.V.

I heard the yelling from down the hall. I ran towards the room with a thousand thoughts going through my mind. Who was this man? What had happened to him? What was I going to do now that I had saved him? He could very well have gone mad long ago. That would account for those terrible cries that sent shivers down my spine...

I entered the room to find the man had retreated to a corner, and was trying to hide his face. His skull-like face, which had probably caused him to be shunned all his life, didn't scare Cat at all. She was trying to take his hand, and was speaking softly to him.

'She is so strong for being so young,' I thought. 'Most children would be terrified by such a deformity...'

"Mother?" Cat turned to me. "He says he's afraid of hurting me... I don't think he would. He turned white and started crying when he saw Ayesha..."

"Ayesha?" Cat quickly filled me in on what I had missed. 'So his name is Erik...' I quickly grabbed 'Tasma, who was running around like hellhounds were chasing her, and threw her out the door. 'There, one less thing to worry about...'

"Why aren't you afraid? Why are you helping me?" That hoarse voice brought me back to the matter at hand. Erik had managed to stand up, though he was shaking badly. I worried that he might collapse. He was very tall, but so thin... if he wasn't breathing so heavily, I'd have thought he was dead.

"I'm not afraid of you," I said softly, "because there is nothing about you that is threatening." I stepped closer and took his hands in mine. He flinched, but didn't pull away.

"Nothing is threatening about me?" He began to laugh hoarsely. "Look at me! You look at my face and tell me it isn't frightening?!?"

"I've seen worse." He looked surprised, but before he could say anything I turned to Cat. "Cat, dear, it is very dark in here. Go open the curtains." It was Cat's turn to look surprised. I prefer the darkness myself. Darkness does not judge. However, she walked to the window. I turned my back to Erik as light flooded the room. "I don't like doing this..." I took off my gloves, "but fair is fair." I took a deep breath, he had yet to really see me...

I turned around, expecting horror but only seeing surprise and then compassion in his eyes. 'God, his eyes... I should have known he'd understand.' I looked down at my bare arms, covered in scars, as I knew my face and back were. Cat put her arms around my waist. I looked back at Erik. He was crying, as was I. I knew he would never hurt me, or Cat. I silently vowed that I would take care of him, and never bring him any pain. I had fallen in love with this Phantom of the Opera.