A/N: I don't own Phantom of the Opera or any of the characters.
It had been a year since Erik had been brought to the underground caverns beneath the opera house and he seemed to be adjusting well, with only the occasional visit from Antoinette to bring food and anything else he would want or need. The rest of the time he spent down there alone, exploring the different tunnels, creating his first mask, and listening to the music from beneath the stage. It was about three days before the official anniversary of his arrival and he had just gotten his latest delivery.
He was heading back across the lake when he heard a commotion going on in the streets above, one that was different from the normal noises that were heard. The next thing he heard was the grate being opened and then closed shortly afterward, figuring it had to be the same one he had gone through a year ago.
But how? Antoinette had showed him the way and she never used that way since, so who would know about it? Did she bring someone else down here? Did she betray his secret hiding place to the police? He wasn't sure whether to go and see or if he should take the boat and go hide in the caves. But as the sound of footsteps seemed to drift off into the distance, Erik relaxed some and headed back to his home.
However, it wasn't long before the footsteps came back and she appeared. She was wearing a simple gray dress that had a few rips in it and no shoes. Her light brown hair was to her mid-back, uncombed and hung in her face a little. Her brown eyes were all that was seen as far as features for she had what appeared to be a parchment mask over the rest of her face, tied with a ribbon. She walked to the edge of the lake and sat down to rest and look around, not that there was much that could be seen in the dark. Exhausted, she removed her mask and lay down were she was and went to sleep, her mask on the ground next to her. She must have been dreaming because the next thing she knew she was climbing out of the lake soaking wet.
Somehow, during her restless sleep, she had rolled into the lake! This woke her with a start, and not just her. Erik had heard the splash as well and bolted to his feet. This was the second time in one night. First the grate and the footsteps and now this. This time he was going to get to the bottom of it. He got in to his boat and headed back across the lake.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" He questioned in a somewhat demanding tone. She had managed to dry her face and was putting her mask back on just as he arrived. As he spoke, she turned to face him, lowering her head as she answered.
"Most just called me freak." Erik tilted his head ever so slightly at this. Although his curiosity was somewhat piqued at both the crude mask and the answer she gave, he went straight back to his other question.
"What are you doing in my home?" He pointed in the direction of where he had come from. She looked a little puzzled for a second before replying.
"I didn't see anybody around when I got here." Erik thought for a moment and remembered the footsteps earlier that evening.
" So it was you I heard earlier coming in through the grate then?"
"Yes."
"Why'd you come down here anyway?"
"Hiding, and considering you're wearing a mask too I'd guess that you are hiding as well." A little surprised at her answer, Erik stood silent for a few seconds before his curiosity got the better of him.
"So what is with the parchment mask anyway?"
"I have my reasons, but then I could ask you the same thing." He paused for a second, but then his boyishness took over. He got out of the boat and yanked the mask off her face. As soon as he did he got a surprised look on his face as she looked away.
The bridge of her nose was completely covered in black as was the left side of her face from just above her mouth, her whole cheek to her jaw and and above her eyes to were the brow should be.
"I told you I had my reasons." Her voice was quiet as she tucked her hair behind her left ear, showing it to him as well. He saw that it, too, was affected and smaller than it should be. Remembering the fair and how the people had laughed, he handed the mask back. She took it but didn't put it on right away. "So what about you then?" She asked, "You saw me as I am, so it's only fair that you remove your own as well."
"You'll just laugh or something." Erik turned away.
"Look at me! Do I look like the kind of person who would do that?" She said angrily. How dare he even suggest such a thing! With a sigh he removed his leather mask revealing his own face. She tilted her head a little before he put his mask back on.
"So what's your name then?" She asked, putting her own mask back on.
"Most people just called me the Devil's Child, but Antoinette calls me Erik."
"I like Erik better."
"What about you then? The name you gave isn't exactly a name."
"True, I heard one person call me Jenette once so I guess that's what it is." They were silent for a bit before a question entered Jeanette's mind. "Who's Antoinette?"
"She brought me here and brings me stuff. How did you find the way down here anyway?"
"I was running and for some reason something just told me to try and open the grate, so I did. Not knowing where to go I went the wrong direction first. Thankfully nobody saw me."
"I see. Well I'm going back now.." With that Erik got back in to the boat and headed back too were he was living.
A/N Thanks to Evening Starbossa for the use of her leather mask Idea, If you like POTO, her stories are a must read. Please feedback is very welcome.