I looked at the burned remains of the Opera Populaire, feeling the tears fill my eyes at the sight of a place I had called my home for so many years now nothing more than ashes.

I wiped my tears away, knowing that it was all done for a reason, it was the only way that we could've ever hoped to be together. But now that reason was gone, Erik was dead, and everything that happened was for no reason at all.

I took a shaky breath as I stepped over the debris.

I could feel my mind going into the past, but I wouldn't let it, no amount of going into the past was going to change what had happened, and no amount was going to bring him back.

I have been returning to the opera house ever since the events that happened only 2 years ago  I wanted to forget all that had occurred the memories, even the good ones, hurt too much to remember. All of the people that I had called my friends there were a distant memory, I haven't had any contact with anyone from there, cutting all interaction with them. In my eyes, they were all the cause of Erik's death and had betrayed me more deeply than anyone had ever done.

And yet I still came back here.

I felt as if I was waiting for something or someone, pulling me to this place, where I stood staring at the remains. Even in death I still longed for him.

I shook my head as I glanced at the clock, knowing I had no time to dwell on silly, delusional thoughts like these. I had work to think about the past wasn't going to help me make somewhat of a living. Besides Mrs. Dawson wasn't one to be very forgiving when it came to tardiness.

I turned my back to the remains, looking both ways before quickly rushing across the street, knowing how busy it was this time of day.

As I arrived at the steps of Mrs. Dawson's large four-story, Victorian-style home that had a white wrap-around porch up above and with a soft blue and white pattern all around the house. I could feel the dread creeping up in my chest as I could feel my feet begin to hurt, knowing the number of stairs and floors I would have to clean, along with anything else that she might have me do, which was inevitably going to happen.

I went up the porch steps ringing the doorbell and hearing the sound of her dogs barking, the sound of their paws scrapping against the door.

"Oh, hush you stupid idiots," Mrs. Dawson snapped at them as she opened the door.

She looked at me and I could tell that she was slightly annoyed, since I was at least five minutes late.

"Evening, Madame, I know I'm late, and I'm very sorry, I promise it won't happen again," I told her, hoping that she wouldn't send me away like she had threatened to do the other times before that I had been late.

She took a big, long, and heavy sigh as if I was truly inconveniencing her that much by showing up only five minutes late.

"Come on in, I'm having guests over tomorrow morning so I truly need this done."

Mrs. Dawson opened the door wide enough for me to step inside and as I did her two chocolate labs, who had previously been jumping against the door were now circling me, their tails wagging in excitement as I scratched behind their ears.

"Out!" Mrs. Dawson shouted at them, pointing out the door.

The two dogs with their tails between their legs obediently went outside, with her closing the door shut behind them.

She then turned back to me, her hands on her hips.

"Well, there's a lot that needs to be done and I would prefer if you get this done as quickly and efficiently as possible, all of the supplies have been moved to the attic, as I hate having clutter down on the main floor, so get to it and once you're done I'll let you know if I need anything else, got it?"

Even though I've been working with her for years she still felt the need to specify her needs.

"Oui, I understand," I said as I glanced up the winding staircase that I'd have to climb just to get the supplies.

"All right then, get to it," She ordered me as she briskly turned her back to me, walking away into the living room.

I took a silent breath as I climbed up the stairs, making my way to the top, knowing this was going to take me ages.

Getting the supplies from the attic I began by mopping the floors, trying my best to motivate myself by humming tunes, most of the songs came from the past.
Remembering hearing the music that filled the opera house and the man whose voice filled my mind with his songs, whose entire being had made me want to live forever.

I sighed as I looked out the window, pausing my mopping for a moment, to shake my head of the memories.

Why does my mind always wander back to Erik, he was dead, and I couldn't bring him back to life by thinking about him. All it would bring back is the pain of sadness of all the people I've lost.

My Mother and then Erik, why does my mind like to torture me so?

----------------------

Walking the pitch black streets that night, with the little pouch of money I had received clutched close to my chest, the rain pounding against me, soaking through my dress. I hadn't brought an umbrella or even a raincoat, but I was in too much of a daze of exhaustion to care. My legs, feet, arms, and every single part of my body were sore from the hours of work I had done, and I hated thinking that I had to do it all over again tomorrow, and the next day and the next. Until, hopefully, I could get out of Paris and to America, to form a new life of opportunity and forget all of the pains of the past.

I turned a corner, wanting to get home as soon as possible, entering the alley way I could see a man leaning up against the wall at the end of the long alley smoking a strong smelling cigar. I took a deep breath as I was slowly beginning my approach towards him, clutching my money even tighter and closer to me as I started to pass him.

I could see him smile sinisterly at the corner of my eye as he grabbed my arm roughly, preventing me from moving forward.

"Say what's a pretty lady such as yourself doing out so late?"

My shoulders tensed up as I swallowed, trying my best to not let the fear show, but finding it almost impossible to do so.

"I'm just trying to get home, now please let go of my arm."

"Now, why would I do that, someone as pretty as you shouldn't be wandering the streets all by her lonsome, now should she?" He said as I could feel his hot breath against my cheek, reeking of alcohol.

I knew this was turning for the worst, but before things could I lifted my foot and used the number one technique I know would always work to make any man go limp.

He immediately released me, cursing in pain as he bent over.

I immediately took off running out of the alley way, sprinting down the street as I could hear him start to pursue me.

"You bitch!" He yelled furiously.

I looked ahead of me seeing what looked to be a couple across the street.

"Help, please, help!" I shouted frantically as I ran towards them, hoping they would see I was in danger and help.

I could see them turn towards me as I rushed to them, it was too dark to see their faces, but I could see enough to know it was a man and a women.

The man stood in front of me as I immediately hid behind him, shaking with fear as I saw my furious pursuer storm up, the women wrapped her arm protectively over my shoulders.

He shouted vile words and slurs at me as the other gentleman blocked him from getting anywhere close to me.

"You leave her alone!" The Gentleman shouted furiously, his voice sounding strangely familiar, but my brain was too tired and frighten to even try to remember.

"Oh yeah, and how are you going to make me?" The man challenged.

He lifted him up by his shirt and I could see him dangling inches off of the ground, as the gentleman seemed to remove something from his face that I couldn't quite see.

"By not killing you where you stand."

That seemed to get the revolting man to oblige as he squirmed around like a fish out of water.

"Okay, okay fine, just let me go demon!"

"No, first you apologize to her, then I'll consider letting you live."

"I'm sorry, okay, I'm sorry, now let me go!" He begged frantically.

"That wasn't good enough, say it again, beg for her forgiveness!" The man yelled as he shook the man violently.

"I'm sorry, please, forgive me, please!" He exclaimed pitifully.

"Look who's the one scared, not so tough now, are we?"

My pursuer was thrown to the ground and I watched as he ran off and as the fear finally left me, my legs were slowly giving out, I could hear a voice speaking, but I couldn't even comprehend it as I was out cold.