Erik awoke in his bed, no longer feeling dizzy.

 "Welcome back," he heard. "Do you know how long I have been waiting for you to wake up?"

 The Count facing the closed curtains, his back to Erik.

 "It is a cloudy day," he said, "But I still the curtains closed. I like to be careful. No, don't sit up too quickly, you'll only make yourself dizzy again. It was a good plan of yours, tying everything together. I had to replace the curtains, the sheets and the blanket before I could lay you down."

 "Are you here to gloat, then?" Erik demanded. "Do you enjoy keeping me a prisoner?"

 "A prisoner?" von Krolock repeated. "Where would you get the idea that you're my prisoner?"

 "You keep me here like I'm a prisoner. You were going to kill me!"

 "Oh, please stop reminding me. That was then. You are my guest, Monsieur, and it disappoints me that you would take to escape attempts through your winter, considering your current state."

 "I simply haven't had enough food and drink," Erik said. "Now, I suppose you wanted to talk to me, since you came to see me. Although I find it all too coincidental that you appeared at the exact time I planned to escape."

 "That was mere coincidence," von Krolock replied. "I came to see you on an entirely different matter."

 "Oh?" Erik remembered now the words the vampire had whispered in his ear just before he fainted, but feigned ignorance. "And what would that be?"

 "Don't pretend you do not know what I mean. The Phantom of the Opera. A man who masqueraded as a ghost. Does that sound familiar to you at all?"

 Erik shrugged. "It sounds familiar. I know of it."

 The Count smiled. "Of course you would say that. You lie and spin things about, but I know that you are this Phantom. You kidnapped a young opera star named Christine Daae, and therefore you had to flee France, no doubt from the police. And she is married a powerful man as well."

 "How would you know all of that?" Erik asked. "From this information of yours, wherever you got it, you simply assumed that I was the Phantom of the Opera?"

 "It not too far-fetched an idea. Are you really going to deny it? After hearing about this man, and knowing you, I know you are the same man. Thankfully, I know people who hear about these things."

 Erik saw now that the game was up. He wasn't how the Count discovered his secret, but he knew. It was no use denying it now.

 "It's true," he said. "I was the Phantom of the Opera. I would play tricks on performers and stagehands, demand money from the managers, and became obsessed with their newest star. There you have it. My terrible story."

 "No." von Krolock shook his head. "There is more to you than just the Phantom of the Opera. I have only discovered one piece of your life, haven't I?"

 "Isn't it enough that you've brought that up?" Erik cried. He tried to stand up, but got up too quickly and immediately felt dizzy. "No, don't touch me," he said when the Count offered his arm, and shrugged him off. "Why are you doing this to me? You couldn't leave my past buried? What if someone attempted to unbury your past, things you didn't want known?"

 "If you want to know about me, I would willingly tell you," the Count offered. "I think you're behaving rather childishly over this situation."

 "I am not being childish! Perhaps you should have minded your own business!"

 "You are a guest in my home, so it is my business," von Krolock snapped. "I have to consider my own safety and that of Herbert, Sarah, and Alfred."

 "Your safety?" Erik's laugh came out sounding somewhat hysterical. "You're a vampire. What could I possibly do to you in this state? You're a monster, but at least you're an actual monster. What is my excuse for being the way I am?"

 "Please. Lie down," von Krolock said gently. "Rest yourself."

 "That won't help. I do rest, but I'm still tired. I feel...different. I'm weaker, I'm not as hungry, I'm constantly fatigued."

 "I know. But please, stay in bed. I will return tonight."

 The Count left the room and closed the door behind him.

~~~~~~

 Since it was daytime, everyone else was asleep. Count von Krolock would have to wait until nightfall to tell the others about his encounter with Erik.

 He thought about what Erik said. He was a monster, but he had an excuse. Erik didn't have that excuse. He simply didn't know how to behave properly.

 Tonight, he bring Erik food and drink himself, and talk to him. They might talk while they could, he decided. If Erik had what he suspected, he days were already numbered.