We struggled down the stairs, Erik in tow. And managed to get him into the boat. Nadir rowed us back to the Louis Philippe room. I kept a weary eye on the door we had left behind us.

"What have you gotten us into Alex?" Cindy asked quietly.

Erik's head was on my lap and I stroked his hair as I answered back, "A whole lot of trouble."

Cindy huffed.

"I'm sorry... Really I am." I demurred.

"But you'd do it again if it meant getting the scoop wouldn't you?" Cindy snapped.

"Well... I...-"

"No, I know you would. Alex, you have become reckless ever since Jason dumped you."

"I dumped him! And I'm fine!" I huffed.

"You are far from fine!" Cindy's voice echoed off the stony walls around us.

Nadir had taken a sudden interest in the statues on the ceiling.

"Look. We can argue about this later. Right now we need to shake these guys." I replied nervously checking back over my shoulder. 

Nadir finally broke his silence. "She has a point. These men mean business mademoiselle."

Cindy nodded, as the boat hit the dock with a gentle bump.

"Is Erik alright yet?" Nadir asked me as he helped a blushing Cindy out of the boat.

Erik's eyes had closed and he looked restful. I stilled my hand and his eyes popped open.

"Hey are you okay?" I asked gently.

"Mm hmm." Erik sat up, and got out of the boat unsteadily.

Nadir attempted to steady his friend but Erik waved him off stubbornly. 

Nadir rolled his eyes at Erik. "Alright then we need to go!" he commanded. 

"What are we going to do? We don't exactly blend in..." I replied with an awkward glance at Erik.

"Damn...She has a point." Nadir puzzled. 

"What do you mean?"

Erik huffed and pointed to his mask.

"I'm horribly disfigured. I don't blend in with the rest of humanity."

"You mean you don't just wear that for the aesthetic?"

"No." Erik fairly growled.

I snapped my fingers bringing everyone's attention to me.

"We'll all wear masks!"

"Pardon?" Erik asked, his brows furrowed. 

"We'll wear masks and costumes!" I replied.

Nadir shook his head at me. "That won't work we'll all stand out then!"

"Actually maybe not..." Cindy smirked, picking up what I was saying.

The men looked at us questioningly.

 "When I came in here today I noticed a sign. There is a masquerade party in a nearby park." I smiled.

"Well that couldn't be more convenient!" Erik remarked bitterly. 

"So what you're saying is...  as long as we all wear a costume we'll fit in!" Nadir smiled.

"The best place to hide in in plain sight!" I smirked.

"It just might work... Nadir there is a closet in my room where I'm sure you can find something suitable for yourself and your lady friend..." Erik smiled, waggling his eyebrows at his Persian friend. 

Nadir's cheeks flushed red.

"Shall we?" He asked Cindy, extending her his arm.

Suddenly a bell rang.

"Make haste." Erik demanded.

Nadir nodded and him and Cindy rushed off into a corridor.

"Alarm system?" I wondered aloud.

"Yes but don't worry. There are still multiple traps and false walls between us and them." He replied gazing at me intently.

I sighed anxiously.

"Trust me." He smiled, taking my hands in his gloved ones.

"I shouldn't but I do." I muttered to myself. 

He went quiet as I listened to the music of the cavern.

"Are you really ready to leave here?" The question popped out of my mouth, startling the both of us. 

"I've been here for so long... But it's become more of a prison then it ever was a home..." Erik sighed.

I waited in silence as he looked thoughtfully at his organ. "If... If you really think, that I could have a different life. In London. Then I'd like to take that chance... And no longer haunt the halls of the opera-" he released my hands and walked over to the organ, gathering some papers off the top of it. 

He placed the papers neatly into a folder and tied it closed, breaking the silence again tentatively. "-So yes. I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Well what do you think?" Cindy's voice called out. 

"I think you look bloody ridiculous!" I smirked, as Cindy pranced out in her soot colored dress and matching mask.

Nadir came out behind her in a matching suit and mask, making them look like quite the couple. 

Erik and I exchanged a small look.

"Well? Shall we my friend?" Nadir addressed Erik.

Erik rose and grabbed something from a drawer stuffing it into his pocket.

"Yes. Let's." he replied.

Erik procured a mask for me, seemingly out of thin air, and I secured it on my face promptly. 

Erik led us down another hallway, and to a stony chamber filled with moonlight. Two black horses stood in the center of the camber, looking rather confused. As if they, like us. Were wondering what they were doing here.

"Come on." Erik demanded, getting on to the horse in one graceful swoop. 

I blinked at Erik, my throat closing in fear. 

"No... no way." I shook my head backing away from him. 

"What?" Erik looked over at Cindy for help. 

"No I can't." I repeated. 

"What are you afraid of horses or something?" Erik asked. 

I nodded as I beheld the mountainous black creature before me. 

"Alex it this or be killed." Cindy entreated me.

I took in several shallow breaths, holding back tears.

"Alex come on!" Cindy begged.

Footsteps could now be heard in the tunnels behind us.

"Alexandra." Erik spoke softly from his place on his horse. "I need you to trust me. I will not let you fall."

I nodded and took his outstretched hand, as he pulled me up onto the horse.

He wrapped his arms around me, and I was suddenly very grateful that the darkness of the tunnels hid my blush.

"Ready Nadir?" He asked quietly. 

Nadir responded with a quick nod as Cindy and I exchanged pensive glances.

"Now!" Erik bellowed. 

The horses took off at a gallop and I bit my lip as we vaulted through the tunnels.

Shots, shouts, and the sounds of hoof-beats, rang out echoing and ricocheting off the walls...

I  held my breath and the reins in front of me, as Erik expertly guided the horse underneath us.

And somehow, I just knew that we would get through this safely.