Normandy was beautiful, Erik decided. Raoul owned a chateau by the coast, and they all enjoyed walking along the beach.  
 
This would be the perfect place to retire to, Erik thought. It's quiet and peaceful, and far away from anyone who would have heard of the Opera Ghost. 
 
 "I take it you like it here," Raoul said one evening.
 
 "Yes, I like it very much," Erik replied. "This is far better then your house in Paris."
 
 "You think so? Well, so do I. Perhaps once I am rid of my debts, I shall move here permanently. I would like time away from the bustling activity of Paris."
 
 Gustave, meanwhile, seemed happy, but there were times when he grew melancholy when looking around the chateau.
 
 "He's thinking of his mother, isn't he?" Erik asked Raoul on one occasion.

 "I think so. She was so devoted to him. He was much closer to her than he ever was to me." 

 Even though Erik was enjoying his stay there, he could not help having the feeling that someone was always watching him, and was never very far away. Could it be Christine's ghost, he wondered. Perhaps her spirit found its way back here, somewhere she always enjoyed being.
 
 "Now that summer is ending, I think it is time I return to Paris," Raoul announced one morning. "I still have unfinished business. But I don't know if I can afford to hire a tutor for Gustave now. I suppose I could-I still have some money left." 

 "Why would you have to hire a tutor for him?" Erik asked. "I can easily teach him all he needs to know."

 "Are you sure you-"
 
 "Yes, I can," he cut in. "I have been alive for longer than you and have certainly seen much more of the world than you have."
 
 "Now, what makes you think that?" Raoul asked, offended now.
 
 "Where have you been besides France, New York, and perhaps a few other European cities? I  was once a favorite of the Persian Sultan."
 
 "You were?" Now Raoul was the slightest bit impressed. "Why would you leave Persia, then? Did you do something to fall from the Sultan's favor?"
 
 "I might have. That is a story for another day. When will we be leaving?"
 
 "Tomorrow morning on the train, I suppose."
 
 So all three enjoyed one more day by the sea.
 
 "We will come back next summer," Raoul promised Gustave. "And we will have the entire summer to spend out here."
 
~~~~~~
 
 The night before they were to leave, Erik had that feeling again of someone watching him. He sat up in bed and lit the candle he kept nearby. There was no one in there but himself.
 
 "I'm imagining things," he said to himself. Eventually he fell asleep. 
 
 But as he did fall asleep, and in his sleep, he knew he could hear someone telling him not to get on the train the next day. 
 
~~~~~~

 The next morning Erik said to Raoul, "I cannot go with you back to Paris today."
 
 Raoul looked surprised. "Why not?"
 
 "I have a strange feeling. I have felt as if someone has been watching me, and whoever they are, they do not want me to leave yet."
 
 "Do you mean whoever it is wants to be alone with you?"
 
 "Yes, that is what I mean. Take Gustave back to Paris with you, and I will join you in a few days."

 Raoul looked uncertain about that. "And you are certain you will return alive in a few days?"

 "Yes, I am. Would you just do it, Chagny? In case it is dangerous, I don't want Gustave here."
 
 "All right. I'll do it. Might I ask who you think wants to be alone with you?"
 
 "I do not know," Erik said, "But the voice I thought I heard sounded familiar." 
 
 It was soon time for Raoul and Gustave to depart.
 
 "You really can't come now?" Gustave asked Erik.
 
 "Not yet. There is something I must do first. Then I will return." Erik then said softly to Raoul, "If anything happens to him on your watch, I promise you I will end your life."
 
 "I certainly do not doubt that," Raoul said solemnly.
 
~~~~~~
 
 Everything seemed far too quiet once they were gone. All day Erik waited, and nothing happened. By the night had fallen, any bad feelings he'd had disappeared.

 I am being absolutely ridiculous, he thought. I actually thought there was someone here waiting for me to be alone to come out and get me. Tomorrow I shall board the first train to Paris. 
 
 He went upstairs and expected to sleep soundly, but found he could not fall asleep at all. Slowly, the feeling of having someone nearby crept back to him. 

 He got up and dressed again since he clearly was not going to be sleeping. He went out into the hallway and began to descend the stairs when something made him stop. He could hear the piano in the parlour being played.
 
 But he was the only person still in the house.
 
 Erik went back to his room and grabbed the knife he kept close by, just in case Chagny got any ideas. He then crept down the stairs.
 
 How could there be someone else in the house? They couldn't have come in through the front door-that old thing creaked so loudly Erik definitely would have head it. They must have climbed in through one of the windows. But who would want to break in there? What would they want with him?

 As Erik neared the living room doorway, the piano stopped and there was a short yet suspenseful silence.
 
 "I suppose you never thought it was me," came a voice from the living room, one that made Erik freeze.
 
 "It cannot be," he said softly. He regained himself and slowly walked into the parlour. The newcomer rose from the piano bench. "Amir?" 
 
 He smiled. "My dearest Erik. I knew I would find you one day. I doubt Persia was ever the same without you."