"You would kill him for taking an apple? He is starving!" Emma cried. The man, Nadir, came to stand beside Emma, knowing that if they were to get into trouble he would give his life to make sure Emma was safe. Emma tossed the apple at the men.
"You no longer have to worry about him," Emma said. They looked ready to argue but Nadir interrupted.
"Monsieurs, I ask you kindly to be on your way," he said. They glanced at each other, really not wanting to start a fight and end up getting hurt just for a little brat. They muttered several curses and turned and left. Emma sighed in relief and turned back to him, a small smile on her face. She went and sat down beside him, silently giving him the apple back. Erik took it hesitantly, wondering why this angel had decided to help him.
"Would you like to get something to eat?" she asked. Erik said nothing, very cautious around anyone, especially someone who had helped him for no apparent reason. Emma could not help but smile when he said nothing.
"You do not have to worry, my name is Emma, by the way, what is yours?" she asked, holding out her hand to him. Erik stared at it for a long time before he hesitantly took it and shook.
"Erik."
"Well, Erik, it is very nice to meet you."
xXx
Several hours later...
Emma giggled down at Erik who stood in front of a large mirror. The evening coat he was wearing was several sizes to large but it was the smallest she had been able to find. He looked a lot better than he had a few hours prior and Emma wondered how such a handsome young boy could be left alone to fend for himself. He had thick black hair and amazing gray green eyes. But it worried her how skinny he was. She had sat down with him and Nadir to eat and Erik had nearly eaten himself sick. Nadir had left after supper and Emma had called for a bath and had left Erik to bathe.
"Emma?" Erik whispered. Emma looked at him in surprise. That was the first time he had said anything since telling her his name.
"Yes?"
"Thank you," he said softly. Emma smiled.
"You are very welcome, Erik," she said.
"Emma!"
Erik watched Emma cringe at the man's rough voice. Swallowing she put on another smile, this one obviously forced.
"I am sure you would like to get some sleep?" Emma asked. Erik did not say anything because it was obvious that she was frightened of this strange man.
"Emma!" the man yelled again. Emma ushered Erik out of the room and into the hallway. He followed her as best as she could because she was nearly running down the hall. Before they had reached the room Erik was to stay in a man appeared in front of them. Erik hid behind Emma, pressing into her skirts. The man looked very much like Emma except he was having trouble staying upright and his eyes were blood shot.
"Did you not hear me call you?" the man demanded. Emma nodded.
"Yes, Isaac," Emma whispered. He hit her and the action was so unexpected that Erik gasped when Emma softly cried out..
"Who is that?" Isaac demanded, pointing at Erik. Emma pushed him behind her.
"He is staying with us," Emma said. Isaac frowned and was about to say something when one of the maids walked by. Isaac noticed her and a very malicious grin spread across his face and he grabbed the young girls wrist. The girl looked extremely frightened but Emma knew she could do nothing about it. She took Erik's hand and quickly lead him away when Isaac pulled the girl into the nearest room.
Emma glanced at Erik and gave him a reassuring smile as she led him into his new bedroom. She helped him change and lifted him up and into the large bed. Erik was shocked to feel how luxurious the bed was when he was so used to sleeping on the hard ground. What had he done to deserve such good fortune. Emma smiled down at him and brushed his hair away from his face.
"You can stay here, Erik, would you like that?" Emma whispered. Erik nodded, praying that he was not going to wake up and realize this was a dream.
"Why are you being so kind to me?" Erik whispered, his small voice trembling. Emma smiled that smile Erik was beginning to love.
"We all need someone to be there for us, Erik..."
End of Flashback
Present time
Christine' hand gently squeezed Erik's as he finished his tale. They had moved to the sofa and Christine was pressed close to her husband. So her mother had truly been like Erik's older sister. What would have happened if she had never found that little orphan in the streets that night?
"Who was Isaac?" Christine asked softly. Erik sighed and looked away from her, presenting her his mask.
"Her brother, your uncle," he said. Christine's eyes held many questions.
"How many brother's did she have?" Christine asked.
"Two, Leroy and Isaac," he answered. Her mother had lived a whole other life before she had married Christine's father. It hurt her that her mother had never confided in her about the things that had happened in her past.
"Isaac beat her?" Christine asked. Erik nodded and took a long shuddering breath. Christine opened her mouth to ask another question but Erik pressed a finger to her lips.
"No more today, Christine," he said. Christine wanted to argue but could tell that it was hurting him to talk about such things.
"Alright," she whispered. Erik smiled and kissed her, pushing her back onto the sofa and opening her robe to reveal her body beneath...