Horse King (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 13 - Under Arrest

Alexis's POV:
I stared at him in shock. It was impossible that they were related. They were complete opposites. Nothing about them was the same. At least now I knew Erik's last name. It was Down. Somehow it didn't sound right.
“How can you be his brother? You and he look nothing like each other!” Richard laughed and said,

“For that I am grateful. He is more like my mother. I am my father's son. I hated him more than Father did. That trash deserves to get everything that he will get.” I was still confused.

“But how do you intend to convict him?! There is nothing against him. He hasn't done a thing wrong.” He scoffed and said,

“You have been completely fool. He is just a cheep con-artist. Now, we didn't come here to talk about our relationship. Please, just tell me how to get to his place.” I took a deep breath and said,

“I have been telling you this repeatedly. I will not tell. Erik's secret is safe with me. I will never talk. Ever.” I held my body stiff and looked straight ahead. He looked at me and something happened in those eyes. He pulled something out of his pocket and clamped it on my wrist. I looked down at it was handcuffs. I looked up at him in surprise. He smirk and said,

“You are under arrest for withholding information about a wanted criminal. Anything you say maybe be used against you.” I was in such shock that he had no problem dragged me to my feet and pulling me to his car. I suddenly said,

“Wait, maybe I speak with Jewel before I leave?” He looked at me and nodded, releasing the handcuff. I ran up to Jewel's room and opened the door. She was curled up on her bed, reading. She looked at me and gestured to my wrist.

“Mama, what is that?” I smiled and said,

“Its nothing. I need you to do something for me.” She got up and walked over to me. I knelt down before her and laid my hands on her shoulders. I trust my little girl to be able to do this. I needed her to do this. “I need you to take Iridescent and go find Erik. Iridescent will know how to get there, I hope.” I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled down a quick message. “Give him this.” I folded it up and handed it to Jewel. She nodded. I was quite proud of my little girl. She was so much more mature that any other child of four. I heard heavy footsteps on the stairs and quickly said,

“I love you, Jewel. And be careful.” I hugged her and a moment later the door opened and Richard led me away.

The drive to the police station was quiet as there was nothing to talk about. Richard wasn't about to say anything more about his relationship with Erik and I wasn't going to say a word about where Erik was. I hoped he wasn't going to try to torture it out of me. I have a bit of a weak stomach.

We arrived at the station and he locked me up. I sat in my cell, just staring at the wall. I hoped my message would get to Erik. I knew I could trust Jewel but I wasn't sure if Erik would want to get me out. I leaned back on the small bed and decided to get some well-deserved rest. Erik would come or he wouldn't. I wouldn't stop loving him just because he refused to rescue me.

Erik's POV:
I looked over my vast expanses of land from a rock outcropping near my house and sighed. I was empty. There was nothing that I could do about it. Alexis was so dear to me. In the one month I had fallen for her charms. And that dear daughter of her's, Jewel. We understood each other. For one month I had had a family. Jewel was like a daughter to me and I wanted Alexis to be more than a friend. But she could never love me. No one could love the monster that I was.

I was just about to head off into the scrub to check on my horses when I heard a set of thundering hooves. I turned back and saw Iridescent galloping into the yard. On her back was Jewel. I spun Squall, my black mustang, around and raced down the hill. The girl looked toward me and urged Iridescent toward me. I could see the worry in her eyes. My first thought was that something had happened to Alexis. Jewel rode up beside me and said,

“Mr. Erik, there is trouble. My mother wanted me to give you this just before the Sheriff led her away.” I scowled. That certainly didn't sound good. She handed me a piece of paper which read,

Erik,

Please, help me. Richard has put me under arrest and is taking me to the jail for not telling about you. Please, help me and keep an eye on Jewel.

Alexis

I growled slightly and looked at the girl. I knew the four-year-old girl was grown up but not was a test to see how grown up she was.

“Jewel, I need your help to get your mother out. What do you say?”