1 Month Later

On Freds request, the family returned to New York. Elis condition had worsened to one of mental ruin as the infection spread through his ever cell. 

In walking tormented terrors, Eli had started to think himself responsible for the hauntings of the Opera House those many years ago. 

Under the cover of night, he slipped away from the small secluded apartment of new york city his fever burning a red haze around every sight.

In desperation, he followed the footsteps of his father through Coney island. His Father and brother following close behind. 

The seconds ticked slowly, slower than ever before. Each one in time with the beating of Gustave's heart,

Tick, tick,tick boom.

Tick tick tick Boom.

Running through New York they had been able to trace Eli.

Erik watched sadly as Gustave's hand traced the metal railing. It wouldn't be long before he realized where he was.

"I've been here before," Gustave said his brow furrowed, "I was here and someone was dragging me, and it was cold and..."

Erik nodded solely and looked away, he gave no reply.

Gustave's eyes widened, "This is it, this is the dock, the very same dock."

Erik nodded.

"Please dont come any nearer!" 

Gustave and Erik both turned around, Eli stood on the edge of the pier, a manuscript in hand.

Elis face was black, as if he hadn't seen the light of day in months. The only white parts were the streaks down his face where tears had cleared away the dirt and made their path. 

Gustave put his hands up and turned in a complete circle. 

"I've come unarmed," Erik said slowly, "Per our agreement."

Gustave slowly reached into his back pocket.

Elis eyes watched his every move.

He had gotten better, before the infection overtook his wound spreading throught his body.

He had started having delusional episodes.  

He started believeing he was the Opera Ghost. His small and truthful conscience taking on Eriks guilt and pain from all those years ago.

Madness in illness just as Gustave had experienced oh such a long time past.

"It's not a medicene, just what you asked for." Gustave gulped as he grabbed the small pouch and tossed it to him. "You'll find all information about the fire-" 

Ilios ran up to her Father who held her back forcefully.

"Ilios," Erik said gravley, "Go on home. You're not needed in this."

Ilios eyes stared wide at her brothers faint figure on the edge of the pier. "Eli?!" Her little voice called.

For a second, Gustave thought he saw Elis face spark with understanding, but the haze of the fever quickly over came it.

"Your a fool Ilios." Eli stated.

"What?" She laughed nervously.

"You always were a fool, a fool to follow me here." His eyes were cold, but in them Ilios sensed the delusion, the pain. "Did you really think that I ever wanted a sister?"

Gustave stepped backwards slowly.  On the contrary, Ilios stepped forward.  Gustave shook his head, but Erik didn't listen he attempted to restrain his daughter.

"Its my fault your going through this Eli. Your sister has no part. Let Gustave and her go, and we'll finish this. Here and now just the two of us, we shall settle our debts."

Elis eyes watered his childish desperation showing itself.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Eli cried.

"Because if you know me," Erik said standing taller and taking a step cloer, "Because I know you, because I'm your Father Eli. We're the same, you and me."

As he drew close enough, he took elis hand and placed it on his deformed cheek placing his own hand on Elis.

Eli watched with hazy blurred eyes.

"Father?" He whimpered.

Erik laughed through tears, "Yes Eli. I'm your Father."

"Eli?!" Ilios cried out hesitantly.

Gustave searched her eyes frantically for some confirmation she would not act irrationally.

Eli collapsed into his Fathers arms.

"I don't remember." He sobbed, "I don't know what im where im..."

Erik stroked his hair and rocked him gently as he had done when Eli was just a child.

"Shh," he whispered. "The worst has passed."

Turning to Gustave he nodded.

The fever had broke. Eli was to recover.

"Eli?!" Ilios called again.

She walked slowly despite her Father and Brothers pleas to stay back.

For the first time she truly stared at the invalid, his yellow skin which was nearly see through, his dark lifeless eyes.

The tears her mother had shed for him, the way her father worried. From now on she decided she was going to look after Eli. Her parents wouldnt ever have to go through this again.

Kneeling beside her father she reached over and drew Eli away from him, holding him in her own arms.

"Pitiful creature of darkness," she sang in a whisper through tears, "What kind of life have you known?"

She didn't see her Father stare in suprise, her Brothers eyes search her own in horror.

Ilios drew him in tight, hugging her brother near as she could. "I cant lose you Eli." She sobbed. "You're all the sense I have left."

Elis eyes fluttered open, and for the first time he saw the sobbing young girl in front of him clearly.

"Ilios?" He croaked. "What are we doing here? Wheres Father?"

Gustave gave a triumphant hurrah! Eli had recovered his mind at last, and appeared, at present intact.

"My son." Erik cried gripping Eli to him and picking him up.

Eli frowned as if he had awoken from a night mare. "What happened?"

Gustave set a hand on his shoulder. "The truth is out."

Eli raised and eyebrow, "All of it?"

Erik nodded firmly, "All of it."

Eli gestured for Gustave to bring him some more of the brandy, but Erik wouldn't hear of it.

"Your nine. " Gustave laughed, "You have a long way to go."

"I could had died tonight," Eli thought weakly. "Had the fever not broken at the last instant i could had-"

"No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide eyed fears." Ilios commanded as if she had read his thoughts. "Our box is ours again Eli. They gave back Father his salary after all that happened, out of fear hes angry they shot him."

"Dang right I'm angry," Erik hissed under his breath.

Christine placed a hand to his face, "Remain calm dear. Its all over now."

Anabel leaned cassually in the doorway.

"All over for now. But I have questions."

Eli took a deep drink of cool water and nodded, his head becoming clearer and clearer.

"Shoot." Gustave laughed.

"I want to know about the fire." Anabel stated with a twinkle in her eye. "The one the Destler boys started."

"Thats a long story." Gustave stammered.

"A dangerous one." Eli choked out.

Anabel smiled, "I'm all ears."

Eli glanced to Gustave who gave a small shrug.

"Fine." Ilios nodded after looking to each of her familly members for approval. "I'll tell it. But first you must desert all ideas of what you know about us. That night was the worst in all of us."

Anabel frowned. What could be so bad in such a loving familly.

Ilios rung her small hands together and pushed back her hair.

"It started with some cantaloupe."