Ilios ran down the stairs in a mess of tears, face red and puffy.

She had no intention of stopping until she was safely in her Fathers arms.

"Miss!" A man asked in concern as she ran right into him, "Miss are you all-"

She looked up with wide eyes and took a step backward, "Peter?!"

"Yes," he said earnestly with a smile, "I was just coming to find you."

"Me?" Ilios repeated, "What for?"

"Ilios," A small voice cried entering the grand hall.

"Goodness," Ilios chuckled awkwardly, "Everyones after me this evening."

She gave a glance up the stairway, praying David had enough sense to stay upstairs.

"Please," The small girl's voice repeated, "Please I'm frightened, everyone rushed off."

"Rushed off?" Ilios said with a hint of fear in her voice, "Is that you Mary?"

Mary stepped awkwardly out of the darkness, her face pale and cold.

"Mary," Ilios said anxiously drawing onto her knees and holding the small child by the shoulders. "What has happened."

"Grandmother," Mary choked out.

"Peter take her," Ilios shouted.

She rose to her feet and took off toward the catacombs tears threatening and her feet slapping the pavement.

"Who are you?" Mary asked the man after a moments silence.

"A friend of your sisters."

Peters at was drawn low over his sullen face, and Mary could not make out his identity.

"My Sisters?" Mary laughed, "Good sir you mistake me."

Peter rubbed his eyes but didn't bother to look closer, "Indeed you must pardon me. I haven't had much sleep."

She nodded and gave a small smile that she thought would assure him he had not offended her.

"Where then is Winnie?" He asked after a brief hesitation on the nature of the question. He sincerely prayed no harm had come to her.

"Luke took her when Grandmother fainted." Mary shrugged, "Gustave took Mother, I just forgot to follow behind. I didn't want to go down there again."

"Mary?" Peter laughed removing his hat and looking at her intently, "Is that you?"

"Peter!" Mary shrieked rushing at him and hugging him tightly to her. "Oh, Peter I was so afraid."

"Hush child! I'm here."

"Peter there are secrets in this place. Things Papa won't tell me."

"You needn't fret," Peter told her sternly, "These halls are your friends. How did your Father disregard you so?"

"I don't blame him," Mary shuddered, "His Mother looked so ill."

"There," Peter said putting his scarf around her to act as a shawl.

"Peter," Mary whimpered. "I'm afraid Father doesn't much care for me."

Peter frowned severely, "Mary how can you say that?"

"I know that I'm cross, and homely. I don't mean to be." Mary explained, "I know I'm cold-hearted. Seeing Grandmother there, the blood, it didn't bother me one bit. Father often calls me cruel, and I can't help but feel it's because Mother never showed me how to be otherwise."

"You do miss your Mother awfully don't you," Peter sighed, seeing clearly for the first time. "Mary, what I'm about to do next you mustn't ever tell your Father."

Mary looked at him intently, "What?"

"Mary promise."

"I promise," Mary said hesitantly, "Now what is it?"

He took her small hand and led her out from the opera house.

In the direction of the small apartment, she had been born.

"Ilios," Gustave said violently clutching his sister's shoulders, "Have you seen Mary?"

"She's with Peter," Ilios said quickly, "What happened?"

"We've called for Fred. Your Fathers in with her right now, Eli's comforting Wade."

"Wade?" Ilios said with a frown.

"Your Father was yelling at Eli, Wade came out to defend him."

"Wade?" Ilios repeated, her head feeling light and numb.

"Yes!" Gustave snapped, "Listen, Fred's on the way. I fear consumption Ilios."

"Is it contagious?!" Ilios asked with great urgency.

"We can't tell but I think it's best to get the children away." Gustave nodded, "Father insists on being with her. I'm not sure if there's much we can do-"

"Let me and Eli speak to him," Ilios spoke softly, "I think he'll listen."

"I've already sent for Madam Giry to take Wade and Winnie."

"Can she be trusted?" Ilios asked nervously, "With Wade?"

"I once ran away and lived at her home for nearly three weeks, Wade will cope."

"What?" Ilios laughed.

"Another time, and I will tell all but not now, Sister mine." Gustave moaned.

"Gustave you need to rest," Ilios pleaded profusely, "You haven't looked like this since-"

"Since what?!" He hissed.

Ilios remained silent.

"I'm here," Fred shouted rushing through the door, "Where is she?!"

Gustave lept to his feet and led Fred quickly to his Mothers room.

Ilios couldn't help it, she sunk to the floor and held her knees close to her chest.

Her eyes rose, the tears refracting the candlelight like diamonds, sparkling and dancing as she squinted them away.

How happy she had once been here, a child in her Mothers arms, Eli hiding in the shadows, her Father playing the piano.

Someone close within her arms, dancers on the stage, figures graceful and calm, each move cal8culated and planned.

Would her mother ever hold her like that again?

Would her Father ever recover?

So many things shrouded in silent myth. Answers she yearned for to questions she was forbidden to ask.

She closed her eyes tightly and thought back to the lake, frozen as if with lace, her and her sibling's side by side. Wades smooth and delicate face grinning up at her.

She had wished they could stay like that forever.

She wanted so badly to go back tot hat December, take her Mother by the hand, lead her out to the ice and let her breath in the crisp air. Let her Mothers eyes see the beauty of the darkness which she knew she had never truly, fully understood as the rest of them had.

"Ms Destler," Fred said as he entered the room swiftly.

His eyes met Eriks with icy coolness, "Erik. Out."

"No I-"

Christine let go of his hand and Fred's eyes narrowed.

"Monsuire Destler." Fred yelled in a dangerous voice. "Erik. Get out."

Erik stammered a reply but Fred pointed forcibly to the door and he was forced to angrily stormed out.

"I don't understand," Fred muttered bitterly to himself, "You were clearing up at our visit this morning. I never thought-"

"Fred," Christine smiled hoarsely, "You can not blame yourself for this."

"For you getting sick?" Fred said breathing heavily, "No perhaps not. But you asked me not to tell your husband and I listened. Had he known, had you listened and not exerted yourself-"

"Please Fred," Christine sighed, "Don't get upset there's nothing more to be done."

Fred felt tears brimming in his eyes and he pursed his lips to keep from shouting.

"Fred I need to ask you something."

"No-" Fred said shaking his head violently, "You will recover. I will see to it."

"Fred." Christine said with a soft smile, "How long do I have?"

"I suggest the countryside." Fred chided, "For the Springtime at least. A little garden, some fresh air would do you good."

"How long?"

"I honestly can't tell you." Fred said timidly, "It ranges. Some have only one others five."

"And it does spread?"

Fred nodded, "Highly contagious Ma'am."

Christine fought back tears, "Are the children gone?"

"Not all."

"I want them out," Christine said plainly, "Erik too."

"He won't listen to me," Fred laughed, "He's a stubborn man."

"You'll manage," Christine gasped before submitting to another wave of violent coughing.

It was settled.

To the country, they would go.