The scorpion's danger is alluring and the music captivating. You turn the door knob and receive no argument from the fairy. The three of you enter the room. It is another large room, sparsely lit by candlelight. Tatiana's golden glow allows you more visibility, though it is occasionally hidden as she flutters behind Michael. Again the room is void of Erik, but that is forgotten as your eyes are drawn to the organ which is playing by itself!
 You back up and into Michael who is frowning skeptically. He goes over to the organ and sits down, then begins running his hands over it as if looking for something. You continue to back up as an eerie feeling follows. Not that you believe in ghosts. Or do you?
 "Well, I must say, he is a clever one."
 You and Tatiana involuntarily jump. Michael quickly gets away from the organ. The three of you stand in a tight circle facing out, looking for the owner of the voice.
 "He knows that it's just a simple device making my organ play, not an apparition." The voice is very close.
 Then it grunts impatiently. "Over here."
 You turn to your left and see Erik sitting elegantly on his throne, head bowed, long, thin fingers folded together and resting against his chin. Several candelabras light the area around him.
 Michael has obviously  been pushed to the limit. He breaks away from your group and stands within a few feet of Erik.
 "I refuse to play this game any longer," he says firmly. "Stop this now."
Slowly, Erik turns his head towards Michael. "Who are you to make me stop?" he asks calmly, quietly. "You forget, Mr. Crawford, that you are in my world and on my terms. I am master here. The very walls obey me. If you wish to make it out of here, don't forget that."
 Michael takes a step towards him. "You have no right-"
 Erik silences him with a black glare. "One more infraction of the rules will result in time in the penalty box." In a singular tone he adds, "You don't  want to be in my penalty box."
 This silences Michael. He retreats, but glares defiantly at the Phantom. Tatiana steps in front of him.
 "Erik, please. This has gone too far."
 "Are you still around?" He sounds annoyed. "Such a nuisance."
 Tatiana bites her lip. "Erik..."
 "Save it," he barks. "I've had enough your lies."
Erik's game is one of survival and only the strong survive. The hunter will attack the weakest first.
 He turns to you. He's all charm and elegance. You feel drawn to him; men of mystery have always attracted you. Somehow you just can't accept that he's as bad as Michael and Tatiana believe.
 Your heart aches to show him compassion; that someone on earth could love him. You'd do any thing he asked.
 Erik smiles warmly at you and steps close. From the corner of your eye you glimpse Tatiana. Her light is burning red; she's jealous, but it's tinged with sadness.
 "Mademoiselle." He bows slightly to you. "I can tell by your eyes that you are a caring and loving individual. Perhaps," he looks at you almost shyly, "perhaps you change this monster into a prince of sorts."
 Only in your wildest dreams did you ever expect to hear him say something like this! How do you answer? You don't trust yourself to speak!
 "Of course, Erik," is all you can manage.
 He smiles like a cat who just caught a mouse, but you don't notice. You know you can change him, given time.
 Your mouth takes on a life of it's own and you hear yourself telling Erik that you'd move to Paris, get a job at the Opera, and visit him everyday.
 He looks very pleased, like a child who's been told he's going to visit a favorite relative.
 "So you'd do anything for me then?" he asked, uncertainly.
 You nod and his manner suddenly changes. He glances slyly at the other two.
"As much as I would adore that, my dear, nothing comes without a price." He pause for effect.
"It's either me or him. What'll it be?"
 Then you realize that Erik's making you choose between him and Michael. You can't possibly do that!

Do you choose Michael, knowing that Erik might never know love? Do you leave
him as Christine did? If you choose Michael, go to #34.

Do you choose Erik, knowing that it could very well mean death for Michael?
If you reason that Erik deserves to be loved for himself and that you can  prevent
him from harming Michael, go to #35.