Gansey felt guilty. Expression pained, he stepped away from the Opera Ghost, hand dropping to his side. Being stubborn wasn't something he could help. He hadn't meant to fall down into the Phantom's lair. With each secret, it could feel his freedom slipping away. The Phantom would not let him leave now. Not when he knew the truth. Even if he promised he'd never tell, that he'd not breathe a word, the Phantom would never get a wink of sleep knowing Gansey was running around topside with so much knowledge.

The thought of having to return to the red and white room filled him with dread. Especially now that he knew that it had been made for Christine. Somehow, that made it worse. Knowing that she had been trapped in there.

"Then let me stay with you," he said, voice quite soft, imploring. "I won't run. I promise. Just... I don't want to go back there. You can tie me up if you wish."