Anne Rule and others write some of the most compelling true crime novels. Stephen King tantalizes us with amazing horror fiction. In 1910 a novel containing the best elements of both was published under the guise of general fiction. Is Phantom of the opera by Gaston Leroux possibly the grandfather of the modern true crime novel…and if so is there more to the story? One day a man finds a multitude of lost secrets. They convince him of the historical context of Leroux's manuscript. Now he struggles with the decision of releasing them to the public.

This is the first piece I've written that I've unleashed on the public…through any medium. I was posting on POTO but there were some technical difficulties. I hope all enjoy and any comments are welcome. Thank you.

First of all as to rating. Honestly, I'm unsure I write as some painters paint…I open my supplies and go to town looking away just long enough for the reality based reference to come into view just enough to consult it. I know for sure that there will be violence and at times some language. If it happens to come up, pertinent to this story as I write there might be a love seen or two. So on rating I'm going to play it safe and say NC-17 or R and try to hold it within those guidelines and ask everyone to use your common sense while reading and not stray into areas that may tend to offend you.

I stole this idea from PhantomEMT and she knows that I'm going to implement it. I kinda scoffed at her a little, because it's like "Come on are people really that stupid." But then again as she hoisted my petard and returned, "If people weren't stupid you and I would both be out of jobs." I do a lot of things which might get referenced in any work, fact or fiction, that I might write. So not to offend anyone but to CMA.

DISCLAIMER ALERT: ATTENTION, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRY ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE READ IN THE PROCEEDING CHAPTER OR ANY PRECEDING CHAPTERS! I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU ACTIONS!!

I hope true crime readers, horror readers, above all phantom phans (Please don't hate me for what I have in store for Erik), and just everybody has a phantastic journey. Please enjoy.

Also props to Phantom EMT. I had the story started and had given it direction and knew where I was going with it, but no clue as to title. No fear guys, she's chosen not to be clued in to far in advance, she'd much rather be pleasantly surprised. We had a brainstorming session one night online tossing ideas back and forth and it was actually she who titled this work. It came out of her mouth, it fit, and I liked it.