I'm posting this because it's really good, but I didn't write it. My father did! No! Don't leave! It's not as bad as it sounds! Tee hee, I'm so mean!
Anyway, I told him I'd put it up, so here it is. The story picks up at the end of the Lon Chaney silent film. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. Poor Erik!
These characters belong to M. Leroux. Enjoy the read!
Full Circle
The Death, Rebirth and Death of the Phantom of the Opera
Chapter One
I thought my life was over on that fateful night. I had hoped it would be. All I dreamed of was ruined forever. The blows from the crowd could not dull the pain Christine had inflicted on me. As I sank into the Seine, I embraced the darkness I had sought my whole life.
Then to my amazement I was pulled to safety. I was dragged to a tunnel built into the wall along the bank. Was I being rescued from death so more pain could be administered to me, or had I finally found the compassion I never had in life at the moment of my death? I knew I didn't have a chance of surviving the beating I had just sustained, but I hoped at last someone was finally showing me kindness. I lay on my back blind to everything for the blood in my eyes. Pain was no longer a sensation. All I sensed was ringing in my ears as I felt my life slipping away.
Then suddenly I did feel pain. A sharp stab in the side of my neck. I felt the rush of what little blood I had left mingle with what felt like molten lead. The pain was so intense, I finally passed out.
I awoke in a darkened room, to find myself cleaned and unbruised. How long must I have been unconscious for my wounds to heal and what miracle physician could have saved my battered body? I rose but found it hard to walk. I was still weak and unsteady. I made my way to the large wooden door and pulled on the heavy metal handle to find the answers to my many questions. The door led to a long corridor and to a staircase at its far end. I descended the stone steps. When I reached the bottom, I was in a large foyer with an immense chandelier. It reminded me of all that had happened on the last night I could remember.
Then I was interrupted in my thoughts by a woman's voice. " Don't dwell on old memories. That time for you is over now. You have much to learn as you begin anew." I turned to see her standing in the arch of an opened door. She was wearing a long red dressing gown. The light from the fire in the room behind her made it look transparent. She had a long lean athletic body. Strong but shapely. Her golden hair flowed down around her shoulders. That hair and her chiseled features would have made her look like an angel. But one look into her eyes and one could see there was no angel inside.
The sight of her and all that was troubling my mind made the words stick in my throat. "H,H,How?, Wh, Who?" "Ah!" she said, "very eloquent. You have me to thank for your situation. Though I promise it was for selfish reasons I saved your pitiful soul. Come in and sit, I'll enlighten you to your fate." I followed her into the next room and she pointed to a large throne like chair which I fell into. She poured herself a drink and offered me one by asking, "Hungry?" I shook my head no, not speaking, but not taking my eyes off of her hypnotizing form. "So at last we meet Opera Ghost. Yes, I know of you. The Phantom … oooh, please! A woman taints your decisions and makes you weep. Not only a woman, but that shallow child! I had respect for you once. I watched as you grew, honing your many talents and loathing mankind. Then as all men do, you disappointed me. You gave into your silly fantasies. 'Love me, love me', oh please, you make me sick! I gave up my interest in you. I have no time for such weakness. Still, I took my meals at the opera. I do love the music and the spectacle. It was thrilling to watch all that pulsating activity. It stirred my appetite. See a show and finish with a midnight snack. I was there that night you finally lost it. Did you truly think she would go away with you just because you wrote some songs? What an ego! I watched as they chased you and finally used your head as a timpani drum. Then throw you into the Seine. I remembered your talents and how I admired you for them. How we each had an equal hatred for those around us. So, for the love of your music and a possible comrade in arms, I took what little life you had left and gave you immortality."
I was stunned! Was I dreaming? Could this be true? I heard of such things but never believed. Listening to her voice, watching the way she moved and seeing into those eyes, my God those eyes!, I realized this was to be my new horror. Hated and shunned from the world because of my abhorrent face, I was now to be hated and shunned because of my abhorrent appetite. Blood! As she saw the realization in my face and the horror I felt, she took pleasure in my torment and laughed.
End chapter 1. What did you think? Please review to me, and I'll let my father read your thoughts.