I do not own either work

He built it himself, a source of pride for him. He built the house off of a design he created. Large and well suited to his taste.

He was a master in so many things and could strike fear into the hearts of many.

He had someone now, someone to sing, someone to sing with. She didn't fear him. How could she?

He looked down at the ring he had put aside decades ago. The ring he couldn't look at without remembering her...and himself.

What he had been, that was the real ghoul, the real monster. He had seen those for whom living death was a reality. He was such as that now. No.

He was alive now. He was living for the first time. He held the ring up to the light, watching it gleam in the waning sun.

"What is that?" She asked

"A ring"

"Well, that is obvious. You've been looking at it for a while. Is something wrong?" She looked at him. No fear, only love.

"No. I was just thinking of the Opera."

Sally tilted her head slightly. "Which opera, Jack?"