Summary: Beneath Apollo's Lyre, Raoul promised to take Christine away from Paris. They should've known that Erik would not let go so easily. After all, Erik always claims what is his. A mix between Leroux , AWL and Kay. Dark!Erik, rated T just in case.

Hello there! It has been a while since my last, very disastrous attempt at a POTO story. I'd like to have think I have improved from the 13 year old girl that wrote "A New Phantom's Tale". Now at 16, I'm trying my hand again at this so please tell me what you think by reviewing.

I've had this idea for a while, but have only just recently got it down. I only have a couple chapters written out so far so if you want me to continue, please tell me so - you have no idea how much it would mean to me if you left me your thoughts. Hell, even constructive criticism is welcome. Anything to help me along with this story and my writing in general.

Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera, or its characters... as much as I wish I did.

1881

Winter

"He terrifies me so," I clutched at Raoul's cloak, tears threatening to spill. His handsome face peered concernedly at me. His blue eyes filled with worry. His hand reached up to my face and wiped away one of the tears that had escaped.

In the dark, I could just see his face—the snow falling gently around us.

"We must leave here," he said firmly.

I opened my mouth to object as I had before, "But tomorrow night—"

He cut me off, "We will be on our way to my family home in Marseilles."

"But the performance! I must sing for him Raoul," I pleaded.

Raoul shook his blonde head, "He has you caught in a web, Christine, waiting to eat you as a spider would a fly. If you preform again you will become more entangled!"

I opened my mouth to protest but found that I could not contend with that logic. The more I stayed here, the more I would become poisoned by Erik and his imperious voice.

"We must leave here," my voice echoed his, faint even to my own ears.

"Let's leave now," said Raoul, taking my hands with his own, "We shall leave this opera house and its ghost for good."

I looked into his earnest blue eyes and thanked the heavens for the man before me. My saviour from the darkness. A let a small smile blossom on my face, my reward was his own dazzling one. And I couldn't help myself, I flung my arms around his neck, the hood of my cloak slipping off my head and releasing my brown curls to the rising wind.

I pulled back, beaming at him. Raoul looked at me tenderly and brushed away a few of the snowflakes that rested on my hair and face. His warm hand placed on my cheek, making my heart burst with affection. He bent his head closer to my own, our lips meeting in the middle.

The kiss was chaste and perfect, hinting of promise and happiness. I beamed at him as he told me that in Marseille we would be wed after our lips parted. I marveled at how he could turn my perfect misery and fear into perfect happiness and love. He took one of my small hands and pulled me towards the exit.

"We must leave now, there is no time to waste."

I followed him, my eyes looking once more to the god of music, Apollo. I felt something awry but dismissed it as I felt Raoul tugging my hand. I would be free, and there was nothing but joy in my heart.

†

Our bags were packed and ready in two hours. Raoul's brother, Phillipe, declined joining us, stating that he still had business here in Paris. By the time we actually left Paris, I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open. I sat next to Raoul in the luxurious carriage emblazoned with the de Chagny crest on its side.

My head dropped onto Raoul's comfortable shoulder and soon enough I was lulled into sleep despite the jolting of the carriage.

My dreams were filled with a crying angel. His great black-feathered wings shuddered with his sobs. They cloaked him from my sight. I wanted to go to him, comfort him, but I was being pulled away. I fought the invisible grip that was taking me from him.

I awoke when the carriage gave a particularly harsh jolt. I rubbed my eyes and was surprised when they came away with moisture. I must have been crying in my sleep. I looked over to the sleeping form of Raoul and gave a fond smile. I looked out of the window at the passing forest—the blurred green providing me with little entertainment. I soon fell asleep again, my face against the cool glass.

By the time I opened my eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. For fear of being caught up, we did not stop at the next town, or the next. Instead Raoul had mercifully thought slightly in front and had brought a loaf of bread. We ate, Raoul apologising every few minutes that he didn't get something more appetising.

I hushed him and said that it was a perfect meal. Frankly, I was happy to even be eating. We chatted happily for a while, ignoring the ominous clouds that were stirring. I fell asleep again in his arms and suffered no more dreams.

When I next woke we appeared to have just come to a halt. I looked around and saw that Raoul was gone. An unsettling feeling came over me as I peered out of the dark window. I waited a few moments before deciding to look for him. Hesitantly, I opened the carriage door and stepped out.

In the rapidly darkening light, my eyes searched for my fiancée's familiar blonde head. I spotted him a distance away, talking to the driver—gesturing to a large log that blocked the pathway.

"Raoul!"

His head snapped towards me, eyes at once filling with worry.

"Christine get back inside the carri—Christine!"

I only understood his sudden calling of my name as I felt an arm snake around my waist. I opened my mouth to scream but then a large, dirty hand came into my line of vision holding something silver. There was a deafening bang and I saw the body of the driver fall to the snow-covered floor, scarlet dying the pure white that surrounded him.

I felt it press against my throat softly and a rough, deep voice tolled in my ear unpleasantly. Tears prickled at my eyes as I watched the snow slowly becoming crimson.

"Scream an' I'll 'ave to cut tha' pretty white neck o' yours"

The knife pressed into my flesh a little harder, but not enough to draw blood. I gave a quivering gasp of fear and felt as though my heart was trying to beat it's way out of my chest. I looked to Raoul, standing horror struck, another grubby looking man in rags standing near with a smoking pistol aimed at my Raoul's head.

I felt tears sting my eyes as Raoul began to yell that he would do anything, give anything so long as the men let me go. I felt the man behind me give a chuckle, I wrinkled my nose at the smell of piss and body odour the was emanating from the man.

"Perhaps if we're feeling gracious. Though," the man gave another horrible chuckle, "I feel that we may need some good entertainment for tonight."

His body pressed in closer to my own and I gave an involuntary yelp. The knife pressed harder until I felt the skin beneath it break. I could feel the warmth trickling down my neck and onto the plain bodice of my dress.

The man's hand gripped my wrist so hard that I was afraid my hand might fall off. And with the knife still at my throat, he circled me until he was face to face with me. I took in his haggard appearance, his rotten yellow teeth, his bloodshot eyes, his malevolent dark eyes.

I trembled, paralysed with fear as he came closer. His dirty hand yanked my hair, forcing my face to turn upwards to his. His horrid breath fanned across my face as he spoke.

"Come on, dearie, give us a kiss."

The man leaned in closer. I shut my eyes to rid myself of this nightmare and then… BANG the world was thrown into chaos. I was stumbling backwards and into a tree. My head collided painfully with it, forcing me to slump down to its base.

Through my starry vision I could see shapes. A particularly large dark shape that was moving so fast, that it looked as though some sort of rope was swirling about him like a whip.

BANG! BANG!

There was another shape, sparks illuminating a trembling figure at each bang. It also briefly illuminated the ground. There were three unmoving shapes. One with dark golden hair…

Dark spots swam across my vision. I didn't pay attention to the dull crack that followed, nor the dull thud as something heavy hit the ground. It was then mercifully quiet.

I put a hand to the back of my head, feeling a warm stickiness there. I pulled it away, barely able to see the dark substance that now coated my fingers. Something cold was being put to my face, an angelic voice sounding in my ear, speaking my name.

I closed my eyes. All I wanted was sleep. I heard an angel crying, and I gave a weak smile.

"Angel, you are too beautiful to cry…" my speech trailed off as my world fell away.

Love it? Like it? Want to set it on fire and happy dance around the ashes? Just click the review button! I appreciate constructive critisism too :) Tell me if I should continue! Sorry if the characters are a bit OOC!

Your Obedient Authoress

-Isabella-