Phantoms of the Mind

by SingsforPhantom

Th journey continues past Leroux's epic tale of the masked man who dwelled beneath Paris's Opera House. Now that the Phantom's one love, Christine Daae has left him with the Vicomte de Chagny, Erik must seek out a new life, a new love, and a new story be

1. The Beginning of the End

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

Her fingernails grazed his fingers as she closed the beautiful Swarovski engagement ring into his trembling hand. This feeling he felt ached more than any pain he had endured in all of his life. Christine, the love of his life, was leaving and never coming back. What was left in his life to love now? For she, his muse, was his music too. How could he love music now when every time his fingers would play a soft requiem he would think of her and what he had lost?

The Phantom looked into her eyes hoping that his tears might awaken any love she had for him. Her eyes looked sad but resolved; he no longer held any power over her. She turned away from him and then left forever. His eyes flowed with the jewels of many tears. Somehow, she, this innocent chorus girl had broken him. After that kiss, he could not ask any more of her. Although she had broken his soul, she had also freed him; she had freed him to love her. And in loving her he knew that he had to let her go to the one person she loved—even if it was the Vicomte de Chagny.

He heard them sail away on his boat back to the light. How the hell was he supposed to leave now? Standing up he walked out to the shore of his lair and watched her float away from him. Once more, she turned towards his direction and their eyes met. You alone, can make my song take flight, he thought feeling his hurt ball into the pit of his stomach. Balling his fists until he felt his nails claw his skin, he caught his reflection in the mirror. That wretched monster was the one who would die tonight, not him.

Phantom grabbed a candlestick and furiously brought it down upon the glass with a poignant blow. The tears began to flow again but he did not stop vandalizing his own reflection. He had had enough; this was the beginning of the end. The Phantom smashed every mirror in his layer until the pain lessened. Exhausted and covered in perspiration he dropped the candlestick and took one last look at his domain. It was the last time he believed he would ever see it again.