Author's Note: This is based off Susan Kay's novel 'Phantom' which centers around Erik's life before and up to the events of the original novel with some elements of the Broadway musical thrown in. There is no connection to the movie, I'm a purist, so I stick to the musical with Michael Crawford, the original novel by Gaston Leroux, and Susan Kay's work. We all have our own versions of Erik, so do not tell me he's out of character. He is as I write him, as I see him. You are entitled to your opinion as to how he should be, but please do not tell me your views on him. I'm not interested. Bear in mind, Erik and the Phantom are two very different entities, the Phantom is the façade of strength he presents to the world to hide his vulnerabilities. Inside, he is not pure strength, he is fragile and can be easily hurt or broken. Christine's departure shattered his heart and left him broken and alone, lost in despair and hopelessness. Only on the surface is he like coffee, strong and dark, inside, hidden from others, he's got some cream and sugar in him. Those who insist he is strong and not weak, would cry or sink into self-pity are as bad as Christine: seeing only what's on the surface and not looking within. Erik is a tortured soul, full of hurt and sorrow, easily confused and moved to tears by simple kindnesses everyone else takes for granted.