The Phantom After the Opera

Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera… I wouldn't mind the Phantom himself but no I don't own him unfortunately either. Ah well I will just borrow him for this story then I can give him back I suppose.

A/N: This should be interesting. Haven't you ever wanted to know what happened to the Phantom? This story is turning out a little different then I imagined but everything is falling into place neatly. As I said before, this should be interesting.

Dedication: To my dearest friend, Samantha. I love you ever so much and much credit goes to her because she is editing this story for me. THANK YOU SAM I LOVEITH YOU!

Chapter 1

A Walk in the Woods

By: Kristen K.

Erik walked through the broken mirror, down the corridor leading out of the opera house. He had left his life in that cave. He left Christine with Raoul; Christine, the love of his life, and she left him with nothing but a kiss. The kiss. The first kiss was only to save Raoul, but the second was for him, telling him that in her heart somewhere she loved him. Either way, that kiss was his first real kiss, and it was just for him. Forever he will remember her. He turned his poor disfigured face from the woods to look one last time at his opera house, and a small tear ran down his devils cheek. He then headed into the forest to start again somewhere.

A few days went by, and the story died down of the Phantom, and the opera house wasn't completely burnt down. Erik could return to his home, but the question was, did he want to?

On a not so happy day he walked the forest. He had covered his face with cloth from his shirt. He thought he was walking in circles until he heard someone humming. It was the melody of Don Juan Triumphant. His opera! He walked closer and heard the words begin to be sung.

I have come here,

Hardly knowing the reason why.

In my mind I've already imagined

Our bodies entwining…

It was a woman. She sang beautifully, but it was Christine's song. But what if…?

Christine!

He ran now into the open where there was a small lake that had a waterfall flowing to it. He looked around to see where the voice came from but the singing had stopped. Where is she? His eyes skimmed the still water when suddenly the figure of a woman burst out of the water. She stood up, the water only reaching her waist. Erik quickly ducked behind a tree. He couldn't tell who she was. What if she was Christine? What am I to say? Say nothing, observe, that is what I always do.He peered around the tree. The woman was backstroking now, around the lake. Erik looked away again. Breathe. The girl was bathing, so of course she was naked. Why was she out here? Suddenly she sang again.

Past the point of no return

No backward glances,

Our games of make believe are at an end.

Past all thought of "if" or "when"…

"Oh why can't I remember these words?" She said angrily.

My song! Perhaps it won't be any harm to…Erik began to sing.

Abandon thought and let the dream descend.

The woman sprung up with her head sticking out of the water.

"Who's there?" She asked, but there was no answer, "I'll scream! Then the police will come. You'll be sorry!" she yelled still nothing. The girl swam up to the shore, but kept her body underwater as best she could. "I know you are still there. I'm giving you one last chance to show yourself before I scream."

Erik held his breath. If it is Christine…I'll…I'll just…but his thoughts were interrupted by splashing sounds and the girl speaking.

"I must have imagined it… but it sounded so real." She got out of the water and walked past the tree Erik was behind. He hadn't realized that her clothes were so close to him, no more than five feet away. She stopped in her tracks right next to him. Her breathing got slower and quiet. Suddenly she turned to where Erik was standing, but saw nothing was there. Being a bit flustered and scared she dressed very quickly. As soon as she felt she had everything she ran back into town.

Erik had walked away. He was so much more nervous than he thought he would be if he ever saw Christine again. But, he still hadn't seen who she really was. He went back though, incase she was there for he now had the courage to face her. When he arrived she was gone, but he noticed something shiny on the ground. He picked it up and looked at it lovingly. It was a necklace with a silver cross on it. Erik Smiled, a smile he thought was lost forever.

"I think it's time we brought the Phantom back to life!" He whispered and started in the direction of the opera house.

His opera house.

A/N: I know it's a little strange at first but it does get very interesting from now until the end. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I know there are so many people out there who will slam this story. Please I do appreciate constructive criticism but not slandering. Thank you and remember RR!