This is my first phantom fanfic. Based on the new movie and slightly Susan Key

Chapter I

She watched with horror as they beat and tormented him, pushing him to the floor. One of them laughed as they shattered his mask into thousands of little pieces. Raoul held her as they watched from the shadows, hiding from them. She hid her face in his chest, longing to see no more. Her angel now lay limp and lifeless on the ground; face down.

"You ain't so terrifying now, are you?" one of the men snickered, pulling the phantom's head up by a hunk of hair. His nose was broken and blood ran from his mouth down his chin. He made no movement or sound as they continued torturing him. The police officers stood by, allowing them their fun. Christine cried softly as her old teacher gasped when one of the men's boots made impact with his abdomen.

"We have to help him, Raoul." She whispered, looking up at him. He was quiet as he thought.

"There is nothing we can do, Christine." He answered, finally looking down at her. She shook her head; there had to be something. They couldn't allow this. Finally, the police officers stopped the beating and took over. They handcuffed him and forced him to his feet. He winced and cried out as they forced him to walk. It seemed as if his leg was fractured or even broken.

"We'll have to leave him, until we can get help to carry him out." One of the officers explained, walking him over to a chair. They tied him down tightly and a couple of men spat in his face.

"Ugly bastard, aren't you? You should have never been allowed to live." One of them proclaimed. He bowed his head, but made no reply. They left, leaving no guard or anything.

Christine pulled away from Raoul, and ran to him. She lifted his chin and stared into his eyes.

"I told you to go, Christine." He moaned, lowering his eyes. She shook her head and kissed him on the forehead.

"I couldn't leave you alone against all those horrible men." She whispered, stroking his hair gently. She ripped a piece of her dress off, hurried to the water's edge and soaked it. She then washed the blood and dirt off of his face; he winced as she touched the cuts and bruises.

" Shh, Erik." She said, caressing his cheek. Raoul stepped forward, but didn't speak. Erik looked up at him and smirked wickedly.

"Come to laugh and spit in my face, as well, Vicomte." He sneered, laughing harshly. Raoul shook his head.

"No, Erik. I think you've had enough of that" He answered, stopping. The Phantom rolled his eyes and tried to take a deep breath; he winced and tensed against the ropes.

"We have to get you out of these." She muttered, trying to untie the knots. Raoul didn't move to help her. Erik just stared down at her, confusion and grief in his eyes.

"Please, Christine. Just go, please." He begged, taking her hand. She started to cry again, but she wiped the tears away.

"No, I'm not going to leave you here. They'll kill you soon, and you don't deserve it." She sobbed, hugging him around the neck.

"Then tell me, Christine. What do I deserve?" he asked, looking into her eyes.

"Not this." She replied, returning to the ropes. She turned to look at Raoul, who still just stood there.

"Raoul, help me, please." She pleaded, tears still streaming down on her cheeks. He bowed his head and shuffled his feet. He wasn't sure if he should help or not. The Phantom had dug his hole, he should left to wallow in it. But he couldn't do that to Christine. He took out his knife and walked toward them

"What are you doing, Raoul?" she asked, fearful.

"So you're going to finish me off, then?" Erik snapped, gripping the arm rests tightly. Raoul didn't say a word as he cut the ropes and they fell around the Phantom's feet.