Note: I got this idea from a movie called "Waking the Dead." It is a very beautiful movie, but if you see it, I recommend no one under 17. As for mine...I recommend no one under 15. Anyway, if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. If you have seen it, you'll notice that most of the scenes & some of the phrases are straight from the movie except for some changes I made for dramatic effect or for the time difference. However it is very very depressing, it's kind of creepy & well....so is mine. This may get confusing because I go from 1898 to 1889 a lot, but I found that's the only way it can really work out.



England, 1889

Erik sat looking at the newspaper, his shoulders shaking harshly & tears running down his face. He looked down at the newspaper, covering his face in his hands. At the top of the newspaper, it read:

"Activist/singer Christine Daae dies in fire explosion accident."

"No, no, no," he whispered, rocking back and forth. He looked back down at the newspaper, knowing that it was the truth. He put each of his hands on each side of his head & looked down at the table.

Eight years ago...

Christine had gone with the Viscount de Chagny & Erik was left underneath the opera house alone. However, it didn't last very long.

A year after the "Finale"...

Erik sat at the bench of the organ looking blankly at the score of a recently published opera called "Cavalleria Rusticana". After a few minutes there came a small, but distinguishable knock near him. He turned to see Christine leaning in the doorway. He swallowed & rose to his feet slowly. She looked at him, moving to stand next to him. His eyebrows raised under his mask in surprise and confusion. He shook his head, knowing that he was seeing things. He looked up & saw that she was still standing there.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm here for you," she replied. He looked at hre & felt tears rising behind his eyes. She walked over to him so that she was nearly touching him. She lifted her hand up to take his mask off. Erik let the tears run down his face & he closed his eyes, turning his head down towards the ground. His eyes shot open when he felt her lips on his marked cheek. He closed his eyes slowly & savored her lips on his cheek.

"I'm here to stay, Erik," she whispered in his ear. He pulled away from her & turned away. Then he felt her hand on his shoulder & he was turned around by.

"What about your Viscount?" he asked her, not bothering to hide the bitterness in his voice.

"What about him?" she asked.

"What do you think?" he snapped. "You left with him. You love him."

She sighed & looked at him, replying," Erik, you told me to leave with Raoul. I love him, that's true... I love him like a friend, though. In a way, I haven't seen Raoul in a year."

Erik's anger toned down. "I forced you to leave", Erik whispered to himself. She nodded as a reply. Erik had told her to leave. She was right, but she hadn't wanted to stay. Had she?

"Erik," she started slowly."I didn't want to leave. I thought maybe you knew that."

"I didn't." Erik thought back a year ago. Christine had kissed him. She had only done it to convince him to let Raoul go. Well, apparently she hadn't. She walked around him to come face to face with him. He suddenly remembered that he wasn't wearing his mask. His hands went up to cover his face & he turned away. She walked around him & grabbed his hands, pulling them away gently. She put a hand on both sides of his face & kissed each of his cheeks. His eyes widened slightly & he looked at her in shock.

He worked up all of his courage & reached up and touched her cheek. "I love you, Christine," he whispered.

She nuzzled into between his shoulder & his cheek. "I love you too, Erik," she whispered in his ear. She pulled away and leaned in & kissed him on his lips.

London, 1898

Erik looked out the window at the snow that was falling from the sky. His reflection looked back at him, void of all emotions.

"Erik, this is your only chance," came his friend's voice. He still looked out the window. If you had seen him, you would have thought him a statue. The only thing separating him from this was his steady breathing & the occasional blinking of his eyes. His arms were crossed across his chest & his lower lip stuck out slightly as he thought.

"Erik, do you hear me?"

"Yes, I hear you," he snapped, while turning to face his friend. He turned his attention back to the snow & seemed to lose himself in thought.

"This maybe the only chance you'll get to have your work published," Nadir said, standing up. He went to stand next to Erik, putting his hand on his shoulder. He didn't turn or answer him.

"What's wrong, Erik?" he asked, his voice showing concern.

"I'm thinking," Erik replied, putting his hands on either side of the window sill. "I don't have much of a choice now do I?" he asked sarcastically.

He turned away, grabbing his cloak & walking towards the door. Nadir stopped him, grabbing his arm. "So, do you want me to do it?"

Erik nodded & said, "I shall see you later. " Nadir nodded & bowed.

Walking back to his flat slowly, wanting to enjoy the snow, coldness and the darkness. The lamplighter had since long been and gone. He looked up slowly at the sky then stopped & looked around him, sensing someone near him. Suddenly all of the street lamps burned out. Erik's lips pursed together and he smirked, knowingly. He had been through your general robbery many times & was ready for another one.

"Erik..." whispered a female voice. He spun around looking for the voice.

"Erik...I love you...You are my lover, Erik...I need you....you have to love me too," the whispering all at once, but he recognized every single phrase. As soon as it started it stopped and all of the street lamps had been lit again. Erik looked around & found himself alone. He stopped & looked up at the sky for an answer. After a few moments of receiving no answer, he started on his way again, convincing himself that he was losing his mind.

Paris, 1882

"I don't see any reason to get married so soon," Christine said, as she & Erik walked around the dark streets of Paris. They had been engaged for quite sometime, but Christine seemed insistent on keeping the wedding away for a while.

"Why wait?" Erik asked. As they argued a dark clad figure approached them.

"Spare some money for the baby," the figure pleaded.

Christine reached for her purse, pulled out a few franc notes and handed it to the women who was holding a crying baby. She elbowed Erik in the ribs and had him give the women money too. After being profusely thanked by the women, they made their way back underground.

"Erik, next time, please don't make me have to elbow you," Christine stated.

"What?" he asked, looking at her confused.

"She had a baby," she said, getting into the boat.

"I know", Erik whispered, feeling guilty. "Why did you do it, Christine?" Erik asked after they made their way across the lake and started into the house.

"Erik, how do you know that wasn't God?" she asked.

He smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

"Christine, you are far too good." He paused before saying, "I'm sorry that I have to go to London, but I have to go. It's important though. Nadir needs my help right now."

She nodded, kissed him on the lips & started to walk to her room. He turned to go to his room, when Christine popped her head out of the door.

"Are you coming or not?"she asked. Erik turned around, obviously shaken by her question. She made her way over to his side & smiled at him. She reached up * kissed him on the lips.

"Are you coming or not?" she repeated. She grabbed his hand & lead him to her room. Inside, she grabbed his cheeks & kissed his lips.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Christine put her fingers up to his lips.

"Shhh...Erik, I love you."

Erik woke up, looking at Christine's sleeping face. He leaned over & kissed her shoulder blade, smiling. She turned over & looked at him. Erik propped himself up on his elbows and put both hands on her shoulders. He then put his left hand to caress her hair & cheeks. He leaned in & kissed her lips. She smiled and curled up in his arms, like a content cat.

"Oh God. I don't want you to leave,"she whispered.

"I know, but I have to," Erik whispered. Christine sighed as he sat up and started to get dressed. She wrapped the silk blanket around her, not bothering to get up. He looked over at her then walked over & put both of his hands on either side of her, boxing her in. She touched his arms & sighed.

"Be careful. I don't want you getting ill either,"she said. He kissed her on the forehead & leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'll be careful. I promise," he whispered.

London, 1898



Erik shot up & looked around the room, his temple dripping with sweat.

"Erik..." the wind whispered.

He shot up & looked out the window.

"I'm going insane," he muttered.