Ch.1 – Nightmares

A/N: This whole chapter is a dream sequence. Oh, and I don't own the Phantom of the Opera. However, any additional characters are my property.

"Erik! Erik! Why won't you show me what's behind that mask!" A woman with golden hair and bright blue eyes yelled. "What? You don't think I can handle it? We've both seen things too gruesome to even speak of and you think I won't be able to stand whatever you look like under there?" The woman was fuming at the man standing in front of her. Erik glared through pained eyes.

"Yes, no one has ever been able to stand my face and no one ever will. I refuse to reveal myself so you can scream and cry and run like everyone else!"

He slowly turned away , when he felt arms wrap around his waist. "Clarissa…please…" He begged softly…she just wouldn't let his mask situation go. Clarissa buried her face in his back, and sighed when Erik placed his hands over hers. "Erik…just trust me."

The masked man knew he had a decision to make. And for once in his life, Erik chose to take a chance. Erik turned to face the woman he loved. "Alright, Clary." She smiled at the use of her nickname.

Shaking, Erik raised his hand to his mask, and paused.

"Clarissa…Are you ready…"

Her whole face was lit up in a beautiful smile. She looked so sure of herself…so calm.

Clary nodded at Erik. "Take it off, Erik."

He swallowed, and slowly pulled the white half mask from the right side of his face. Then things just fell apart.

It was like it was happening in slow motion.

As soon as the mask was gone, Clary's smile fell from her face. She flinched when she saw the mangled flesh. Her eyes widened in fear and shock. Clary backed away from Erik, silent tears falling from her eyes.

The fear and revulsion was oh so clear on her face, in her eyes, in her actions…Erik's heart dropped and he felt it shatter. The hope he had vanished in an instant, and a cold feeling spread inside him.

Tears began to form in his emerald gaze. Erik took a step toward Clary, but she began to shake uncontrollably. Incoherent sobs were coming from her mouth.

"Clary, p-please, It's still me…" Erik pleaded, but it made no difference."

"NO!" Clarissa shrieked as he reached out for her. "D-Don't touch me, you Monster! Get away from me!"

The woman jumped away from Erik's reach. Her blue eyes glanced at his face once more, a shudder passing through her body. Erik's heart was being pummeled to pieces. "This can't be happening!" His mind screamed. Once again he tried to get closer to her. "Clarissa…"

Suddenly her eyes became ice cold, the hatred mixing in with the fear. "Don't…Don't you ever say my name, you demon." Her voice dripped with loathing, stabbing right through him. "I can't believe I ever let you touch me…that I was in love with you!" A look of extreme disgust registered on her once kind face. With that, Clarissa spat at Erik and whirled out the room.

The masked man was left all alone, his hand still outstretched to a woman that would never come back…