From the author: This is my first fan-fiction in a long time. I have had a deep passion for The Phantom of the Opera since I was 8 years old and first saw it performed at the Fox in Atlanta.
At any rate, necessary precautions must be adhered to. I do not own any of these characters. Of course, this is all just for fun. Rights go to Monsieur Gaston Leroux above all, and secondly, Mr. Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Please do enjoy.
The characters in this story are based on my interpretation of a culmination of each Leroux, Webber and Kay's portrayal.
We must also remember not to judge Erik too harshly. It cannot be said what lengths any one of us would go to for love.
I appreciate reviews but they are, of course, at your own discretion.
Whether constructive or critical, I accept all with an open mind and will consider any changes to details I have overlooked.
Yours, dutifully.
A.
Chapter One
"They can't find you now."
She stared at him silently, her chin trembling, her eyes spent of tears. He watched her with something close to remorse in his eyes, and then turned suddenly and left the room, closing the door with a snap. She threw herself face down across the bed and moaned into the sheets. She feared she would never see the light of day again, that he would keep her here until she died of grief. She never believed Raoul could fail. And though she could not bear to admit it, she had never believed that her Angel would take her against her will. Despite proof of his rage, the terror he wrought, she had held fast to the conviction that his love for her would, in the end, triumph over his selfish desires.
But she was wrong. Raoul was lost, perhaps forever, in the catacombs of Erik's lair. Though she knew he would never give up until he found her, she knew nothing of the deadly traps that had been implemented to dispose of intruders. She could only hope he would be wise and return to the surface while he still had time, perhaps alert the police, form a more able search party. She could still hear the chants above them of a violent mob who had no hope of locating her in this labyrinth.
She wept dryly, bitterly. This had once been her most secret and dearest dream, but now it was a living nightmare she could never escape. The man she used to love so desperately was now only her jailer and she felt that she would rather die this moment than be trapped here with him.
Through her miserable conscious, a haunting sound found her and wrapped around her slowly like a tender embrace. She rose slowly from her bed, walking to the door and pressing her cheek against it. His score filled her, its mournful regret, its beautiful sadness. She fought the urge to run to him, the manipulation he had so often cast over her before. Stepping back, she caught her bottom lip between her teeth to stop its trembling and pressed a shaking hand over her broken heart. The music made her eyes heavy and she slowly sat herself back down on the plush comforter of the bed he had provided for her. For tonight, she knew she must accept this as home. Until she was rescued, her life was here, with no hope of escape. Her body was exhausted and he had seen to it that she would be safe from the horrors of the world, if not from the horrors of his world. As he played, she fell deeper into the lulling sense of security this chamber provided. She knew that tonight all she could do was sleep, and somehow, despite her racing brain and pounding heart, she slipped into a world of soft, undisturbed dreams.
This is more of an introduction. I just want to establish Christine's point of view. This excerpt, of course, takes place after their final trip together into Erik's lair. It is assuming that Raoul did not find them, that Erik successfully evaded capture.
A much longer chapter follows soon.
