Beneath a Moonless Sky

by Katniss Alicia

The long ten years between the end of The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies has always been left a mystery to us. From the moment Christine decided to row away with Raoul, to that fateful day on the bridge at Phantasma. The plot ends up the way the classic conclusion to the epic story of the Angel of Music and his soprano.

1. Chapter 1

As I placed the ring in his hand, I saw his heart break before my eyes. There is nothing worse than seeing such a powerful man crumble in the blink of an eye. Of course, now I can say I broke the heart of the great Phantom of the Opera. But I never will. I owe him too much to betray my Angel like that.

Turning my back, I slowly put one foot in front of the other, unaware of anything except the freezing ground under my bare feet and the faint rustle of silk as my dress brushed against the stairs. Raoul extended his hand to me, like the gentleman he's always been, and helped me into the small boat that had first brought me into the realm of the Angel of Music. The paddle slowly sifted through the smooth but murky water, pulling me farther and farther away from Erik. I was hardly aware of my shaking hand gripping Raoul's shoulder, and fought back the bitterness growing inside of me. My eyelids drowsily closed, just for a moment, and I commanded myself to get ahold of reality. Opening them, I saw the cobweb covered hall that had once been magical and full of light. I assume the magic has left me now.