A/N: A few notes about this story. It is based off of the stage adaptation that was performed at the Royal Albert Hall. It's my favorite production of the musical for numerous reasons. I'm basically focusing on Christine's past and moving on from there. I've taken liberties and changed what we all know from the book. The only information any of you need is from the musical. However, some of you may recognize certain elements from Gaston Leroux's Phantom even if they may be warped a bit.

A/N 2: This story is rated M for a reason. Please do not read if you cannot handle such things. Christine's past is not a happy one, some terrible unfortunate things occur. However, I will try to limit the graphic scenes. Only when necessary will I write them. All right, "far too many notes for my taste." Let us get on with the story.

Before There Was Light…

Prologue

There was darkness.

The year was 1876.

The large, muscular man had hold of her neck firmly. Such force was needed to handle the miscreant. After the girl's countless attempts to escape, constant supervision of the girl was put into effect. The Orphanage of France was very strict when it came to discipline. They simply would not put up with such foolishness.

The young girl squirmed in the man's grasp as he forced her up the stone steps. She stumbled over her feet and the steps as the force from behind kept pushing. His grip tightened, if that was possible, and her neck felt close to breaking.

"Don't make me go… Oh, God, please! I want my father!"

"Your father is dead, mademoiselle. Eaten by maggots! " He let out a cruel chuckle from his swollen, fish-like lips, "Now, move!"

"No! He is not being devoured by maggots! He is in heaven… and he has sent me the Angel of Music!" She desperately tried to break free once more, "I have to be at his grave when he arrives!"

"Shut it, girl, or there will be trouble. Now, behave! You have to be presentable for this loving family or you will be back at that horrid orphanage and locked in the closet with no attention…again!"

She composed herself instantly at the threat. Last time she was locked in the closet she was there for six days… no food…no water… no light…

"There is a good girl," the giant of a man said soothingly as he took his grip off the girl and smoothed down her messy locks. He put one hand tightly on her shoulder and with the other he knocked heavily on the wooden door.

He tightened his clutch on the girl ever so slightly when she made a sudden twitch. He looked to the girl's face and grinned. His pointed mustache stretched in a fanatical manner as he smiled. She was scared, with wide eyes and her skin lacking in color.

Poor girl… oh, well.

The door before them swung open violently. Screechy shouts from inside could be heard as they bounced off walls and reached the ears of the terrified girl and her guard. A short, plump woman stood in the door way with a dingy dress and a rag covering her head. The girl would always remember her for her permanently contorted face, as if she was constantly displeased with the stench in the air. At this moment, the girl was that stench.

"Is this it, then?" the woman spoke to the man but glared at the skinny girl before her.

"Indeed, madam. She isn't much but we have taught her well to behave," the man told the woman proudly.

"How old are you, girl?" the woman directed her next question to the girl.

The young girl stared at the woman, speechless. Her mind was elsewhere… on her angel. And she was afraid that she would miss him. She was afraid of this woman and rightly so. The woman was irritated with the girl's silence, "Well?"

"Uh… yes?" the girl said with wide, green eyes. She forgot the question asked of her and chose the next best possible answer. Hopefully she was correct.

She wasn't.

"Are you hard of hearing, girl? What is your age?"

"Oh, madam, forgive me. I am fifteen years."

The woman grunted, "I suppose you'll do, won't you?" the tubby woman spoke exasperatedly, "Get inside, you worthless girl. Bonjour, monsieur."

Madame Valérius slammed the door shut and Christine Daaé was thrust into a world full of poverty and despair, of riches and redemption, and of love and loss.

A/N: Does this plot seem likes it's worth continuing? I hope you enjoyed. I should post chapter one within the next week. Thank you for reading.