A/N: So, the reason for this story actually lies in my background. I studied (and still do, I guess), history. I'm always reading up on various periods of history. I use Gerik ("the Gerry Phantom"), as my chosen phantom to write about. Hollywood is notorious for either bungling up history, or skipping over it completely. If they pay attention to history, it's to make elaborate (and admittedly gorgeous) period costumes. The Schumacher movie takes place in 1870 - the same year as the Franco-Prussian War. Look it up on Wiki for more info. But here's a fun fact: the end result of that war was the birth of Germany. Beforehand it was a loose confederation of about 39 smaller states. I've always wanted to write the Franco-Prussian War into a Phantom phic, and now here's my chance. =)
Disclaimer: The Phantom I use in my stories is the Phantom of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with Joel Schumacher's re-interpretation (otherwise known as the "Gerry Phantom."). Not a single thing in this story is owned by me.
Chapter 1: Erik: Pensive
August 1870
Erik couldn't believe his luck.
Not five months ago, he was a fugitive wanted for murder. He was wandering the sewers of Paris because he was homeless at his own hands, getting sicker by the day, and seriously contemplating on eating rats. Now however, he was healthy, reasonably well disguised, and more importantly, on a train that would take him far, far away from Paris.
The one he had to thank for this stroke of luck was Antoinette Giry. She had found Erik in the sewers of Paris two days after the infamous fire. Despite her palpable anger, Antoinette took him into a temporary abode she was living in with Meg, and they both nursed him back to health. Antoinette helped him recover some of his finances, obtain a new black mask, and then she sent him on the train to Marseilles.
"Your foolish actions have left Meg and I homeless. I can get you out of the city. But with this war, there is nothing else I can do to help you. I may be able to meet you in Marseilles, but do not count on anything, understand?"
He still remembered Antoinette's weary, yet steely gaze and her sharp voice when she said those words to him. Her words didn't hurt him as much as he thought they might; Christine had made him numb. But the war...
Erik stifled a laugh. He knew that the city gendarmes probably didn't care if he stayed in the city because of the war. But it was stupid to take any chances. The irony didn't escape him. In fact, it made him pensive. If I joined the army, would my sins be absolved? he wondered. If killing is monstrous, he thought, then the army is full of devils and monsters...like me.
It was definitely something to think on. Any thought that made him forget Christine, however temporarily, was an acceptable one.
A/N: Like the summary said, these are failed attempts at drabbles. A drabble is technically a piece that's 100 words. The word count for this chapter is at about 299. Small additions would push it up to under 310, I think. XDD I posted it the way it was because I liked it, and I hope someone else does as well. This is also not beta'ed for the same reasons as before: I wanted to get it out to establish a feeling of accomplishment. If you like, then review!