This is the translation of my (originally German) story 'Entscheidung'.
Disclaimer: I own neither Death nor the Phantom of the Opera
Choice
Two pairs of eyes were resting expectingly on Christine. Raoul, whom the Phantom's rope bound to the gate, was willing to die for her, to ensure her freedom. Erik on the other hand, wanted her to stay with him and was ready to do anything to reach his goal.
"Make your choice!"
Erik words echoed through Christines head as the three of them stood unmoving in the Phantom's lair and silently looked at each other. (Well, in Raoul's case that would be 'hanging' rather than 'standing'…)
„IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE OF YOU, IF YOU WOULD MAKE YOUR CHOICE NOW." a voice suddenlty could be heard.
"Hu?"
Christine looked about her with a questioning expression on her face and saw a tall figure with a scythe in its hand. The stranger was clad in a long, hooded black robe. The only thing visible was the bony hand that held the scythe, and two glowing blue dots in the darkness of his hood.
"I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY, YOU KNOW" Death added.
"Hu?" Christine asked again.
"I AM RATHER BUSY. NOW, IF YOU WOULD BE SO NICE AS TO HURY UP A BIT?"
"But…"
"I DON'T REALLY CARE WHO DIES HERE TODAY, BUT I DO HAVE OTHER APPOINTMENTS AS WELL."
"Dies?" Christine squeaked.
"YES, OF COURSE. WHAT ELSE DID YOU THINK I WAS HERE FOR?"
„Oh."
Christine was silent for a while and then she asked:
"The you are… Death?"
Death nodded, ignoring Erik's exasperated sigh.
"But… I don't want anybody to die!" Christine cried with a shrill voice.
"I AM SORRY. I AM ONLY DOING MY JOB."
"Christine! I will gladly die to ensure your happiness!" Raoul called to her.
"THAT IS FOR THE LADY TO DECIDE."
"What? Me?" Christine asked surprised
"YES. I DID SAY SO BEFORE."
Erik, who had watched the whole episode, shook his head and removed Raoul's bonds. The vicomte immediately fell on his face, because he had tripped over his own feet. Annoyed, Erik grabbed him by the collar and drew him up again. Then he gave him a little shove into the direction of Christine.
"Go! You really are made for each other!" – ‚You really only have your heads to prevent it from raining into your throats!', he added silently.
"Raoul!" Christine squeaked happily.
She enthusiastically threw herself into Raouls arms and accidentially stepped on his foot.
"Au!" Raoul screamed and tumbled backwards, pulling Christine with him. With a loud splash they both fell into the lake.
The Phantom and Death stared at the dark surface of the lake for a while.
"DO YOU KNOW IF THEY CAN SWIM?" Death asked then.
"I have no idea." Erik watched the place where Raoul and Christine had disappeared. "It doesn't look like it."
"THEN I WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP TO MY SCHEDULE AFTER ALL."
Death nodded towards Erik.
"GOOD-BYE."
The Phantom raised his hand towards Death and went to his organ, where he sat down and contentedly started to play.
---
Christine and Raoul stood besides Death and looked around wide-eyed.
"What just happened?" Christine asked clueless.
"YOU HAVE DIED. IF YOU'D FOLLOW ME NOW, PLEASE."
"Died?" Christine squeaked frightened.
"But… that can't be… something's wrong here!" Raoul protested.
"I AM SORRY. YOU ARE DEAD. THIS IS FINAL."
"But… what will happen now?" Christine asked.
"THAT DEPENDS."
"On what?" asked Raoul.
"ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE WILL HAPPEN NEXT."
