Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own the phantom of the opera...*sigh* if only...
"GrrrrAHHHHH!" He screamed as he fell to his knees burying his face in his hands. No matter how hard he tried, she still managed to worm her way into his mind. Tears formed in his eyes as the memory of her leaving with... with that fop of all people! He growled at the thought of that pompous fool.
He didn't regret letting her go, despite how much it had hurt... how much it still hurt. He knew she could have never returned his love and would have never lasted in his dark world. So, he released his caged swan.
After they had left, in each others arms, he wasted no time in escaping the wrath of the guard and for years he had wondered aimlessly around the world, lost in his own mind. By the time he had returned, his opera house and all the events that had happened, where all but a legend. They had written musicals about him, believing that he was just a myth. And what had become of his love? She had long sense passed.
She had died at the ripe old age of 63, in the arms of her beloved fop. Leaving the phantom all alone to grieve her loss for all of eternity. For that was what he truly was now... a phantom.
He didn't know when he had died exactly, it was all just a blur to him. All he knew was that he could not pass on, to heaven nor hell. Not that his soul could ever gain entrance to heaven but, hell... he would pick hell over this eternity of grief any day... perhaps he was in hell, his own personal hell.
After learning that she was really gone, he had grieved, shutting the thick stone wall, cutting out the above world from his home. In his solitude, he had lost track of the years, lost track of everything beyond the unmovable wall.
When he had finally let go of her loss, somewhat, he began to explore the many caves surrounding his home. To his surprise many of them ran deep, past the city and into the surrounding woods. And it was in these caves that he found his release.
Rising to his feet he continued treading through the labyrinths, forcing his mind to focus on the task at hand. Shaking off his relapse, he continued on, and that was when he heard it... the faintest whisper.
"Phantom of the opera...inside my mind..."
With his keen ears he picked up bits and pieces of what it was singing and took off in its detection. He would normally avoid anyone who happened across his caves. Not worrying about them bringing others, seeing as they would die lost in his caves, but,this time he couldn't help find the source of the voice.
Not only was her voice enchanting in its own accord but, she was singing his music. Music... how he had yearned to hear it once again but lacked the ability to allow it to flow from his body sense she had left him. The voice then began to sing Music of the Night.
"Night-time sharpens,
heightens each sensation
Darkness stirs and wakes imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses ... "
As he rounded the corner, he saw her laying upon a small hill, light cascading upon her form from above.
"Slowly, gently night unfurls its splendor
Grasp it, sense it - tremulous and tender
Turn your face away
from the garish light of day,
turn your thoughts away
from cold, unfeeling light -
and listen to the music of the night ..."
The brightness causing him to turn his head, squinting his eyes a he tried to adjust to the illuminated chamber.
"Close your eyes and surrender to your
darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts of the life
you knew before!
Close your eyes,
let your spirit start to soar!
And you'll live
as you've never lived before ..."
Her black curly hair fanned out around her head in long silky locks. From his vantage point he could not gaze upon her features clearly. So, he slowly crept closer to her.
"Softly, deftly,
music shall surround you ...
Feel it, hear it,
closing in around you ...
Open up your mind,
let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which
you know you cannot fight -
the darkness of the music of the night ..."
He slipped behind a large bolder at the edge of the hill and peered out at her. She had a strong stubborn jaw with a small square chin. Her nose was small and dainty, a delicate feature that almost looked out of place on her strong face. With her eyes still shut, her long lashes grazed the tops of her cheeks. He found his eyes wonder to her full lips as she continued the song. He was entranced...
"Let your mind start a journey
through a strange new world!
Leave all thoughts
of the world you knew before!
Let your soul take you where you
long to be!
Only then can you belong to me ..."
His eyes drank in the rest of her form, not failing to take notice of her curves. He then noticed her strange, very revealing clothes.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin,
let your darker side give in
to the power of the music that I write -
the power of the music of the night ...
You alone can make my song take flight -
help me make the music of the night . . ."
As she finished the song she began to hum a song he didn't recognize. She was dressed in black pants... very tight pants... that formed to her leg and hips like a second skin. Her shirt was practically non existent. It was a pale blue, with thick straps and low cut. He caught himself staring at certain assets and turned away blushing, feeling like a lecher.
Her humming was cut short as loud barking was heard echoing throughout the chamber. The phantom quickly grabbed his Punjab, ready to defend the strange girl from the approaching creature.
"Valen!" she shouted as she rose to her feet. A rather large German Shepherd rounded the corner, wagging his tail at the site of her. He quickly trotted up to her, nudging her hand affectionately. It was then that the dog sniffed the air. Turning his sharp eyes in the phantoms direction, he began to growl.
He quickly receded further into the shadows and out of the detection of the hound. Cursing himself for being close enough for the beast to detect him, he quickly maneuvered himself behind them.
"What's wrong boy? Is there someone there?" she asked while kneeling down to pet and clam her canine friend. "Hello? Whose there?" She called out while the phantom remained silent and still. When no response came and Valen had finally relaxed she let out a sigh, "Come on boy lets go."
The phantom let out the breath he had been holding and slowly started to exit the chamber. As he turned to exit his foot struck a rock causing it to skit across the floor. A loud sound echoed throughout the chamber alerting them to his presence once again. Valen began to growl in his direction once more.
"I know your there! You have one chance to leave my cave or Valen will attack you!" she called out.
He could have left right then but, as soon as she had said her cave and had blatantly threatened him, he couldn't pass on the challenge. The caves were his domain, his home and belonged to him, and him alone. Wanting to set this child straight, he slipped further into the dark cave, easily slipping out of the dogs radar once again.
Once he was far enough, he used his ventriloquist skills to make his voice sound as if it were coming all around her. "You insolent fool! Your caves? My dear you are the one trespassing in my home, my caves." He said in his silky smooth voice. She visibly jumped, turning her head every which way, trying to find the true source of his voice. "It is unwise to be threatening me." He whispered, this time making his voice sound as if it were right by her ear causing her to shudder.
He was shocked to see her stand her ground as she responded, "Your voice tricks won't work on me. I know exactly where you are!" At that, she turned her head in his direction, facing him head on.
He quickly regained his composure as he decided that the only thing left to do was to reveal himself, hoping that the mire site of him would scare her off. Holding on to his Punjab, ready to use it against her dog if need be, he stepped towards her.
The dim light that kept her face in shadow, slowly revealed his silent form. Valen's growling only increased as he approached them causing the girl to grasp on to his harness in fear. As he stood before her, clad in his half opened white button down shirt and black trousers, he noticed her lack of reaction at the sight of him. In fact she was still turning her head around the chamber in search of his voice... could it be that she was blind?