So, here's another chapter... For my one fan... Evening Starbossa... Ahem... Anywho, I hope you like it! I... Have nothing else to say... Other than I am still writing "Back to the Beginning", I just need to think about a couple of things... For the next chapter, anyway. I have everything else planned. Just stay tuned, alright? It should come... eventually. Enjoy this next chapter!

The Foul Taste of Murder: Chapter Two

Christine sat motionless at her dressing room vanity, staring at the rose He had given her after her first performance. The flower had been managing to cling to life when He was alive, but now that He was not, the flower seemed lifeless, almost completely dead and wilted. Stroking the last life filled petal, Christine thought about all that had just happened.

Although she had been there when he had been shot, she could not believe he was really dead. He was a master of deception, a great one, indeed. Surely that must have been fake. He must be sitting at his organ right now, writing another masterpiece. But the more Christine thought of this, the more she knew it was false.

A knock sounded at the door, but Christine did not stir. Receiving no answer, Raoul cautiously opened the door and entered, thinking it best to stay in the doorway until she told him otherwise.

When Christine did not say, nor do, anything, Raoul took the opportunity to speak, "Christine, we had planned this out! You knew what was coming! Besides, you agreed to it."

Christine, with tears in her eyes, looked up at Raoul's face.

"I only agreed because I thought he would have something planned and would escape! Raoul, I-I..." Christine had no words to express the anger at herself and her fiance, the complete and overwhelming feeling of loss, and the desolation she felt. She just wanted to burst with all of the emotion that was bottled up inside.

"You would have been no happier if he had kidnapped you!" Raoul pointed out.

"How would you know?" Christine asked, anger straining her voice. He had no right to speak for her. "You are not me, Raoul! Maybe I've decided I would have been happier with him! Maybe I don't want your love anymore..."

Raoul was offended. Why on Earth is she treating me like this? He thought.

"You don't want my love anymore?" His voice rising like a firecracker on New Year's eve, "What of the rooftop? I assume that was just a fairy tale? Nothing but a child's bedtime story? Christine, what has happened to you?"

"Nothing!" She stood up, her voice rising as well, "My mentor and almost second father was just killed by your hand!"

"Your's as well! You agreed to my plan and sang, distracting him long enough for the Police to shoot him. Besides! He was a VILLAIN, Christine! He has killed before! Remember Buquet? Do not tell me that you believe that was an accident, as well!"

"No, I do not! But he could have changed! I know it with all of my heart... People change, Raoul! With a little time, he could have been somebody completely different!"

Raoul laughed at this, causing Christine's eyebrows to furrow with fury.

"With time, my love, he could have killed us all and kept you for his wife! Trust me, Christine. His life was useless and it needed to end."

With this, Christine could no longer hold in the anger. She pulled her arm back and struck Raoul across the face, as hard as she possibly could.

"GET OUT, RAOUL DE CHAGNY! I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU! GET OUT!" Christine kicked at him and shoved him out of the door.

"Christine, what are you doing?" Raoul was completely awestricken.

"Getting rid of the worst mistake of my life." Christine said, sobs choking her. She slammed the door in Raoul's face and leaned against it, burying her face in her hands. Slowly, she slid to the ground and curled up into a ball, not even realizing she had done so until all of the tears had dried. She stared at the floor, a straggling tear still slowly gliding down her beautiful face, and tried to imagine what her life could have been like had she chosen to marry the Phantom of the Opera. And without realizing it, Christine had fallen asleep, the images she had imagined now swirling and twisting together to create a story.

She saw a small house next to the sea. It was fair enough in size, perfect for a small family, and was painted red. The front door was made of Pine and the window frames, as well. Suddenly, the door opened and a woman emerged with a small baby girl in her arms. Christine suddenly realized it was herself. She watched as her dream self looked back into the house and held out a hand. A three year-old boy emerged, as well, and took hold of his mother's hand. Christine preceded to watch as her character in the dream looked up to the small road, obviously searching for something. Then, with a smile on the character's face, she found it. Christine turned to see what her older self was looking at and found that she was looking at a man on his horse, riding down to the house. The dream Christine, as well as the boy, waved excitedly, almost jumping up and down for joy. The man slowed the horse down and dismounted, quickly running to his obvious wife and children. Christine watched as he embraced his wife and son. Then, he turned around and stared Christine, the real one, straight in the eye. Christine inhaled quickly and realized it was her Angel of Music. She continued to watch and found that her dream self and children found her gaze as well. They all stared at her, suddenly sad.

Then, He spoke, muttering the last words Christine ever heard him speak, "Why? I loved you... And you betrayed me!"

Now, He spoke words that equally would haunt Christine for eternity, "You could have had all of this! Yet you betrayed me... And I will eternally walk a lonely man."