Masquerade Ball

I do not own Phantom of the opera

Christine stood by her mirror all day, trying to get the ring off of her finger. Meg walked up behind her and looked at the ring.

''Christine, what's wrong?''

''Meg, it won't come off.''

''Well, it's a very nice ring. You're lucky that Richard gave it to you.''

Christine grabbed a small towel and walked over to her bed.

''Richard didn't five me the ring.'' she said uneasily. She sat down on the bed and wiped the water from the basin off of her finger. She sighed and gave up

''Well, I can't get the ring off and I got a horrible review.''

''Haven't you heard? He's dead!''

Christine looked up at her with fear in her eyes. She stood up and walked across the room.

''I have to get out of here, Meg.''

''Well, there's the masked ball tonight. You can go and forget your troubles.''

''You're right. Are you going to go?''

''Yes, I even found a nice costume.''

Later, they got into their costumes and headed to the ball. There were hundreds of people there. Christine was dressed in a fluffy, white costume that resembled a ballerina's and a dark blue blue mask that covered the upper half of her face. Then, she had a mask attached to a stick that resembled a doll's face, somewhat. It had red lips and rosy, red cheeks and eyelashes. Then, she had on lacy, white glovelettes. Meg was wearing a white and gold striped gown with a golden mask that had black and gold ribbons hanging off of the sides. They headed inside and Christine started to walk towards the staircase.

''Christine, where are you going?''

''I'll see you later. I have to go meet someone!''

Christine walked over to the staircase and waited for Erik to come. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned around. It was a figure draped completely in red. He wore a death's head as a mask. He took her hand and kissed it.

''Erik? Is it you?''

''Yes, my darling.''

Even though she was afraid of him, his voice soothed her. He led over to where people were dancing and put his arm around her waist. They started to dance and Christine felt herself drift along with the music. He twirled her around and she felt herself almost in a trance. After a while, Erik told her that she could speak to her friends one last time, except for Richard. Christine walked away from him and tried to find Meg. She finally found her talking to a group of people.

''Meg.'' Christine said, sounding alittle frightened. Meg walked over and Christine looked around quickly before talking to her.

''Meg, do you know if Richard is here?''

''Yes, he's over there.'' Meg pointed over to a group of people. ''Are you alright? You look pale.''

''I'm-I'm fine. I'll be back in a few minutes.''

Christine hurried away from Meg and ran over to the group of people.

''Christine?''

She looked next to her and saw Richard. She embraced him and caressed his face.

''Oh, Richard. There's not much time. You must take me from here. He will find us.''

''Who will find us, Christine?''

''Erik! Please, Richard, take me far away from here. I love you so much and I don't want to leave you forever!''

Christine was almost in tears. Richard took her over to a spot under the staircase.

''Christine, who is this Erik you speak of?''

''The phantom, Richard! He exists! Please, he will kill us if he finds us together!''

''Christine, there is no-''

''Richard, I know he is real! He lives under the opera house! Please, believe me! I need to escape from him!''

''Alright, Christine. I love you and I will protect you. We will leave now and I will help you get your things. We will stay in my home for the night and leave in the morning.''

Christine hugged him and wiped the tears from her face. Then, she looked around to see if Erik was watching them. Richard took her hand and they started to leave.

''Wait, I need to say goodbye to Meg.''

Richard waited by the door for her. Christine hurried over to Meg and hugged her.

''Christine, what is the matter?''

''Oh, Meg. I don't really have time to explain. I am leaving with Richard. We have to get out of here. Come to his house if you want me to explain, but we are leaving tomorrow.''

''Christine-''

Christine pulled away from her friend and ran to the door. Richard took her hand and they ran outside into the snow. Richard got them a carriage and they got inside. Once they were down the street, Christine burst into tears and clung to Richard. He kissed her cheek and told her that it would be alright.

The next morning, there was a knock on the door. Christine answered it and Meg was standing there. She looked worried. Christine let her in and closed the door.

''Oh, Christine! It's horrible! When the phantom found out that you were gone, he went on a rampage! Now, he said that he won't let anyone out until you come back! I escaped when he wasn't looking, but he killed several people already!''

Christine put her hands to her head.

''Oh..what am I going to do? If I leave, he'll kill all of those people and if I go back, he'll kill me!''

''I don't know! But, we need to do something!''

''You're right. I'll go back.''

Christine grabbed her coat and told Richard that she had to do something. She and Meg got a carriage and went to the opera house. When they got there, they jumped out of the carriage and ran inside.

''Erik!'' Christine yelled out. She ran until they reached the ballroom.

''Christine, I think he's in his home under the opera house.''

Christine ran for the passageway that he had taken her through and felt along the wall. It opened and her and Meg ran through. They didn't stop until they were outside his door. Christine knocked on the door. No one answered.

''Erik!''

She grabbed the handle and tried to turn it.

''Erik, open the door! It's me!''

She listened and heard footsteps. The door opened and Erik stood there, but his face wasn't normal. It was all red and deformed. Christine let out a scream and backed away. Meg watched him in horror and turned away. He watched as Christine covered her face and tried not to scream. She wouldn't even face him.

''Erik...what happened to your face?'' Christine sounded like she was about to break down and cry.

''This is my face.''

Christine turned back around and slowly uncovered her face.

Then, what-''

Christine's expression slowly changed into one of absolute horror when she realized what he had done.

''Erik..how could you...oh my..''

Christine backed up against the wall with Meg as he advanced towards them.

''Yes, Christine. I sewed skin onto my face to look normal. But, I did it so I could have a normal life! I had to live down here for all of these years! My face is derformed, because I made a pact with the devil! The world will love my music, but that is the only thing they will love! I cannnot have a normal life, now! I cannot have a beautiful wife and a family!''

He broke down into tears before Christine had a chance to. She moved alittle towards him and rubbed his back gingerly. He continued to sob and Christine stood over him, watching this man lose all self-control. He mumbled some words that Christine couldn't hear clearly and he tried to stop crying.

''Oh, Christine.'' he whispered to himself. He stopped crying and he stood up. Christine looked up at him and stared at his face. She couldn't help it, she couldn't take her eyes off of it. It was so horrible. She stood and stared with her eyes fixed on him. He didn't seem to notice her, but when he he did, his mood changed right back to rage. He spun around and grabbed her by the shoulders.

''What are you staring at!'' he yelled in her face. She wimpered and tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip and pulled her even closer. She could feel his hot breath on her face. She closed her eyes and started to breath heavier.

''Well?'' he asked, still yelling. She opened her eyes and let out another scream. His face was so close to hers, it was frightening. She opened her mouth again and let out a cry. He picked her up and carried her towards the door.

''What are you doing?'' she asked, shaking. Meg ran towards them and tried to help Christine.

''Let her go!'' Meg yelled. Erik continued to walk towards the door. Meg beat her fist down onto his shoulder and he stopped suddenly. Meg realized what she had just done and she started to back away.

''I-I...It won't happen again.'' she stammered. Erik salmly set Christine down and spun around to face Meg. He advanced towards her and she let out a small cry of fright. He raised his hand and swiftly, struck Meg hard across the face. Meg fell unconsious and she lay in a heap on the ground. Erik rubbed his hands together and then turned back to Christine. She looked from him to her unconsious friend. She could only stand there and stare. He held out his hand to her and she felt her arm moving by itself, as if she wasn't even controlling it. Her arm reached out to him and he grasped her hand. Then, he took her inside and slammed the door behind them.

A/N: Sorry, I haven't updated in so long! I have been so busy trying to write Fan fiction stories and doing homework now too. I hope that this chapter makes up for the long wait. Don't worry, I'm working on the next chapter right now.