(So sorry for not being there for a bit!)

Chapter 10

Erik

So. They have showered Carlotta with gifts and they have given the position of Countess and Kristina the position of the page boy. How dare they disobey me? I have given back their beautiful Kristina, whom they do not even deserve, yet. They continue to unacknowledged her beauty and talent... how DARE they?

So-if this is the way they react to my orders... alas, I shall give them what they deserve. As I walk to see the movie premiere, I see they haven't even saved me a seat at the top row, 5, during the premiere. So. They've chosen to disobey me again? I shake my head-they don't know what kind of mistake they've made.

I replace her edible perfume with a spray that will make her throat dry and croak. Then, after a few minutes, I declare, "HAVE I NOT INSTRUCTED THAT SEAT 5 WILL BE LEFT EMPTY FOR ME?" everyone gasps, but the movie premiere plays on. After, Carlotta tries to sing, but cannot anymore, her throat is croaking and so, the managers declare that Kristina is to replace Carlotta-and they will be performing a ballet play.

I am watching the ballet... but then, the man, controlling the ropes is following me. Fool, I think. I have no choice but to kill him with my lasso and disappear, as he drops down to the play and I disappear-leaving behind screams and gasps. The managers try to calm the audience, while I quickly walk to make sure Kristina is safe and alright.

I see her running up the spiral steps-to the roof with the boy-Raoul. Of course, he's the only one she trusts besides Madame and Meg... but Madame is with Meg and he is her childhood friend... now... I swear, she knows I'm the Phantom, or the Set Ghost.

Kristina Daae

With my pink and white dress still on, I put on a red cloak and climb the spiral steps.

"Why have you brought me here?" he asks. I run up quickly, "We can't go back there!"

"We must return." he tries to calm me. But I run and run, "He'll kill you-his eyes will find us there." I choke out, "Those eyes-"

"You know him?" he hurries up and stops me. I turn away, pleading, "Please, let's go." he finally let's me go, following behind.

"He hunts to kill, a thousand men! The Phantom of the Set is there-" Raoul interrupts, "Please, Kristina-"

"No, I can't escape from him and I never will-" I shakily say.

"Who is this Phantom of the Set? My God-who is this man?" We finally arrive on the roof, where there are statues of angels and gargoyles. It is snowing, the white light fluff falling softly.

"There is no Phantom of the Set. Why have you brought me here, Kristina?"

"I'm so scared, Raoul-and you're the only one besides Madame and Meg-my childhood friend... and oh, Madame is with Meg, but..." I tremble.

"Sh... there is no Phantom." he tries to grab my hand but I jerk away.

"Raoul, I've been there, to his world of unending night... to a world where the daylight dissolves into darkness, darkness. Raoul, I've seen him. Can I ever escape from wondering what is behind that mask or why? In that darkness, darkness..." I look down, clutching my rose with the black lace that Madame had given to me before-from the Phantom. I look up, "But his voice filled my spirit... with a strange, sweet sound. In that night, there was music in my mind. And through music my soul began to soar, and I heard as I'd never heard before!" Raoul approaches me, "That voice was in your head, a dream, nothing more, Kristina."

"Yet in his eyes," I ignore Raoul's words and continue to sing, "All the sadness of the world. Those pleading eyes... that both threaten and adore." Raoul softly calls, "Kristina..." I stand there, with eyes closed.

Erik

Yes. I am watching Kristina, my dear Kristina, and that boy Raoul... I know he loves her-and he is rich, handsome, and young... I know he is better for her, and she deserves more than me and more than him... yet, I can't give her up. Throughout the years, as I've watched her grow older, her voice had grown more angelic, still with that same touch of innocence... and her beauty had grown, as well.

But I'd cared for her when that boy could not. I watched over her, helped her, guided her, tutored her, had been her friend when she could trust no one... even before Meg. I'd been there for her, in her hardest times-especially after her father's death. I'd mourned with her and comforted her... and I'd stayed away-because she was light and I was darkness-she was like a beautiful white piece of cloth, and I was some dark thing that could stain her... or so I believed... and I kept away from her, not gotten too close with her-yet, I'd adored her, loved her, cared for her afar, through all these years. And all those years-calling me 'the Angel of Music'... I was not and could never be-not with my scarred, ugly, horrid face that the world gave me no pity for... no sympathy, whatsoever... Whenever she called me the Angel of Music, I would deny it in my mind... because I wasn't. She was the true Angel, growing beautiful, her soul and voice... along with her looks...

I hid, near the angels and gargoyles. Watching those two, although it pained me to see Kristina frightened of me and especially Raoul being there with her...

I regret that she had found who I was, but she deserved it... all those years of hiding-she must think me a monster and evil... I cringe, quietly listening-I had missed what they had said...

"No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here. Nothing can harm you, my words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here, with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you..." Raoul sang. His voice was pitiful... perhaps loud, but clearly you could hear it was a flaky voice. After a few moments, Kristina responded, "Say you love me every waking moment, turn my head, with talk of summertime... say you need me with you now and always... promise me, that all you say is true," she almost begs, perhaps because she has been so hurt and misled... by her Father's death and me... I listen on.

"That's all I ask of you." Kristina sings, her voice flowing.

"Let me be your shelter. Let me be your light. You're safe, no one will find you. Your fears are far behind you." Raoul sings-but how can he keep her safe? I can say I can, truthfully, but he? I shake my head.

"All I want is freedom. A world with no more night. And you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me." she sings on. He pauses for a moment, then, "Say, you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude," Solitude? I tremble, she was not alone! She has me and if not me... Madame Giry and Meg!

"Say you need me with you here, beside you... anywhere you go, let me go too. Kristina, that's all I ask of you!" Raoul continues. They are moving, so I switch my spot, swiftly. They pause and I quietly sing, "I gave you my music, made your song take wing..." I grit my teeth, "And now, how you've repaid me by denying be and betraying me... he was bound to love you-when he heard you sing... Oh, Kristina..." In the background they sing.

"Say, you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you." They both clasp their hands, "Share each day with me, each night, each morning." They are gazing into each other's eyes, leaning towards, and I look away.

"Say you love me," Kristina almost pleads-but she doesn't need his love.

"You know I do." he smiles. They both sing, "Love me, that's all I ask of you. Anywhere you go let me go too. Love me, that's all I ask of you." I look away, trembling in anger...

"Kristina, let's go. You're shivering." he leads her away by the hand.

Kristina drops the red rose I'd given to her... the red rose with the black lace tied onto it. As they disappeared through the doorway, I stepped out from the shadows.

"You will curse the day you did not do! All of the Phantom asked of you!" I finish my song, able to sing loudly. The white snow keeps falling.

With a swish of my cloak, I am gone in the darkness.