Chapter 8 – Thanatos claims Bouquet

AN: Hi I know it has been a while, but now that I have completed the story plotline all I need to do is write the chapters. So I am going to try my hardest to upload one chapter each month until it is finished. Wish me luck xxx

While both Leo and Bethan were social people in their time in the future, being in the past in a new place where they could not truly be themselves without having to lie to people meant they kept to themselves. They were one of the many mysteries of the opera house. They roomed together and let no-one else help them get ready for they did not know who to trust and so they were also with one another.

They both were walking down the sides backstage getting ready to go on. Leo was helping Beth fit her hair wig on properly and once that was finished Beth helped Leo fix the last of here dramatic ballet make-up.

"Jesus Christ Beth slow down this hair wig is ridiculous, and you still need to finish my French make-up remember." Leo muttered hurried.

"Sorry you know how I hate rushing and being late…here let me finish your make-up now we are here." Beth apologetically said. Beth used the brush she had brought with her to finish off Leo's eyeshadow and blusher. "There now we are both ready just in time for what will probably be the best performance ever." Beth finished sarcastically.

Beth

They say that this youth
has set my Lady's
heart aflame!

(1st Fop)
His Lordship, sure,
would die of shock!

(2nd Fop)
His Lordship is
a laughingstock!

(Beth)
Should he suspect her,
God protect her!

(All Three)
Shame! Shame! Shame!

This faithless lady's
bound for Hades!
Shame! Shame! Shame!

(Carlotta)
Serafimo - your disguise is perfect.

(A knock at door)

Why who can this be?

(Don Attilio)
Gentle wife, admit your loving
husband.

My love - I am called to England
on affairs of State and must
leave you with your new maid.
(Aside) Though I'd happily take
the maid with me.

(Carlotta)
The old fool is leaving!

Serafimo away with this pretense!
You cannot speak - but kiss
me in my husband's absence.

Poor fool, he makes me laugh!
Haha,Haha! etc.
Time I tried to get a better, better half!

(Countess and Chorus)
Poor fool, he doesn't know!
Hoho,Hoho, etc.
If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go!

(Phantom's Voice)
Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty?

(Leo backstage mockingly)
He's here: The Phantom of the Opera...

(Christine)
It's him

(Carlotta)
Your part is silent, little toad!

(Phantom's Voice)
A toad, madame? Perhaps it is you who are the
toad...

Just like in all the plots that the girls had seen Carlotta went backstage for her vocal spray that they knew had been switched by Erik.

(Carlotta as Countess)
Serafimo, away with this pretense!
You cannot speak, but kiss me in my…croak!

As the audience laugh so is Leo backstage slowly getting into her ballet performance outfit without anyone know what was going to happen. Beth on the other hand was onstage trying her hardest not to burst out into giggles like Leo had done.

(Carlotta)
Poor fool, he makes me laugh -
Hahahahaha!
Croak, croak, croak, croak…

"Mother…help me" Carlotta yelled despairingly running offstage in a panic. This was the moment that destiny and fate changed for so many people, Beth and Leo saw the curtain fall and were waiting on the managers to announce that Christine would be playing the countess when all of a suddenly Beth's hand was in Firmin's grasp pulling her in front of the curtain.

Firmin says to the audience "Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize. The performance will continue in ten minutes' time... When the role of Countess will be played by Miss Bethan Chouinard.

Andre says "In the meanwhile, we'd like to give you the ballet from Act III of tonight's opera.

(AN: This is taken directly from the movie script just to let people know.)

Beth renewed in spirit excited by the prospect of finally performing an important role onstage completely forgot about Bouquet in the rafters. Once she had gotten into her dress that had been resized for her she ran to get to the stage and had a sudden thought to run across the rafters to gets to the other side quicker.

Bouquet looking for the Phantom saw a beautiful lady in dress in what he called his domain knew he had to have her and menacingly made his way towards her.

"Now wha'…hav' we here. Petty lil' lady in my place." Bouquet spat out menacingly once again. Slowly making his way towards her as if stalking a pray.

"I am making my way to the stage they are expecting me." Beth stiffly replied trying to make her way around him, but he caught her arm.

"I donna think you are goin' anywhere milady, no withou' payin' the toll. I think you're body willa' do." Bouquet replied grabbing her hands and tying them up so she could not fight back. She pulled at her dress trying to get under them.

"GET OFF ME! Please stop…No! Don't touch me you monster." Beth yelled desperately kicking out at him and was able to kick him hard pushing him off her for a moment. He yelled in pain and anger; his hand went towards her neck. His fingers curled around her neck pressing, closing. Beth's mouth fell open, a strangled scream leaving her. The hands continued to squeeze the breath out of her. Her feet kicked out protest and tears were rolling down her face not stopping as the pain in her neck intensified and slowly her vision started to fade away; she was losing consciousness.

Her face began to turn a sickening colour as she felt her life slipping away form her body. 'Please Erik come, help me. Please I don't want to die…Please my love save me.' She thought to herself. Her heart, once beating began to slow in tempo, the fight leaving her body drained and tired. Just as she thought she was going to die an angel appeared behind Bouquet using his lasso to pull him off her. Beth's vision returned to her as she coughed noisily letting the air back into her lungs.

Erik pulled at the lasso around Bouquet's neck, but he was able to loosen it enough to get away and he charged. Erik threw up his arms to defend from Bouquet's punches and he caught his fist in his left hand and punched Bouquet in in the face and let go of his hand leaving Bouquet with a broken, bloody nose. Erik smashed an elbow in the side of Bouquet's skull, the soft spot on the temple leaving him feeling disorientated. Punches were thrown and blocked by both sides, Erik felt pain in his side where he was punched in the ribs and felt blood roll down from a cut on his temple. Finally, after a while of punches Erik was able to get the lasso back around his neck and pulled it tight chocking Bouquet as he chocked Beth.

"Let's see if you like being chocked. You are a monster that shall never harm a person again. Go to hell." Erik exclaimed into Bouquets ear before throwing him over the gantry dangling over the stage where Leo was dancing.

Leo saw the body and even though she knew it was coming felt shocked and only slightly horrified seeing a dead body, she saw Beth on the gantry and guessed what had happened and silently thanked Erik for saving her. She then saw Nadir backstage and thought that this was her chance she ran offstage looking upset and in need of comfort.

"Miss Leonna are you alright? Come lets us get away from here." Nadir asked gently pulling at her hand and guided her into Erik's lair. For a moment he did not know what to do with the woman that was crying silently into her hands. Then he thought of something but did not know how she would respond, he threw caution to the wind and hugged her tightly one arm around her waist the other gently stroking the back of her head hoping to soothe her.

Meanwhile Erik was untying Beth's hand from the rope and helping her stand. He looked a worried as she was silent, but not a moment later did she throw herself as Erik hugging the life out of him.

"Thank you so much, thank you, thank you, thank you. I thought he was going to…kill me. Thank you so much I can never repay you this kindness." Beth rambled into Erik's ear.

"It is nothing Miss Chouinard. He has done what he did to you to many of the other ballet rats which they didn't deserve. While people will no doubt be shocked by his death, but no-one will miss him I assure you." Erik replied shocked at her hug, arms dangled by his sides not sure what he should do and just as he was about to hug her back did Beth realise what she was doing and released him from her warm hold.

"Oh, I am so sorry I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I just wanted to thank you for saving me. Also please call me Bethan or Beth it is the least I can offer you." Beth hurried said releasing him with a flushed expression.

"It is quite alright Bethan; come with me I will take you to the roof where no-one will find us, and I can apply so cream to your neck to ease the bruising that will no doubt appear." He hastily replied holding out his gloved hand not really expecting her to take it but being polite in offering it.

Beth with a small wistful smile gently took his hand in hers squeezing it with thanks and comfort and started to move not letting go of his hand. Erik looked at his hand in shock and was about to place her hand on his elbow until he felt the warmth from her hand slowly travel through his body making his heart beat faster at the beauty and grace of this woman. He thought she would be frighten by his actions and thought him a monster but no she had done the complete opposite of what he thought she would do.

With gentle and graceful move, that he did not know he possessed, he guided her along the gantry, up some stairs and onto the roof…

AN: Like a review and if you like it let us know I will try to reply to any comments from now on xx...