AN: has some lyrics from the actual play/movie. Had to not my fault its where my mind took me. Thanks to those who have read and reviewed my story
Chapter 7: The Point of No Return
Michelle looked at the audience and looked at everyone. She took a deep breath and wrapped her shawl around her.
" Nervous?" Pierre's voice came from behind
She turned around and looked at him and grabbed his hand.
" More than you can imagine," she said
" Don't worry, everything will be fine," he said, " Just let it come naturally."
Michelle nodded and looked at the audience. She grabbed Pierre's hands and kissed them.
" Go take your seat Pierre, I'll look for you," she said
Isabelle walked over and placed her hand on her shoulder.
" Don't worry, just sing out," Isabelle said, " One breath and let the crowd know what it's all about."
" Isabelle, come on," Philippe said
Michelle breathed deep and walked off to follow behind them. Isabelle and Philippe prepared and began the show to introduce the characters one by one. Singing each character's purpose. Michelle walked on dressed in a white evening gown, she gave a young innocent look.
In Act one began the song that made Leon remember the reason why he was who he was. Michelle stood before the whole anxious audience to sing a song. She was powerful when she sang and the audience clapped with complete amazement. Leon watched from box five, each Act and nodded as his story was brought to lifet. Madame Cuivre sighed and watched from behind stage. She looked at the chandelier and shook her head, knowing something was coming down.
Leon vanished from the box and changed his attire and placing the black mask everyone was wearing. He walked behind the stage and switched places with the actor. He walked out and looked at Michelle as she stood there. He began to sing his part and she looked up and closed her eyes. He walked towards her and grabbed her hand, then pulled her to him and pushed her away a little. She turned around and sang to him and walked to him, Pierre watched intently as he saw a different form singing with Michelle.
" It can't be," he thought
They climbed to a set up on stage, singing in unison and looked at one another. Leon pulled Michelle to him and held her in his arms.
" Past the point of no return," they sang
Leon closed his eyes and leaned his head on hers and Michelle sang her part added to the play. Leon kissed her head and responded with a softer part. She smiled and looked up at him and touched his face.
" Michelle," he sang out, " That's all I ask of…"
Michelle removed his mask and a sudden gasp came from the audience and Pierre stood up. Leon looked at her and pulled her to him, cut the chandelier and took her with him as he let the trap door opened. Flames raised from around the trap door as they fell, pushing people back from blocking their escape. He held her tightly and did not let go of her as they went down another layer.
" Leon!" she cried out
He set her down and looked at her, there was hate in his eyes, sadness, that she did that. He brought her back to his domain and looked her, breathing deep. He fell to his knees and grabbed her arms.
" Why? Why have you done this to me?" he whispered, " Why have you exposed me to them?"
She knelt down and embrace him and stroked his fallen hair. She kissed his head and lifted his chin up.
" I did it because you needed to be exposed to the world, you are not alone, we all wear mask that hide flaws," she said
Leon looked at her and he swallowed a lump in his throat.
" No, none like mine," he whispered
" Why Leon, have you brought me here?" she whispered, " Because you love me?"
Leon stood up and turned away from her.
" I want you to be with me," he said, " You are my right side."
Pierre ran after Madame Cuivre and she stopped.
" Where has he taken her?" Pierre asked
" Please Monsieur come with me now, I will take you as far as I take any," she said, " But you must remember keep your hand at the level of your eyes."
" Why?" he questioned
" So, his noose will not kill you Monsieur, he's a vicious man when competition comes in the way of what he wants," she said
They ran down the halls as the people were screaming to get out. She got him through the deary hall and went down a set of stairs.
" Keep going straight and don't look back Monsieur, remember your hand at the level of your eyes," she said
Pierre nodded and ran down the stairs and continued until he got to the end.
" Michelle, be alright," he said
" Stop where you are!" a voice shouted
Pierre turned around and he saw Philippe standing there.
" Are you an idiot? Going down that way will only leave you to hell," he said
" Then how am I suppose to save her?" Pierre questioned
" He's got her now, he won't let her go," Philippe answered
" I won't give up," he said
Philippe nodded and then stepped on something and Pierre fell into a deep pit of water. He came up for air and looked up.
" Swim straight, but be careful where you swim," Philippe called
Pierre nodded and swam straight and came to a gate. He looked around and saw a wheel that would manually opened the gate. He went down and began to turn it, but it was stuck. He went up for air and then came down, there he finally got it to move. Once it was up, he swam through it and the water became shallow. Pierre walked through it and breathed deep.
Leon looked at her and Michelle looked at him.
" What holds you back from loving me?" he questioned
" I don't know," she said
Michelle was about to say something and he then silenced her.
" Wait, I believe my dear we have a guest," he said
" Pierre," Michelle said
" Michelle," he said
Leon laughed and said, " You came, you ventured here to save her, but sir you are to late."
Leon looked at Michelle and then looked at Pierre.
" Let me see here," he said
" I'm afraid you won't," Leon said
Michelle looked at Leon and then Pierre, two men that cared about her deeply. She couldn't just decided on who she loved. Leon's soft heart made her love him more, but Pierre showed signs of a gentleman as well. She looked at both of them and felt tears fall from her face.
" I'm sorry," she whispered
Leon looked at Michelle and Pierre did the same. She walked into the water and looked at Leon.
" I'm so sorry," she began to cry
Leon walked into the water and grabbed her hands into his own.
" Let me see her, I love her. Show some compassion," Pierre pleaded
" The world showed no compassion to me," he growled, " Why should I show it to you?"
Michelle looked at them as they argued and Michelle placed her finger on Leon's lips.
" I have loved you both equally," she said, " And I will always."
Leon looked at her as she turned and looked at Pierre.
" Let him in," she whispered
Leon pulled a lever with a rope and the gate opened and Pierre walked in. Michelle wrapped her arms around him and he wrapped his arms around her. Leon looked at them and shook his head. He walked out of the water and felt tears starting to fall from his face.
" Why?" he whispered
He walked towards a passageway and did not look at them. Michelle looked at Pierre and touched his face.
" I'm sorry, I couldn't love you," she whispered, " But I my heart already belongs to a man."
Pierre looked at her and sighed.
" The beauty and the beast," Pierre said
" No, just love," she said
Pierre nodded and kissed her forehead and let her go on her way. He sighed and watched her look for Leon. She sighed and then thought of where he might have gone. She found her way out and headed to the one place that helped her make her decision. The night lights shined brightly and she walked into the snow, and there saw Leon kneeling at Christine's grave.
"I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why . . . In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining defenseless and silent - and now I am here with you: no second thoughts, I've decided, decided . . . Past the point of no return ," Michelle sang
Leon looked up and then turned and looked at her standing there.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime . . . Lead me, save me from my solitude . . ." Leon sang to her
Michelle looked at him and walked towards him, and pulled the rose from her hair.
" No second thoughts, I've decided, decided….Past the point of no return," she sang softly
"Say you want me with you, here beside you . . . Anywhere you go let me go too - Michelle that's all I ask of you!" he sang out
Michelle smiled and ran towards him and wrapped her arms around him, he took her in his arms and kissed her.
" No second thoughts, I've decided, decided….Past the point of no return," both sang
Michelle leaned her forehead against his as they looked at her other. She kissed him and Leon gently stroked her cheek. She placed her hand on his and kissed it.
" What made you change your mind?" he whispered
" Someone's story did," she said
Leon smiled and Michelle touched his face and tears fell from her eyes.
" Can you live with this face for an eternity?" he questioned
" And much more," she said, " I'm in love with you not your face."
Madame Cuivre looked at them from the distance and smiled.
" The Phantom got the woman he loved, perhaps now he can rest in peace," she thought
She turned away and smiled not looking back at them.
THE END