Chapter 1

Erik

As I stood there waiting in the curtained alcove, watching Christine move gracefully across the stage, an awful feeling welled up inside of me. Was I really going to do this? Was I really going to take her this final time to be with me forever? Would she accept me? If I was to do this, I had to stop doubting myself. And what did it matter if she accepted me immediately. Eventually, she would forget her lothario, Raoul, and learn to love me. "Master?" Ok, here goes…everything. As I stepped out, I saw Christine, standing with her back to me. Her lengthy curls were the color of chocolate and were set off by her mellifluous ivory skin. She wore a black corset that only served to enhance her slender figure. Her divine beauty rivaled that of a goddess. My God, she's breathtaking. "Passarino-go away! For the trap is set and waits for its prey…" As I sang those words, I saw her small frame become tense, and her eyes shift to where Raoul was sitting. Oh, how I loathed that man. The Vicomte smiled reassuringly at Christine and her shoulders relaxed, but only somewhat. I continued. "You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge, in pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent, silent…"

Christine

As I listened to his melodious voice, I could not help but slowly drift off into a dream state. What will I do if he tries to take me? I told Raoul this was going to happen! Why does he treat me as a child and never listen? I had pleaded with Raoul to not make me perform that night. But when I was done groveling, Raoul had simply stated "You said yourself, he is nothing but a man…", and I recognized that my attempts had been futile. Raoul claimed that he was only trying to protect me, the love of his life. But at times I questioned Raoul's love for me. I beat myself up for harboring any doubts, but who could blame me. Every so often, it seemed that Raoul was more concerned with marrying me just to spite Erik, than he was in love with me. Erik, on the other hand, seemed to be passionately in love with me. I had never felt the feelings he evoked within me. He was unlike any man I had ever met. I felt alive with him. But he had his downsides as well. For one, he had a vicious temper. One that had led him to kill a man. But, I thought fondly, I am his angel as he is mine. He would never harm me. But could I really learn to live in those god-forsaken caverns that he called home? My God, why do I do this to myself? I am being courted by a more than suitable man, and yet I allow myself to become obsessed with thoughts of passion and romance with a man who scarcely leaves his home under the Opera House! As Erik's part came to an end, I came out of my stupor and realized, whatever was to happen, I must not lose my composure. For if I did, chaos was sure to ensue. I took a deep breath and slowly began to turn towards the audience. "You have brought me to that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence…"

Raoul

I watched from the stage as the Phantom of the Opera made his final attempt to abduct my fiancé. It was all I could do to not jump out of my seat and sail over the banister, only to land on the stage and strangle the man. But, that was completely out of the question, for I was a Vicomte. Instead, I motioned for the guard standing behind me to step up and position his gun. Their duet was reaching its climax, and soon Christine and Erik would move up onto the bridge, where Erik would be in range of the officer. He won't even see it coming. In your own words Erik, "Let's see, Monsieur, how far you dare go!" I watched, what should have been, the end of the song. "Past the point of no return, the final threshold-the bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn… We've passed the point of no return…" They were now standing in perfect range. The officer rested his finger on the trigger. Wait, what is she doing! She's standing in the way! For Christ's sake, Christine move! And then, Erik, with his arms wrapped around Christine in a most sensual way, began to sing in her ear. Not all the words were audible, but I easily recognized the tune. "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime…Lead me, save me from my solitude…" Erik held a ring out to Christine. A single tear caressed my face as Christine accepted the ring. And then, in the blink of an eye, I regained myself and rage emulated from my body. This is not the end Erik! I will not allow a monster to strip me of my fiancé and with her my dignity! As the officers rushed forward, the pair disappeared and I slipped out, determined to find them.

Madame Giry

I watched the events unfold from the side of the stage, with the ballerinas and stage hands. Although I wished the best for Erik, I knew that this was not the way to achieve it. Christine was like a daughter to me, and I could not help but be concerned for her safety. Of course, Erik would not harm her. But the Vicomte was nowhere to be found, and I had a good idea he was headed after them. If he meant to confront Erik, the situation would inevitably become dangerous. All of the sudden, someone let out a shrill scream. It had been Carlotta. Of course! Now what is it? I walked over to where the diva was, and gasped at the sight. Piangi's limp body lay in Carlotta's lap. I quickly took off to find Raoul. This is completely out of hand! He has gone too far this time. They will surely catch him! And then what? Lord, please have mercy on his soul! Eventually I caught up to the Vicomte. "…I know where they are." At his response, I was tempted to turn around. He quipped, "But can I trust you?" But instead, I led him further and warned him to keep his hand at the level of his eye.

Chapter 2

Erik

I was now racing through the tunnels under the Opera House, dragging Christine behind me. As we reached the edge of the lake, I grabbed Christine by the waist and put her into the boat. Then, I jumped in and began paddling furiously, knowing that people would not just let this go. A mob was sure to follow. "Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair! Down we plunge to the prison of my mind! Down that path into darkness deep as hell!" I could not even think clearly. Christine had done the unthinkable. She had pulled off my mask, while we were still on stage, and revealed my horrid face to the world! How dare she! To humiliate me in front of everyone…why? Although she had accepted the ring, I was still seething with rage. Didn't she learn from her previous mistake? Bitterly, I roared at her, "Why you ask was I bound and chained in this cold and dismal place? Not for any mortal sin, but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!" At that moment, I heard the mob. "Track down this murderer! He must be found!" I continued to pry at her, "Hounded out by everyone! Met with hatred everywhere! No kind word from anyone! No compassion anywhere!" And then, almost crying I pleaded with her, "Christine, Christine… Why, why?"

Christine

Finally, we reached his lair. Erik dragged me roughly out of the boat. Enough! I accept him, and this is the thanks I get! Maybe I have made a mistake… I wrenched myself out of his grip and slowly backed away. I straightened her shoulders, and in a wicked voice cried, "Have you gorged yourself at last, in your lust for blood?" He continued to stand there staring blankly at nothing. I stepped forward. "Am I now to be prey to lust for flesh?" At this, he began to walk towards me, a cold look on his face. He was now standing right in front of me, not two inches from my face. "That fate, which condemns me to wallow in blood has also denied me the joys of the flesh…this face-the infection which poisons our love." He began to softly caress my face, but I indignantly slapped his hand away. The fury returned to his eyes. "This face which earned a mother's fear and loathing…A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing…" As he placed the dummy's bridal veil on my head, a look of longing replaced the rage. I took pity on him and reached to touch his face. But this only angered him, and in a raspy voice he sang, "Pity comes too late-turn around and face your fate: an eternity of this before your eyes!" What am I to say? Anything upsets him! But then it dawned on me and the words just seem to roll off my tongue as I placed my shaking hand on his chest and sang, "This haunted face holds no horror for me now…It's in your soul that the true distortion lies…" The words seemed to have stunned him. Oh, I hope he didn't take it the wrong way… But I would never know because he pulled away from me at the sound of splashing water. Oh god…

Raoul

I tried to slink up to the enormous gate that guarded the lair unnoticed, but Erik's astute senses picked up on me before I had even reached the gate. Erik turned to Christine and in a cynical voice snapped, "Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest!" Then, he turned his anger to me. Continuing with the sarcasm, "Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight! I had rather hoped that you would come. And now my wish comes true- you have truly made my night!" I pleaded with Erik, "Free her! Do what you like, only free her! Have you no pity?" Erik dryly commented to Christine, "Your lover makes a passionate plea!" This bickering and bargaining went on for some time. This man is preposterous! How am I going to get in there? I made one, final plea. "Let me see her…" To my surprise, Erik simply said, "Be my guest, sir…"This is too good to be true… And at the sight of Christine, I forgot Madame Giry's warning. As the gate rose, Erik began walking towards me. " Monsieur, I bid you welcome! Did you think that I would harm her? Why should I make her pay…"What's he got in his hand? What the… "For the sins which are yours?" But before I could move my hand from my side, Erik had the lasso around my neck and the end of the rope just seemed to be suspended in midair. Oh god, he's going to kill me…

Erik

I began to mock Raoul. "Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now- except perhaps Christine…" Wait, what am I saying? Why am I giving this fool options? Well, wait a minute…actually, this is genius! Threatening Raoul's life will only solidify her decision! I turned to Christine and sang, "Start a new life with me- Buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me, and you send your lover to his death! This is the choice- This is the point of no return! Christine's response was a chilly one. One that made me regret my ultimatum. "The tears I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold, and turn to tears of hate…" I would have rathered she slap me across the face. And then, that imbecile opened his mouth again. In despair, he cried out to Christine. "Christine, forgive me, please forgive me… I did it all for you, and all for nothing…" I can take no more of this man! But, just as I began to tighten the lasso, Christine began to sing again. The three of us went on like this for a while, singing, threatening, pleading… Enough of this! "You try my patience- make your choice!" She began to walk towards me. "Pitiful creature of darkness…"

Christine

What am I doing? I continued to walk towards him. "What kind of life have you known…? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone…" I looked into Erik's beautiful eyes, and then I glanced at Raoul. He looked scared, upset, desperate… How can I do this to him? How can I break our engagement? Don't I love him? No, I love Erik. Raoul was a childhood love and nothing more. And then, I finally did what I wanted to do. To hell with trying to please everyone! I'm getting the man I love! I reached up and softly caressed the damaged side of Erik's face. He looked at me with all the love a man could possibly have. Then, I stood up as tall as I could, and pulled Erik's face down the rest of the way. I kissed him with all the passion I had been withholding. As I pulled away, he looked dazed. So, I did it again. This time, he returned it. He began to weep. First one tear, and then another, and another. But instead of embracing me, he turned to Raoul and cried, "Take her- forget me- forget all this…What is he talking about? "Erik, wait, stop! Shh…be quiet for a moment. You don't seem to understand." I cupped his face in my hands. "I choose you, don't you get it? I love you…only you." I lightly kissed him on the lips and looked up into his loving eyes.

Raoul

I stood there, stunned. No, more like disgusted. I could feel my top lip curl and all I wanted to do was get out of this god-forsaken place. But I wasn't leaving without my fiancé. What is she thinking? How can she choose that monster over me? Well, it doesn't really matter who she chooses, because she's coming with me. "I don't think so Christine! It's not that simple…", I called out. Erik walked over and burned the end of the lasso so that it fell limp. Erik stared me down, and in a low whisper breathed, "oh, but it is my friend. How simple it is…" He then pointed to the gate, obviously a silent gesture to get out. "This is not over! You will be his wife over my dead body Christine!" Erik had begun to walk back to Christine, but stopped at my words. He turned only his head, and with a small smirk retorted, "That can surely be arranged Monsieur."

Chapter 3

Erik

I watched Raoul walk out, a defeated man. Although I understood his feelings, I had no sympathy for the boy. That just wasn't in my nature. After all, I had spent my entire life shunned and rejected by the entire world. Not just one woman, like the Vicomte. Christine, however, looked as though she was overcome with guilt. She was too young to know the ways of the world and its cruelties. In her eyes, a promise was sacred, not to ever be broken. And that was exactly what she had done. As I walked up to her, I noticed she was crying. "Why do you cry my dear?" I asked. In between sobs she replied, "Because, I have just broken a man's heart…" What do I say to her? I've never had to console anyone but myself before… Then I noticed she was shivering violently. Although I couldn't tell if it was the sobs that racked her body or the cold water, I thought it best we get dry. However, she was in no shape to trudge back through the water. As she began to calm down somewhat, I picked her up and she buried her head in my neck. All this crying was beginning to depress me as well. What about my heart? "Just think my angel what shape my heart would have been in if you had chosen him. I'm not sure I could have carried on", I breathed in her ear. This seemed to console her some. As I carried her back up into the lair, I noticed she had become dead weight in my arms. I looked at her face and realized that she had fallen asleep. As I looked at my sleeping angel, I pondered how I could have been so lucky. What have I done to deserve this? What do the gods have in store for me.

Christine

The next morning, I awoke in the familiar swan bed, tangled in the red satin sheets. It took me a moment to realize where I was. As I looked around me, I laid eyes on the proverbial music box. As I fingered it, I noticed Erik's ring on my left hand, and the previous night's events came rushing back. At first I grimaced, remembering the look on Raoul's face when he left. Erik had not seen the look that Raoul had thrown my way as he was leaving. It was what had caused me to weep so forcefully. I had only told Erik a fib because I had been fearful that he would go after him if he knew. It had been an ugly face. One that reflected evil thoughts. One that I would not have thought such a handsome face could make. That look made me very anxious. I was sure that Raoul would never lay a finger on me, but I was worried about Erik. I continued to gaze around until I laid eyes on my angel. He was seated at the organ, as usual. But instead of playing, he had his eyes locked on me. He had been watching me this whole time. I loved him so much, and I feared for his safety, but I could not bring myself to burden him with my anxieties. Instead, I crawled out of the bed and made my way over to him, hoping I looked halfway decent.

Raoul

I stumbled up the stairs to my room in a drunken stupor. After I had left Christine beneath the Opera, I had intended on going straight home. But Alas! The loud sounds of drunkenness mixed with shards of genuine laughter lured me into one of the many bars that decorated the Parisian streets. By my appearance, no one recognized that I was a distinguished Vicomte. In truth, I looked like a drowned rat. But no one in that bucket shop cared, for they were all too sloshed to even see straight. I had no intention of getting drunk myself; I had just wanted to soothe my temper. Well, one beer turned into another. Then it became a shot of vodka, quickly followed by others. Exactly how many, I don't suppose I'll ever know. As I reached my room, I began to sober up, a headache overcoming me. I flopped onto the bed and allowed sweet sleep to claim me. The next morning, I woke up in a peeved state. The previous night's cataclysmic events had plagued my slumber the whole night through. I was not granted a single second of harmonious rest. I sat up, resting my head in my hands. What was I going to do? My pride would not allow me to leave Christine alone. I was going to make her just as miserable as I was, even if it killed me. And as for her reprehensible lover, Erik, no peace would come to him either. But then again, he couldn't just go marching down there. Erik would surely kill him. As he continued to ponder his thoughts, the doorbell rang.

Chapter 4

Erik

I had not slept at all the night before, so when Christine asked me if I would mind if she went up to her room to collect a few personal items, I had no objections. I was too groggy to contemplate the plot behind this simple request. I watched her glide around, getting ready to meet the world above us. As she made her way towards the boat, she passed behind me, sitting at the organ. I felt the presence of her small, delicate hand on my shoulder. She leaned in and gave me a gentle peck on the cheek and murmured into my ear that she would be back soon. I hadn't felt the need to question her. Now, it is approaching evening time, and I wish I had. I tried desperately, and I might add to no avail, to dismiss notions that Raoul was somehow involved. But my heart would not allow me to brush off those crazy inklings. I paced my room until I decided that if she did not return within the hour that I would go searching for her. And by god, Raoul's neck would be the first I broke if my search was in vain.

Christine

Exactly what thought process had brought me here, I had absolutely no idea. I stood on the doorstep of the deChagny mansion for some time before finding the courage deep inside my being to call on him. I shuttered at the thought of confronting him. As I waited for an answer, I turned my back on the door and took in the magnificence of the land that the house sat on. Across from me lay a grand lake, much larger than the one in Erik's labyrinth. I watched as it reflected the sun's beams and listened to the leaves scrape the ground around me as the gentle breeze caressed my face. I barely registered that somewhere behind me, a door creaked open. It was not until I felt someone's eyes bearing down on the back of my neck that I chose to turn around. Those eye's belonged to none other than Raoul. "Christine? What in heaven's name are you doing here?" he softly inquired. He reached for my hand and I allowed myself to be pulled inside the mansion. He led me further until we reached the sitting room, an exquisite little niche that was decorated in the gaudy fashion that was quite typical of those days. He took a seat near the door as I chose the sofa that was across from it, yet out of his reach. He looked at me inquisitively for what seemed like hours. I felt as though he were attempting to read my thoughts as one would read a book. I silently prayed that I had not made a mistake in coming here, and then proceeded to speak. "Raoul, I have come here to apologize…" He scoffed at my words. Although his lack of respect and obvious attitude of superiority infuriated me to no end, I continued. "…for breaking off our engagement in the fashion that I did. It was a horrid thing for me to do. But you must believe me when I say that I was very confused. I am only a young woman, and you know as well as I that I had no previous experience with love of any romantic sort. My mind deceived my heart and led it to believe that I was in love with you. But, I came to find out, as you did, that my heart desired Erik instead." I watched him cringe every time I spoke Erik's name. After a few moments of piercing silence, it became clear that Raoul was refusing to speak. Having said my peace, I stood up and smoothed my skirts. Not once did he glance my way. As I walked past him to leave, his cold hand grasped my arm with deadly strength. "Christine", he rasped, "what do you propose I do?" The question startled me as much as his chilly hold on my arm. When I didn't respond, he took the opportunity to strike at me once more with his sharp tongue. "Perhaps, I should talk with Erik and clean up this mess that way, hmm?" He took my hand in his and raised it to his lips. As he locked eyes with me, he gently laid a single kiss on it. Fury coursed through my veins as I wrenched my hand from his and replied in a venomous voice, "I propose, monsieur that you never try to lay a finger on Erik, for I will snap your neck. That is a promise I intend to keep." At that, I stormed out, almost knocking the maid over. As I indignantly swung open the door, I was met with a gust of cool night air, and realized that I had better hurry back to the Opera House, for I had been gone much too long. As I ran down the Parisian streets, I braced myself for Erik's inevitable temper.