Chapter Twenty-Two

Don Juan Triumphs

The audience filed into the huge auditorium. The air was filled with the strange excitement, which always accompanies opening night. The crowd buzzed bout this new soprano that was playing the lead. The lights signaled that it was almost time. The ladies and gentlemen quickly rushed to their seats. A few minutes later the new, harsh, and odd music began. The curtain rose on a stage wreathed in orange light. The props were all painted to resemble flames. The actors came out, and the show began.

Maria stood backstage, watching. She had been nervous all night. She watched the crowd and could see that they were not enjoying the show. She sighed and looked around. She then noticed soldiers all over the place. They were in the rafters, behind the sightlines, and in the private boxes. Maria slipped away and went over to Meg.

"Why are there soldiers here?" Maria asked.

Meg shrugged. Most of the actors hadn't noticed all the extra people backstage. Maria returned to her position when Meg went out. Soon she would take the stage.

Erik watched. Despite his promise he watched Maria. He was going to see her perform. He was also going to be with her. He pulled the cloak around himself as he saw Piangi come backstage.

The fat tenor was paying no attention as a shadow descended down on him. The man looked up as Erik came down on him. He went to shout for help, but his attacker was faster and clubbed him. Erik moved the huge man quickly and then returned to the stage entrance just as Maria entered.

"No thoughts within her head but thoughts of joy," she sang. "No dreams within her heart but dreams of love."

She hit the last note with beautiful clarity. The audience enjoyed hearing and seeing her. She walked around and then sat down on the small step. The stage fell silent, and Erik knew it was time.

Maria sat on stage. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribs. She had been surprised that she had made it across the stage without fainting. She glanced at the audience then turned back to what her character was supposed to be doing. She picked the thorns off the roses and waited. She hoped that Don Juan hadn't missed his cue. Finally she heard the upstage curtain move.

"Master," one of the actors said.

Maria sighed. At least she hadn't been abandoned like she thought. She looked back down at the roses.

The man playing Passirino stared at the Don Juan before him. He could easily see that it was not Piangi. This man was taller and better built. His chest and arms were toned and filled out the costume perfectly. He also had no facial hair. Passirino felt that something was off with the show.

"Passirino," the new man snapped in a stage whisper. "Go away, for the trap is set and waits for its prey."

Passirino quickly obeyed. He didn't want to question this replacement. As he exited he turned back to the man. There was something about him. He prayed that Maria would be safe.

Erik slowly pulled the cape away from his face and walked toward Maria.

"You have come here," Erik started singing. "In pursuit of your deepest urge, in pursuit of that wish, which until now has been silent…silent."

Maria looked up. She knew that voice all too well. She turned to where Erik was standing. He held his finger to his lips to keep her from saying something she shouldn't. She gently nodded.

"I have brought you that our passions may fuse and merge."

Maria could feel his voice wrapping around her. She could almost feel his touch even though he was not close enough to touch her.

"In your mind you've already succumb to me, dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me. Now you are here with me, no second thoughts. You've decided."

Maria slowly rose to her feet. This time she nodded where everyone could see. She knew she shouldn't do this, but she couldn't help it. Erik slowly walked toward her, flipping his cloak.

"Past the point of no return, no backward glances. Our games of make believe are at an end."

The dancers slowly came on stage as Erik closed in on Maria. There were also people backstage coming up to see what was happening.

"Past all thoughts of 'if' or 'when'. No use resisting. Abandon thought and let the dream descend."

Suddenly Erik seized Maria from behind. He pulled her close, running his hands down her hips.

"What raging fire shall flood the soul?" he asked brushing his cheek across her neck. "What rich desire locks its door?"

He pushed Maria away, yet he still held her hand. He gently kissed it.

"What sweet seduction lies before us?"

Maria felt as if her heart was going to explode. She tried to react, but she couldn't. She slowly pulled up her small sleeve on her costume, hoping to get a grip on herself.

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold. What warm, unspoken secrets will we learn beyond the point of no return?"
Maria fumbled. She could barely remember the words to the song. She walked downstage and looked at audience, who had become transfixed with the whole song. Then she looked up at Box Five where Raoul was sitting. He had an astonished look on his face. Maria thought about smiling. Instead she turned to Erik.

"You have brought me to that moment when words run dry. To that moment when speech disappears into silence…silence."

She moved toward Erik with a flirty smile. She didn't care about anything anymore. She didn't care who saw her or her emotions. All she wanted to do was sing with him.

"I have come here hardly knowing the reason why," she paused, shaking her head. "In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent. Now I am here with you, no second thoughts. I've decided…decided."

Erik turned to her. She was no longer playing some part in his opera. Everything she was singing was coming from her heart, not from some words written on a piece of parchment.

"Past the point of no return, no turning back now. Our passion play had no at last begun."

Maria slowly started walking toward one of the sets of spiral stairs that led to the balcony. Erik followed and took the other set.

"Past all thought of right and wrong. One final question: How long should we two wait before we're one? When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping bud burst into bloom?"

Maria stopped at the top of the stairs before asking the next question. Erik came up and locked eyes with her.

"When will the flames at last consume us?" she asked starting towards him.

"Past the point of no return!" they sang together. "The final threshold. The bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn!"

Erik spun Maria into his arms and pulled her close. They entwined their fingers as Erik put his head against her neck.

"We've passed the point of no return," they finished holding each other close.

Raoul watched and felt disgusted. He couldn't fathom the idea that once again that creature had guided Maria into a trap. He motioned to the guard behind him.

"Shoot him," he whispered.

The guard took aim and then sighed heavily. "I can't, sir, I'll hit her."

Raoul waved to get Firmin and Andre's attention. The two managers looked over at him and nodded. Another solider stepped up. He too had no clear shot. It looked as if the Phantom was going to have the last laugh.

"Kill him," Firmin whispered callously. "I don't care if you shoot her too. Just kill him."

The music started to fade. They would have to make their move soon.

As the music started to fade Erik began to sing softly.

"Say you'll share with me on love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you'll want me with you here, beside you."

Maria pulled Erik closer. She was so lost in his every word and gesture. Then the words he was singing hit her. She turned around suddenly. Even with the mask on his face she could see the pleading in Erik's eyes. She wanted him and needed him. She felt tears in her eyes.

"Anywhere you go let me go too," he continued. "Maria, that's all I…"

Maria nodded. She was so lost in the moment she never even saw it coming. She reached out as Erik was finishing and touched his face when suddenly blood splattered all over her. She blinked and the dream had been destroyed. She could now hear the echoes of a shoot, and thousands of confused screams. It was then that she saw Erik fall to his knees, clutching his bloodied chest.