Chapter 5 "Nightmare Come True"
Christine woke up breathless and bewildered as she tried to figure out what had just happened. As she realized what had just happened was a dream, a very real dream, but a dream nonetheless, she was startled to hear an excess of noise coming from the main hall downstairs. Christine jumped out of bed and ran to see what the commotion was. Christine reached the top of the main stairs and stood flabbergasted to see her dream being played out for real. She gasped at the display she was seeing and both men turned to stare at her. The Phantom stood mesmerized by her beauty. Raoul, however, saw this as an opportunity to get the upper hand. Just as Raoul raised his sword to offer the Phantom a fatal blow, Christine shouted "No!" and ran down the stairs to stand between them. Christine stood between Eric and Raoul while they stood tensely, with their swords still drawn; just waiting for the other to get Christine out of the way so they could continue their deadly competition.
Christine knew this decision would be the hardest decision she would ever have to make, however she was being painfully forced to decide. Christine stood between the two men and slowly, painfully contemplated the decision that would break someone's heart. For a minute, Christine contemplated choosing neither of them because she was very angry that they were forcing her to make a decision of the heart. She was also very angry because she was not a prize to be won.
However, Christine slowly turned and kissed Raoul as the Phantom sank into a heap on the shiny marble floors of the great hall. Raoul and Christine turned to go while the Phantom began to weep bitter tears of a broken heart. As they left, Christine turned to look back at the Phantom as he slowly lifted his head and softly sang;
"Say you want me with you
here beside you,
Say you'll keep me from
my solitude…"
As the Phantom continued to sing, Christine knew in her heart that she was just as much in love with the Phantom as he was with her. Christine knew in her head that she should be with Raoul, but her heart won the battle as she kissed Raoul on the cheek and ran over to the Phantom. They knelt together on the floor and sang;
"Anywhere you go let me go too,
that's all I ask of you."
