Without the Kiss

The Phantom of the Opera belongs to Gaston Leroux and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Erik is the phantom's name from the original novel by Leroux. This fanfiction is based on the choice that Christine had to make at the end of Andrew Lloyd Webber's play/movie.

Chapter 1 - Erik's POV

Christine has now seen the total demon released from within me. I'm through with watching her run around with the Vicomte, and pretend that nothing happened. I heard every little word that came out of her mouth the evening spent with Raoul on the rooftop. It's because of my face, isn't it?

Well, the whole city of Paris has now seen what my horribly distorted face looks like, so I didn't even bother putting on a mask. Christine has done so much to me, why would I want to do her a favor and put it on? She had hurt me inside. Deeply gashed out my heart and stomped on it the evening on the roof. She didn't just stomp on it, she completely forgot about it. Did she think that I had no heart? Maybe not for the few that I had killed, but that is only because Christine had the whole thing. I don't even own a tiny piece of hers. None.

I yanked the rope that I placed around Raoul's neck upon his arival. No need for pity anymore. It's not going to stop me from killing de Chagny. If she wants to be free that is. I believe that that would be her choice anyway. But I did give her another one: Raoul is free, and she lives with me.

"You try my patience - make your choice!" (Author's note: Quote does not belong to me. It belongs to the genius Andrew Lloyd Webber) I muttered, well, more like yelled.

She stood there looking at me, then at de Chagny, "Erik, I will stay with you. Just let Raoul free..."

Say that again? Please. Well, the first part anyway. I am completely speechless.

"Is this what you truely want Christine? Christine!" yelled Raoul.

Christine nodded her head like a good little girl. I let go of Raoul and pushed him to my boat to get him out of here. "And don't come back to get her," I said while smirking. His expression really didn't seem too convincing that he wasn't going to turn me in or come back. He rode off but kept looking back at Christine, and she had a horribly sad look on her face, and it was completely drenched in her tears.

I could hear the mob approaching. I gently grabbed hold of Christine's arm and told her to follow me.