Wow has it been a long time! I am so sorry for the lack of updates on this story, but quite frankly I was stuck. I had no idea where I wanted to go with the plot…. and on top of all that I had tons of homework to deal with. But don't worry; I'm defiantly not abandoning this story. Sometimes I just need a little motivation. And plus I have more ideas for another story I wish to start soon, but I would rather finish this one first. By the way, the song used in this chapter isWind's Nocturne. So read on and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own POTO, that all belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lucky bum…

1When the Horizon Darkens Most

Christine's emotions were in absolute turmoil. She was on the verge of screaming out and crying tears of anguish, and yet she was overjoyed. It was taking every ounce of self-control she possessed not to run back to her angel and embrace him, professing words of comfort and endless promises. Promises Christine knew she could never keep.

"Why must I always be such a selfless monster? I know I can never come back…Raoul would be furious. He probably already is after I left so abruptly…Oh why didn't I say no? Why couldn't I have just turned away and left him? Which I have done so many times…"

But Christine knew why she didn't refuse him. She couldn't. His eyes were so full of sorrow and hope…and the fact that he kissed her! Christine had never suspected that, not in a million years. She could still feel her heart racing, and with that innocent kiss, Christine could feel her spirit soar…

He had such an overpowering effect on her, and Christine knew it. Even when he spoke, chills crept down her very spine. And when he sang! How could a man, cursed with such a face, have the voice of an angel? Oh how Christine had longed for his voice! Her dreams had been full of his presence, and she thought she would never be free of him. She would always be tied to him forever, even in sleep…

As Christine came to the mirror, an overwhelming feeling of loss swept over her. How could she go on with this life when the only source of true happiness she had ever felt lie within the bowels of an abandoned Opera House?

"Promise you'll come back…"

And with a quiet sob, Christine stepped over the threshold.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When Christine returned to the mansion, she was welcomed with yet more darkness. She laughed in a cynical way at the irony. She had left Erik and his world of unending night to be welcomed back into a world of yet more darkness.

"Raoul?"

Christine called her husband's name, although it appeared that the house was entirely vacant. When she saw a faint light coming from the bedroom, Christine suddenly became anxious. She knew that Raoul would be angry with her for leaving. He probably had no idea where she was, and he had nothing but a silly note to ease his thoughts. But she prayed he would not be upset, prayed that he would understand…

When Christine entered, Raoul was bent over on the bed, his head in his hands. His hair was a mess, and when he looked up, his eyes were bloodshot.

"Christine!"

Raoul ran and embraced his wife, as if he hadn't seen her in years. Christine awkwardly stood there, for her mind was still in an upheaval. Nothing would ever be the same…

"Christine, oh my God, where have you been? I've been so nervous, I called every bloody relative, every person that I know, and nobody has seen you! Do you have any idea of how worried I was?"

Christine's head was racing. What would she tell him? She hadn't thought up a lie for where she was…Raoul could never find out the truth….

"I'm sorry."

For the time being, Christine couldn't think up anything else to say. Tears welled up in her eyes, and Raoul let out a defeated sigh.

"Christine, my love, I am sorry for yelling, but…. I've been sick with worry, and you must understand. Why couldn't you come to me Christine? Why do you feel you must be in solitude to work out your problems?"

Christine turned away from him, the battle within herself becoming increasingly intense. She wanted to confess to him everything, but she feared his reaction. He would be so hurt, so angry…and God knows what he would be capable of in blind fury…

Raoul took Christine's chin and turned her eyes to face him, but she wouldn't.

"Christine, look at me."

And when she did, her eyes were so full of sadness, and yet…fear? Where could she have been, that she is afraid of telling him?

And suddenly, he knew.

"Were you at the Opera House?"

Christine head instantly shot up and she began to tremble. "Raoul, I…"

"WERE YOU AT THE OPERA HOUSE, CHRISTINE?"

"Raoul, please…you must understand..."

"Let me ask you my dear, did you see him, or should I say, it? Did you run to your demonic angel of music?" He spat these last few words out with terrible venom in his voice, and Christine backed away in terror.

"What draws you to him, Christine? What is it about him that intoxicates your very thoughts? Do you know how painful it is to wake up, every day, knowing that the woman lying next to me is not entirely mine? I see him in your eyes, Christine. Is that where you go when your thoughts drift away? Back to the dungeon, back to your phantom?"

SLAP.

Christine's hand met Raoul's cheek with such vigor that Christine's hand stung. She couldn't take the accusations, the horrible words Raoul spat at her without remorse.

"I can't take this anymore! I can't live this life, this hell of an existence! Every night, Raoul, every night, he is in my dreams! I needed closure, to put my troubled mind at ease, because I thought I had KILLED him! You should have seen him, that night when I left him…he looked on the verge of death…. oh God, what have I done?"

And with that, Christine threw herself on the bed and sobbed. Raoul looked on at what was left emotionally of his wife, and it seemed he was about to break down as well. Suddenly he turned away and walked to the doorway, his heart broken.

"I'm sorry, Christine. You must remember, that no matter how much you hurt me, I will always love you. I…I just do not know anymore…."

And with these words spoken, Raoul fled from the room. Christine looked after him in sorrow, and tears of suffering rolled down her cheeks. She looked to her bedroom mirror, and, without even an ounce of thought, began to sing.

Wishing on a dream that seems far off

Hoping it will come today

Into the starlit night

Foolish dreamers turn their gaze

Waiting on a shooting star…

With instability, Christine slowly walked out of her bedroom, and down her marble staircase.

But

What if my star is not to come?

Will my dreams fade to nothing?

When the horizon darkens most

We all need to believe there is hope…

Christine soon found herself walking away from her house, where she didn't know, but she sang all the louder. Tears streamed down her face as she looked to the starlit sky.

Is an angel watching closely over me?

Can there be a guiding light I've yet to see?

I know my heart should guide me but

There's a hole within my soul…

Who can fill this emptiness inside of me?

Am I to be satisfied without knowing?

I wish, then, for a chance to see

What I need

Desperately…

Christine found herself in front of the Opera Populaire, and in her exhaustion, lay on the steps.

Is my star to come…?