Chapter 1
Burning wood was crashing into the murky water ahead of the small gondola, sending steam flying into the air. I hope we make it out of here in time, Christine Daae worried as she absentmindly rubbed her fiancée, Raoul's, shoulder. She couldn't help but glance behind her to see if she could get one last glimpse of her beloved angel, but all she could see was mist and fog. She wasn't sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. Her thoughts were interrupted as the gondola bumped onto shore.
"Raoul," Christine started to ask him as he helped to out of the boat, "What do you suppose is going to become of Erik?" Her big brown eyes looked out at the murky water as if the ghost were following them.
"That monster? Dear, you mustn't worry about him. Remember, he's not really the kind angel you thought he was," Raoul stated as he placed one of Christine's dark curls behind her ear. The sound of crashing wood behind them cut off their conversation.
Christine jumped at the sound and cried out, "Raoul, we have to get out of here or else we're going to burn alive!" She grabbed Raoul's hand and started to make her way out. Smoke was filling the underground labyrinth fast and the two lovers were having some difficulty finding their way out. Christine finally spotted a door and muttered, "Thank God!" as she fought her way over with Raoul in tow.
The couple burst out into the night air after what seemed like an eternity. The cool, crisp air felt very refreshing after being stuck in that smoke hole. Christine's once snow white dress was now black from the ash and smoke and Raoul's face was smudged with debris. A crowd of spectators was gathering outside to watch, as the Opera Populaire burned to the ground. The couple headed over to join them.
"Oh my God!" Raoul exclaimed, once he turned around and saw what was happening. The opera house wasn't just feeding the fire; it was giving it a banquet! Christine could only look on, horrified. Her home, her whole past, was being engulfed by flames. Tears started cascading down her face and Christine couldn't stop them, no matter how hard she tried.
Raoul looked over at his future wife and noticed her tears. His heart broke in two at the sight of her being so upset. "It's going to be ok," he whispered into Christine's ear with a soothing voice, taking her in his arms. At least, he hoped everything would be fine. The Vicomte had a sickening feeling deep down that the phantom wasn't going to give up without a fight.
Christine took in all the people around her. She spotted Andre and Firmin, wallowing in misery as they watched their booming business go down the drain. Madame and Meg Giry were watching with dumb struck looks on their faces. Christine wondered what they were going to do since they, obviously, lost their jobs. The prima dona, Carlotta, was as always, surrounded by her entourage, but instead bossing them around, as usual, she was bawling her eyes out.
Christine looked up at Raoul. "What's her problem?" she asked as she nodded in Carlotta's direction.
"Piangi was found with a Punjab around his neck after you disappeared through the trap door," Raoul sadly said.
"Oh my God!" Christine muttered. Any second thoughts about the decision she made to go with Raoul disappeared. How could any human be so cruel and kill so relentlessly, she thought as the crowd of spectators grew larger. Christine suddenly felt sick. Everything was happening too fast.
"Can we please get out of here Raoul?" she asked, "I don't think I can take anymore of this!" With that being said, the couple hurried away through the darkness without a second glance behind them.