Disclaimer: I don't own anything Phantom related. However, I do own all original characters which are of my own creation.
My dear child, come, go away with me!
Pretty games, such pretty games I will play with thee.
Many beautiful flowers grow on my shore,
And my mother will give you many garments of gold.
- The Erl King, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
What Dreams May Come
Chapter 1 -Escaping Hades
Thick darkness shrouded all of Paris while a heavy rain started to pour down from the heavens above. I hated the rain. It always seemed to find me, continually pouring misery and despair upon my life. How I wished to find a place where it never rained, but where there was only the pure radiance of sunlight.
As I was walking through the empty streets, I thought back on how I had arrived at my present situation. I had barely escaped from the opera house and the mad throng of people who tried to search me out to kill me, the monster.
Nearly my whole life I had lived in the lower levels of the opera house, slowly dissolving into nothing more than a mere shadow in the darkness…a phantom. I can't deny that I didn't enjoy the title; it further separated me from the world.
However, the day Christine Daae came into my life, I knew I could not stay separated from the world as I had once wished. I was human. I discovered that I did want to be like everyone else, feel what others felt, love as others loved. But because of my repulsiveness, this simple human right was denied me. So, I decided that what I was not given, I would take.
I took Christine away from the world of men, having her live in the darkness of my underworld. Yet, when she showed me what love truly was, and kissed my lips, I then knew that I could not force her to stay. So, I let her free from my dark realm. I loved her too much to keep her hostage, as Hades had kept Persephone with him in his land of the dead.
The mob of people were not as forgiving as Christine, breaking their way through my barriers and down into my domain, determined to kill me for my actions. Luckily, I was able to escape from their awful wrath losing everything…my home, my belongings, Christine.
I decided to go to the only house I knew might welcome me: the home of Madame Giry. She had rescued me once before from a horrible fate, and I only hoped she might do it again.
I was completely drenched with water from head to foot from the rain, my pants caked thick with mud from the streets, but still I continued on to her home. When I finally arrived I wished in earnest that she would be there. Thankfully I saw a light in the window, which to me was like a beacon of hope. I quickly ran up to the front door and pounded heavily upon it.
Madame Giry opened the door, appearing quite bewildered. Her always sharp hawk-like eyes had a wild look to them.
"Erik!" She cried with alarm in her voice.
"I did not know where else to go…" I said softly, my body filling with utter embarrassment at my current state. I had always been a very proud man.
She continued to look at me a moment longer, obviously deciding if she wanted to risk taking in a murderer and wanted man. Then upon reaching her decision, quickly pulled me in through the door.
A warm fire greeted me; its heat filling my cold lungs. Madame Giry led me into a small but cozy sitting room and sat me down by the fire, its light joyfully dancing across the wooden floor.
"Are you hungry?" She asked me concernedly, sitting me down on the couch.
I simply nodded my head, feeling to tired to speak. She hurriedly left the room, and me to my solitude once more. I felt safe in Madame Giry's home, but I knew it was impossible for me to stay for very long.
She returned quite promptly with a steaming hot bowl of stew and handed it to me. I gladly ate, enjoying the sensation of the hot liquid flowing down my throat. A warm meal was a luxury to me now.
Madame Giry sat down in a chair next to me, closely examining me and asked simply, "Where are you planning on going?"
"I don't know." I replied. "Anywhere far away from Paris and the memories it contains for me. Hopefully I will find a place where I can live out the rest of my life in peace. Yes, that is something I would greatly love to have…peace."
She nodded in understanding, taking my cold hands in hers.
"You are welcome here as long as you need…"
But she and I both knew I could not stay in the city. I was a wanted man now. Staying with her would only jeopardize both of our lives.
"Thank you for your kindness, but we both know it is out of the question for me to stay. I don't know if I will ever see you again…"
She gave me a knowing glance, a sad smile crossing her face.
"At least," she said, "You can stay the night before you begin your great journey."
I accepted her invitation and stayed with her that night. Sleep was the one place I could find freedom from my pains and trials. In my dreams I became who I truly was, escaping from the nightmares that were my reality. There was no more disfigurement, no more suffering, only the love and acceptance that I had so yearned for my entire life. If only my dreams would come true, then I would be truly happy.
There was more than one reason for my leaving Paris. If I stayed I surely would die of my loss of Christine, being forever haunted by her lingering memory. I had to leave. I lay down on my small bed, hoping soon too escape to my dreams.
