That Face in the Mask

Chapter Two: Unmasked

A/N: Okay, I'll try and keep this brief : HUGE thank you to all my reviewers, they were so great and I loved them! This story will probably have about 15-20 chaps, and I'm trying to make it an E/M (which should be obvious from the summary :) Hope you enjoy it and PLEASE leave a REVIEW!


Disclaimer: I only own all the POTO fanfics I've ever written. Nothing more.
Meg turned around and drew in her breath sharply. She tried not to show how startled and afraid she was. Behind her stood a man who must have had the most gruesome, horrifying face she'd ever seen. The left side of his face was perfectly normal, and could be considered handsome. But the right side was a hideous mess of scars and boils and deformities, and looked like a face a demon wouldn't deserve. He was at least a foot taller than she was, and had a very muscular, well built body. But Meg didn't really notice anything more about him since she couldn't stop starring at his face.

While Meg was gawking at his face, the man snatched the mask from her hands

" I'll take that back, thank you! You should learn to not go around taking things that don't even belong to you!" he snapped at her

Meg stopped starring at his face and looked at him, snapping at her. Before she could think rationally, her temper got the better of her

"Well, pardon me for being curious about the possessions in a secret underground lair I didn't know existed until a few moments ago!" Her cheeks were now red from a combination of embarrassment at his scolding and from her anger.

The man was a bit shocked such fiery words could come out of such a tiny, petite little thing, but he replied quickly

"Well you shouldn't be down here in the first place! Get out!"

While he was speaking, he noticed the young girl had gone back to starring at his face again, and he angrily sat down in the nearest chair and shoved the white mask on over the right side of his face. Meg gasped as she saw him with his mask on. His now-masked face was the same one she had seen hidden away in the shadows at all those performances and the same one who had played Don Juan.

She backed away a few steps "You're th-the Phantom!"

The man laughed sarcastically " Well, it looks that way doesn't it? I guess you little ballet brats can actually put two and two together!"

Meg starred at him "How do you know I'm a ballet br- ballerina!"

He stood up and starred at her "My dear, I see everything" he hissed in her ear

Meg could feel a chill coming over her and she was aware this man was probably delighting in terrifying her. But she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had frightened her to death. Too bad she couldn't stop herself from quivering.

Suddenly, Meg remembered something important "Christine! Where is she? What have you done with her?" she demanded

The man's face instantly hardened at the mention of her "That's none of you concern"

"Yes it is! I have to know! She's my best friend!" Meg cried desperately

"Well, isn't that wonderful" he said sarcastically

Meg glared at him "Where is she?"

"Probably off in the arms of her wonderful Vicomte" the man muttered under his breath

"What did you say?" Meg asked

He shook his head and scoffed impatiently " Nothing"

"Why won't you tell me? Have you harmed her?" Mg asked, nearly frantic

"I assure you I haven't harmed her and she isn't here. Now would you kindly leave me in peace!" He turned to walk away from her.

Meg grabbed his shoulder "Wait! Where is she! Why hasn't anyone seen her?"

The man's reflexes were remarkably quick, and he grasped Meg's wrist in an iron grip, making her gasp in pain "For the last damn time: I don't know where Mlle. Daae is, she isn't here! I've done nothing to her, and it's none of your stupid concern anyway, so GET OUT!" He pushed her against the wall roughly, knocking her to the floor. She felt a sudden, throbbing pain in her arm, but she didn't move or flinch as the man glared at her. He eyed her madly "GO!" he shouted

Meg didn't need telling twice. Ignoring the pain inher arm, she got up ran over towards the moat and grabbed on the fabric of her pants legs, forgetting she wasn't wearing skirts and didn't need to lift them up. As she headed back through the tunnel and up the stairs, she heard a faint melody and sobbing. Forgetting her fear and worries, she quietly descended back down the stairs and snuck behind the wall of that man's lair. She flattened her back against the wall so he couldn't see her and listened as he softly sang:

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!

His voice broke and he began sobbing lightly. He clutched a white, sheer, wedding veil to his face and sobbed into it. "Christine. Oh god, Christine. How could you betray me like this when I love you?" he sobbed

Meg could feel tears welling up in her own eyes. What could Christine have done to this man to make him sob like this? It was painfully obvious he was deeply in love with her.

She peered around the corner and watched as the man's sobs turned into angry, ragged breaths. He quickly stood up and examined a small, shiny ring very closely. Suddenly, he yelled in rage and threw it into the lake.

"Damn her! Damn her! Damn everyone on this stupid earth! How could she do this to me! How! I loved her! Why!" he exclaimed, sinking to his knees

Meg watched as the beautiful ring slowly sunk to the bottom of the lake, leaving tiny air bubbles and ripples on the surface. She hurriedly took her leave and ran quietly back upstairs, crying softly as she ran.