Chapter Thirty One: The Shadow's Views

I see them, the detective and his posse; I watch as they entered the Setting Sun and watch as they leave ten minutes after that sniveling, wretched Vicomte de Chagny. I would love nothing more than to murder him, as I have murdered so many others. Oh how delicious it would be to feel his neck pop under my powerful hands. How my hands tremble at the very thought of killing him!

I haven't killed anyone for quite some time, no one since Buquet, whose death was unavoidable. He knew too much about me for his own good, he found out how dangerous I was when it was too late. I could have murdered Mackenzie last night; in fact I had to use every bit of self control I had to keep myself from killing her. I also had to resist forcing myself on her, and releasing those urges which have been repressed for so long.

Although not exceptionally beautiful, no where near as gorgeous as my Christine, she is attractive in her own way. She certainly has her own style, short hair! I have never seen anything like it before, nor do I think I will see anything like it again. However, I have decided to save myself for my Christine, and not waste my energies on foul creatures. Oh Christine! You are the most beautiful angel I have ever seen. You are my angel of music! You are my soul! Why can't you see my love for you? Why must you torment me so?

The sound of voices brings me out of my brief reverie. I look up and the infernal detective and his associates are almost on top of me. For the first time in my life, I am thankful for my mask, which helps me to blend in with the ever darkening sky. I wrap my cloak more tightly around me and press myself deeper into the shadows. When my back hits the cold granite of Christine's father's tomb, I sigh with relief. I know I am safe for the time being. Making sure I am deep in shadow, I close my eyes and allow the various voices of the night to ride on the wind and bring themselves to my well tuned ears.

"Raoul, what are you doing here?" It is the voice of my Christine! The music in her voice has turned my whole world around. Warmness fills my heart and I resist the urge to sigh. I close my eyes tighter and try to fill my entire being with the angelic tone of her voice.

"Christine! Christine how I've waited for this moment! What are you doing?" The warmness in my heart turns to ice and my eyelids fly open at the sound of that voice! My vision slowly turns to red and once again the image of breaking that meddlesome boy's neck is forefront in my mind. Don't allow your rage to get the better of you. Wait, listen; don't interrupt. This could prove to be quite interesting. With some effort I manage to subdue my rage and continue to listen.

"I was preparing to pay my respects to poor father Raoul. I should have known you would be here, he told me." Sweet naïve, innocent beautiful Christine.

"Christine, did your father tell you anything else? Did he tell you how much I love you?"

"Oh Raoul! Raoul this is not the place to profess love!" The girlish peal of laughter is a knife in my heart. Before I can stop myself, a wail of agony and anguish escapes from my lips. My cry shatters the unearthly silence of the night, causing my dear angel and that wretched boy to cling together and stare into the sky, with terrified expressions on their faces.

My hiding spot gives me an advantage and I can see the expressions on the faces of Mackenzie and the detective, despite their hiding place. Both hold an air of alertness and a look of fear flashed fleetingly across the girl's face. Had I not been in such pain I might have found their expressions comical. I once again look at the detective's face, which was intent and drawn. Despite my pain I cannot stop the smile that is creeping across my ravaged features. I have successfully unnerved him. Perhaps he realizes he cannot meddle in the affairs of the Angel of Death.

I must continue to watch, this could prove to be entertaining…