Chapter Thirty Three: A Descent into Madness: The Phantom's Mania
I attempt to hide a smile as Raoul de Chagny bravely steps forward. He really is nothing more than a boy, but regardless he is an annoyance and must be eliminated.
"Come on Monsieur, don't be afraid! Come closer Monsieur!"
"Who are you?" What a childish question!
"I have been called the Angel of Death. Would you care to learn how I got mon nom?" My hands tingle as I imagine the feel of the soft skin on his neck underneath my hands. Then the exquisite numbness that shoots up my arm as the spinal cord cracks in two and a bit of bone hits a nerve in my hand, causing it to momentarily loose feeling.
"You do not scare me Monsieur!" He says as he steps closer to the tomb of Daddy DaaƩ.
"Raoul! Raoul be careful!" Her voice, her heavenly voice manages to relax me, and reduces the sensation I have to murder. She holds such power over me, as much as I hold over her.
"Stay away Christine! Get back!" He shouts as she rushes toward him. This little scene is growing more entertaining. My darling is trying to protect her little playmate from my wrath.
"Christine," I say her name softly, with reverence as one would whisper a prayer. That is what her name is, a prayer, a tribute to the Greek goddess Venus for her beauty and purity. She stops walking and looks at the sky expectantly. She believes her angel is speaking to her. "Christine step away from the viscount. You are much too pure, too beautiful to witness anything that might transpire here tonight."
"Don't listen to him Christine, whatever or whomever he is! Don't listen to anything he says!"
I must not laugh at the boy's ridiculous attempt to caution Christine. Doesn't he realize that she is already in my power? She can hear nothing at the moment but the sound of my voice and will do nothing but what I order her to.
"Christine, return to the Setting Sun and rest. Do not pay any attention to anyone that might try to stop you. Go to your room and sleep. Do this for me Christine, for your angel." It pains me to have to deceive her in such a fashion but I have no choice. I love her; I need her but cannot have her. The cruel gods above have denied me my one wish! I shake my head in effort to push my morose thoughts away. I have much more to do tonight than to dwell on my troubles.
Christine, here beautiful green eyes vacant, turns from me and begins walking in the direction of the inn. She has obeyed me once again. I force myself to ignore the pang of loneliness that enters my breast as I watch her leave but I know it is necessary. I do not want her to see the end of her precious Vicomte de Chagny!
"Christine! No! You monster, what have you done to her?" The boy's voice cracks with anger, but I cannot pity him. "What spell do you have her under?"
"I do not have her under any spell Monsieur!" I watch him for a few more moments before I growing tired of his sniveling. I must end him once and for all and I must do it now. "If you want to see me, Monsieur, go to the sacristy. I will be there waiting." I move towards the sacristy and am pleased when he follows. I stop at the alter and grab one of the skulls at my feet. I crouch down and watch him enter. He looks around but has no idea what danger he is near. I could end him now, with a simple flick of my wrist, but I decide to play with him before I kill him.
"You will see Christine again Monsieur! You will see her in Heaven!" I throw the skull at him and it hits him square in the chest, knocking him backward. "Come Monsieur, is that all you've got?" I leap from my hiding place and stand directly in front of him. I lift a large granite lid from one of the ancient caskets. "Prepare to say au revoir Monsieur." The lid is weightless as I allow it to slip from my fingers.
