Hi again!
Sorry, I went on another hiatus. Finals were completely messing up my plans. Although I'm happy to say that I did fairly well as far as maintaining my original grades. But I still have a stupid "C" in Chemistry. Ugh. I loathe that class. Thank God it's over. I hated Chem so badly, let's just say I welcome Physics with open arms. I still can't believe I'm going to be a junior. I feel so old! If someone would even mention the term 'upper-classman' to me, I'd just sit there and say, "Who?". It's so odd, I can't get over it! Well, at least summer's here! Halleluiah!
Okay, I'm going to say this one more time…I'm gonna see the Phantom at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis on June 15! AAAH! Mad phan obsessiveness! Anyways, yeah, it's convenient living really close to St. Louis, 'cause I get to go to see musicals all the time! Weee!
I don't know if I've said this before, and if I have, I honestly don't care. I think I'm going to turn this into an announcement as well, so here goes: I'M GOING TO ITALY! Yes, that wonderful country (in Europe) that's shaped like a boot! Oh yes! I'm leaving with the art department at my school, and we're mainly going to see all the museums, monuments, and all that other wonderfully historical crap. And I actually like the historical crap. So that's even better! I'm going to be there for ten days, during which we shall be visiting the following cities: Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan (SHOPPPING!), Tuscany, and Pompeii. I'm leaving on June 20th, so that'll be a very VERY good excuse for not updating. I just felt like saying that. Sorry for the outburst. Teehee…
Anyways, I have officially made up my mind to completely FINISH this story by the end of the summer. My original goal was the end of the school year…and…that didn't happen. Sooo, I shall fervently try my best to finish the rest of it. And I'm thinking that, including this chapter, I'm going to have two more chapters of the story left. So I guess that means I have to stop my bad habit of procrastination.
Smart One- I tried looking for your story, but I couldn't find it! I'll try again, maybe I've been looking it up wrong. What's the name of the story? Maybe I could find it easier that way. I hope I get to read it! It sounds really interesting.
EarthboundAngel- You're seeing the play in St. Louis too! That's so cool! Are you on vacation or something, or do you just live around here, like I do? Wow, what a small world. And this will be your first time seeing it? Oh, you'll love it! I'm seeing the production on the 15th of June (because on the 20th I'm leaving for Italy).
Romanceluver95- wow, I'm so happy you liked it so much! Your review made me feel extra special, and it just made my day! I love reviewers like you!
Blaze123- Well, I updated…sorry it wasn't very soon, though!
Samuel L. Muthafuggin Frollo- Trust me, I know all to well what it's like to read a story in a genre that I know nothing about, and still love it. I'm so glad you liked mine, though! And I thought it so nice of you to say I had a diverse vocabulary! . Those things just make my day! And coming from you, I find that a high flattery. Thank you so much for reading it!
GS Dragono- You had the flu! Well, generally speaking, that was quite a long time ago, but I'm so sorry! Flues are simply horrible, I hate them with a fiery passion! They just make you feel so icky. And I hate feeling icky. I'm glad you're better, though. Thank you for your nice words, they really do make me smile like an idiot.
D-I-WaRrIa- hi there! I haven't heard from you in awhile! Oh, I'm so glad you think it's balanced. A lot of the time, during different scenes, I get totally wrapped up in either TT or POTO, and think to myself that it seems way too much like one or the other. But your review helped relieve me of that worry. Thank you! And yes, I did intend to Americanize it a little, mainly because of the whole High School scenario. And I'm not very good at portraying what happens in European high schools…heehee. Well, I'm glad it LOOKS like I have a lot of time on my hands (to research and whatnot) but it's quite the opposite. I kind of learn as I go, but it always seems like when I tell people what I learn they do the whole "Whoa, it would have taken me so long to figure that out!". But I'm really flattered that a writer such as yourself (whose works I'm quite a fan of) would like mine! I hope you like the update!
Fan of This Fic- that's such a cool name, come to think of it. Do you use that pen-name for reviewing everything you read? Either way, I think it was a creative idea. Anyways, I'm really glad you liked the last chapter. Your reviews are nice because they reassure me that I'm not making this thing a total splat! Thank you!
Sandra Yvette- I felt really bad for Kiona too (even though I did write it), I just got that sad feeling that you get when you're writing something death-related, you know? Well, glad you liked it, and I hope you enjoy the next chappie!
Valda- You never cease to make me laugh! And I do think I'm lucky you know how it ends, it probably wouldn't be too pretty for me to make you wait that long if you didn't know the ending…lol. I hope you did well on your Les Miserables medley. I wish my choir would do that sometime! We have the music, it's just that the darn seniors from last year got to sing it, and now the rest of us want a turn! Anyways, I'll make sure to check out some of your writing soon, I'm sure it's full of Starfire/Red X hotness!
Swimmergirl642- Oh, your poll didn't bore me at all! I absolutely LOVE reading those, simply because they show so much information about the other person's personality, and I always feel like I know them better that way. They're not just a reviewer anymore, you finally get to see their opinions and whatnot. I'm really glad you liked it, and I was hoping someone would take a liking to the little BB/Rae moments I threw in!
Strodgfrgf- Yes, and to compensate for that extremely quick update I did last time, I now had to make an extremely slow update this time! No, not really, but that's kind of how it seems. Glad you liked, and I hope you like the new chapter!
TTHPfan- Yes, sad to say, my story will definitely be ending soon. But with each chapter, I've been elongating the climax more and more, so I'm thinking, after this chapter, there will be two more. I think. It's very subject to change. I just can't write super long chapters, it would take me even longer than I need to update with my short ones! You love Hunchback too! Finally, someone who understands! And I am commanding you: read the book! It's so beautiful, and a little hard to understand (just like the Phantom book) but so worth the read. I am warning you though, that Hunchback the book is far different than the movie. I could go on an endless list of why that is so. But yeah, hope you like the update!
Laurashrub- I'm so happy you liked how Steven's death was handled! And I'm glad you got to see Kiona as a real person, as well, that was my goal. And with the mask thing, I like to make things a little less usual than the musical, but not by much. Little tweaks like that is what I love to do with this to make it my own, you know? I'll be so sad when this story's over! cries. Anyway, thank you, glad you liked!
Hanbags- Yeah, the fast update was a bit of a one-time thing, as we can all see…but the main point is that I have continued, and finally, might I add. I'm a horrible procrastinator, it's not even funny. Happy you liked it!
Slade's Downfall- Hey there! Haven't heard from you in awhile! Well, I must say I found it immensely funny that I could catch someone on that cliffhanger! It's so fun to do! And I'm probably going to drag this out as much as I can, teehee. I'll probably have one or two more chapters to the story left (after this one) so I suppose that would be a fair estimate for you. Glad you liked!
The One and Only- I don't know if you'll see this, Andrea, but I'm glad you liked "Tightening Tensions". I didn't expect you to read it, and you're right, it doesn't seem like something I would write. But you know how many personas I have…muahahaha…and by the way, I AM NOT A BABOON! Hahaha, have a great summer, Andrea!
Okay, back to the overly prolonged story…
Kori froze. She immediately felt ill, and her face went deathly white. Her skin crawled and her insides iced over as she heard those words:
"Wait, I think my dear, we have a guest…"
A guest…That could only mean…
"Oh no," she whimpered.
Not Richard, no, he couldn't have come all the way down here! He should have left her, he should have stayed. She should have expected this, that he would search for her. He was overly protective of her, and for that she was grateful. But now he had gone too far, he should have left better well alone, for she was as good as dead. Now in the hands of this murderer, she no longer felt like living. Stupid Richard! Leave it to a man to decide what was best for her own protection, whilst on the way to getting himself killed. But how on earth would he have known how to…?
"Raven…" she stuttered under her breath. No, this couldn't be happening. Raven was her friend; she wouldn't have sent Richard down here, to only welcome eminent death…
Her panicked thoughts were cut short when she heard a splashing sound, emitting not from the mouth of the rocky cave, but by the opposite side, where another entrance had always been. Apparently Richard had found the quote 'back door' route of the tunnels, which had a long barred gate that separated any from coming through.
She saw him at the other entrance, and her stomach churned. She would have given her very life for him to be anywhere but at the mercy of this masked man. And he had gone and done just that. Oh, how bravery can come to bite you in the face…
Before she could gather her emotions, the Phantom, who still held her tightly in his grasp, spoke.
"Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight!"
He turned around to face Richard and jerked Kori's left arm with him, creating an "Eeep!" to escape her throat. His grip was fierce, as was his motive. She tagged weakly behind him, hoping that he wouldn't approach her boyfriend.
"I had rather hoped that you would come…"
He pulled on her arm yet again, so that she swung against his side from behind him, drawing her close. She tried to retaliate at this, seeing as his grip was tightening. She could feel an impending bruise beginning to form. She raggedly tried to push him back, but to no avail. He only drew her closer to his side.
"And now, my wish comes true,
You have truly made my night!"
The look on Richard's face was a mixture of pure rage and helpless fear. She could see the panic in his eyes. Panic for her. He reached past the bars, groping about them for entry, and yelled pleadingly at the ghost.
"Free her!
Do what you like,
Only free her!
Have you no pity?"
The specter turned wickedly to his captive, and giving her a snide smile, responded.
"Your lover makes a passionate plea…"
For a reason unknown to Richard, a wild look entangled her eye. With his haunting glance boring through her, she quickly yelled back to him, without turning away from the Phantom's face. Helplessness inked from her soft voice, almost ripping him apart.
"Please, Richard, it's useless…"
Richard's heart wrenched, it was torture to see the girl he cared for being used in such a way.
"I love her!
Does that mean nothing?
I love her!
Show some compassion!"
As quick as his mocking tone had come, it vanished. In its place stood the man who he was known to be; the killer, the pained artist. He lashed out at Richard, with Kori still in hand.
"The world showed no compassion to me!"
His anger was terrifying, but Richard did not falter. He no longer cared whether he lived or died, he needed to see his Kori again.
"Kori…Kori…
Let me see her…"
The sarcastic and mocking Phantom returned, swiping Kori's arm out of his hold. With a hateful glare, he gave a few feet distance from her, as to dryly allow Richard see her.
"Be my guest, sir…"
He raised the gate, and Richard staggered gratefully through. He splashed noisily through the cold waters, and cared not for his personal comfort. He did not get very far, though, before he heard the Phantom's voice eerily mutter something to him. It was dripping with icy venom, soft and full of the foreboding that Richard barely noticed.
"Richard, I bid you welcome!
Did you think that I would harm her?
Why should I make her pay
For the sins which are yours?"
Before Richard had a chance to move any further, the specter pounced upon him, his 'punjab lasso' held distinctly in hand. He struck out at Richard, punching him deep into his gut. Richard let out a grunt of pain, and slightly doubled over. The Phantom used this opportunity to wrap the deadly cord around Richard's white neck. And upon fastening it to him, he briskly shoved the boy off him, and the rope continued to hang upward in midair, all the while threatening to snap his neck. The ghost bent over Richard's face and yelled, taunting him.
"Where's your motorcycle now?"
He viciously grabbed Richard's right arm, and yanked it upward, as to mockingly hold it to his eye-level.
"Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes!"
The Phantom raised his arm, and the suspended rope stiffened. Richard gasped as the rope tightened. Stifled breaths and staggered yells vainly tried to leave Richard's mouth, but his air supply was being shortened by the minute. He squeezed his eyes shut, to try and control his breathing pattern, then flew them open again to glare at the now unmasked Phantom. Although shaking with fear and rage, he said nothing, hoping not to endanger his breath support any more than he could. The Phantom's inhuman gaze switched to Kori, as he continued to taunt him.
"No one can save you now—
Except perhaps Kori…"
With the agility of lightning, he sprang from his spot where Richard stood. He then came upon Kori with immense force and quick movement. He grabbed her arms, shoved her to the stoned floor, and tried to hold her still beneath him. She struggled wildly, thrashing at his face, kicking whenever she could. He held her a little above the ground, shaking her into subduing. Through her struggles, he managed to lock her gaze. His caring side had seemed to vanish; all that remained was his hate and a need for control.
"Start a new life with me,"
He finally became successful with pinning her to the floor. The jagged ground cut painfully with her back, and she held back her flicker of hurt. He then straddled her with his legs, as to prevent her from pushing him away. He brought his head down upon her neck, loosely touching his lips to her skin. He suddenly put pressure on the spot, viciously rolling his face across the nape of her neck. She panicked at this, terrified of his brash action, and couldn't stifle the pained squeal that emitted from her lips. She turned her head from side to side, wordlessly pleading for him to stop. He fastened her wrists to the ground with his fists, and pinned her legs beneath him, proving her immovable.
"Buy his freedom with your love,"
She looked at him in horror, prepared for the worst, when he rapidly tightened his grip on her wrists and thrust her up from the ground. He picked himself up as well, and instead stood in a kneeling position. He dragged her to him, and swung her around so that her back faced him, and snaked one vice-like arm around her waist, and held her neck in the other. He rammed her body closer to him, clutched her angrily, and pointed to the on looking Richard.
"Refuse me and you send your lover to his death!"
He took both her arms in his grasp, and held her near, far too near. Tears began to pour down her tan cheeks, which had now gone pale. She was trapped. She had no option, no choice. Richard was going to die at her expense. The tears leaked down her face as she tried to fight back. He brought her head closer to his and hissed dementedly into her ear, causing her to flinch in pain.
"This is the choice!"
He shook her furiously, hovering her limp body above the ground. She stared at the rocky floor as it shook beneath her gaze. Her forehead took a pressured effect, and she felt extremely light-headed. Her tears fell from where he held her, and her back racked with soft sobs. He finally shook her one last time, his body overpowering her from behind. His being shook, his hot breath flew mercilessly through her ears, and he screamed.
"This is the Point of No Return!"
It's getting kinda angsty, I think. Well, that's just my opinion. Yeah, this chapter was disgustingly short (sorry about that), but I had to make sure that I got at least one chapter in before I left for Italy. Teehee. It's fun saying that. I'm sorry if I sound completely ludicrous, I just haven't been out of the country before. This will take awhile to get over…I'll try to update as soon as I can, but there's no telling how long it'll take me, with this trip and all. And my horrid habit of procrastination. I'm going to blame it on that for as long as I can. Hope it was long enough!