Me: oooo! I almost forgot!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own ALW's version of The Phantom of the Opera although this story is based on his interpretation. Also I do not own any of the characters from the film and stage production which includes Erik, sadly, who is one of the main characters in this story. However, I do own the girl who is in a rather sticky situation at the moment and will reveal her name later including other characters of my own creation that will start cropping up in the following chapters to come.

And while I'm here, I might as well say that The Phantom in this story is largely based on Gerard Butler's performance.

-phew! I'm glad I got that off my chest! But I do own this Erik! MWHAHAHAHAAAAA!
Erik: Hey!
Me: You're my muse. Without you, where would I be with this story, huh?
Erik: Well, when you put it that way...but you do not own me!

To be continued...

Without warning his features began to soften...they were not so stern. He no longer frowned and his lips parted as he sharply inhaled and started to loosen his grip on her and back away suddenly as if jolted by something. When he saw the colour drain out of her face...those big, blue pleading eyes look desperately into his...and then the soft touch of her cold hands in a failed attempt to stop him he felt like being punched in the gut. He couldn't bring himself to do it...he just couldn't...

She fell to the ground and let out another cry as her ankle was crushed yet again. She was breathing heavily now, and with her hands she felt across the floor until she found two black, polished boots in front of her. Kneeling before him she begged,

"Please, please don't hurt me! I meant no harm!" Almost then he was inclined to help her up but instead he regained his same, cold, emotionless manner.

"Get up...I said GET UP!!" With the last of what little strength she had left she managed to stand up while wincing as her muscles and sprained ankle protested. She was even still recovering from the attempted strangling that left her throat sore and made breathing difficult. Immediately her arm was grabbed and was half dragged, half walked down the tunnel. She was also left extremely disorientated and distraught, everything around her seemed fuzzy and she didn't pay attention to where he was taking her, or couldn't considering her state... and she didn't care...

Left and right, up and down stairs she was taken. The tight grip of his large, black gloved hand started to make her arm feel incredibly sore and became numb. Her ankle was making her limp more and more and became more painful with every step that she took. How long was this going to last? Any minute then she felt like she was going to collapse. He took such long, powerful strides that made him travel even faster making it difficult for her to keep up, so every so often she would stumble here and there, only to be roughly dragged up again. Just then she thought his pace became slower.

Then he came to an abrupt halt which sent her colliding into him. She felt herself being shoved into a room. He loosened his grip of her arm and she instantly fell to the ground gasping for air and clutching onto her ankle. Now her legs ached and she could feel the ever increasing bruises. The pain was excruciating and she let out a small yelp.