My Dearest Journal,

It has been several years since I have begun instructing new prodigy. I have spent countless hours working with her. My little Christine is not so little any more. She is a graceful young woman now and is a member of the dance company in my opera house. Genevieve has taught her well. I have taught her better. It is almost time to unveil h talent to the world.

Christine knows not what I do for her but in return I hope that she will someday learn of my hard work and assistance and learn to love me as I love her.

Erik

The mysterious man finally put down his pen. Closing the book he carefully thought of the words he had just placed inside it's worn, tattered leather covers. Did he in fact love the girl? He must have, for he wrote it down without so much as a second thought. After first discovering Chrisine's voice he had no other desire in the world than to teach her. He gave up his time for tinkering and writing only for her. He sighed.

"Erik, you are a dreamer. A genius, but a dreamer."

How could she ever love him? Erik gingerly lifted his hand to his face, carefully exploring his features. After seeing his face in the mirror every single day the abnormalty of its structure was not new to him, but it fascinated him all the same. A bump above his eye, a row of unnecessary creases along his jawbone, and an especially tender spot just in front of his ear. He was a monster. The was never any love for men like him. Unless...

Vaguely remembering a story he once found he scrambled to his bookshelf to find it. After a rather tedious search throughscribbles staff papeopera manuscripts he finally found it. His stolen copy of Beauty and the Beast. He had never read th full story, but perhaps it would give him the key to winning the heart of his Beauty.

Something about a peasant girl, father getting lost in a forrest, girl going off to take his place, girl becomes prisoner...here it is! The part where they fall in love.

Belle looked at the Beast, dying, his head resting on her skirts.

"Please, do not leave me!" she cried.

"I love you Belle," breathes the beast, his large chest heaving for air.

"I love you too."

At that moment the Beast let out his final breath. Belle's eyes filled with tears and she wept for her lost love. But is was not all lost. For the Beast had finally gained love through his actions. The angels blessed him and he was revived. His punishment was ended. Awaking, Belle was startled to find a handsome prince in her arms. Her tears became tears of joy.

"Truly, you are the one I am meant to love."

So that was it? Just gain her love with his actions? But she did not entirely love him until he changed into a prince. He was no prince, any one could see that. But if there was any hope he decided to take it.

The clock rang. 11 o'clock. He must be off to teach his pupil. Erik gatherednup the lists of exercises, scales, and a brand new composition, but he was missing something. Looking back at the desk his eyes caught on his missing item. The mask. Even though she could not see him while she slept he always wore it in case she were to suddenly wake and he was not able to slip away in time. That was his worst fear: being seen. But if he were to win her heart he must conquer his fear eventually.

But not tonight. Tonight was too important to risk it. Evey night was too important to risk it. Erik would never let her see beneath the mask. There was just too much at stake. Placing the mask on his face Erik surrendered his hope of ever gaining Christine's love. A Phantom who lives in shadow cannot belong with that child of the light. Unless that light were blown out...

One by one he blew out the candles and retreated to the dark, becoming the Angel who sang in her sleep.