September
Ashley had become a little more comfortable with the idea of her monthly shows. After singing The Heart is Slow to Learn all of Paris was raving about the girl and her unusual music. In her August performance, she had sung Final Distance by Utada Hikaru and everyone began to see more of the music of her world. And over that time, whenever she would have a spare moment, she found herself wandering up towards the roof. She enjoyed sitting up there, enjoying the warm sun and the fresh breeze that sweeps by. And now that autumn was upon them, the summer heat was beginning to wane and replaced with the more comfortable temperatures.
Ashley was currently listening to one of her favorite Disney soundtracks: The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She enjoyed the movie, even though she never read the book or seen any of the other film adaptations, but she was fine with that. She found herself humming along with the songs as she basked in the warm sunlight of the afternoon.
"That's a pretty song." Ashley jumped up at the sound of Meg's voice.
"Geez! Don't sneak up on me like that!" She said clutching at her rapid heartbeat.
"Sorry." Meg said apologetically. "But I mean it. That's a very pretty song." She sat down next to her startled friend and pulled her legs up to her chest. "What exactly are you listening to?"
"I'm listening to some music from one of my favorite movies." She explained.
"Really? Which one?"
"You know the story The Hunchback of Notre Dame?" Meg nodded. "Well, when I was a little girl, this movie company made their own adaptation of the story. It's become one of the darkest films they've ever attempted. But it's one of my absolute favorites." Ashley's face took on a dreamy look as she thought about the film.
"So, which song was it you were humming?" Meg asked.
"The song was called Heaven's Light. It's sung by Quasimodo after he helps Esmeralda escape from the cathedral. But right afterwards it's followed by the song Hellfire sung by Frollo. The song is dark and sinister, where Frollo confesses his lust for Esmeralda and promises to destroy her if he cannot possess her." Meg felt a chill go down her spine.
"That sounds terrible." Ashley smiled.
"Yeah, but it makes for a great villain song." She said.
"So what's your favorite song from this… film?" She asked.
"Well, that would definitely be Hellfire. It's just so dark but it really intense. But, I suppose another song I like is God Help the Outcasts. It's sung by Esmeralda when she's in Notre Dame." She picked up her iPod and went through the list to God Help the Outcasts and stuck an ear bud in Meg's ear. "Just listen." As Meg listened to the song, she could understand why Ashley liked it. The song was very beautiful and spoke of the prayers and cries of those who believe to have been forgotten by God.
"Ashley, have you thought about what song you're going to sing this month?" Ashley grimaced at the thought. In truth, she had yet to think of something for her next concert.
"Actually yes. I was thinking of singing this one." She instantly switched the song to Listen to Your Heart by DHT. "I've always liked this song and it seemed like a good choice."
"I can see why." Meg said. "The song is beautiful." Ashley nodded as she continued listening. "But I think you should sing one of those other songs you just told me about too."
"Maybe I will next month." Ashley vowed. "Besides, they are really good songs."
That night, Ashley couldn't help but feel nervous. Her next show was a week away and she was already having thoughts about it. At times like this, she thought it best to listen to some music.
"Maybe Michael Crawford can ease my worried brain." She whispered and put on Michael Crawford's Disney album. As Ashley got to know more about Phantom over the years, Michael had become one of her favorites. At first she wasn't convinced, but after a while, she warmed up to him. And she was over ecstatic when she saw he had a Disney album out, especially since she grew up on Disney and will probably never let it go.
When Ashley woke up the next morning, she still had her ear buds in her ears but they were perfectly silent.
Good, I didn't leave it on repeat. She thought. She through the covers off and slipped on a pair of flats and threw a shawl over her shoulders. Ever since the morning of Il Muto, Ashley has made it a routine to go to the roof at least once during the day. Mornings were usually her favorite time because she liked watching the sun rise. When Ashley walked through the door to the roof, she saw that someone else was already up there. She silently closed the door and moved behind one of the statues.
Great, I come up here for solitude and peace and someone beat me to it. She thought. She peaked out from behind the statue to get a good look at the person. And to her surprise, it was him. The Phantom! Her blood ran cold and her heart sped up. She never expected to ever be this close to him. But here he was, standing by the edge looking out over the city. As she stared at him, she could almost make out tear stains on the unmasked side of his face.
"Why?" He asked as if addressing someone. "Why couldn't I protect you?" Ashley became more interested in his little moment. "I made you a promise, but I can't even protect one slip of a girl."
What is he talking about? She wondered. He began turning and she finally had a glimpse of the infamous Phantom in all his glory. He's handsome. She slipped back behind the statue and waited for him to leave. As he stood by the door, he sighed.
"You never deserved such a fate." He said before Ashley heard the door open then close. She poked her head out from the statue to check if he was really gone.
"That was weird."
"Ashley!" Her head shot up as someone called out her name.
"What?" She said looking around for whoever was talking to her.
"Over here." She turned around to see Meg standing a ways away. "I've been calling your name for five minutes."
"Oh, sorry." She said.
"You've had your head in the clouds all day. Is something wrong?" Ashley sat on the edge of the stage and just stared up at the chandelier.
"I've just been wondering…" She couldn't tell Meg about the incident on the roof, so she thought about a much more believable topic, "…isn't it strange that the Phantom just disappeared over the past few months?"
"I'll admit, it is odd, but no one's complaining so there's not much of a problem."
"Don't you think he's up to something?" Meg looked at Ashley with a very puzzled expression.
"What would make you think that?" Ashley shrugged.
"It just isn't coincidence that he just decided to vanish. No note, no mishaps, it's pretty suspicious." Just then, Christine and Raoul had entered the theater. Ashley looked at the two lovebirds and felt like throwing up.
"You got a thing against romance?" Meg asked teasingly.
"No, it's just that… what does she see in a man like him?" Meg raised an eyebrow so she continued. "He just seems really… bland."
"You're calling the Vicomte de Chagny bland?" She said astonished.
"Well, just look at him. Sure, he's handsome, he's rich, and he can get any girl he wants. But so is an Abercrombie model. I never really preferred good looks and that air of arrogance." Meg just laughed.
"You never cease to amaze me. I would expect you to be the type of girl who would prefer a prince charming like Raoul." Now it was Ashley's turn to laugh.
"No way. I see enough prince charmings in Disney films. By the time I reached my teen years, I had begun liking more… unusual men."
"Like who?" She questioned.
"Only those in stories." Ashley admitted. "I have never liked any boy from my reality. Only those in other realities. Ones who were extraordinary. It's kind of pathetic, I know, but it's just been how I've been for the longest time." Meg just stared at her for along moment before standing up. "But there's only one person who has held my heart for the longest time." Meg noticed the far off look in her eyes as she thought about her mysterious love. But just as she saw it, the look vanished and Ashley smiled. "Well, you probably have practice. I'll just take care of my song."
That night, Ashley had returned to the roof half hoping that she would see the Phantom again. To her disappointment, he was not present. But this did give her the time she needed to be to herself. She looked up at the sky. It was cloudy tonight so she couldn't see the beautiful moon that could have been illuminating the night. But she wasn't really thinking about the beauty of the moon. She still couldn't shake the look of the Phantom from that morning.
"Why couldn't I protect you?" That sentence alone kept eating at her mind.
"Protect who?" She wondered. She pressed the play button on her iPod and stuck her ear buds in her ears and began to sing…
Far longer than forever
I'll hold you in my heart
It feels as though you're here with me
Although we're far apart
His head jerked up from his work as he heard her voice. He glanced around at his lair searching for the voice that had been haunting him since her untimely death. He was disappointed to find he was alone. But that didn't stop him from responding to the heartfelt prayer that had echoed through his realm.
Far longer than forever
As constant as a star
I close my eyes and
I am where you are
Ashley thought she could hear a voice singing back to her as she gazed into the star lit night. It was his voice. The Phantom from her dream. So she quickly responded to his voice with her own.
As sure as the dawn brings the sunrise
We've an unshakable bond
Destined to last for a lifetime
And beyond
They could hear each other loud and clear as they continued their strange duet. They didn't know why this was happening, but they knew that they couldn't let this moment pass.
Far longer than forever(Far longer than forever)
Like no love ever known
And with your love
I'll never be alone
Far longer than forever(Far longer than forever)
I swear that I'll be true(I swear that I'll be true)
I've made an everlasting vow
To find the way to you
Far longer than forever
Like no love ever known
And with your love
I'll never be alone
Far longer than forever
Much stronger than forever
And with your love
I'll never be alone…
She let out a big sigh as the song ended. She felt something wet on her face after a few seconds. She touched her hand to the damp spot and realized that she had been crying through the song.
"That's strange." She said to herself. Ashley suddenly began seeing scenes passing before her eyes.
"They're gaining on us!" Ashley could see herself running with someone. She couldn't exactly tell who, but he was holding onto her very tightly. They were running down a corridor that was unfamiliar to her.
"Halt! Or we'll shoot!" She saw a few police officers appear a ways away. But as quickly as she scene came, it shifted to another. Now she could see herself being restrained by someone with a few police officers aiming their guns at the figure from earlier.
"No! Leave him alone!" She screamed. Not too long afterwards, she heard a gunshot and fell down onto her hands and knees.
"What… what is this?" She asked as if someone was there. She began seeing herself fall to the ground with blood pooling around her body. Ashley's eyes widened and began to feel dizzy. The next thing she knew, everything went black.
He had the strongest urge to go to the roof. It sounded crazy, even for him, but he had a feeling that if he went there, she would be waiting for him. But that couldn't be. She was dead. But he had to make sure she was there.
I just have to be sure. He thought. And as he reached the roof, his dreams were crushed when there was no one there.
Christine sat by Ashley's side waiting for her friend to wake up. She and Raoul had gone up to the roof for some fresh air when she found Ashley unconscious. Raoul had gone to find the Giry's and possibly a doctor while Christine agreed to watch over the girl. Finally, Ashley began to stir a bit then opened her eyes.
"Thank goodness." Christine said. "What happened to you on the roof?" Ashley stared at the girl for a moment, not exactly seeing her.
"Christine?" She asked.
"Yes, it's me." Ashley's eyes went wide then practically jumped into her arms.
"Christine, how did you get here?" Christine was feeling confused.
"Ashley, are you feeling alright?" Ashley pulled away and took a good look at her friend. The smile on her face fell.
"Oh, sorry Christine. I thought…" She looked off to the side. "Never mind."
"Thought what?" But before another word could be said, Raoul had returned with Mme Giry and a doctor.
"Well, she seems to be alright now." The doctor said.
"We found her lying on the roof unconscious. We thought perhaps she was sick." Raoul explained. So the doctor began examining Ashley and after a few moments gave his prognosis.
"How have you been sleeping?" He asked.
"Well, not that great." She admitted.
"Do you suffer from any nightmares that might cause you to lose sleep?"
"Sometimes. But it's not so bad. I'm fine, really." Ashley couldn't tell them about the images she saw before she collapsed. Who knows what they'd do if she told them.
"Well, I'd suggest getting plenty of rest. You should go to bed early tonight and see how you feel tomorrow." Ashley smiled at the doctor and nodded.
"I'll do that. Thank you." Ashley said. The doctor smiled at the girl and made his leave.
"Perhaps you should just go to sleep now." Christine suggested. "You have your show tomorrow evening. We don't want you fainting on stage now do we?" Ashley let out a small giggle.
"No, we don't." She said. "I'll just go to sleep then." Everyone made to leave, but Christine stopped for a moment and looked back at her friend.
"Ashley, is there another Christine you know?" She asked. Ashley nodded.
"Only one." When she didn't continue, Christine knew that she wasn't going to get an answer today.
The next night, Ashley was feeling much better and was ready to take on Paris.
Maybe I was just seeing the beginnings of my subconscious taking over. Ashley thought. She found it strange that she saw such frightening images before collapsing, but she couldn't linger on them long, it was showtime!
"Ready?" Meg asked her.
"As I'll ever be." She said and took a deep breath. She stepped out onto the stage and was once again blinded by the lights above. It also obscured her view on the audience so she couldn't see them. With that, she could pretend she was alone in that room as she sang.
I know that you're hiding things
Using gentle words to shelter me
Your words were like a dream
But dreams could never fool me
Not that easily
I acted so distant then
Didn't say goodbye before you left
But I was listening
You'll fight your battles far from me
Far too easily
"Save your tears cause I'll come back"
I could hear that you whispered as you walked through that door
But still I swore
To hide the pain when I turn back the pages
Shouting might have been the answer
What if I'd cried my eyes out and begged you not to depart
But now I'm not afraid to say what's in my heart
Though a thousand words
Have never been spoken
They'll fly to you
Crossing over the time and distance holding you
Suspended on silver wings
And a thousand words
One thousand confessions
Will cradle you
Making all of the pain you feel seem far away
They'll hold you forever
The dream isn't over yet
Though I often say I can't forget
I still relive that day
"You've been there with me all the way"
I still hear you say
"Wait for me I'll write you letters"
I could see how you stammered with your eyes to the floor
But still I swore to hide the doubt
When I turn back the pages
Anger might have been the answer
What if I'd hung my head and said that I couldn't wait
But now I'm strong enough to know it's not too late
Cause a thousand words
Call out through the ages
They'll fly to you
Even though we can't see I know they're reaching you
Suspended on silver wings
Oh a thousand words
One thousand embraces
Will cradle you
Making all of your weary days seem far away
They'll hold you forever
Oh a thousand words
Have never been spoken
They'll fly to you
They'll carry you home and back into my arms
Suspended on silver wings ohhh
And a thousand words
Call out through the ages
They'll cradle you
Turning all of the lonely years to only days
They'll hold you forever
As the song ended, Ashley was given a standing ovation. The entire theater was filled with applause and shouts of praise. Ashley however barely noticed because after the music stopped, she felt almost empty. She could barely move from her position because of this feeling. She did manage a glance at Box Five and felt her breath catch in her throat when she saw a shadow behind the curtain.
Is that… But when she looked again the shadow was gone. I'm going crazy.
She finally regained control of her body and walked off stage where Meg attacked her with a hug.
"That had to be your best show yet." The blond whispered.
"I have to agree with you there." Ashley said. She definitely could feel the difference while she sang in this world. She couldn't exactly tell if it was because this was a musical world or if it was the rush of actually performing. Either way, Ashley could never get enough.
The songs used in this chapter were Far Longer Than Forever from the movie The Swan Princess and A Thousand Words from the game Final Fantasy X-2.
Here I changed the songs. And I even added an unconscious duet between Erik and Ashley too. They'll be doing that a couple of times by the way. So, yeah, the story is kind of the same so far, but I promise it starts to change after the Masquerade chapter.