Hi everyone! I hope you're enjoying my fanfic. If you are, please feel free to review! It really means the world to me. Even if you have criticisms, I totally want to hear them! And as I am writing this, the most popular books list has changed. So the order of the stories that I'm going through is a little different than the one currently up there. Sorry about that but nothing I can do. I'm just gonna keep writing in the order I was originally going in (Don't worry, still includes Harry Potter, LOTR, Maximum Ride, Warriors, etc.) So enjoy, and please R&R!
Today's the day. I take a deep breath in and a deep breath out. I had another one of those "fast-forward" moments. A moment ago I was in the cemetery with Raoul, now I'm in my dressing room, staring at myself in the mirror. This thing is so inconsistent! Perhaps because it was over a long period of time, it fast-forwarded me to the important part? Nemo would know…I look away from myself in disgust. I don't need Nemo's help. I don't want his help. Not from someone who wants to suppress other people's rights because of what they were born as or what they look like.
I try to comfort myself by fixing my makeup in the mirror. Unfortunately I catch sight of my face. It looks horrendous. I hope it doesn't appear this way to everyone else. It's a mix match of different facial features from all the different characters and stories. My eyes don't match, one of my eyebrows are higher than the other, and my hair is wildly curly, and a strange shade of brown with hints of white from when I was the Ice Queen. How does Nemo always look so relatively normal? I turn away from the mirror just as Raoul pops his head in (without knocking I might add).
"Ready to go, sweetie?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Don't worry, this plan is fool-proof."
"I could literally write a book about how many things could go wrong with this plan, Raoul." He laughs, as if I said something comical.
"Can you imagine? A woman writing a book? Preposterous." My eye twitches, but I brush the comment off.
"It's not too late to grab some police officers, I know where the Phantom lives, so I could guide you guys there and we can set some traps and catch the Phantom-" Raoul rolls his eyes and interrupts me.
"Silly Christine. The police would be too tired from the long trek down there that they would be unable to successfully fight the Phantom."
"Raoul, that makes no logical sense, but whatever. Let's just go ahead with your plan, but don't say I didn't tell you so."
I walk onstage as the music begins, and sit down at the table that's been put there. My dress is way too tight, and my boobs are basically falling out of them. I don't feel comfortable in this costume. I hate this already.
"Go away for the trap is set, and it waits for its preeeyyy…" A familiar voice rings in the background. Could it possibly be the Phantom? I wonder. A masked person (Phantom) appears onstage and begins to sing.
"You have come here. In pursuit of your deepest urge. In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent. Silent." I hate this, I hate this, I hate this, I hate this.
"I have brought you. That our passions may fuse and merge. In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me." That's it. When this is all over, I'm going to give everyone in this musical a nice long lecture on treating women like equal human beings. Oh no. The Phantom is slowly moving closer to the bench I'm sitting on.
"Now you are here with me. No second thoughts. You've decided. Decided." Decided? Decided on what? My eyes widen as the Phantom sits down next to me.
"Past the point of no return. No backward glances. Our games of make-believe are at an end. Past all thought of 'if' or 'when'." He scoots closer to me and carefully reaches his hand out to my waist. I scoot away.
"No use resisting. Abandon thought and let the dream descend. What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us?" He scoots closer, I scoot away.
"Past the point of no return, the final threshold, what warm unspoken secrets will we learn?" He scoots closer, and I scoot away, but unfortunately I scoot right off the end of the bench onto my butt (which still hurts from when I slipped in the cemetery). "Beyond the point of no return."
I stand up and rub my posterior and I start to sing, "You have brought me, to that moment when words run dry. To that moment when speech disappears into silence, silence." Not the repeating again! Wait a moment, if I can show Raoul it's the Phantom they'll shoot him. It's probably not going to work, but worth a try.
"I have come here hardly knowing the reason why. In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent. Now I am here with you, no second thoughts, I've decided, decided." I point to the Phantom and cover half my face, but Raoul doesn't understand. Then I motion as if I'm hanging myself, but he doesn't catch that reference either.
"Past the point of no return, no going back now. Our passion play has now at last begun." Dear Lord, Christine what are you thinking? Why are you going along with this? "Past all thought of right or wrong. One final question. How long should we two wait before we're one?" Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Meanwhile, I'm making a finger gun and miming shooting the Phantom, to see if Raoul can understand I'm telling him to shoot because it's the Phantom, but I think Raoul's fallen asleep.
"When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us?" I just give up. I try to run offstage, but the Phantom catches me and pulls me back. So close. "Past the point of no return, the final threshold. The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn." The Phantom has turned me to face him, and he's clutching my hands so I can't get away. I think Raoul's still asleep. There's only one choice for me now.
"We've passed the point of no retur-" Before we can even finish the song, I tear off the Phantom's mask. I hear gasps of shock from the audience. For some reason the police officers don't fire though. I turn to find Raoul still asleep.
"RAOUL! Wake up, you numbskull!"
"Whaa? What happened?"
"Nice of you to join us. It's the PHANTOM."
"…"
"Time to put your plan into action."
"Ohh. Right. Guards. Fire at will."
"Haha." I laugh triumphantly. "Looks like we've got you…" I look over at the Phantom and he has his puppy dog eyes on. I stop and stare.
"That's not gonna work on me." I can hear the waver in my voice.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime."
"Oh no. Not the sad song."
"Lead me, save me from my solitude."
"Are you trying to guilt trip me?"
"Anywhere you go let me go too…"
"Hey, that's my song." Raoul says from the audience.
"Christine that's all I ask of you." I lean in to give him a hug, because his guilt tripping worked, and now I feel really guilty. However, just as I lean in, he lunges out and grabs me and the trap door below us drops, and we're hurdling down at a hundred miles an hour.
"I REEEAAALLLLLLYYY SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS CCOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG!" I shout in horror, angry, and self-loathing.
After the plummeting fall into the sewers, with the Phantom he tries to drag me against my will down the tunnel. Unfortunately for him I am very feisty and put up a good fight (as Bob from the Outsiders can attest to). He tries to pull me by the hand, but I rip my arm away and try to make a run for it. Unfortunately for me, the Phantom has a lot of time on his hands, which he apparently uses to work out because he is unbelievably strong. He grabs my waist and throws me across his shoulder. I kick my legs but it does nothing.
"Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair! Down we plunge to the prison of my mind! Down that path into darkness deep as hell! Why you ask was I bound and chained in this cold and dismal place? Not for any mortal sin, but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!"
"You think you're the only one to ever be tortured because of how they looked, or who they were, or who they loved? But they're not becoming homicidal stalker, now kidnapper, maniacs. They fight through it an-"
"Track down this murderer! He must be found!" The background chorus interrupts me. As soon as the Phantom hears them coming closer, he increases his speed and ignores me.
"Hounded out by everyone! Met with hatred everywhere! No kind word from anyone! No compassion anywhere! Christine, Christine…Why, why?"
"Maybe it's because you murdered several people. Did that ever occur to you?"
"Track down this murderer he must be found! Track down this murderer he must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground! To long he's preyed on us but now we now, the Phantom of the opera is here, deep down inside. He's here the Phantom of the Opera. He's here the Phantom of the Opera."
"Would you people shut up!? I mean really, are they trying to sneak up on us? Because it's really not working…" Unluckily for me, we arrive at the underground cave before the mob can get to us. The Phantom holds up the wedding dress. I cross my arms defiantly.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes. You will put on the dress."
"No. It's degrading. And I would like to point out no matter how hard you try we can't actually legally get married because I'm never going to give my willing consent, you're a murderer and a fugitive, and you don't even have a priest."
"It's not about the legal aspect, it's symbolic. I want you to agree to stay here with me forever."
"Forever?"
"Forever…"
"That's a very long time. I don't think I'm ready for that big a commitment…"
"Just put the dress on."
"No."
"We can have this argument after you put the dress on."
"No."
"Fine. You've forced me to do something I really don't want to do…Say you'll share with me one life, one lifetime…"
"That worked on me the first time, but never again."
"Say the word and I will follow you."
"Nope."
"Share each day with me, each night, each m-"
"Fine! I'll put the stupid dress on. But only because I feel guilty, not because you are manipulating me." I put the stupid dress on, angry at myself for giving into the sad song again.
"Have you gorged yourself at last in your lust for blood? Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?" Eeeewwww. I'm not ready for that.
"That fate which comdemns me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh…" Oh my god. He really needs a girlfriend. Just not me.
"This face- the infection which poisons our love…" Or it could have been all the stalking, murdering, and kidnapping. "This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing… A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing…" Dammit. Not the sad song.
"Pity comes too late- turn around and face your fate: an eternity of this before your eyes!"
"This haunted face holds no horror for me now…It's in your soul that the true distortion lies." Thank you for finally saying something sensible Christine.
"Wait. I think, my dear, we have a guest! Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight! I had rather hoped you would come. And now my wish comes trues- you have truly made my night!"
"Free her! Do what you like only free her! Have you no pity?" It's Raoul. Fantastic (That's sarcasm).
"Your lover makes a passionate plea!"
"Raoul. You are useless."
"I love her! Does that mean nothing? I love her! Show some compassion…"
"The world showed no compassion to me!"
"Christine, Christine, let me see her."
"You can't see me? I'm standing right here."
"Be my guest sir… monsieur, I bid you welcome! Did you think that I would harm her? Why should I make her pay for the sins which are yours?" And of course, the Phantom successfully lassos Raoul around the neck. This deserves an ultimate facepalm.
"My hero." I say sarcastically.
"Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now, except perhaps Christine…" Greeeaaat.
"Start a new life with me, buy his freedom with your love! Refuse me and you send your lover to his death! This is the choice, this is the point of no return…"
"This is the wrong way to get a girlfriend…The tears I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold, and turn to tears of hate!"
"Christine, forgive me please forgive me…I did it all for you and all for nothing."
"Yeah. Seriously Raoul, that was the worst rescue I've ever- Farewell my fallen idol and false friend…We had such hopes and now those hopes are shattered!"
"Too late for turning back, too late for prayers and useless pity!"
"Say you love him and my life is over!"
"Not helping Raoul!"
"All hope of cries for helps; no point in fighting!"
"For either way you choose, you cannot win!"
"So do you end your days with me or do you send him to his grave?"
"Why make her lie to you, to save me?"
"Angel of music…"
"Past the point of no return-"
"For pity's sake, Christine say no!"
"Honestly, I'm really close to letting him strangle yo- who deserves this?"
"the final threshold…"
"Don't throw your life away for my sake!"
"When will you see reason?"
"His life is now the prize which you must earn!"
"I've fought so hard to free you…"
"Is that what you call fighting hard, Raoul? Angel of Music…"
"You've passed the point of no return."
"You deceived me" It's kind of my fault for believing him though. "I gave my mind blindly."
"You try my patience, make your choice!" The Phantom stands with Raoul's fate in his hands, and they stare so intently at me, and for the first time in a while, I'm speechless.
"I-I…How am I supposed to choose? Everything about this is so wrong. It goes against everything I stand for. This isn't love, it's basically prostitution. It also is so insulting to me that you want me only for my body. What about my personality? What about- about? You know what. I'm done. I can't do this anymore." I sit down on the cold cave floor in defeat. "I have all these mixed up feelings inside. I can't focus anymore. You see, there's this guy and he's been by my side since the beginning of this whole ordeal. We goofed around together and had a lot of fun. He was also so frustrating sometimes though, and we argued a lot, but we got into this huge fight because he didn't agree with something I was doing, and now he's gone. But I feel conflicted because…because I miss him. There I said it! I'm trying to forget him, but my mind just keeps coming back to him. I don't understand what these feelings are. I don't know if I would necessarily describe them as "love", but I want to repair our friendship. In all honesty though, I don't think I'm strong enough to be the one who apologizes (although really it should be him who apologizes). Even if I wanted to I don't know where to start because I have no idea where he is or how to contact him. I just feel so…overwhelmed by the whole situation and this is not helping and I just don't know how much longer I can do this." I pull my breath back under control. I had a bit of a breakdown there. My hands pull my hair because I'm stressed. I stare up at the Phantom and Raoul. They're speechless for a few seconds, then the Phantom speaks.
"Well, it seems to me, that if this person cared for you in return, and showed it to you in ways, like say, getting you all the leads in the opera house, or building a wax replica of you and putting a wedding dress on it, I think you should go for it." Raoul's shaking his head.
"No, no, no. Clearly if this person cared for you, and showed you his love by fighting off your crazy stalker in a graveyard with fireballs, and formulating a plan to catch this crazy stalker (while only putting you in a little danger), and going after you once that plan backfires completely and putting his life at risk for yours, then I think you should totally hook up with him."
"Well," The Phantom interrupts. "Just out of curiosity, does this 'guy' have fabulously sleeked black hair and wear an elegant mask over his face?"
"Or does he have long blond fabulous hair that all others would die for?"
"Ummm…Not really-"
"I think the answer is obviously the first one."
"No, it's the latter."
"No."
"Yes it is."
"No it isn't."
"Oh my god. You two are hopeless. I can't believe I just confided in you some of my deepest darkest feelings. I really am going insane." I shake my head.
"Actually, I do have some advice." The Phantom says. This is gonna be great. "Even if you can't find him, wouldn't it be worth it just to try?"
"Perhaps if you listen to his side of the argument, you can understand his point of view and resolve the entire thing." Raoul adds. "Wow." I sit there in shock. "That was actually decent advice…"
"So, does that mean you'll marry me?" The Phantom asks.
"Don't do it Christine. We're engaged!"
"You have a point." I say to myself. Both Raoul and the Phantom look really excited. "If I can find Nemo and get his side of the argument, maybe we could understand each other's points of view and forgive each other."
"Wait. Who's Nemo?" The Phantom asks in shock. "Did you know about this?" He asks Raoul.
"No. I have no idea. How long have you been seeing this person? Were you planning on telling me?"
"What? No, no. We're just friends." I try to explain.
"That's what they all say." Raoul says.
"Can I have an address? Does he work at the opera? Is there a point in time when I can kill him and make it conveniently look like an accident?" I facepalm.
"You two really are hopeless. If I told you Nemo was a girl, would you drop it?" They glance at each other.
"Maybe."
"Okay. Well, 'he's' a she. Satisfied? Will you please not try to hunt him, sorry "her" down and murder her? Phantom?"
"Yeah" He mumbles.
"What was that?"
"Fine."
"Good. I better not catch you breaking this promise." I look at them both, standing there like cute little puppy dogs trying to strangle each other. "You guys really impressed me." I give them each a huge and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."
The Phantom stands there in shock, holding his cheek as if I had punched him (which I didn't). But Raoul isn't as pleased. "But Christine, you never chose!" I slowly turn my head and give Raoul a death stare.
"Raoul…I swear to God I will- Pitiful creature of darkness…" I'm singing now apparently, but I'm still silently threating Raoul. "What kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone…" I lean in and kiss the Phantom, (I can't help it he was giving me the puppy dog eyes again, plus this is how it is supposed to end). I stand back as the realization hits me that this may be my first kiss. I can't remember. Oh my god…
"Does this mean we're not getting married?" Raoul asks, on the verge of tears.
"No, I just kissed him. It's not a-"
"Track down this murderer he must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground! Too long he's preyed on us, but now we know, the Phantom of the opera is there, deep down inside!" a look of horror falls across the Phantom's face. He looks back and forth at Raoul and me.
"Take her- forget me- forget all of this…Leave me alone- forget all you've seen…Go now, don't let them find you! Take the boat, leave me now, swear never to tell, the secrets you know, of the angel in hell! Go now! Go now and leave me!"
Raoul grabs my arm as we run away, but I stop.
"Christine, what are you doing?"
"This is the end of the show. I need to get out of here."
"That's what we're doing. Quick, before he changes his mind."
"That's not what I mean. I need to find a door, or a cliff I can fall off of."
"What in God's name are you talking about?"
"You're not going to be any help. Phantom!" I run to him, he looks surprised I haven't left yet. "Is there a door or anything here? Or nearby?"
"No. There's the gateway and the cave arches but no doors."
"Ahh…But there has to be something." I survey the room, but only see covered mirrors, candles, and the organ. Then my eyes settle on one particularly large, full length mirror.
"Do you mind?" I ask the Phantom, pointing at the curtain covering the mirror. He shakes his head, while still looking confused. I pull the curtain down and grab a candle stand next to it. I remove the candles and then with all my force hit the candelabra into the mirror, as if I was hitting a baseball with a baseball bat.
"Christine? What are you doing!?" The Phantom and Raoul are now both gawking at my actions. I continue to hit away at the mirror until most of the shards are gone.
"I need a door, so I'm going to make one." I pull out the wand from before. "Please, please, please work." I point the wand at the frame of the mirror. I picture a door in my mind, with the carved squares, and a glass handle, and little squeaky door-hinges. I open my eyes, and yell "WORK!" and ice comes blasting out of the wand. I stand my ground as the force tries to push me away. Suddenly I hear the mob coming down the hallway. I focus on the makeshift door, and yell "STOOOPPPP!" I'm amazed as the wand follows my directions. My guess would be perhaps because I'm no longer the Ice Queen, the wand can't just understand what I want to do telepathically. It really makes no sense. But at least it worked. I reach out for the handle and try to do what I did last time in Narnia. I turn it and begin to step through. I can faintly hear the Phantom and Raoul screaming in the background, just as I almost feel a hand brush against my back, I step through and all of it, the screaming, the mob, and the hand, fall away.
YAY! Phantom is done. I hope you liked it. Next is Maximum Ride. I've already started working on the next chapter, so I should be able to post it soon. THANKS FOR READING!