AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS CHAPTER TOOK ME FOREVER TO TYPE BECAUSE IT IS THE FINAL SCENE, FEATURING CHRISTINE, ERIK, AND RAOUL. WHEN ALL THREE OF THEM ARE SINGING TOGETHER, I USED SINGLE LINE BREAKS, AND DOUBLE LINE BREAKS WHEN THEY ARE SINGING ALONE. SO, CHRISTINE = ITALICS, ERIK = BOLD, AND RAOUL = UNDERLINED. YAY FOR FUN TYPING OF LYRICS! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THIS CHAPTER! ~ DP
Down once more to the dungeons of my black despair! Down we plunge to the prison of my mind! Down that path into darkness deep as HELL!
I felt myself being dragged down the corridor and pushed into the gondola as I watched the now revealed Phantom row us across the lake quickly. I looked up at him while he glared down at me, his voice and his face seething with anger as he sang once again.
Why, you ask, was I bound and chained in his cold and dismal place? Not for any mortal sin, but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!
I cringed as he sang to me. I hated his anger, and I didn't mean to make him so angry. All I wanted was to see his beautiful face. The gondola stopped and he jumped out onto the rocks, pulling me sharply out of the boat. Above us, I could hear the mob coming from him, chanting, 'Track down this murderer! He must be found!'
"Please stop, Erik! You're hurting me!"
He pulled me along and forced me down onto his bed, then left to get the wedding gown. Holding it in one hand and pushing me down with the other, he sang again.
Hounded out by everyone, met with hatred everywhere! No kind words from anyone, no compassion anywhere! Christine…why? WHY?
"I'm sorry! All I wanted was to see your face!"
He threw the wedding gown at me, and left the room, going out to the other part of his lair where he couldn't see me. I held it in my hands, realizing what I had to do. I stood up and quickly took the costume off from Don Juan, slowly pulling the wedding gown on. I buttoned the back of it on my own as I stared into the mirror. What was going to happen to me? Was he going to marry me? Was he going to kill me? I turned around, walking out into the part of the lair that he was in. He seemed fixated on something, but I couldn't see what.
Have you gorged yourself at last in your lust for blood?
He turned and looked at me, a small smile on his face as he saw me in the wedding gown. I looked at his hands and saw he was holding the veil that matched the gown. He panted softly, still watching me as I made my way down to him.
Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?
He walked towards me, slowly as not to startle me any more than he already had. He sang again, his voice more calm than what it was before, but I could still sense the anger within him.
That fate which condemns me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh…
He touched my cheek and I flinched, stepping back from him. He sang again, still holding the veil in his hands.
This face, the infection which poisons our love…this face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing, a mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing.
He placed the veil upon my head, making sure it fit just right before he turned me to face him, holding onto my arms to keep me still.
Pity comes too late! Turn around and face your fate! An eternity of this before your eyes…
I stepped back from him, walking behind him to a mirror that had been covered up. I grabbed the cloth and slowly pulled it away, revealing his reflection. I dropped the cloth, turning back to look at him.
This haunted face holds no horror for me now. It's in your soul where the true distortion lies…
He went to take a step towards me until he heard movement in the water. His lips turned into an evil smirk as he looked at me, held his hand up and sang,
Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest!
I turned my attention to the gate, seeing a soaked Raoul on the other side. I screamed his name, running to him, but I was caught by the Phantom's arm and he pulled me to him as he sang again.
Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight! I had rather hoped that you would come! And now, my wish comes true; you have truly made my night!
"Let me go!"
Raoul growled, reaching his arm through the bars of the gate, trying to find a way in.
Free her! Do what you like, only free her! Have you no pity?
Your lover makes a passionate plea, he sang to me in a mocking tone, lifting my chin to him. I turned to Raoul, shaking my head.
Please, Raoul, it's 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.
Be my guest, sir!
The Phantom let me go as he pulled a lever. The gate lifted and Raoul went under. The Phantom began to walk over to him and when I had started to follow, he held his hand up at me to stop me. I stood frozen as I watched Raoul stop, watching the Phantom and I.
Monsieur, I bid you welcome. Did you think that I would harm her? Why would I make her pay for the sins which are yours?
The Phantom reached into the water and pulled out a noose and wrapped it around Raoul's neck. He gasped for air as I screamed, the Phantom moving to tie him to the gate, which was now down where it was before.
Order your fine horses now! Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now, except perhaps Christine!
He finished tying Raoul to the gate, holding onto the other end of the rope that was around his neck, turning back to face me.
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!
I let out a shuddering breath, tears flooding my eyes as I sang.
The tears I might have shed for your dark fate grow cold and turn to tears of hate!
The Phantom growled, returning his attention to Raoul, readjusting the ties.
Christine, forgive me, please forgive me!
Farewell, my fallen idol and false friend!
Too late for turning back!
I did it all for you and all for nothing…
We had such hopes and now those hopes are shattered!
Too late for useless pity!
Say you love him (Past all cries for help) and my life is over (No point in fighting!)!
For either way you choose he/you has/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?
The Phantom pulled on the rope, starting to choke Raoul as I began to sing again, tears rolling down my cheeks.
Past the point of no return…
Angel of Music…
For pity's sake, say no Christine!
Why this torment?
The final threshold…
Don't throw your life away for my sake!
His life is the prize which you must earn!
Why do you curse mercy?
I fought so hard to free you…
Angel of Music…
You've passed the point of no return…
You've deceived me. I gave you my mind blindly!
The Phantom glared at me, the cold sneer on his face unchanging. "You try my patience. Make your choice!" He pulled on the rope once more and Raoul let out a gasp of air, looking at me. My heart was tearing in two. Do I choose the Phantom, the one who taught me to sing, or do I choose the love of my life who has cared for me for so long? I looked at them both as I stepped down into the water. My attention was on the Phantom as I walked, singing softly.
Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone!
I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his lips deeply. I heard the rope splash into the water as he slowly moved his hands to my waist. I pulled back and gazed up at his face, his beautiful face. And I saw tears. I hugged him tightly, and then I moved my hands to his face, cupping it gently as I kissed him again, pulling him as close as I could as I held the kiss. After a few moments, he pulled away, sniffling, crying quietly. Above, we could hear the mob growing closer and closer, singing, "Track down this murderer! He must be found!" He gently pushed me away, turning to Raoul.
Take her, forget me, forget all of this!
I looked at Raoul, and then ran over to untie him from his prison, taking the rope off of his neck first before I began working the rope binding his arms.
Leave me alone! Forget all you've seen! Go now! Don't let them find you! Take the boat swear to me never to tell the secret you know of the angel in Hell!
I got Raoul free, who quickly embraced me as we both turned back to look at the Phantom who was panting heavily, hearing the mob getting closer and closer.
GO NOW! GO NOW AND LEAVE ME!
He ran back into the deepest cavern of his lair. I reached for him, and Raoul pulled me back. "What are you doing," he asked. "They're going to kill him when they find him, Christine. We don't need to be down here."
"Get the boat ready," I replied. "I'll be there soon," I said, moving through the water and back to the stairs, walking up them and going into the deepest cavern. I followed the chime of the music box, hearing a soft voice singing along to its familiar chimes.
Masquerade…paper faces on parade. Masquerade…hide your face so the world will never find you…
I smiled softly as I watched him. He sensed that I was there. He slowly turned around, watching me. I slowly pulled off my ring as I walked over to him, placing it in his hand. He gently closed his hand around mine, looking up at me with soft, apologetic eyes. They were the eyes that I had grown to love: eyes that showed beauty, wonder, and above all love. He slowly lifted my hand, kissing it ever so softly as I let out a small sob. He looked up at me, tears in his eyes as well as he sang.
Christine…I love you…
I let out another sob, leaning my head down to kiss his hand before I slowly released my hand from his. I left my ring in his hand as I slowly began to walk away. I quickly moved down the stairs and Raoul helped me into the gondola, slowly rowing us away from the Phantom's lair.
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime…
Say the word and I will follow you…
Share each day with me, each night, each morning…
I glanced back at the Phantom one last time as we turned in the lake, hearing him sing his final words to me.
You alone can make my song take flight…IT'S OVER NOW THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT!
The mob came down through the lake and into the Phantom's lair. I hid my eyes into Raoul's back, feeling dizzy as he stopped the boat to check on me. I could feel myself growing more dizzy which each passing second and I collapsed in Raoul's arms. I felt myself being laid down in the boat and we continued on our way. The Phantom was gone. The music was done. And I realized…that I had been there.