Author's Note: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera
54
"Past the point of no return…"
Erik's voice flowed through the darkness as Kayla bolted through the deserted backstage, sliding around the corner and into the wings. Skidding to a stop next to Meg, she shot Christine a thumbs up.
"No backward glances…"
Christine's wide brown eyes steeled even as she stood and turned toward her Don Juan, ivory shoulders trembling. Out of the corner of her eye, Kayla watched Marizio disappear behind the curtain as the dancers moved in front of it, getting into position and beginning their dance.
"Our games of make-believe are at an end…
Past all thought of if or when, no use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend…"
From where Kayla stood, Erik was nothing but a shadow, stalking through the blackness around an angel bathed in flickering golden light. With a jolt, she saw that he was not wearing gloves. A hand landed gently on her shoulder. Turning her head, Kayla grinned ruefully at Jamie, who was flanked by Clemens, Dennis, and Marius. Marius's eyes narrowed skeptically. "Sacre bleu, Piangi lost a lot of weight, and it's been what, two minutes?"
"Let's not mock the composer now," Dennis hissed, punching Marius in the shoulder.
Marius recoiled. "That's the composer?" Jamie and Kayla nodded. "Dear god."
"I want you guys out of here. Now. You too, Meg."
"I promised Christine I would be here, and I am not leaving."
"We're not leaving, Abbots."
Kayla stared at her crewmates sternly. "You heard me ask for something and I never ask twice."
Jamie snorted. "I'm a stubborn bastard, I wouldn't try to stop me."
Shaking her head, Kayla glanced back at the stage. "Fine. You're grown-ass men, I can't stop you. But if anything changes from what we rehearsed, you get out of here; is that understood? You guys promised me."
The four boys nodded grimly.
On the stage, Christine abandoned the basket, taking one timid step closer to the spectre. Erik stepped behind Christine and, without any of his usual hesitance, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, hand gently resting on her neck. She collapsed against him, her eyes drifting shut. Erik's smile was feral.
"What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?"
Erik's fingers traced across the soprano's collarbone and down her arm, Christine staring at him in awe as he sensually lifted her hand. His gaze was electric.
"What sweet seduction lies before us?"
"I don't remember this from rehearsal."
"Jamie."
"Yes, Abbots?"
"Shut up."
Erik began to move, stepping backward slowly, leading Christine toward the staircase, his eyes fixed on hers.
"Past the point of no return, the final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return…"
"Abbots," Marizio whispered, appearing behind them. "Where is everyone?"
"We might be at war, Marizio. Go find Piangi – he's outside with Carlotta – and get out of here, and take everyone else you can find with you. Meg, I want you to go find your mum and ask her to get the dancers off the stage as soon as Don Juan and Aminta go up on the balcony, you hear me?"
With a nod, Marizio vanished. Meg wrapped her slender arms around Kayla's waist. "I'll see you soon?"
Kayla choked back a sob and hugged the smaller girl. "I'll see you soon."
With that, Meg was gone.
Christine pulled away, stepping back and away from Don Juan, pulling her lace sleeve up nervously. Yellow silk curled like flames around her legs, a red rose glowing like an ember in her brown hair.
"You have brought me
To that moment where words run dry
To that moment where speech disappears
Into silence, silence…"
Her chin rising elegantly, she stared up at Raoul, who frantically gestured at the officer in the box, who immediately pulled out a rifle. Her voice grew stronger, her eyes brightened, and her posture grew more regal. She looked calmer than Kayla had seen her look in months.
"I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined
Our bodies entwining defenseless and silent
And now I am here with you
No second thoughts
I've decided, decided…"
The young soprano took one, determined step forward. Then another, then another, until she was practically prowling, dark and predatory, toward the right hand staircase. Erik took a step onto the second spiral, gazing across the empty space at her, his eyes thoughtful.
"Past the point of no return, no going back now
Our passion play has now at last begun
Past all thought of right or wrong, one final question…
How long should we two wait, before we're one?
When will the blood begin to race?
The sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames at last consume us?"
The dancers disappeared from off the stage as Aminta and Don Juan stepped onto the balcony. God speed, guys. The audience muttered, seemingly confused. Erik and Christine, however, were aware of nothing but each other. Erik abandoned his cape in one swift motion. Both glided forward, drawn to each other like moth to flame.
"Past the point of no return, the final threshold…"
Their voices only grew stronger, layering over each other perfectly as Erik spun Christine around, clutching her to his chest and burying his head in her neck. The red of the flames danced across their cheeks.
"The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn…
We've passed the point of no return…"
"Boys. Time's up. Get out, now, and try to make sure everyone makes it out."
"Kayla, what – "
"Trust me."
"At least give me a hug before you dash."
"Here you go. A hug for you, a hug for you, a hug for you, and a hug for you."
"Much obliged."
"Get out of here, Blanchard. Stay safe. I love you guys."
"Stay safe, little sister."
The four boys disappeared into the dark. Wiping away tears, Kayla ran up the backstage stairs, panting, sobbing, and stumbling as she leapt up the wooden steps, trying to reach the man she was trying to protect before it was too late.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Lead me, save me from my solitude
Say you want me with you here beside you…"
Kayla reached the backstage balcony just as Christine's eyes opened in recognition. The brunette drew away, turning to stare at the man standing in front of her. Kayla waved frantically, and Erik smiled at her briefly before turning his tender gaze back on his angel.
"Anywhere you go let me go too…
Christine, that's all I ask of..."
Brown eyes paradoxically loving and pained, Christine reached her hand up to his cheek, and the mask fell to the floor. A woman screamed.
Erik, his scars and deformations on display for all to see, stared at the young soprano in shock, chest heaving. His black hair was mussed, one side thin and wild, the other normal and sleek. The flesh beneath the mask was red, rippled, creased and hollow. It was like melted wax. Tumblr was right, Kayla thought fleetingly. It does kinda look like a bad sunburn.
"Raoul! Captain! Get everyone out of here now!" Kayla shouted, gesturing frantically at the police chief and Vicomte seated in Box Five. Raoul shot to his feet, his head swiveling madly back and forth between the girl on stage and the girl half-hidden behind the curtain. One of the officers immediately bolted out of the box, hopefully to take her advice.
Lifting his head, Erik stared across the walk way at Kayla. The fear in his eyes broke her heart. She shook her head.
His eyes hardened, and he raised his sword.
"Erik, no!"
He stopped short at Kayla's shriek. Baring his teeth, he brought the blade down.
The sword sliced through one of two ropes bound to the railing. The trapdoor opened, and Erik and Christine fell through the gaping maw in the floor. Before her common sense could take control, Kayla leapt across the railing onto the walkway and hurled herself into the empty air. As the darkness devoured her, all she could hear were screams.
Author's Note: Sorry for a) the wait, and b) the short chapter, but I've been crazy busy. I've got three papers due in the next couple weeks, plus finals, plus my sister and I just got a bunny, and - wait for it - I've entered The Dangers of Buying Birthday Presents in a fanfiction contest. It's on Inkitt, and it's based on votes. I've got one vote right now, and the current score to beat is 14 votes. I'd like to be at least in the Top 10% category, so if any of you want to go and vote for me, please do! You can just search up The Dangers of Buying Birthday Presents, it shouldn't be too hard to find.
Thank you to everyone for their reviews, follows, favourites, etc, and to the following guest reviewers: Guest, Anonymous, Minha, Guest, guest, TwinSisterz, Liandra2428, Guest, Allie, E-man-dy-S, Guest, Michelle Desler, and Minha again.
I appreciate all of your support, hugs for you all. And please, please, vote for me if you have the time! Doing well in this contest would literally mean the world to me! Love you all!
Tierney
Tumblr - readpaintwrite
Inkitt - Hannah Anderson