Stories of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 5: Red Death

"Erik, this plan... It scares me. What if something goes wrong and they don't believe the trick? You will be gone, forever stuck in La Bicetre." I step closer to him as he sits at the organ.

He turns to me as I sit down next to him. "There is no need to worry, my dear. The plan will work, and if it doesn't you will hear from me, describing what you are to do." He says as he strokes my cheek. I lean into his touch, sighing softly. My eyes flutter closed as he hums his lullaby softly before he sings quietly,

"Softly, deftly, music shall caress you

Hear it, feel it, secretly possess you

Open up your mind, let you fantasies unwind

In this darkness which you know you cannot fight

The darkness of the music of the night."

His hand leaves my cheek and I open my eyes as he goes back to playing his organ. He stops again after a few moments and slowly stands up, looking to me.

"Would you like something to drink?" He asks courteously.

I nod and he leaves for a moment, then returns with a metal goblet filled with crystal clear water. I take a sip as he says, "We must start now, if we ever want to escape from this."

"Erik, I really think this is a bad idea!" I grab his arm as he tries to turn from me. "You could be hurt, or worse, killed!"

He takes my hands, "We must do it, no matter what the cost. It is the only way we can be free."

"Please Erik! Please, don't make me do this!" I beg, suddenly black spots start to appear in my vision.

He looks at me sadly, "Do not fight it my dear, when you wake up the plan will be under way."

I try to take a step closer to him, but I stumble and start to fall, his arms slip underneath me and save me from my descent.

"Erik, what-"

"Shh, just close your eyes." He interrupts softly as he starts to carry me through the passage. My head lulls limply into his chest as the dizziness continues. Seconds later I feel him set me down gently on my bed.

I look at him through half open eyes. He brushes my hair out of my face, "Remember your act." He whispers in my ear, the presses a soft kiss to my cheek and everything goes black.

* * *

"Well look who has returned."

I jump awake and look around the room for the source of the voice, I find that it was the same officer as earlier.

Slowly, I stand up and a sheet of parchment floats to the floor, before I can bend down to pick it up, the officer snatches it off the ground and scans through it.

"To my dearest Kane," He reads, "Aw isn't that sweet." He continues.

"I do hope that you enjoyed our night together, however it was our last. With these officers after me, there is no way for our affair to continue; there is also no way for me to continue.

I fear for both my life and yours, though my life means very little now. I must say goodbye, if you wish to accompany me out of this world, then please join me on the rooftop at sundown.

Your dear lover,

Erik."

He finishes.

I take several steps back, knowing that I have to start my act or our plan is ruined.

"Erik!" I exclaim, then bury my face in my hands pretending to weep.

"This how we will catch him! You will attend this meeting and we will arrest him there in front of his lover, how broken he will be!" The officer laughs and leaves the room.

I sit down on my cot and wait, I have to play along with Erik, if I don't we could both end up dead.

Several hours later the officer comes back. Knowing that it would be cold I take the cloak that Erik had given me the last time we were on the roof. The officer escorts me up to the roof, "You are to act normal, we will arrest him when the time is right."

I nod slowly. I hope Erik is ready for this.

I step out onto the roof, taking in the cold air, I walk towards Erik's turned back as the snow falls around us. Suddenly I remember that I have to act, we have to be lovers.

"Erik!" I exclaim and race towards him.

He whips around and catches me in his arms, to my surprise his lips close around mine.

I melt, this, this is what I have always dreamed of, those lips that sing such beautiful words pressed against my own. I grip his strong arms as he pulls me closer. We might as well make this as believable as possible.

My heart races in my chest as his grip on my hips gets tighter. I'm not sure of he is just acting or if he secretly loves me as much as I do him.

After what I want to be eternity he pulls away, "My dear." He whispers.

"Please don't do this, I-I love you Erik." I beg with as much honesty in my voice as I could give.

Somehow he sees it, I see the recognition in his eyes. His hands slip up my waist and he cradles my head in his hands.

"I have to, my love." He pulls out the gun.

I bite my lip, holding back a sob, one that's not fake. He takes a step away from me, holding the gun to his side. I blink once and it goes off, the red liquid stains his white shirt. He stumbles back and slides down the base of a statue.

I let out a loud sob as he looks at me through half open eyes, I snatch up the gun and whisper, "Anywhere you go, let me go too." And with that I pull the trigger, the red seeps through my white dress.

Act, he said, act through it. I stumble and fall, my head landing in his lap. I stare up at the sky it spits snowflakes and they fall, framing Erik's face beautifully.

Suddenly the door opens and several guards coming running across the roof.

"It's over," Erik growls. He is a very good actor. "Leave us."

They pull him from underneath me and he glances down, the look he gives tells me to continue.

"Erik." I exclaim weakly.

They lift up his shirt, the flask that held the berry dyed water falls to the ground. I stare at Erik, panic creeping in.

"You are under arrest." An officer pulls his arms behind him.

Another officer yanks me to my feet, I struggle as I watch them drag him away. "Erik!" I yell.

At the sound of my voice he seems to snap out of whatever trance he was in. He starts to struggle, freeing one arm he throws punches. One officer pulls out a baton and slams it into his head. His mask flies off, shattering when it hits the ground.

He seems to crumple slowly. "Erik!" I scream.

My heart shatters in my chest as they drag him away. "No!" I sob. "No!"

This is it, he will be stuck in La Bicetre forever.