ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀꜱᴋ: ᴄʜᴀᴇɴɴɪᴇ

Chapter 14

Paris, 1881

JENNIE

The Devil was on my side tonight. I stand under a bright star thanks to him.

The Persian is watching my every move like always but for once it suits me well.

Nadir? Nadir doesn't exsist. I have repressed all friendship and love from my heart. Now there is only hate.

He follows me around and thinks I don't see him. What a fool! I could've killed whenever I wanted to from the rooftop down to my underground home, but the time wasn't right yet. The old Daroga from Mazanderan will do me a favour before I pass him on to the realm of death.

Tonight I could kill anyone. I've chosen side. Like Lucier I prefer to rule in hell.

I need to walk slower, the Daroga must've lost me. You walk like an old man, can't you come closer, Daroga? Now we're in the third celler.

Here is the brick...

Look closely now, Daroga and congratulate yourself for finding out where The Phantom underground home is.

When the chandelier falls down on the audience tonight and Roseanne Park disappears in all the chaos you know where to find me and you know who take with you.

I know you, Daroga. You won't call for help, like the skilled policeman you are you will do everything on your own. Even if you will ruin our friendship tonight.

When the curtain falls in the last act I want the boy in my house by the lake. He will recive no mercy. I want Raoul De Chagny in my house, Daroga!

I trust you with bringing him here.

ROSEANNE

Now it's an hour left until Faust starts and I will be singing for Jennie one last time even though I don't know if she will hear me. Raoul's carriage is waiting outside. I won't return to my dressing room to change after the perfomance because the mirror makes me question my decisions.

I was a fool for running away, but what could I do? I can't return to Jennie because I am too scared to say yes but also to say no.

How could I marry you and deny you pyshical love?

I love you Jennie, but my love for you is a child's. I am not worthy of you.

I'm dealing with Raoul cruelly too, but I can't bear too argue with him. I don't think Raoul knows he has to pay a high price for his win.

You told me so many beautiful stories, Jennie. You taught me that even fairytales could have a tragic ending.

Somehow I don't think any of us are destined to live happily ever after.

JENNIE

It was easy to construct everything, an hour in the lab and everything was done. Before the performance I placed the explosives under the eight steel chains which held up the Garnier chandelier.

I didn't feel any emotions at all. I worked fast and cold. When I was done I hid behind the scenes. I was dressed in a red cape, an exact copy of what Mefistofeles would wear tonight. It felt right to dress like the Devil himself.

When the chandelier dropped during Roseanne's jewel song I only had a few seconds to admire when 7 tons of glas and metal crashed onto the audience before the theatre went dark and I could quickly drag Roseanne away. I dragged her through the corridors and to her dressing room.

She didn't say anything as we went through the mirror. Down once more. She had gotten into that stage of passive indifference that affects the victim before its execution. She obeyed every word I said like she was mute but it was when I asked her to put the wedding dress on she started protesting.