What If He Wasn't Alone? (A Phantom of the Opera Fanfiction)

Chapter 4: Il Muto (and the Scene Afterword...)

Erik’s POV

I heard footsteps and turned to see Isa. She looked beautiful, her dress made her eyes stand out even more than usual. I was trying really hard not to stare at her, when I noticed that she wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“I look stupid.” she said

“No you look beautiful.” I said sincerely.

She blushed and said “Thank you.”

“Shall we?” I asked offering her a hand. She took it, lacing her fingers around mine and I was still a little surprised even though by now I should be used to it. We walked down many dimly lit halls until we reached the door to open box 5. Using the key I unlocked it, only to leap back in shock when I saw that ignorant fool Raoul. Cursing I back tracked quickly before he saw us.

“I’m sorry Isa but it seems that fop has taken our box.” I said trying to contain my anger. “I have some… things to take care of. Feel free to go where you like to watch the show.” She was probably going to run back to her old life and never return to me. I thought bitterly. I walked quickly to the backstage when I found that Carlotta had been chosen to sing instead of my Christine. Drawing a small glass bottle out of my pocket I poured it into Carlotta’s voice spray. I snuck up to the balcony overlooking the audience and allowed my voice to carry through the opera house “Did I not instruct that box 5 was to be kept empty?!”

“He’s here, the Phantom of the Opera!” little Meg Giry sang.

My angel looked around in fear “It’s him!”

“Your part is silent, little toad!” Carlotta snapped.

“A toad Madame?” I said dangerously “I think you’ll find it is you who are the toad.”

Once my voice died Carlotta stormed back to her maids, no doubt furious at me for interrupting her “marvelous” singing. I watched as the maids attempted to spray her throat. “Why-a you spray my chin all the time ah?” she snapped as the bottle sprayed again.    

“Poor fool, he makes me laugh ha ha ha ha ha!” she sang in a voice that caused me to flinch. “ha-ha ha-ha ha-HAGH!!!” she ended with a croak. “HAGH! HAGH!” she finally came to her senses and shut up but by then the audience was in hysterics. Firmin and Andre ran onto the stage motioning frantically for the stage crew to close the curtains and announced that the performance would continue in twenty minutes and Christine Daae would be playing the role of countess.

“…Until then the ballet from act three of tonight’s performance.” Andre said “M-maestro the uh, the b-b-ballet now!”  

I laughed to myself the managers were so easy to frighten. I quickly retreated to the swinging wood bridge that was hanging suspended over the stage. I got a strange sense that I was being followed and turned to see the miserable stage hand Bouquet. Smirking I watched calmly as he moved to attack me. Quickly I pulled out a noose when he was close enough and he was dead. I allowed his body to fall and I heard screams from the stage as I was on my way to the roof.

I saw Christine and that ignorant fop, Raoul singing to each other and I quickly ducked behind a winged- horse statue.

“Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime.” Christine sang in her beautiful voice. “say you love me.”

“You know I do.” Raoul sang.

“Love me, that’s all I ask of you!” they sang together. Then I heard a silence I dreaded. I peered around the corner of my hiding place and stared in horror at them kissing each other passionately. My stomach tightened and my heart broke, once they were gone I came out from behind the statue and saw the rose I had given Christine laying abandoned in the snow.

Picking it up I sang sadly “I gave you my music now look how you repaid me, denied me and betrayed me… he was bound to love you, when he heard you sing! Christine, Christine… ” I heard their voices again singing that awful song and suddenly I was overtaken by a fit of rage and yelled “You will curse the day you did not do, all that the Phantom asked of you!”

Then I fell to my knees in the snow, holding the rose to my heart and sobbing uncontrollably. I would have stayed like that the rest of the night, until the crunch of snow underfoot penetrated the silence. I wiped my tears away and stood up quickly to face whoever dared to interrupt my grief. I came face to face with none other than Isa! Her lips were turning blue and she was shivering violently.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“C-c-came to s-see if y-you were ok-okay.” She stuttered through chattering teeth. I quickly took off my black cloak and wrapped it around her bare shoulders. Once she was all wrapped up I picked her up bridal style.

“I can walk…” she muttered.

“You’re frozen and this is one of the best ways to warm you up.” I told her. She leaned her head against my chest. She was still shivering. “Foolish girl.” I murmured softly.

She muttered something inaudible then said “warm…” as she snuggled closer. I chuckled as I carried her back to the lair.

Isa’s POV

I awoke as we were riding the boat back to the island. I was still wrapped in Erik’s warm silky cloak. When the boat reached shore I shut my eyes, for a reason I can’t explain and pretended to be asleep. The boat stopped and Erik carefully picked me up again. He was amazingly warm and strong, and I felt myself blush a little when I really thought about the fact that I was in his arms. Pushing those thoughts away, I opened my eyes a bit and saw that he was taking me to the swan bed.

He put me down and said “Goodnight” As he pushed my hair out of my face with his cold hands.

“Thank you.” I said and I opened my eyes and saw him sitting next to me. “Are you okay?” I asked.

“I’m not sure.” He said softly “How much of the little… scene on the roof did you see?”

“Way too much of it.” I shuddered, I could never forget Christine and Raoul’s little ick-fest they had going on up on the roof. “I’m sorry Erik.” I said. My heart broke when I saw his expression and I couldn’t even imagine the pain he felt.

“It’s… okay.” He said “I’ll survive.” A stray tear rolled down his unmasked cheek and I sat up to brush it away with my fingertips. After a moment of awkward silence he said “You should probably get some rest.” Then he left.

I saw the sadness he was trying to hide. Christine was crazy not to choose him over the fop. Sir Pansy would never love Christine as much as Erik did, he only love himself. If only there was a way to get back at him… I thought. I couldn’t do anything to Christine that would just make Erik even more depressed and he’d probably kill me. I thought for a moment and smiled when a plan came to mind.