"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade! Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads! Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds! Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!" All of a sudden, chills shoot down my spine. I want to move, but I am frozen in place. He's back, the Phantom of the Opera.
I hear the music stop and that all too chilling 'Dmmmmm dum dum dum dum dum. DMMMMM, dum dum dum dum dum' takes its place. I hear the crowd moving behind me, but I am unable to turn around. The music shifts, and it sounds like he is walking down the main staircase in unison with the music. I somehow find the strength to turn around and face him. My stomach drops and I feel my body trembling. He is dressed in all red, a gold and red feathered hat on his head. But that is not the most terrifying thing about him.
It's his face. The half mask from six months ago has been replaced by a full mask that looks like a skull. Where have I seen that look before? Then it hits me. Red Death from the Cask of Amontillado. I start shaking and I can feel the engagement ring rubbing against my chest. He descends the staircase, sending the guests scattering. He is holding what looks like a book, but I can't seem to make out what it is. In that deep, fear instilling voice, he begins to speak to the crowd. He puts a trance on me, because no matter how hard I try, my eyes remain fixed on him.
"Why so silent, good monsieur? Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good monsieur, I have written you an opera. Here I bring the finished scare. DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT!" He throws the score to Andre who catches it and then staggers back. "I advise you to comply, my instructions should be clear. Remember there are worse things than a SHATTERED CHANDELIER!" I hear Monsieur Firmin say 'no!' from behind me, but I am unable to move. He finally approaches me, and I feel myself being drawn towards him. Our eyes lock, and I am face to face with the Phantom once again.
He looks down and sees the chain around my neck. He grabs it in his hand and I feel the chill sweep over me. He looks at the ring and says "Your chains are still mine, you will sing for me!" He breaks the chain and then disappears into a fiery inferno. The trance is broken and I stand there in utter shock. He appears again at the top of the stairs, and this time runs down them before disappearing back to his lair beneath the opera house. My body is shaking and I feel all numb inside. Why is he doing this? And why did he choose me?
YOU ARE READING
Inside My Mind: The Phantom of the Opera as told by Miss Christine Daae
FantasyA work of fan fiction. The haunting love story The Phantom of the Opera as told through the eyes of Miss Christine Daae. All lyrical and script credit to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
