Inside My Mind: The Phantom of the Opera as told by Miss Christine Daae

Chapter 19: My Plea

I have somehow reached the cemetery where my father is buried. I am wearing a blue cloak with my red scarf draped around my neck. As I walk towards my father's grave, I start singing to myself. "Little Lotte, thought of everything and nothing. Her father promised her that he would send her the Angel of Music. Her father promised her, her father....promised her......" The grave stone comes into view, and although I am still a distance away, the details of the site are easily noticeable.

My last name in big bold letters at the front, an ivy covered cross on top. It seems like only yesterday that my father was laid to rest here. And yet, I still haven't found it in my heart to say what I am about to say, until now. With sadness in my voice, I sing to my father, hoping that he can hear me, wherever he is.

"You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered. You were once a friend, and father. Then my world was shattered. Wishing you were somehow here again. Wishing you were somehow near. Sometimes it seemed, if I just dreamed somehow you would be here. Wishing I could hear your voice again, knowing that I never would. Dreaming of you won't help me to do all that you dreamed I could!" I walk closer to the grave, continuing my song. "Passing bells, and sculpted angels. Cold, and monumental. Seem for you the wrong companions, you were warm and gentle."

I reach up and take off my hood, letting my brown curls flow freely. Facing the grave, I walk closer to it, and with a sheer sadness in my voice and belt at the top of my lungs "Too many years, fighting back tears, why can't the past just die!" Grabbing the edges of my cloak, I spin around and with my eyes and arms raised to the heavens I plead "Wishing you were somehow here again, knowing we must say goodbye. Try to forgive, teach me to live. Give me the strength to try! No more, memories no more silent tears. No more gazing across, the wasted years. Help me say goodbye. Help me say goodbye!"

I bring my arms down and lower my gaze to the ground. My heart is pounding and I am breathing heavily. After a few minutes, I feel a chill come over me. From behind me, I hear a voice "Wandering child, so lost, so helpless. Yearning for my guidance. Raising my eyes, I answer "Angel or father, friend, or Phantom, who is it there staring?" The voice asks "Have you forgotten your angel?" Recognizing the voice, I call out "Angel, oh speak. What endless longings echo in this whisper?" The voice seems to be drawing me in.

Unbeknownst to me, Raoul has entered the cemetery and is standing a few yards to my right, watching the whole thing. "Too long you've wandered in winter," the voice continues "far from my fathering gaze!" My voice, suddenly shaky but gaining strength as I go along, sings "Wildly my mind beats against you". The voice responds "you resist" and in unison we sing Yes my (your) soul obeys!" I raise my arms and gaze again and our voices continue to be in unison. "Angel of Music, I (you) denied you (me), turning from true beauty!" I spin around, finding myself looking at the Phantom, who is standing atop my father's grave. I raise my arms towards him and we continue "Angel of Music My protector (do not shun me)! Come to me (your) strange angel!"

I suddenly feel myself walking towards him as he sings "I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music. I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music. I am your Angel of Music!" Raoul calls for me and breaks the trance. I cry "Raoul!" and run over to him. He pulls me close and he Phantom starts mocking him. "Bravo Monsieur, such spirited words!" he shrieks. "More tricks, Monsieur!" Raoul calls up to him. He leaves my side and starts walking towards the grave. "Let's see, Monsieur how far you dare go!"

The Phantom shoots a fireball from his staff that lands at Raoul's feet. "More deception, more violence!" Raoul shouts, walking closer. "That's right, that's right. Keep walking this way!" The Phantom eggs Raoul on. "You can't win her love by making her your prisoner!" Raoul shouts. With a loud "UGH!" another fireball shoots out of the staff. "I'm here, I'm here Monsieur. The Angel of Death!" Laughing with satisfaction, the Phantom shoots yet another fireball at Raoul. He eggs him on still "Come on, come on. Don't stop, don't stop!" I grab Raoul's arm and we run off. As we run away, I hear the Phantom say "So be it, now let it be war upon you both!"