My Angel of Music

Chapter 1- The Decision

"Please, don't make me choose."  I sobbed, tears flowing freely down my cheeks.  The unwanted white wedding gown hung heavy on my shoulders and made me feel like the world was on my shoulders.  And it really was.

My angel stood in the water next to my fiance who was bound by a rope.  "You try my patience.  Make your choice, now!"  The dark angel growled.  He pulled the rope tighter around Raoul's neck as a harsh reminder to hurry.  "How could you expect me to make such a decision so quickly?  I either sacrifice Raoul so I can be free or I must spend eternity with you so his life may be spared!  You're nothing but a monster and I hate you!"  I cried to The Phantom.  A pained expression flew across his face but he composed himself quickly.

An idea sprung to my mind.  This man has never known love or compassion.  So if I was to show him that he was loved and was not alone in the world maybe he would realize that he was in the wrong and set us free.  I slowly walked into the water and towrds the man that I once loved but now felt only hatred towards.

"Pitiful creature of darkness, why are you like this?  What kind of hatred have you known?"  I whispered to him.  A look of sadness and self pity was drawn plainley on his distorted features.  I felt a surge of pity for him, knowing the life he must have gone through.  When I reached him I put my hand on his twisted flesh and without hesitating pressed my lips to his.

At first he was to surprised to respond but soon caught on.  He responded with a deep passion that Raoul had never shown to me.  Then without warning I began to feel a warm feeling in my chest.  Something that I did not feel with Raoul.  I recognized the strange emotion as affection or maybe,(dare I say it?) love.  

My angel pulled away his eyes wide.  I embraced him, letting my head rest on his chest.  For a moment he did not move but then I felt a hand stroke my hair.  After a moment I pulled away to look into his eyes, hoping to see kind, loving eyes staring back at me.  Instead I was met with sad, confused ones.  Tears rolled down The Phantoms cheeks.  I gave him a questioning look.  What could possibly be wrong?  I had just given him  my love, my affection.  Why was he sad?

"Take him.  Get out.  Forget about me and just leave!  Go away!"  He choked out, striding away from me.  "Angel, wait!" I called but it came out as no more than a whisper.  "Christine, get me out of here!"  Raoul hissed, snapping me out of my confusiion.  I ran to him through the black lake.  I untied the noose from his neck and he hugged me tighly.  I responded half heartdly.

He led me to the small boat that my angel had led me to not so long ago.  But I had no intention on getting on with him.  "Raoul, I cannot get on with you."  I muttered.  He grabbed m by the shoulders roughly.  "What, Christine?  Come on we must go!"  Raoul tried coaxing me onto the blasted boat but I refused.  "Look, I know another way out.  I have to take care of something."  I argued in a sweet voice.  "Christine, no!" He growled, getting angry.

"Just meet me at the cafe we used to go to tomorow at lunch, okay?"  I said before taking off running towards the direction of my angel.  i heard my fiance call my name and then mutter a curse before rowing away.  

I forced myself to stop running and calmly search for The Phantom.  "Angel?" I called.  Silence was my only reply.  I remembered a secret passageway that he had shown me once.  Maybe he had gone through there.  Little did I know that he had several secret passageways.

                                                                  * * *

What seemed like hours later I finaally realized that he was not here.  I had been calling his name in the darkness and never getting a reply.  I called to him a final time before I tuned around, heading back to the lair.  My legs had turned to jello and my bare feet were more than likely black with dirt.

When I saw a flicker of light I began to run towards it.  As the light got closer and closer I started to hear yells and dark laughter.  "What a piece of filth!  Nothing but a stupid scrap of trash!"  Was one among all the yells i heard.  I slowed down, not knowing who was the owner of the voice.  I peeked around the corner only to find a mob of about ten or fifteen men in a circle shouting profanities drunkenly.

The seemingly "leader" stepped into the middle of the circle and roughly kicked something with his shoe.  I looked closer and saw The Phantom laying on the ground without a shirt, covered in blood and bruises.  I almost ran to him but stopped myself.  There was more than ten grown men out there!  How was I going to go up against them, I a 17 year old, petite little girl!

"Let's give this monster a little treat, shall we?  We'll do him a favor, no woman would ever lay with him anyways!"  One man shouted, stepping forward and quickly undoing his belt.  Heat flooded to my face and my heart stopped, I couldn't take it any longer.  I would not let them do this to my poor, broken angel.

"Stop!  Stop it!" I screamed running from my hiding place.  The drunk men moved away, giving me a path to my angel.  Sobbing, I crumpled beside him.  I stroked his cheek and cooed to him.  "I'm here, Angel.  I wont let these monsters hurt you."  I soothed.  I heard the men chuckle, it was true, I wouldnt be able to do anything if they tried to hurt him.

The Phantom grasped my hand and looked at me with angry, confused eyes.  "Christine, why are you here?"  He hissed.  "I came back for you, Angel."  I whispered before I was pulled away with sweaty, strong arms.  "Let me go this instant!" I shrieked.  My angel sat up and reached for me but was knocked down with a brutal punch to the face.  

"Angel!"  I cried.  But they held him down so he couldn't move.  They made me stand up so they could examine me.  The leader, a large man with blonde hair and dark brown eyes that looked mean and unfeeling stood in front of me looking me up and down.  I held my chin high and willed myself not to cry.

Well, gentlemen since the little lady does not want us to have the monster over there lets let her choose for herself."  He explained to the other drunk men and they of course nodded their agreement.  "Mademoiselle, we will let you choose.  Do you want him to lay with us or will you sacrifice yourself?  It's your choice, you slut."  He said in a false kind voice.  I gagged forcing down the vomit that threatened to come up my throat.  Would I let my angel be raped or would I let myself be violated in  the same way?  

"You disgusting pig!"  I screamed spitting on him.  He just smiled and looked at me for an answer.  

My angel had gone through so much pain and torture throughout his life, I couldn't bear to see him go through anymore.  "Fine.  Me.  Do it to me.  But you must promise to let us go unharmed when you are done."  I choked out my reply.  The Phantom yelled in protest.  "No, Christine!  Please, no!  You can do whatever you like to me, just let the girl go free!"  He pleaded but I had made my mind and so had they.  They forced my angel to look at me the whole time, he screamed and kicked and wiggled but their hold did not lossen.

I closed my eyes as the men advanced toward me an evil smile playing on their faces.

                                                    * * *

They all finally walked away, satisfied.  After a few kicks to my angel's chest they left us alone, just as they promised.  We didn't dare move in fear for they would return, hungry for more blood but they didn't.  As soon as they could be heard and seen no longer my angel rushed over to me.  He scooped me into his arms. crying softly.  "Christine, why?  Why would you do that?"  He stroked my hair as tears fell into it, making my soft curls wet.

"Because...."  I muttered, "Because, I love you, angel."  I sighed before blackness surrounded me and I slipped into unconsciousness.