Better Endings -- Phantom of the Opera

A New Beginning

The Phantom had released Raoul and I from his labyrinth, though a part of me had longed he would let Raoul find his way out of the labyrinth alone. I had, in a daze, thought to hand the Phantom the ring and run away, to go back to the comfort of Raoul, who had risked his life to save me. We had been childhood sweethearts, but what I felt for the Phantom I could not describe. I felt betrayed that Erik had turned me away.

"Masquerade, paper faces on parade," His voice was quiet and cracked as I could hear him crying. The monster, the Opera Ghost, the Phantom was nothing more than a man with a heart and feeling. "Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you." I recognized the lines to be from one of the pieces of sheet music; he must have written it. It pained me to know how much of him went into each note, each line.

I peered around the corner for a better view of the Phantom, who was sitting on the cold stone floor by my bed, staring intently at a figurine of a monkey holding cymbals playing a low, sweet tune. It was the only room in this dark cavern not destroyed by The Opera Ghost's anger.

I glanced down at the dazzling diamond ring on my finger. Just as I looked up I saw him, the man who was once my Angel, looking at me with red, teary eyes. A small, somber smile played on his lips. A rare sight to have seen. I couldn't bear to see him so vulnerable.

"Christine, I love you." The Phantom said in a hushed voice.

I was taken back. I knew that he loved me very much, but to hear the words. Three words that hadn't heard since childhood.

I stepped toward him trying not to avoid his gaze. I begin to slip off the ring he'd give back to me as his engagement, instead of Raoul's. In his eyes I saw his heart shatter and mine had begun to shatter as well. Out of all the pain I had caused him he still gave a nod, as to say it was okay for me to go back to Raoul.

Tears fell from my face as I looked down at the ring that I was sliding off my finger. I pushed the ring back on with a small smile on my face. The Phantom pushed himself up quickly and turned away from me. I rushed to his side and cupped his cheek turning his face to look at me. I had made my choice.

"I love you too." I whispered.

His eyes met mine in a state of disbelief. We remained quiet. In the distance I could hear the angry echoes of a mob. The Phantom's expressed changed. The face that was a moment ago sorrowful and venerable was now calm and serious. What illusion had he created to escape the people from above?

The Phantom took my hand and pulled me down the steps hastily to the front room of his strange dwelling. He swiftly grabbed his famous mask slipping it back on. He stopped in front of the mirrors I had uncovered earlier. He dropped my hand and walked toward the mirror to the far left. I took a step forward to follow him, but put a hand up as a sign to not follow. He grabbed a candle stick nearest to him swung it at the mirror in a great rage. After the third blow the mirror was now a gaping hole in the stone wall.

I looked around to see if Raoul or the mob had found us yet. I sighed gratefully as there was no one else in our presences. I was startled when a hand touched my shoulder. I turned to see the Phantom was there. He again took my hand.

How much detail and hours had he spent to create such a mysterious housing?

He led me into the dark opening. If the Phantom hadn't been with me I would never would have wanted to go into that darkness, but a wave of calm washed over me with him there by my side. I stepped into the darkness and he followed. I heard a spring of a lever and suddenly the light from outside was blocked by a stone slab. No one would ever find us now.

He led me through the darkness without missing a single step. As me for, I was stumbling. I was unsure as to where I was stepping, but I was scared to ask for any help. I didn't want my voice to carry to unnecessary ears.

"Should I carry you?" The Phantom asked sarcastically. He must had noticed my clumsiness.

I hesitated to speak. "I'm sorry I don't have my cat eyes.." I whispered annoyed.

"The mirror's door can only open from our side, you don't have to whisper." He said in a nicer tone.

"Where is it we are going?" I asked raising my voice.

"Wherever you wish."

"I wish to be safe where no one familiar will find us." My chest tightened as I thought of the life I had just given up. I knew fully well that if we resided in Paris we would be found. I would then be brought back to Raoul, who would never fully forgive me. He would never understand my love for Erik. Erik would again be shunned and alone. He was too clever to be captured. Though, what is worse: death or knowing you are cursed to be alone for eternity?

I squeeze his hand for my own reassurance that he was still there with me in the darkness.

"We're almost there." He told me.

I look beyond him not seeing any sense of light. I begin to wonder if it was still night. It felt as if we had trudged through the darkness all night and into the hours of the day. After a little while longer I, finally, did see the light of day. I couldn't tell where we were exactly once we stepped out into the light. I turned around to see that we have come through what seemed to be a hole in a side of a hill. There was an overgrown dirt road a few yards in front of us.

"Somewhere safe we shall go." He glanced behind to me with a smirk. I smiled at him. I thought I saw him smile back at me. We walked to the road, hand in hand. I felt as if he was scared to let me go.

I heard the sound of horses' trouting with a carriage. I looked up at him to see if I should worry about who was coming. He looked down at me and spoke, "Don't worry. They're here to help."

The mysterious carriage pulled up in front of us. The windows were covered with black cloth, like a funeral carriage. The one holding the reins was none other than Madam Giry. Her face was weary. Behind her pulled up another carriage.

Meg jumped off the second carriage and cautiously stepped towards us. The Phantom let my hand fall to my side. I turned to glance at him. He nodded at me slowly. I ran up to Meg and hugged her tight. She hugged me back not wanting to let go.

"Are you sure?" She asked worriedly as she pulled away holding my shoulders.

I thought again of how I would be leaving her and Madame Giry; my only family. My first love; Raoul. Tears began to blur my vision. I couldn't let Erik see my pain, my tears. Again I hugged Meg in the attempts to hide my face as I brushed off tears. I pulled away and nodded to her. I looked up to Madam Giry, who had not moved or spoken yet.

I got onto the carriage seat to sit next to her. She looked at me with a sad smile on her face. I hugged her tight knowing this would be the last time I would see her. The only person I would ever think of as my mother.

"I should've know." She whispered to me. She stood up. The Phantom walked towards the carriage and held a hand out. Madam Giry took his hand and stepped down from the carriage seat. She took a few steps to where Meg stood weeping. She turned back towards me as if to add something else, though she turned away holding Meg. The Phantom stepped onto the carriage grabbing the reins. He didn't say anything as he made the horses' start. I turned back to wave good-bye to the only family I had as the carriage was pulled away. They had already left us. I was too tired from walking to do anything else by sleep.