Monstret Under Sängen (Phantom of the Opera)

Monstret Under Sängen: Part 5 - Part 2

PART 5 – Part 2

"Remember my instructions." He said, turning to the girl, fixed in the shaft of moonlight that trickled through the door. "You must remain in the center of the roof. I cannot catch if you fall. Do not, under any circumstances, go near the edge."

"I'll remember." She promised as she moved onto the cold roof, tugging his cloak tighter around her as the wind tried to steal it away from her.

Trepidation suddenly filled him but he slipped out behind her and silently ascended into the statue of Apollo to hide from her.

Christine stopped, directly under him and curled up against the base of the statue, as far as she could be from the edge.

"Is this all right?" She asked, questioning her invisible friend.

"That is perfect, child. You will be safe if you remain there."

She tilted her head back and stared upward at the smattering of stars above her, crowned with a moon in its first quarter.

The odd pair silently enjoyed the beauty of the silver light shimmering down on them before Christine quietly asked,

"Could you show me some the constellations?" Her blue eyes searched the empty roof in search of where he must be but failed to settle anywhere.

"Do you see that bright star almost directly above you?" He asked, ignoring her searching for him.

"Yes, I do."

"That is the star Vega in the constellation Lyra. If you look steadily at the star, you will see a triangle and a parallelogram, connected at a star near Vega. In Greek Mythology, it represents the lyre made from a tortoise shell and given to Apollo," The irony wasn't lost on him at that moment, "and then given to his son, Orpheus, who played the most beautiful music on that even inanimate objects were under its spell."

"What happened to him?" Christine asked.

"He was torn to pieces for abandoning his patron god, Dionysus." His haunting voice remarked calmly.

"That story is perfectly morbid." Christine snapped.

"Would you expect anything less than that from mythology?"

"I suppose not." She stood up and took a step away from the statue. "Where are you? Where are you hiding?"

He paused. Could he give away his position? She'd never see him, the darkness and his clothing would protect him from her sight.

What would it hurt?

"I am in the statue of Apollo." He stated, curling tighter into his hiding spot and ducking his head under his cloak to hide his yellowed chin from the light.

"Could I see you if I were to walk around and look behind it?"

"No, child, you couldn't. I...cannot be seen by anyone else I must scare them. I do not ever wish to scare you so I will remain completely unseen." He whispered, making up more as he went along.

"Why? I would never be afraid of you." Her blue eyes were innocent. She knew nothing of the horror that he was.

"You couldn't help it. I was made to scare all who see me." What other reason do I exist?

"Why?"

"Some Monstret Under Sängen I would be if I didn't scare a child by my mere appearance." Unfurling, he peered over the shoulder of Apollo, watching her, head laid against the feet of the statue.

"But, I know you. I wouldn't care how frightening you might be. You've been so kind to me, so gentle. I've never had a need to fear you. You'd never hurt me." Her eyes closed trustingly.

"Let us keep it that way."

"I already told you that I want to have a friend I can see."

"Then allow me to repeat that you must seek another. I can never fill that place." He whispered, tears welling up in deep-set golden pinpoint eyes. He lacked much and she felt it. If only he could be the friend she wished for.

She would never accept him as he was.

"No, I ask too much. I will be content with us as we are." She curled up against the pedestal and tucked the cloak about her, pillowing her head in her hands. "Will you sing for me? Please?"

He heard the disappointment in her voice. He felt the pain rip through his heart and soul.

I live for your happiness but I have failed you.

"Of course, I will sing for you." He answered, hoping his voice would hold out. It wasn't easy to sing when one's heart was breaking.

After repeating the lullaby several times, he noticed her steady breathing and relaxed expression.

Lightly hopping down, he double checked his gloves were firmly in place before wrapping her inside the cloak more securely and scooping her up in his arms.

The several layers between her and him should be enough to keep the cold from his skin away.

It wouldn't do for her to wake up in a monster's arms.

Leaving the roof, he locked the door then hurried down the hallways towards the girls' dormitory. The doors were always locked but they couldn't restrain him.

A few twists of his wrist and the door swung open, allow him into Master Fedorov's bedroom then on into the room, filled with bunkbeds. His boots made no noise as he tucked the girl under her covers and took the cloak back.

He would return it to her bed of blankets.

She shifted in her bed before drifting deeper into sleep.

"You will never see me, Christine. Be thankful." He whispered before stealing away.

5H8