Angel of Music

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Condemned For His Crime

Walking down the passages filled with a murky water, Anna observed the immense grey gate. Anna noticed that through the gaps stood a figure, attached to the gate. Not knowing who the figure was she continued further.

The light on the other side of the gate allowed a small amount of light to be visible to Anna. It took a moment for Anna to recognise the figure. Then understanding who the figure was, gritted her teeth.

"Vicomte," Anna whispered through gritted teeth as she advanced further. Hans turned his head toward's Anna. A smile grew as he examined her.

"Miss Arendelle! Thank God...help me out of these bindings. I know how to open the portcullis..." Hans informed her as he waited for Anna to obey his orders. Hesitantly, Anna obeyed. No, she did not truly want to help him, but she desired the portcullis to be out of her way.

In a matter of minuted the bindings were off. Hans rushed towards the leaver he witnessed the Phantom pull. Pulling the lever, the portcullis raised.

"I'm glad you came, there's no time to waste. I know where they travelled. Just through..." Hans acquainted Anna as she advanced towards him. He never managed to finish his sentence.

One swing was all it took. Anna's hand retreated as soon as she felt his skin on hers. She had hit him with all her strength. A red handprint was embalmed onto the Vicomte's cheek. It baffled him.

"That was for Elsa," Anna stated with rage before she went for another swing. Just as her hand was to touch Hans' cheek, she was prevented. A hand had wrapped around her own.

"Stop," said an officer as he gazed at Anna.

The stranger that stood before her had broad shoulders and a muscular tall build. He had a rugged appearance and looked to be the age of twenty-one. His hair was golden blond and was hidden beneath his policeman's hat. Light brown eyes that seemed to stare into her soul. Fair skin with the occasional freckles across his nose that was quite big. Anna had yet to learn that his name was Kristoff.

For a moment it seemed as if it were only the two of them. As if he and she were meant to be. His touch was warm and comforting. No other person had she felt this way towards.

Swiftly, after breaking her trance, she snatched her hand from his grasp.

"He is a brute, who requires punishment," Anna announced as she turned to Hans with a cold hard glare.

"He will receive his punishment for murdering Monsieur Vladimir," the handsome stranger assured as he stepped in front of Anna, making certain she would not strike again.

Anna diverted her eyes to the stranger and gave him a distasteful look. She spoke firmly and genuinely, "no, Monsieur. He had accomplished so much more. He betrayed my closest friend, Elsa Winter. He endangered my other dear friend's life, Rapunzel Corina. I also suspect, Monsieur, that he was the culprit to Monsieur Gaston's passing."

The officer, Kristoff, glanced wide-eyed towards Anna before returning his glance to the Vicomte who had scoffed at Anna's speech.

"That is a dangerous thing to suspect, Mademoiselle. Do you have any evidence to support this perception?" Kristoff asked Anna, with a kind tone. For some reason, he believed her. He believed every word that passed her lips. Yet, there had to be evidence to justify his plot in court.

Silence. Both men listened eagerly. Hans was sure there was no way to prove his unfoldings, yet he listened anxiously.

"I do," Anna announced with a smile as she turned towards Hans. His smirk fell instantly. Anna continued, "I have a witness who saw the Vicomte leave his box approximately the same time Gaston was murdered. I also have another witness who claims to have seen the Vicomte, scaling down from were once Gaston lay before he was hung. I have all the proof you need, Officer."

Hans was shocked and horrified. How did she retrieve this information? How did, a woman of all people, seize evidence that even the Phantom could not recover?

"You little wench, do you realise what you've done? I am the Vicomte de Chagny, you have no power over me. No matter what the evidence is, you'll never confine me. I will find the Phantom and I will defeat him, along with his precious Elsa," Hans jeered as he glared at the strawberry blonde. Kristoff brought the young woman behind him, blocking Hans from attacking Anna.

"As I said, Monsieur, all the evidence you need," Anna stated with a smile as she was glad that the Vicomte had spluttered the horrifying words. Surely, now, he would be imprisoned.

Another man came assailing in. Advancing his way to the Vicomte who was being restrained by Kristoff. Taking the chance, he struck. The Vicomte's other cheek had been hit.

The young man had an average build and height for a man. Fair skin with no flaw. Dark brown hair that was left to itself, which was why it was much longer than most men's hair. A small goatee lay on his face with a pair of caramel brown eyes. The young man, whose name was Eugene Fitzherbert, was, in general, an attractive man.

"You, you hurt my fiancee. You imperilled her life, and now I'm going to endanger yours!" Eugene yelled as he tried to advance on the Vicomte. Anna quickly intervened by blocking his path.

"It is done, Eugene. He has been condemned for the crimes he has committed, you need not discipline him yourself. Let's return to Rapunzel," Anna stated with a light and friendly tone. Studying her cherished friend Fiancee, she guided him back to were her Rapunzel was located.

That night, a masked phantom was revealed to be a mere human, a captivating woman declared her love to a broken man, a Vicomte thought to be noble and generous was revealed to be a killer. That night a chandelier fell to pieces, an opera went to flame, peoples lives were destroyed. That night a love story of imaginable beauty, sorrow, and horror. A story that caused a catastrophic event. A love story that led to the Opera Populaire becoming neglected and abandoned. A love story that was rarely told. A story of which I told. A story that at last has been heard, once again.