The Underground Music (Phantom of the Opera Fanfic)

Epilogue: The Doors Will Never Be Closed

It was night-time, and London was relatively alive with whatever night-life it had; with its night-owls, with its bar-goers, with its homeless, with its beggars...carriages passed here and there, and the only sounds were the steady clopping sound of the horses' feet, the shouting and laughter of drunkards, and, from somewhere in the distance, the chatter of the elite coming out from an expensive restaurant. The sound of our footsteps against the cobblestone was altogether absent. 

With my own feet being bare, my footsteps barely made a sound; and with Erik's nature of being an Opera Ghost, his footsteps barely made a sound either, if not were more silent than mine, despite being dressed in leather dress-shoes. 

The fountain where the Underground Music had been heard was deserted by all of those who had frequented the place for Erik's music. I picked up my pace and walked ahead of Erik, then sat myself down upon the edge of the fountain.

Erik reached me and silently sat down next to me.

I stretched out my legs and arms and broke our silence. "Ah, now this is relaxing! I haven't been this relaxed in what feels like months! And with the sound of the water, too...it's perfect, wouldn't you say?"

"Indeed."

I continued to speak. "You know what? I find it hard to believe that this whole affair has ended. It feels strange, even. It feels like we just came out of a room, and the door has been shut permanently behind us. We can't ever enter it again, except we can dream of it. Do you ever feel that way?"

"Always."

I pursed my lips. "Why are you answering with only one word?"

Erik chuckled, then, to my surprise and bafflement, he actually yawned.

"You're tired, is that it?" I laughed. "I didn't even think it was possible for you to be tired!" 

"Believe it or not, even Opera Ghosts get tired." 

I tilted my head up to look up at the dark sky, which was covered in a blanket of dark-gray, lethargic and ominous clouds. It was going to rain soon.

"I suppose I'm tired as well. Where shall we go?"

"If you so desire, we could go back to my flat. Unless you're ready to be returned to your father at this hour."

My heart sank at the mention of the inevitable. Yes...eventually I'll have to leave this room, too, and have its door closed behind me forever as well...

"My father should be sleeping right now. I do believe it's best for me to stay the night with you."

"Indeed. Alright, then, shall we get going?"

"...No. Let's stay here for a while longer. Can we?" I can't go to sleep yet. If I go to sleep, the sooner the morning will come, and the sooner all of this- ALL of it- will be over.

"As you wish."

I tried my best to quiet the anxiety stirring within my breast. I closed my eyes, with my face still turned up toward the sky. 

A light rain began to fall. Rain...it's something I haven't felt in so long. There was something about the cold, light drizzle that set my heart at ease.

But that peaceful moment didn't get the chance to last very long at all. My entire mind and body were jolted and shaken by a loud boom, and my eyes shot open. 

"My God, Erik, what was that?" I panted. My heart was beating so quickly that I swore it was going to burst out of my chest. 

"Nadir, I imagine. If it wasn't him, I'd be concerned."