Erik and Evelina: The Phantom's Love

Chapter One

Evelina looked ahead of her, terrified as the man who held her wrist in a death-grip, whisked her down the spiral staircase.

"You left me once, Christine. But you will never leave me again."

Evelina felt confused. He had addressed her as "Christine" before, as if he were sure that it was her mother that he was speaking to. She had seen his face before. Or more, she had seen the mask on his face. The man was curious enough, but why was he wearing a mask?

"You don't know what you're saying! I'm not who you think I am!" she screamed, trying to free her wrist from the vice grip.

"You have forgotten me, you Angel of Music. I won't let you forget again!"

Evelina, still trying to make sense of her surroundings and wasn't very successful, was forced to focus on the man in front of her. With the few torches that lit the walls, she could see that he wore a fedora hat, his cape appeared black in the dim light. His voice was deep, powerful...somehow full of hurt and pain, as well as anger. His hand and fingers, tight on her wrist, were thin and pale in the limited light.

The whole tunnel was cold, and the air was quickly growing colder. She could faintly hear the sound of dripping water from the stalactites in the distance. Evelina saw the faint glow of a lantern. Soon she realized that they had arrived at a dock. At this dock, a boat was tied; the lantern inside. No doubt this lantern was used to help light the way as they progressed further. The man quickly stepped into the boat, and whirled around to face Evelina. He stretched out his arm, his palm outstretched to take her hand.

"Come, Christine. I will take you home."

It occurred to Evelina that she could try to run now. However, she had no idea that this man knew the catacombs better than anyone else. They were too far away from the staircase for her to reach it before this man caught her. Even if she had run, Evelina knew that she would probably get lost. There were no lights behind her that she could see. Either way, Evelina felt trapped. She could go with the man now without trying to get away, or she could attempt an escape and be caught by this man again. She took his hand; which was rather cold and clammy, and stepped into the boat.

"You came this way with me once. Ah, but you do not remember, do you? But you will."

Sitting in the boat, Evelina felt even more confused. How could he be so sure that she was her mother? Where was this "home" that he was taking her? Evelina continued to look up at her captor, angry, but too afraid to speak. He continued to look at her as he pushed the boat through the water. Presently, the man brought them to a vast area, and stopped pushing the boat altogether. The area was dimly lit as well, a lit candle here and there. The man raised his free arm; palm once more outstretched, and closed his fingers into a fist. The area was suddenly brightly lit with what seemed like hundreds of candles, to reveal a room of its own.

"You don't understand! Christine is my mother. It's not me you want!" Evelina shouted. Her voiced echoed off the stony walls.

"I know who you are. Do not hide your identity from me." He answered as he stepped out of the boat, and hung up his hat and cloak on rudely-made hangers.

"Come!" the man shouted, stepping forward, and pulled Evelina out of the boat.

"Who are you?" Evelina asked, as terrified of the masked man in front of her as she was transfixed by the room.

"I am Erik, the Phantom of the Opera, your Angel of Music! Now come with me!"

Erik took Evelina by the wrist once more, and pulled her up a small set of steps to a mannequin behind a curtain which had been pulled back, apparently years ago. The red velvet material had long since faded, and the corner was covered with dust and cobwebs.

"You remember what hung here?" the Opera Ghost asked, gesturing to the mannequin in front of them. "You wore it the night you left me. I had it fashioned especially for you. How lovely you looked..." Erik trailed off, as if in thought. Looking at the full size of the mannequin, Evelina guessed that the mannequin had once displayed a dress. A very special dress, from the way Erik spoke of it. Evelina took a closer look at the figure head before her, and realized that the mannequin resembled her mother. Quite closely, she noticed. Her mother's warm brown eyes with their rounded shape stared back at her. The wavy brown tresses of hair flowed down the figure's back, as her mother often let it hang loose. The shape of face and lips were exactly the same as her mother's.

"What do you want?" Evelina asked, turning to face Erik's dark eyes.

"Your love, my Christine. I have been preparing for this a long time. With a few more provisions, you and I could be happy, together forever." He proclaimed this with such fierceness; it was as if he were sure that they could be happy together. Evelina felt disconcerted. She had never seen this man before. Why did he wear a mask? Why was Erik so interested in her mother?

"I don't understand."

"But you will. Come, let me take you to your compartment." Unlike the other times, Erik took Evelina carefully by the hand, and led her to a door which was locked. Erik opened the door, and stepped aside to let Evelina inside.

"This is your room. I will not enter this room without your permission. This room is yours alone." With that, Erik slipped a small bronze key into Evelina's hand.

"This is the key to your room. Use it anytime you like." Evelina reflected on this, the way the man sounded. As if the poor man expected her to lock her room every night, never let him near her. Erik then closed the door, but did not lock it behind him.

Evelina stared at the closed door, shocked. There was nothing she could say. Evelina did not know whether to be fearful or to pity the Opera Ghost. Evelina turned to face the room ahead of her. Against the wall was a floor-length mirror, with an ornate, gold-plated frame. Though she did not have time to notice much, Evelina had seen that every other mirror she had looked at was either cracked or shattered. A single oil lamp stood on the bedside table to provide light. A huge bed, with the figurehead of a swan, stood in the middle of the room. There was a small alcove, which could serve as a type of closet if she'd had any other clothes.

Too alert to sleep, but too tired to look around anymore Evelina walked to the mirror. As she looked, Evelina noticed that she did indeed closely resemble her mother. Now it was easy to see why Erik had perhaps mistaken her for Christine, her mother. Her face was almost the same shape, her eyes the same deep brown. Her hair, tied back with just a few locks loose at her temples from her earlier struggle, was also wavy, and brown.

Behind her, Evelina suddenly heard the tinkling sound of music, as if from a music box. As she sat on the bed, Evelina saw a musical figurine on her dressing table, wearing a white dress and a mask like a woman would wear to a masked ball. She was unable to name the tune, but she thought it beautiful. Evelina laid on the bed, and watched as the figurine turned, playing continuously. In time, Evelina became tired enough to sleep. She doused the lamp, and fell asleep as the music box continued to play.