Torment From Behind the Mask - A continuation of The Phantom of the Opera

He loved me...yet left me alone...

~•6•~

I open my eyes, briefly confused.

Then it hits me.

The events of last night come back and play through my mind rapidly. I grin and turn to the right expecting to see him. I open my mouth to swear to him-

He's gone...

No...no he can't be!

I pinch my wrist, hoping to wake up from this nightmare that is rapidly unfolding.

I grasp my chest as the pain engulfs me. The tears, slow at first, spill over my eyes. As I stare at the place he no doubt was in earlier, I notice dark spots on the blankets, sheets, and pillow. Did he cry as he left? Why wouldn't he at least say goodbye? I lay over his spot and feel the last of his warmth.

He only just left...

Maybe I can catch him! I rise and rapidly dress. I need him. I cannot follow Raoul, and I know that now. My phantom mustn't leave me now, when I need him the most!

I step around the bed and make my way over to the edge of the lake. Turning and looking around his domain, I gather my courage.

"Erik!" I call out. "Erik, please! I can't marry him, not Raoul. I was wrong!"

I am startled when I hear something. A sob. The noise so very near to me. My heart leaps into my throat as I start towards the noise. I stop in my tracks as I hear quick footsteps running.

He really is leaving me.

The tears flow quickly and violently as I fall to my knees. My hands cover my face as I rise once again and run into the lake. Ignoring the boat, ignoring the cold water, ignoring the shattering heart in my chest, I swim to the other side. My clothes dragging me down, but I don't care.

At last I reach the shore and collapse on the banks. I sob violently as I shiver from the mix of cold water and damp air.

I don't know how long I lie there before I stand and begin the climb on the stairs. I don't realize I'm back in my old dressing room until I trip and lie sprawled on the floor.

I vaguely hear a knock on the door.

"Miss Daae? Are you alright in there?" I hear Monsieur Andre call through the door. "Did you find what you needed? May I come in, Miss Daae?"

I timidly stand and walk to the door. I open it to find a distraught man with cadaverously haunting eyes.

"Worry not, Monsieur, I'm alright. I did, indeed, find what I needed." I hear the shakiness in my voice. "I should probably get going."

"Christine, you were in there all night...and you're soaking wet. Are you sure everything is alright?"

"Quite sure, Monsieur. I was just...reminiscing."

"I see. We'll, please don't let me stop you. I look forward to seeing you tonight." He smiles at me.

"Tonight?"

"The - er - wedding, my dear. Your wedding to Monsieur L'Vicomte."

"God! Of course! How silly of me!" I want nothing more than to leave. "I guess there is work to be done, so I shall be going."

"Of course, Christine. Good luck."

I nod curtly and slip out the door. Walking through the halls and marble statues, I make my way to the front door. I pause in the front hall, remembering the long ago masquerade ball we held in honor of the New Year. I snort, realizing that mine and Raoul's problems started that night. Our first argument, and we were barely engaged! I was such a fool.

I walk out the front door dreading tonight. Dreading this evening, dreading the rest of my life. It shouldn't be Raoul. I'm disgusted at the thought of marrying him tonight. To spend the rest of my life with him.

Walking away from the Opera Populaire, I have a new sense of dread that I can't quite place in my mind.