The Phantom and the Ballerina

Disaster Strikes

Christine was shocked upon waking. She found herself in a soft, swan-shaped bed. She then realized what had woken her was a small music box that had a monkey figurine perched on top. The music box stopped and she then heard another sound. This time it was the sound of organ music. Half in a dream-like state she got up and entered the room outside. At an organ sat a masked man clearly deep in thought as he composed.

I remember there was mist
Swirling mist upon a vast, glassy lake
There were candles all around
And on the lake, there was a boat
And in the boat, there was a man

As she sang Christine snuck up behind the still oblivious phantom

Who was that shape in the shadows?
Whose is the face in the mask?

Hesitantly Christine reached for the mask before pulling back. Then, gathering her courage she reached forward again and pulled the mask off. The effect was immediate, the man cried out and whipped around to face her. From the brief glimpse she caught she saw that one side of his face was hideously deformed.

Damn You!

He raged at her

You little prying Pandora!

You little demon

Is this what you wanted to see?

Curse you!

You little lying Delilah!

You little viper

Now you cannot every be free!

His temper was as terrifying as his face. At his sudden movement she had been thrown backwards.

Damn you!

Curse you!

His anger seemed to lessen and he fell to the ground

Stranger than you dreamt it

Can you even dare to look or

Bear to think of me:

This loathsome gargoyle, who burns in hell

But secretly yearns for heaven,

Secretly...

Secretly... He began to crawl towards her,

But Christine,

Fear can turn to love

You'll learn to see-

To find the man behind

This repulsive carcass,

Who seems a beast but secretly,

Dreams of beauty,

Secretly...

Secretly...

"Oh Christine," he said in a desperate heartbreaking voice. He reached out his hand for his mask. She had turned her face away in fright partly from his temper and partly from his face. Slowly she now turned to face him. He had one hand covering the deformed side of his face. As soon as she returned the mask he put it on, stood up, and said sharply,

"Come, those two fools who run my theatre will be looking for you." And with that they exited the lair.

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