Legal Disclaimer: I don't own anything having to do with Phantom of the Opera... although I really wish I did...

Content Disclaimer: This is a bit sad... although I wouldn't really call it angst. Also, it's rather short, as it is a prequel to what I hope may be a more well-received Phantom series based on Christine and Erik's life together after all we know has occurred. After all... once the fantasy has become reality, what happens next?

Light Purged of Dark
4/12/04

Sometimes I wonder if people's reactions to me would be better if I wore no mask at all. If there was never any pretense of secrecy with me. Would they learn over time to accept my grotesque features, never having to speculate my looks, no mask to make them curious?

Or would I be shunned, taken from society and hated for the curse of my flesh?

If it wasn't for Her, I wouldn't even waste my time contemplating these things, but the truth is, she deserves someone who can go out into the light, who can walk in the streets and feel the wind on their face, someone better than me... and it hurts me that every day she grows more pale, and though she insists she's happy, that look in her eyes says different.

Christine is a creature of light, and I, one of darkness.

But maybe, with her help, I can adapt, maybe I too can live in the day.

For if she wills it, I can deny her nothing.