Prologue

Meg splashed through the water, looking this way and that. Her eyes landed on the white object lying near the steps. She knelt, picking it up, her eyes going a darker color.

His mask.

Looking back, Meg could see the search party coming around the bend, some swimming, others wading, some even managing to balance along the small alcoves in the wall. And all still singing out their bloodthirsty song of death.

Meg looked back down at the mask. A slight sound caught her attention. She looked up, hearing the sound again. Someone was weeping. The noise made her heart swell with pity.

The opera ghost.

Through the broken shards of a shattered mirror, Meg could see a hunched figure in a shadowy passage. Rising from her place, Meg clutched the mask to her body, taking a few steps forward, feeling compelled to do something.

The man had his head buried in his hands, weeping unashamedly.

Christine!

His heart wailed the sweet name. She didn't love him! His poor, wretched heart was breaking. After all he had done for her…after all he had said!

Suddenly, a soft voice caused him to turn round. His eyes went wide. Someone was in the tunnel with him! Bitterness and the pain of his broken heart turned his hatred to a fiery poison in his veins.

Springing forward, the Phantom wrapped his arm around the intruder's neck, applying a tight grip. He clutched at the figure's arm, pinning it down. He hissed into the intruder's ear, "I will kill you!" Christine had spoken truly. His lust for blood was expansive and frightening. A pang hit him. He was a monster! How could anyone love me?

He was brought back to the present as a voice choked out in the darkness, "No! I wanted…to give…this back!"

The Phantom ripped the object away, making it out in the darkness. His mask.

Releasing his captive, the Phantom choked out brokenly, "Leave…tell those fools to turn back or they will all die! They will be trapped in this opera house…and it will be their own fault!"

He turned, staying silent. But the voice spoke again, "I want to help you…"

The Phantom turned again, his tears running unchecked as he vented his frustration and heartbreak, "You can't help me! I'm dying! Dying! Now go back to the wretched world you come from! My life is over without Christine!" His voice failed as he spoke her beautiful name. He slid to the floor, breaking into sobs again, "Christine…"

Meg bit her lip. Her heart was filled with pity and compassion, a trait she had gained from her mother. She felt a certain connection with the Opera ghost, as her mother shared a history with him. Reaching out a trembling hand, Meg laid it on the ghost's quaking shoulder.

"Erik…"

Meg heard a sharp intake of breath. She must've said the wrong thing. Withdrawing her hand, she took a step backward. But a vice-like grip caught her arm, drawing her close again. Erik hissed at her, "How did you know my name?"

Meg felt fear cloud her senses. Her mouth went dry as she tried to speak. She managed, "I…my mother…she told me!"

The grip on her arm gentled, but she was pulled closer. She felt breath on her cheek. Erik's voice came through the darkness again, a sob breaking his tone, "Meg? Oh, Meg! Is it you? I can't see you!"

A hand touched her face, and Meg couldn't help an involuntary shudder. How did the Phantom know her? The hand withdrew, and Meg plucked up her courage, "You need to get out of here. Before they find you! I'll hold them off."

Meg felt the breath on her cheek again as Erik whispered, "No…you are coming with me."

"Why?"

Erik's voice grew harsher, "You are coming with me! Don't disobey me!"

Meg felt terror grip her. Go with the Opera ghost? As his prisoner? Down to depths lower than now!

Meg began to struggle, blind panic making her lose her wits, "No, let me go!"

The grip grew stronger. A steely arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her effortlessly. A harsh whisper stung her ear, "Don't struggle. I don't want to hurt you!"

Meg threatened, sounding braver than she felt, "I'll scream!"

Erik did the only thing left to do. He pressed his free hand to Meg's neck, squeezing the pressure points in the girl's throat. She gasped, then passed out without a sound.

Erik hoisted the girl onto his shoulder, descending down lower to depths he had long wished to forget.