The Mask He Shall Wear... Forever

Chapter 5: The Piano

I do not own the Phantom of the Opera, or any of its scenes or characters. But I am going to e-mail Andrew Lloyd Webber pleading he sell them to me :) BJRCAREBEAR guessed the instrument in my last chapter! BRAVO! I would also like to give a shout-out to MoniqueForester for making me a new cover page that is yet to be seen! Thanks! ON WITH THE STORY...

Phantom's Point Of View..

"A piano!" I cried and examined the smooth surface. A rare collectible, it is hard to find one of these remarkable pianos, unless... unless... you were in the Opera Populaire... I frowned. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Turning around I saw Penelope smiling sadly at it. Why could she possibly be sad? It's beautiful! Who wouldn't want this marvelous collector's item in their home? She sighs,"My brother... He could play this very well..." She paused and sniffs on, "Mozart, Beethoven, he could play it all..." She started to bawl and I didn't know what I could possibly do...

Penelope's Point Of View...

I keep crying uncontrollably. My brother is dead, my brother is dead! That retched man in that cold cape, his mortifying, paralyzing face, those cruel blue, killing eyes... And then it hit me. Blue eyes, cape, hideous scars... It was him! I had invited a murderer into my home, let him invade my safety! I looked up to see this man coming to help me up, to hold me and to help. No! I couldn't let this out of hand. "NO! DO NOT TOUCH ME! LEAVE ME BE!" I scream. I looked at him. His pupils dilated and he was very alarmed. I picked up a broom and hit him with it. With every thunk I heard I sobbed even harder and harder. I stopped. I couldn't stop crying. My face feels hot and the man was still there, unalarmed and completely calm, and I couldn't bear it any longer. I looked up at him with hateful eyes and whispered, "Who are you?"

Phantom's Point Of View...

I was used to being swat at with many things, and at one occasion, a bottle of rum, so it was very easy to dodge her swings. I started noticing where her rage had come from. Her brother, the piano, and me, trying to help. All I know about her brother now is that he plays piano. When I heard those words, those words, I started soul-searching...

Who are you, Erik?

I do not know.. I think I never knew at all anyway...

 A criminal or a gentleman beneath your dirty robes?

Both. I have murdered, yet I have given and loved. I have made many sins and I have had many laughs, most about those sins... But I have experienced both lives as a gentleman and a villain....

I decided what I wanted to say to this mademoiselle...

Penelope's Point Of View...

He stood silent for a while, and as did I. I was going to call authorities, but then, like a poet, the man spoke,"I am Erik, a musician, composer and murderer. But it does not matter who I am, but what I am beneath my cold, pale skin, it only matters that I have feelings. Since you need know who I am, I shall tell you..." He paused, and I was too frozen to speak, all my vocals were slashed out of my throat. I lost my breath, my mind as I heard him say...

" I am the Phantom of the Opera."