So, this story has come to a close. I'm sorry I didn't give you a longer notice, but I figured since the book, and the play all pretty much ended with the chandelier crash, I might as well end there, too. So, this is the last chapter… I must say, I'm rather sad to put an end to this story, but all good things must come to an end, I suppose. So, without further ado, I give you "Collapse."

"Past the point of no return, the final threshold. The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn. We've passed the point of no return..." It was opening night, and Erik and I were clinging to each other onstage, letting the music trail off before we slowly. I turned to face him, and sang my part as demurely as a mouse.

"Alone in the night, as cold as the stars. You like the dawn, creep into my heart. All is insignificant compared to thee, and I cannot go a day without your touch." I gently touched Erik's face, and I could hear his intense breathing.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Lead me, save me from my solitude. Say you want me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go, too! Christine, that's all I ask of—"

There was a scream amongst the audience, and I frantically glanced at Erik's mask, but the false skin was still in place. Suddenly Erik pulled me close to him, shouting, "Everyone get out! Out, I say!" his foot beat a rapid tattoo on the stage, and suddenly, I heard it: the great groaning of the chandelier. It was coming down! But how?

I didn't have time to think, because very soon I was falling, still clinging to Erik, and I landed on something soft.

"Erik, what's going on? Where are we?"

"Beneath the stage in the first level of cellars, but there's no time," he said, dragging me forward. I couldn't see, I was just following Erik blindly through the catacombs.

Very soon we reached Erik's house by the lake.

"Why here?" I asked stupidly, but I was going into a state of shock, my wits were collapsing one by one. "Erik, I don't understand!" I said hysterically. "Please, help me understand! I'm so confused!"

Erik stared at me for a moment, and then his arms were around me, and I started to sob fretfully.

"Everything will be all right, love," Erik murmured, kissing the top of my head. "I just need to grab a few things, and then we'll be out. Just stay here." As if I were capable of doing anything else.

Erik came back a minute later, a ream of sheet music under his arm, and his violin in hand. We studied each other for a moment, and then rushed into action. "You have your key, I assume?" Erik asked as we headed down another unfamiliar tunnel. I nodded.

"Yes, I never take it off." Erik just nodded and pulled me farther along. "What about everything else?" I murmured.

"It's not important, Christine," Erik said sharply.

We soon reached the door, and I fumbled with it, and finally got the door open with some effort.

There were gobs of people out in the street, and I quickly spotted Meg and Raoul, and we met after a long struggle though the crowd.

"Christine! I thought you didn't make it out!" Meg said, throwing her arms around me. "Where did you come from?" I hugged her lightly and eyed her carefully. "I… Daddy!" I was suddenly stricken with panic—the only photograph I had of Daddy was in my dressing room. "I have to go get him!" Of course, I wasn't thinking rationally, but I didn't know that at the time.

"Christine, no!" Erik pulled me to his chest, and I strained against him. "No." I struggled vainly before I gave up and slumped into his arms, crying. The only material thing that I had left of my father was gone forever. I was devastated. Erik gently set me down on the curb side, murmuring soft words in my ear. "Don't worry, love, all will be well. All will be well." I nodded and buried my head in his chest. Someone approached us and I looked up bleary eyed.

"Are you Anton Petit?" It was an officer, and Erik nodded.

"Yes, sir, that is me."

"Would you care to give your account of what happened?" I felt Erik nod and he launched into what happened.

"I was onstage performing, it was the opening night for this opera, and suddenly someone screamed. I glanced around, and the ceiling around the chandelier was cracking and crumbling. I screamed for everyone to get out as quickly as possible, and then I led Christine, my fiancé," here he gestured to me, "off stage, and we made it out safely."

"Several people have claimed to have seen you falling through the stage, Monsieur Petit. Is this true?" Erik shook his head.

"No, monsieur. As I said, I led Christine off the stage as quickly and safely as possible out of the building. Although, there have been sightings of the Opera's ghost; perhaps that was he." The police officer scoffed.

"Not likely, since there aren't such things as ghosts," he waved the comment away.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, monsieur," Erik said cryptically before the police officer walked away. I turned about, hearing a cracking noise behind me, and I watched in horror as the flames devoured my beloved Opera house. The support beams were failing, and the once magnificent building began to collapse in on itself. Erik pulled me close, and we sat stoically, watching our home disintegrate before our eyes.

Now, before all of you reviewers give me grief about how I ended this story, I will say that I will probably be writing a sequel. Oh, who am I kidding? I'll definitely be writing a sequel, and it'll include E/C wedding, etc. So, since this is the last chapter, I expect you to review. So please review.