Author's Note: this is my forth phantom fic. Normally I write my stories about Erik and Christine but this one is a little different, I guess it is about them but it isn't a romantic fic like always. I hope you enjoy it. The characters look as they do in the 2004 movie.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters.

The eyes that burn

I laid there in bed, hoping that sleep would take me into its world of relaxation and unconsciousness. I grabbed my rough red blanket and forced it to rest just below my neck. Feeling annoyed that sleep had not yet washed over me I turned and glanced at the old, rusty clock on the left bedside cabinet, the face was quite dirty, and I had to squint my eyes to be able to see the hands. The clock showed me that the time was 2:00 am. The curtains were drawn to a close and the door shut. Cold air circled the chamber and began closing in on everything that was in its way.

My mind began to ponder on the thought of why I could not sleep, my body was exhausted and wanted to rest but my mind would not obey.

Was it that I was nervous about the upcoming show, the thought of standing on that wide stage in front of a multitude of people, all of their eyes filled with judgment, then again, I had nothing to worry about as I seem to always get a round of applause and an endless amount of roses chucked at me as I finish my aria. No, that couldn't be the reason why I could not slumber.

Was it that I denied my childhood friend of several dates and guilt was now over taking me? I could see the mental pictures of his face, smiling as he understood that I could not see him, but the ever-lasting look of disappointment flooding his eyes. Oh, curse my good hearted nature, I hated making people unhappy, even if it was for the better. I was certainly riddled with guilt but I could tell that was not the reason why I my eyes were still wide open and staring blankly at the ceiling that was hidden away by the shadows.

Then it dawned on me, the reason I could not sleep tonight or any other night for the past week, it was him. No, not my childhood friend, but him. The mysterious being who when he sang, sent me in a trance as his angelic voice caressed my soul. His deep, sinful call sent me to heaven as it surrounded me and trapped me in a cocoon of wonder and delight.

As alluring and captivating as his voice was, that's how fearful and manipulative his eyes were. His golden eyes burn deeply into my soul; they attract me but at the same time they scare me. I remember being trapped under his burning gaze and I could not escape. No matter how hard I tried to turn away, I could not.

Even now, as I lay in my bed, all alone I could feel the heat from his eyes penetrated mine and I was helpless to stop it. What was I to do, his heavenly voice called to me in my dreams and his eyes haunted me in my nightmares. I didn't know what to think; I both loved and feared this man. He made me so confused of my own emotions that it was preventing me from sleeping.

I closed my eyes tightly and tried to think about something else, anything, as long as it wasn't about him.

I tried to think about rehearsals tomorrow, I always enjoyed my rehearsals because that was the time I got to spend with my friends.

With that glorious thought in mind I felt sleep finally descend, still feeling his burning gaze guarding me… like an angelic demon.