The Phantom led Christine down the twisting flight of stairs, no light illuminating the floor beneath them. As they reached the bottom of the flight, the Phantom took Christine’s hand, stabilizing her as she reached the final stair. Christine followed the silent Phantom as he stepped nearer and nearer to a massive black lake, where a canoe stood, lonely, a single oar at its dock. They climbed into the canoe, the Phantom taking an oar and pushing off into the water.

Several candles radiated an orange-yellow glow, revealing rocks jutting out of the cold water. Christine’s imagination went wild, wondering what might possibly dwell beneath the surface… she shook the thoughts away. The Phantom stared straight ahead, unmoving and unblinking. “Where are we g-” Christine started, but she was hushed by the Phantom. The ceiling was wet and dripping; Every once in a while a drop would hit the lake, barely breaking the silence.

The canoe reached the dark land that lay before them. Christine could not imagine what she would soon see, but she held her breath and followed the Phantom into the shadows…

Photo Credit: Riccardo Romano via Compfight