I didn't catch her.
I tried to, but I failed. The pain I feel is unbearable… I missed her by an inch. An inch. Why didn't I try a little harder? I had lifted her broken body from the floor, careful not to hurt her, although she had been hurt in the worst possible way. I had carried her back to safety. The Moulin Rouge was quiet. It was never quiet.
She breathed heavily and looked up at me. I could sense her pain. She shivered uncontrollably. I had to hide my tears, I did not want to frighten her. She gargled as she started to lose her conscience. Blood found its way past her cherry lips. Marie placed her unsteady hand on my shoulder and rapidly guided me to a table. I placed Satine on top of it carefully. Marie took Satine's hand. Satine looked at her with bewilderment. A tear rolled down her cheek. Then her eyes flicked and she closed them. For one second I thought that she had gone to a better place but then I realised that her chest was still moving. Behind me, Harold Zidler caught his breath. He looked at me with his big, frightened eyes. I kept silent as always and stepped aside to let him pass.
"Did you fetch a doctor?"
Marie bit her lip and quickly gestured to another girl. Tears appeared in her eyes. I could no longer hide mine, either. The beautiful Satine, the young woman that I had sworn to protect, was lying on a bare table, suffering from internal bleeding and a dozen fractions… The most wonderful Diamond Dog of the Moulin Rouge…
Suddenly, Satine started to convulse. Her back arched and relaxed, arched and relaxed… Marie hurried towards her to keep her steady on the table. Then a sigh escaped Satine's lips and she remained still. Marie looked up at us and checked Satine's pulse. I felt my heart skipping a beat when she looked up at us.
I didn't catch her.