Chapter Three: Painted Black

She vaguely wondered what time it was.

The sky was turning light; it seemed to mock her as the new dawn blossomed. Why couldn't rain pour from the heavens? Why couldn't gray clouds surround her, instead of that damned crystal clear sky?

I see a red door and I want it painted black...

The city still slept, and the hint of sun seemed to burn her skin as it danced along fiery curls. With an almost inaudible moan, she buried her face in her hands.

No colors anymore; I want them to turn black...

She gravely raised her gaze to the Moulin Rouge, which still danced with lewd laughter, obnoxious music, and color.

She was so tired of color. She wanted to see in black and white.

I look inside myself and see my heart is black...

And still the Moulin Rouge sparkled.

I wanna see it painted, painted, painted black...black as night.

She didn't notice as he first crept up to her, a drunken, toothless smile on his swarthy face. His breath reeked of liquor, the stench so overpowering that it caused her to look up and find him standing before her.

"Yer a tres belle petite lady," he slurred, making an awful attempt at a French accent. "Remind me of La Fee Verte."

Satine didn't bother to speak. She slid back a bit on the doorstep where she sat, a light sense of something like fear dancing in the back of her mind.

He's going to hurt you, a cautious voice whispered in her head. Leave, now. Run.

And yet she couldn't bring herself to move.

Crooked grin growing wider, he placed a hand on her leg. The action caused disgust to shoot through her veins.

"Don't touch me."

It was a faint whisper, weak and completely devoid of force. His smile grew more malicious.

"Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" he slurred out in a drunken sort of song.

If she hadn't been terrified out of her mind, it would have been rather funny.

"Go. Away."

Instead, he dragged her up from where she sat and placed his hands firmly on her hips. Another shiver shook her entire slender form.

"Cold, gorgeous?" he asked, hands inching up her spine. "I'll keep ya warm..."

"Get away from me," Satine ordered, voice trembling.

He slid his cold, clammy hands down the back of her dress, and a terrified scream escaped her lips, ringing through the silent dawn.

He slammed his mouth against hers and immediately silenced her voice. She tasted the bitter absinthe, shuddered as he thrust his tongue against her lips.

She pulled away from him at once, pushing him with the little strength that she possessed. He stumbled to the ground, then glared at her as a furious sort of growl escaped his lips.

"Come here, you little bitch," he shouted, eyes glimmering dangerously. He took a few slow, unsteady steps toward her.

"You stay away from me," she ordered, trying to sound as though she wasn't terrified out of her wits.

He only responded with another smile. In an instant, she found herself knocked to the ground. Her head slammed against the pavement, and she fought to keep consciousness.

He was muttering things; awful, lewd words that even her father hadn't used to yell.

"Stop," she whimpered helplessly. "Leave me alone, please..."

She felt his hands all over her, felt him tearing at the fabric of her dress.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as shrieks of agony escaped her lips. The world seemed to swim in front of her eyes, and somewhere in her mind she desperately prayed to die.

Black as night...black as coal...

And suddenly, it stopped.

The sharp sound of a bone breaking filled her ears, and her surroundings resumed their clarity.

Standing in front of her was a tall man, bathed in the radiance of the rising sun. His skin was a dark chocolate brown, his eyes were sad and solemn.

"T...thank you," she murmured, feeling light-headed as she stared up at her savior.

"You're welcome," he responded softly, eyes fixed, unwavering, on her.

She stared at him a moment more before her eyes fluttered closed, and everything went black.

Paint it black...

* * *

"Do you think we ought to fetch the doctor?"

"I don't know...oh, Chocolat, what happened to her?"

"I told you all I know."

"D'you think she's...?"

"Of course not, Nini, don't talk about such things!"

"Look, look, her lashes are fluttering!"

Satine slowly opened her eyes to find a blurred crowd of people standing above her. She blinked a few times, and they came into focus: it was a most peculiar crowd indeed. Standing closest to her was an older woman with strawberry blonde curls that were streaked with gray. The woman's face was covered in makeup, and she smelled lightly of smoke and peppermint. Next to her was a jolly-looking red haired man that reminded Satine of a younger Father Christmas, with ruddy cheeks and sparkling blue eyes that were currently shadowed with concern. Behind him was a girl that looked around her age, with shoulder length dark hair and sharp, intense features. Her eyes were lined in kohl, her lips painted a red so bright that it was almost shocking to behold her.

And standing the farthest away, in the corner of the room, still looking solemn and sad, was the man who had saved her.

Curious, she studied her surroundings, ignoring the adamant throbbing of her head. She was lying on an old matress, and colorful costumes and posters surrounded her.

"Where am I?" she asked faintly.

A sneaking suspicion had danced into the back of her mind.

But certainly she couldn't be...here, in that awful place with its dancers and lights and prodigal decor.

The red-haired man smiled gently at her.

"Welcome to the Moulin Rouge."

Songs Used:

Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones