Hi again! I'm really sorry it has taken me so long to update my story. I just got back from Florida for spring break, and I took advantage of my 22 hours in the car and wrote this on the way back, so please forgive me if it's not my best work. I'll try my best not to keep you waiting for chapter 4, but until then, here's chapter 3! Enjoy!

Chapter 3- Footsteps and Disbelief

Satine was glad that Christian had fallen asleep. He had been through enough frightful encounters for one night, and something told her that if he were to be tremendously startled for some reason it might be too much for his weak body to handle. As the footsteps on the lower level became more audible, Satine could feel her heart pounding in her fingertips. This was even too much for her to handle; Christian was definitely better off asleep. Silent prayers consumed her mind as Toulouse's door slammed open below and a new character bounded inside.

Toulouse had been painting a picture of a dark and stormy night which somewhat had a resemblance to the events of the past night. He as well as the off-white canvas opposite his seat knew that this resemblance was intentional. "Things aren't always as they seem," he sighed as if speaking to his painting. He was quite depressed because of the recent occurrences and wanted desperately for his dear friends to survive these encounters with the man that both despised of. Toulouse was again whisked out of his emotion filled world when his door slammed open.

"Where are they?" demanded the despised man himself. "Oh, eh, dear duke, who exactly might you be referring to?" Toulouse cunningly stammered in return. "You know all too well who you drunken dwarf!" "I'm terribly sorry, sir, but perhaps you might seek monsieur Zidler for assistance." "I refuse to leave, and you will tell me where Satine and her penniless poet have run off to!" After making a quick decision on how to answer, Toulouse took a deep breath and continued the slightly heated conversation while trying to make his response seem believable. "Alright, alright. I regret to inform you that young Chwistian passed away early this morning. The shot just barely missed his heart, and we thought he would live, but he had been hit and beaten quite a bit as well, and he just didn't have the strength to." Toulouse trailed off when he saw a devilish smile appear on the duke's strangely shaped mouth. "That's wonderful news, and would you happen to have an idea of the whereabouts of MY Sparkling Diamond?" It took Toulouse a bit of time to recover from the words that had just come out of the duke's mouth. "Er, ahem, Miss Satine um. she passed away shortly after Chwistian. The whole situation was just too much for her, and, well, she er. took her own life out of grief. Terrible really. she never seemed like the type to do such a thing, but she loved Chwistian so dearly. I am truly sorry, sir," Toulouse lied while acting like he was trying to hold back fake tears. The duke was speechless, and after searching for words simply said," you're absolutely sure?" "Yes sir," he said in a mock sad voice and paused for a moment," and I suggest you go back to your old life and find someone new, if I may inquire such a request." "Yes, I suppose I should," the duke replied rather bitterly," but at least one good thing came out of this." "And, um, what would that be, sir?" Toulouse questioned. "That stupid boy is dead, of course, and the world is a much better place without him, such a pity." he laughed sarcastically to himself as he absentmindedly walked to the door and shut it behind him.

Toulouse stood silently with wide eyes until he could no longer hear footsteps down the hall. 'How incredibly easy it is to fool a stupid bugger like him,' he thought to himself as he ran over to the attic door and opened it as quietly as possible. He still did not feel completely sure that the duke had actually believed him, taken his advice, and left Montmarte for good. Once two peacefully sleeping figures were in view, he sighed happily and tried to rouse Satine from sleep by gently tapping her shoulder. She opened her eyes and was completely awake when she saw a smile on her friend's face. "What happened?" she asked groggily while tightening her grip around Christian. "It's a very long and interesting story, but I guess I should get started, yes?" Toulouse questioned while chuckling a bit. "Yes, please, Toulouse! Are we safe now?" Satine asked rather eagerly. Toulouse laughed," Yes, I think you and Christian will be quite safe for now." As Toulouse started his story, he helped Satine carry a still sleeping Christian over to the couch where he could rest comfortably. Satine was in awe as Toulouse told her every detail of his conversation with the duke, and as he finished with the story, Satine silently thanked God for giving Christian and her all the luck in Paris for just those few unpredictable moments, yet because of this they would finally be safe. As this thought left her mind, Christian opened his eyes slowly, and as if he had read her mind, he whispered, "Paris paid off." ĂȘtre continuĂ©