~A Poet's Dream~

Chapter Three

Walk Away From Love

The Duke stood frozen in place, shocked by Satine's audacity. She wouldn't...would she? He closed his eyes. She had discovered that his greatest weakness was...her. Sighing angrily, he set out to find Warner.

*

Christian found himself, once again, in a cold, wet ditch on the street. The fog surrounding him began to lift, and he struggled to stand. Warner picked up Christian, and tossed him into a vacant alleyway. Christian willed himself to focus, his head pounding furiously, as Warner pulled out his pistol. Christian looked up at Warner, and smiled ruefully.

Warner pointed the gun at Christian's head, and wordlessly dared him to continue smiling.

But Christian couldn't help it. Content in the knowledge that Satine loved him, that she had always loved him, he knew that he could die happy. He didn't want to lose Satine, but he knew that, someday, they would be together.

Forever.

Warner cocked the gun, and roughly pressed the barrel against Christian's forehead. He paused, as Christian began singing out a strangely haunting tune.

"It only hurts me when I'm awake. It seems to die with dreaming and there is only so much that I can fake when my whole life comes careening down, I will not die. It only kills me cause I'm alive and the living this disaster and it's all I can do now to survive I live to beat my master down, I will not die. Down, I will not die."

Warner was taken aback by the boy's odd behavior. He pulled the pistol from the boy's forehead, and watched in awe, as Christian turned his head toward the Moulin Rouge.

"When I'm well I long to be only in love with you. But I guess I'll never be holding you know it's true. It does not stop me that we all die. I know this trip's to slaughter. But if only I could let me cry I feel the healing water falling down, I will not die. Down, I will not die. Down, I will not die. When you're my angel I can fly...

When you're my angel I can fly. When you're my angel I can fly."

Christian smiled, and turned toward Warner, who seemed completely distracted by Christian's song. Christian took advantage of the opportunity, and jumped up, startling Warner. Christian shoved Warner, and ran from the alleyway, his head spinning, and his chest tightening. He heard Warner jump back to life, and begin to chase him down the darkened streets. As Christian turned the corner, he ran headlong into the Duke. Gasping audibly, he shoved past the Duke, and began to run again. He heard the thumping of Warner's footsteps, and he heard the Duke cry out, as a thundering shot rang out, echoing through the streets.

*

Satine rushed into her dressing room, and threw open the door, only to find it completely empty. Evidence of the pre-show chaos lay throughout the room, and Satine fought to keep professional control. Marie rushed in, and Satine jerked back into reality, and began changing for the next act.

"Marie, did you see where the Duke went after I left earlier?" Satine fought to keep her voice steady.

"No, my dear, but he seemed to be in a bit of a hurry."

Satine nodded, and closed her eyes, as Marie adjusted her gown. She prayed that the Duke had reached Christian in time. She would agree to stay with the Duke forever, if only the Duke would spare Christian's life. Christian had so much to give the world, so much talent, and so much beauty. She would walk away from love, if it meant that Christian would have the chance to share his poetry with the world.

Her heart hurt. It was an awful pain, and Satine had to catch her breath. She wondered what it was. It didn't feel physical. It felt...spiritual. She felt the pain in her soul, and suddenly, she felt a dark panic rise up into her throat. She grabbed a shawl, and ran from the dressing room, sweeping past a befuddled Harold.

"Satine, my dear, where are you going? We need you on stage in a minute! Satine? Satine!"

Satine ignored Harold's beckon, as she raced out of the theatre, and onto the street.

*

Christian collapsed, as a searing pain pierced his entire body. He cried out in pain, as he landed on the cold, wet roadway. Falling completely onto the ground, he could feel hot blood trickle down his cold arm, an ominous sign that the end was near.

The Duke rushed to Christian's side, followed shortly by Warner. Christian could hear the Duke shout something at Warner, but the world around him was growing increasingly fuzzy. That was when he heard the scream.

*

The Duke watched in horror, as Warner extended his pistol and fired a single shot into the cold night. Before he could react, the Duke saw Christian contort, and fall to the ground. He ran toward Christian, but couldn't bring himself to touch the boy.

"Warner, fetch the doctor," the Duke screamed, and watched as Warner ran off. Another, much smaller frame, soon replaced his retreating figure.

*

Satine looked around frantically, then heard footsteps approaching her. She turned toward the sound, and stared intently, as her eyes dilated in the sudden darkness of the street. She spotted a figure on the ground, and another, hovering above. In her heart she knew immediately, that the man on the ground was Christian. She cried out, and ran toward Christian, passing Warner on the way.

"Christian? Oh, no, no! Christian?" Satine collapsed to her knees, her heart racing wildly. The Duke watched the scene intently, possessive jealousy rising within him, replacing what little sympathy and guilt he'd had for Christian.

"Satine? Satine, I--" Christian felt his body weakening, just as Satine tightened her grip on his body.

"Christian, please, stay with me, please, please don't leave."

"My darling, you are my angel...and I can fly..." Christian whispered.

"No! Christian, don't, don't you fly away without me!"

The doctor appeared at that moment, and Satine wept loudly, as Christian lost consciousness completely.

"Christian!" Satine cried out, as Harold and the Duke pulled her away from the now chaotic scene.

"Christian...I...no…" Satine was shaking, but stopped herself at the doorway of the theatre, and straightened.

"Come what may.... I will love you...until my dying day!"

***

A warm, yellow glow filled the room, as the soft sounds of the early morning marked the beginning of a new day. Christian opened his eyes, unaware of the fact that he had been in bed for days. His eyes focused on a large water pitcher, sitting on the other end of the room. As his vision cleared, he scanned the room slowly. Where was he? The peaceful silence was almost unnerving to him. In all the time he had spent here in Montmartre, it had rarely been this peaceful. He struggled to sit up, and when he did, he realized just how heavy his head was. His shoulder ached tremendously, and he felt groggy. Struggling to look out of the window, Christian noted that he could see the center garden of the Moulin Rouge. Was he in the Moulin Rouge? And if so, where was he? The scene in front of him looked familiar, but...he was certain he had never been in this room before. It was then that the door to his room opened slowly, and as Christian turned his head, Marie appeared.

"Marie," Christian whispered.

"You're awake," Marie smiled warmly.

"Where am I?"

"You are at the Moulin Rouge."

"Yes, but...where? I can see the garden...and it looks like I'm--"

"In the Elephant. You are."

"But this room..."

"This room is not used much anymore. The Duke insisted that you be hidden away."

"But why?"

"He has his reasons, no matter how irrational. You should get some rest, boy."

"Where is Satine?"

"She is...not here, anymore Christian. She has gone away with the Duke."

"What?" Christian wanted to jump up and shout in anger, yell at Marie for letting Satine go, but he was so exhausted, and in too much pain to speak much louder than a whisper.

"They will return soon. The Duke wants to check on your condition."

Christian eyed Marie suspiciously. "Why?"

"Get some rest, boy. I've said too much already. The Duke will explain upon his return. Now sleep."

Christian grumbled, as Marie pulled a blanket over his shoulders.

"All will be revealed in time, my young poet."

"I just want to see Satine."

Marie sighed sadly. She knew that he would not get his wish, but she didn't have the heart to tell him as much. Instead, she left the room quietly, as Christian gave into his exhaustion once more.

~*~

(AN: "I Will Not Die" Words & Music by Jude Christodal, "Come What May" Words & Music by David Baerwald)