Chapter 4:
I walked down those alleyways and past my old garret. I followed the familiar path and gazed up at the deserted elephant. I could see her standing there, on the edge, looking over. I climbed up the side and ran towards the balcony, onto the elephant's head, throwing my arms out and looking up at the stars where we had danced.
"Oh, Satine. What a beautiful night for dancing." I sighed and stepped back. A cold chill blew through the air, one that hadn't been there before. And suddenly, I noticed a figure walking down below me. She wore a veil, but underneath I could see a wisp of copper hair blowing in the breeze.
I reacted quickly, making my way down the side of the elephant in a flash. I had to find her. When I had come out of the underworld for the first time, I had noticed how dead the Moulin Rouge had seemed. Everyone was gone. None of the lights or excitement had remained after the diamond had faded. This figure was the first person I had seen inside the Moulin's walls since Satine's death.
I chased after her, around the corner, back out onto the street. She seemed to quicken her pace as if she knew I was just behind her, catching up.
"Excuse me," I said cautiously, not wanting to frighten her. She stopped but wouldn't turn around. And then I just let myself believe for one moment as I whispered "Satine..."
She dropped to the pavement and began to sob. I approached her slowly and knelt beside her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I just imagine things sometimes, that's all." I was afraid that she wouldn't speak to me. I wanted so badly for her to tell me what had happened to this place, what had happened to the people. I hoped that she knew.
"You don't understand, Christian. I can't see you. You shouldn't be here."
"How...Satine!" I turned her around to see her beautiful face. "How is this possible?!" Tears streamed down my face as I spoke.
"It's not, Christian. You see, this is me, this is how it would have been, this is what I would have become without you." She turned and looked me in the eyes for the first time. And then I saw it. Her beautiful face was covered in scars and bruises.
"What has happened to you, darling? Who did this to you?!" I felt the rage burning inside.
"I did, Christian. And you saved me. You saved me from a world of suffering and pain. I can never thank you enough for what you have done for me. Now I must go. You understand, I have business to attend to." She stood and covered her face with the veil.
"Satine," I jumped up and took her hand but she pulled away from me.
"You can't... you can't see me again. You needed to know, Christian. You never could believe the things I did, never wanted to. Now you know. Now you see how it was. I just wanted you to understand."
"But, Satine, you can't leave me again! Please..." I begged her.
"I'm not," she whispered. A small smile started to spread across her face. "I never left you, Christian." She reached up and pressed her palm against my wet cheek. "I've always been here."
She turned around and I watched her cross the street into the alley. My body shook in the cold, harsh rain that had just begun to fall. I dropped to my knees again. I felt weak, like I would never be able to stand again. The last thing I saw was the pavement as I fell forward.
