Still no title for this one..hehe. As I promised... Chapter one. Update – 05/18/04...easier to read no? 04/23/04

Chapter I: In the dark

The door to Christian's garret flung open as he rushed through, soaking wet, panting for air. Flashes of lightening illuminated the sky as the rain began pouring heavily down the gloomy streets. He had gone out to search for her. Hoping he would somehow find her on the streets but, like the past two months, nothing. It was two months ago.

Two long, painful, agonizing, months of despair, self- pity, self- doubt, and disappointment for the penniless poet. She had been taken. Memories from that night flashed through his mind. That night. At the gothic tower. When the Duke found out about their love. He was driven mad by jealousy.

"And so he took her..." he said in a bitter tone. Anger flowed through his veins. The thought of that bastard Duke forcing Satine against her will was more than he could stand. His anger was soon replaced by doubt.

"What if she's..." He couldn't bring himself to say the word. He shook his head in protest against the idea. How could he, above all people, think so negative?

"No, I can't give up. They'll find her." He said trying to reassure himself. Deep down he knew he was lying. It wasn't like they were trying. Harold was too busy trying to go "on with his show." And no one else cared for a lost, pitiful creature of the underworld. They didn't care if she was being hurt. He was on his own.

There came a slight knock at his door. "Chwistian!" Toulouse said as he slowly wobbled his way in. "I have some exciting news, I twink they fwound her!"

"What?!" Christian always seemed to get confused when he was around Toulouse. Wait they found her?

"Where?"

"I was told not to tell you, but you two bewong together, twust me I know." Toulouse said in a caring manner. "She's at the Moulin but..."

It was too late; Christian was already out the door. He went down the stairs, forgetting what Toulouse was going to say. They had found her and that was the only thing that mattered. He raced to the infamous nightclub in record time.

X

Christian stormed though the crowded stage as he navigated his way through the corridors. He had forgotten to ask Toulouse exactly where she was, but he knew wherever she was Zidler and Marie wouldn't be far.

He saw a large man standing on the stage. "Harold, where is she? Where's Satine?"

The man turned around, "Christian my boy! How are things going?" Zidler said in a high pitched tone.

Christian ignored Zidler. "Where is she?"

"You can't see her," Zidler said calmly.

"What do you mean, I can't see her? Why not? Tell me!" Christian said outraged and panicked all at once. "What's wrong?" His eyes began to fill with tears. "Please..."

Harold Zidler was never known to be a compassionate man but for some odd reason, he had a soft spot for the young writer. But he also remembered what the contract had said, and a deal was a deal. He would take his beloved Moulin Rouge and his precious money over the boy any day.

"Just leave." Zidler said in a stern voice.

"I'm not leaving until I see Satine." Christian said, giving Zidler a cold stare. He had come this far and nothing was going to stop him.

The two exchanged glances at each other eye to eye, neither of them showing any sign of surrender until Zidler snapped his fingers. Two large men began to approach Christian.

He took one step back, realizing what was about to happen. "Why are you doing this Harold?" Christian said feeling slightly betrayed.

Zidler could only stare at him. "It's for your own good."

"My own good? Why you dirty old =P " was the only thing that came out of Christian's mouth before the two men seized him with a brute force. They began to drag him forcefully by his arms, while Christian struggled to break free from their grasp.

"Get off me! Let me go!" he cried out it desperation. "Someone...HELP!" The people could only stare and shake their heads at the pitiful sight. He tried to break free but the two only gripped him harder. Christian continued to squirm around while the men stood their ground and restrained him by pinning his body to the floor.

When it seemed that Christian had lost his steam, the two men helped him up as they began walking towards the exit.

His head throbbed in pain and the only things registering were the whispers and footsteps of the people rehearsing. He slowly looked to his side and nearly jumped out of his skin, when he noticed a light flicker from a darkened entrance that caught his eye. This sent a shock throughout his body. Was this a sign?

A strong hand gave a push at his back, which brought him back to reality. They had reached the door and before he knew it, Christian was standing out in the rain screaming out, "Satine!" The man shoved him to the ground but Christian refused to give up; he got right back up. He had to get back in, somehow.

"Satine", he called out again. 'Maybe she could hear me', he thought. They grabbed him by his arms and dragged him to the streets. The more muscular man grabbed his face, jabbed him hard and sent Christian flying. He fell to the soaking ground, completely dazed.

"Satine." He heard himself say one last time before his world turned into nothingness.

X

Okay the chapters a little rough, trust me I know. I was jumping from idea to idea. Please R R. don't worry it's gonna get better! I read my prologue and I realized that my spelling sucks!And I'm pretty sure its gonna be a happy ending cause there are way too many depressing endings. Not that I don't like them! Lol. Any ideas for a title? Or for the story? Again Moulin Rouge...Baz. Songs used: none yet but there will be later.