| Chapter 5 Reims, France ~ July 9th, 1914 Hot tears fell down Satine�s cheeks as she made her way back home. A warm breeze was brushing against her face, causing wisps of her vibrant red hair to fly around her face. She had such a horrible sense of dread about this war that it made her ache inside. Letting out a miserable sigh, she reached a hand into her small purse and pulled out the letter that Christian had given her as she left. As she continued walking down the streets she had come to know by heart, she unfolded the note and began to read; My beautiful Satine, I know that when you read this, I won�t be there to hold you and wipe away your tears, but please believe me when I say that you are in my heart and on my mind every second of every day. I miss you now as I write this, even though you are only in the next room, sleeping peacefully. It breaks my heart to think that every moment I spend away from you, is a moment in which I am not complete. I wished on all the stars that fill the dark night sky that I didn�t have to leave you. But my sister needs me, Satine. I know how remarkable it is to know we are having a child together and I couldn�t deprive Martha�s husband of that feeling. I love you so much, and no matter how soon I get back to you, it will not be soon enough. With you always, Your Christian P.S. Please keep singing for our baby, Satine. Music is the food of love. Satine looked up from the letter and found herself in front of the house. Rubbing a gentle hand over her belly, she opened the door and softly sang, �Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide�� Somewhere along the French countryside ��But I�ll love you, �til the end of time,� Christian hummed as he rested his head against the window of the train. He felt so alone. Everybody on the train seemed to know at least one other person. Christian had always been terribly shy, and he didn�t think that these would be the types of people that he would want to become friends with. The men were busying themselves with talk of the war and one man stood up, proclaiming that he would �slaughter the bastards that threatened his country;� causing many to cheer. Christian winced, he believed in truth, beauty, freedom and love. Would he be able to survive in this sinister world of lies, death, captivity and hate? Christians thoughts were disrupted when he saw someone trip on his bag out of the corner of his eye. �Oh, I�m sorry,� Christian said to a tall man with a dark tan, who was retrieving his balance. �What the hell were you thinking, leaving your shit on the floor?� the man roared. �I could have broken my neck!� �I-I�m sorry,� Christian whispered, pulling his belongings closer to his feet, just wishing the violent man would leave as soon as possible. His heart was pounding furiously. He felt ridiculous being intimidated, it made him feel like a school boy. But he couldn�t help the fear inside him of getting punched by those tough, fat fingers, balled into a fist. �Worthless,� the tall man sniggered under his breath as he sat down with the group of rowdy men. Christian took a few deep breaths, trying to slow his racing pulse. He didn�t do well with confrontation. He ran an exasperated hand through his hair; what was he doing here? ************ After several, long hours, the train came to halt in a very dull and dingy area of France. Christian stretched his sore muscles and pulled his pack over his shoulder. He looked out the window and saw the sky was splashed with bright pinks and yellows, the only beauty in this horrible area, where they were to set up camp. He hadn�t slept well in weeks and the lack of sleep was beginning to catch up with him. Drowsily, he began to walk off the train with the other huge group of men; made identical by their brown uniforms. Soon, the train was empty and was pulling away once more, Christian�s only way home was now gone. |