Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters other than Florence Amore, they are the creations of Victor Hugo. I have altered the ages of some characters for the use of this short story, which will become apparent in the story. A Sequel may or may not occur. Please enjoy the story, and if possible, leave feedback. Now, let the story begin.
Enjolras entered Cafe l'ABC with a grin of achievement on his usually stony face. He had just returned from a succesful day of rallying, and had gained a new member for the Les Amis. Although only one was obtained, one was better then none. The rest of the Les Amis waited patienly upstairs for their leader to return, hopefully with good news. The creak of the stairs notified them of his presence, and each head turned to await their passionate leader.
"My friends, I have gained us a new member, and stirred the thoughts of the public once more. My mistress Patria would be proud" he grinned at the group.
A few cheers could be heard as they raised their wine glasses in celebration, the winecask Grantaire being the first to speak.
"Where is he then?" he asked
"She will be here soon, she said she needed to secure her sleeping arrangements first"
"She!?" exclaimed the young Gavroche, at sixteen he was younger than the others by years, but a very passionate ally. "How's a girl meant to aid us in our revolution? when she'll barely be able to look after herself?"
"Eponine aids us, she is a girl, is she not?" Enjolras was not happy at this outburst against his descision, he was the leader, and he will not be doubted.
"Ye', but 'ponine is different"
"How so?"
"She's a girl, but one 'ardened by the streets. This...harlot you will have got us will be of 'igh society. Don't like 'er already"
"Well, that's a shame" the new voice entered the room, and with it came the new member.
Her voice was light and breathy, which contrasted greatly with the appearance of the girl. She finished ascending the stairs, and stood infront of the crowd of men, beside Enjolras. Her white blonde hair was dirty and hung in clumps to her waist, blending with the paleness of her skin and the dirty white lace edgings of her dress. It was a deep purple velvet dress, broken and worn by time and life on the streets, the corset hugged her tightly, a few of the wirings on view.
Gavroche looked at the girl, scrutinizing her, trying to decipher who she was. She seemed to live on the streets, but if this was true, how had he not noticed her before? Surely he would have noticed such a beautiful girl. He quickly scolded himself for thinking her beautiful, she was not one of them.
"My name is Florence Amore, but 'round these parts I go by Flora. I can assure you I am not of high society, my, I'm sure a girl of high society would not reside in the darkest parts of Paris such as myself" she looked at the boy before her, his blonde hair plastered around his face by weeks of grime. He suddenly felt uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Gavroche. And where are these darkest parts? haven't seen you on my patch before"
"The docks, Im sure you are aware of that area?" she told him, her voice holding no emotion.
"Prostitute? great, just what we needed" he sighed angrily, then sat down with the others, refusing to look at her any longer.
"Her profession is of no concern of your Gavroche, now please, let us move onto business. LaMarque is ill, our time is soon"
At their annual weekly meeting, a month after her first arrival, Florence was late. She was never late. This worried Grantaire and Joly, who had adopted brotherly roles for the young girl. Over the past few weeks they had come to be protective of the girl. This rebellion, this war of theirs would cause the death of many, and they knew it. But neither of them could fathom the thought of a young girl dying on their account, because of their beliefs. They wanted her to leave and never return, for her own safety. But she was determined to stay, to overthrow the power that had forced her into such a terrible life. The only belief and love she held in her heart was for Patria.
"Where's the girl?" asked Gavroche, not being able to find the glimpse of blonde hair in the room, the underlying tones of flowers that was her scent. Flowers caked in earth and rain.
"She will be here soon i'm sure, now, we must begin" Enjolras answered him, ever the focused leader.
Their discussions went on for hours before Florence turned up, she arrived franticly, the stains of tears ran down her cheeks. Her lips were raw, and slightly parted as she breathed, a deep cut graced her plump lower lip. Her pale arms were cradled around her frail form, the old cloak she wore was lost, and she was cold. Deep blue bruises could be seen around her wrists, finger marks bruising her upper arms and throat, her legs littered in markind of the same colour.
"You are late, where have you been?" Enjolras didn't even look up from the map he was perched over.
"I-Im sorry monsieur, it won't happen again. I ran into some trouble s'all" she looked down as she spoke, refusing to meet the eyes of the three who studied her.
"Flora, what happened?" Gavroche heard Grantaire whisper to her.
"I couldn't run, I-I tried, but he was so strong" she sobbd into her hands, her pale form shaking. She was a prostitute by trade, but never had she been forced into such a trecherous act, she was usually just made to undress before the men, her young body was enough for them. Gavroche felt a pang of despair in his heart as he saw her cry. But soon reminded himself that she was just some useless girl.
"Who was he? Did he hurt you?" Joly was angered by the news that his ersatz sister had been deflowered by some old pervert.
"I-I don't know, he was old, and fat. His hands...they were everywhere. I can barely walk, im black and blue. It hurts so much brother" she sat up now, her eyes lifeless as they stared at her hands. Her eyes once held so much passion and fire, were now merely dull grey orbs.
"Please, I'm medical student, let me inspect you, I must be sure that you only harbour bruising" Joly placed an arms around the girl and lifted her, carrying her into the other room.
Gavroche heard the door creak shut, a small gap between the door and the frame. He followed silently, hoping that she was alright. He knew they would not tell him what happened, he was merely a careless lech in their opinion. He looked through the crack, seeing her stood in the middle of the room. Joly had Grantaire prepare a bucket of warm water and fetch some cloths.
"Would you show me where he touched you?" Joly asked quietly.
She unclasped the back of her dress, allowing it to pool around her feet. Her pale body stood bare before them, the fragile bones evident under her transluscent skin. The bruising extended further than Gavroche first thought, her small breast had bite marks upon them, the same marking littered her thighs, the bruises were darker in these areas. As Joly wiped her body with the wet washcloths, she'd inhale sharply as he passed across a few areas, gritting her teeth.
"I need you to sit down for me please Florence, I know this will be uncomfortable, but I must make sure there is no possibility of you being with child" He asked. She obliged, he spread her legs apart a bit, and examined her innocent flower. He found swelling, but the layer of unbroken skin still intact.
"You are not deflowered my dear Florence, you are hurt badly, and I suggest you rest for the next passing days"
"That bastard will die, be it by my hands or by my bullet" Grantaire sneered.
"Where were you my dearest Flower?" Joly coaxed the girl as he wrapped her in a warm blanket.
"I was searching the streets, I-I just wanted to return this" She reached for the pin that held her hair up, it was the badge of the revolution.
"He-he must've lost it on his way out, and I found it, wanted to return it. But, as I shouted his name, searching for him. A man approached, demanding I give him all I had, I refused, and he lost it, and I was pushed, I tried to fight him Joly, I-I swear I tried"
"Ssh, my pretty girl, I know you tried. But we must know what did he look like?"
"He-he was old, I thought he was, I've seen him before, on the streets begging with a woman and ill child. But, it was a hoax, his wig came off. I don't know his name. I-I'm sorry"
"Thenardier" Grantaire spoke up form the corner of the room.
"Who were you looking for?" Joly asked.
"Gavroche" she sighed.
Gavroche looked down at his jacket lapel, it was true, his pin was nowhere to be found. He couldn't tell what was worse, that she was attacked while searching for him, or that the attacker was his own father. He would never forgive his father for turning him out on the streets, but now his hatred boiled as he knew who he had forsaken.
"I-I can't go back to the docks, he'll come find me. I-I can't" she cried.
"Stay with us" Joly assured her.
"She cannot, imagine what the tennants would say as we escorted a young girl into our rooms?" Grantaire reasoned.
A few hours later she stood outside the Cafe, staring at the stars and contemplating where to go. The only place she could return to were the Docks, which were bound to bring her trouble. She heard footsteps approach her, before stopping beside her. She didn't turn to look.
"I belive you have something of mine?" Gavroche spoke, breaking the silence.
"Yes, I do. I kept it safe. I tried returning it, but I couldn't" She handed him the pin. He took off his coat, and placed it around her shoulders. She cocked her head at him.
"Something for me, something for you" he smiled "I heard you were having trouble deciding where to stay tonight. You're welcome to come with me"
"Thank you, but I don't want to burden you"
"It will be no trouble, I promise I will not hurt you Florence"
He led her to the elephant of the Bastilles where he resided, helping her climb up through the hole in its side. In the hollow center were a few dirty blankets and some melted candles. He sat down on the wad of material, motioning for her to join him. She sat down wearily, her exhaustion becoming apparent to her as her body began to relax.
"Let us sleep, I will keep you safe" Gavroche whispered to her. She lay down, and he pulled a blanket over them, both falling asleep soon. Her shaking breaths and quiet sobs woke him in the middle of the night. He pulled her closer to him and she sobbed into his chest, he kissed her head and watched her. Waiting for her to fall asleep again, safe in his arms.