Cosette watched from her window as a dark figure approached the house. Suddenly curious, she leaned forward and squinted to receive a better look. The figure was tall. But not tall enough to be a man. It also appeared to be very thin. From what she could make out, it was wearing what seemed like oversized clothes, as if they weren't made to fit it.

The figure approached the gate and revealed something from its pocket. Cosette squinted even further and gasped slightly when she saw what it was. A letter

"Marius" she whispered. She felt her heart leap for joy at the thought of Marius sending her a letter. For she remembered all too clearly how his eyes had filled with tears as she told him she had to leave Paris. She hated the way she had hurt him. Especially since they had declared their love for each other only moments ago

She had never known that anyone could make her feel that way. To feel so in love and alive. It was exhilarating. Yes she loved her Papa, but not in the same way that she loved Marius. She loved him like a farther. But her love for Marius was indescribable.

Papa had approached the figure now. They exchanged a few words before it left. Leaving Papa alone holding the letter.

Cosette felt a rush of fear as she watched Papa stand alone with the letter clutched in his hand. She only prayed to god he wouldn't read it. He slowly made his way back inside and soon enough, he was knocking on her door.

"Cosette, there's a letter here for you" he said. Cosette made her way to the door and opened it. Carefully taking the letter from his hands, she whispered her thanks before shutting the door and opening the letter.

What she saw made her heart sink and tears well in her eyes.

Dearest Cosette,

you have entered my soul and soon you will be gone. Can it be only been days since we met and the world was reborn. If I shall fall in the battle to comelet this be my goodbye, now that I know that you love me as well it is harder to die. I pray that God will bring me home to be with you. Pray for your Marius, he prays for you.

Cosette could barely make out the words through her tears. Which eventually turned into sobs. She didn't care if her Papa could hear her. The hand that wasn't holding the letter rose, and she gently laid upon her chest. she could vaguely feel her heart shattering beneath her fingertips. Marius was going to die and there was nothing she could do about it. She felt so helpless and so lost. How could she live without the love of her life?

Suddenly, an idea rose in her mind. If she went to the barricades disguised as a boy, she could convince him to leave. She could convince him to run away with her so they could live happily together forever. She knew he would never refuse for she saw the love in his as he gazed upon her the time they first met. The way he sang to her when he showed up at her gate. The way his face fell when she told him she had to leave. She knew he loved her and would do anything for her. There was no way he could refuse.

however, it was easier said than done

How was she going to get to the barricade and how was she going to find boys clothes to disguise herself with? images suddenly rose in her mind of the dark figure handing the letter to her Papa and her face lit up. That person had to have been with Marius at the barricade in order to get his letter and bring it here. Her body started to move automatically now. She swiftly climbed out the window with the letter still clutched in her hand. She darted down the street in the same direction that the figure went in. She had to find her, she just had to. As she ran, she took the letter and clutched it to her heart.

"Don't worry, Marius. I'm going to bring you home to me"