_Ch.1

A/N: Hi Guys! So I'd just like to say, I'm very sorry for not continuing my last fanfiction. I paused for a couple days, which turned into weeks, and suddenly I was sick of it. I am telling you guys I felt horrible. I guess this is my new project now; and I feel very good about it. So it is 1911, a time of surprise and mystery. The characters are based off of the 2012 movie cast. One last thing, I know this wasn't long after the June Rebellion, but let's just pretend none of that happened, all of the characters are gladly alive! Alrighty then, I hope you guys like it! R&R please!

-G

Eponine woke with the sun. She did it because she had to, but unlike most people she enjoyed it. The sunlight on her back loosened her aching muscles, giving her the pleasure she yearned for. So this morning she woke, sitting up on her feather bed mattress. She let out a tired, broken yawn and rubbed her eye with her pinkie.

She glanced out the open window to the fire escape, a hazy sunrise was spilling into her room. Eponine smiled at the sight and rolled out of bed, slipping off her cotton nightdress. She filled a bucket with some water. It was kinda gross water, pieces of mildew floated in it. But it was all she could afford, and it was better than nothing.

She poured it down her back, gasping at the feel. She picked off some pieces of fallen mildew and dried herself with a dish towel. She went and got her lavender work frock. The frock used to be a gorgeous shade of royal purple, laced with fine black lace. But she only wore it for work, now it was covered with dirt, dust, sweat, and even some blood. It had faded into lavender.

Despite everything, Eponine still adored it as the same lovely dress she saw in the 'Ladies' Mile' store window. She tiptoed to the living room, where her two siblings rested. The two children shared the torn sofa, sleeping peacefully.

Eponine sighed to herself. It was such a shame to wake them into the real world. But all three of them had to wake at an early hour. First she woke up 15 year old Azelma. Both Azelma and Eponine worked at a shirtwaist factory.

"Come on Azelma," Eponine crooned.

Azelma tossed over with a slight groan, then about five seconds later she sat up. Azelma hated waking up early, but she was an obedient girl. She gave Eponine a weary smile and reached for her frock that rested on the arm of the sofa.

Eponine turned to the youngest of the three as Azelma got dressed. The boy's name was Gavroche, he was 10 years old. Gavroche was a chimney sweep, hired by a haughty rich family called the Uplands. They didn't treat Gavroche that well, paying him and treating him very little.

Eponine shook Gavroche's arm, him repeating Azelma's tired groan. Eponine sighed and whispered, "Gav I know you're tired, but the Uplands' will spank you again if you're late, and me and Azelma might get fired if we're late." Gavroche groaned again and sat up on his elbows.

"You know, you can leave me home alone and I'll get ready by myself." He grumbled. Eponine ruffled her brother's mob of curly hair.

"Nice try, baby brother." Eponine grinned.

Once Eponine and Azelma dropped Gavroche off at the Uplands household, they walked to the factory. Eponine held the door open for Azelma, and the two walked inside.

Eponine's job was to sew the shirts, while Azelma's was to sew the triangle brand into the shirts. The two girls bid good-bye as they parted to their stations across the room. As Eponine got her supplies together, the foreman came walking down her aisle, followed by his dashing grandson, a boy named Marius. Eponine held her breath as he stomped closer, the foreman scared her. Even if his grandson and Eponine were best friends, he still treated her as any other worker-horribly.

"Faster Miss Thenardier!" he boomed as he walked pass. Eponine gasped softly and quickened her movements. Marius, the son of the foreman peered over at his grandfather, who still scolded other workers. However, he lurked around Eponine's station, waiting until his father was out of sight.

Once he was gone, Marius bent over and whispered, "Eponine! Hey!" Eponine reached for her needle and thread, scolding softly, "Marius, you're gonna get me fired!" Eponine knew this for sure, the foreman showed no mercy. But no matter what, she actually longed for Marius' attention. She had a budding love for him in her heart, from the day they met.

She never told anyone though, it wasn't like they'd understand. Marius chuckled lowly and assured, "No you won't 'Ponine, my grandpa loves you!" Eponine glanced at Marius, giving him a strange stare.

"Marius, your grandpa hates me."

"No he doesn't,"

"Yes, he actually does." Eponine quipped.

Marius groaned in defeat and whispered, "Fine, if it floats your boat. Are you coming to Holsten's today?" Eponine nodded. She worked from 6 am to 2 pm. It was nine hours, but some had it worse. Marius smiled and whispered, "Alright, you can bring Azelma if you want, Gavroche too." Eponine smiled and mouthed a thank you. Marius mouthed back, 'You're welcome,' and walked away. Eponine stared in his direction, trying to multi-task by sewing and watching Marius.

Marius walked over to Azelma, who already looked worn out. Eponine sighed. She did feel bad that Azelma had to work like this at such a young age. But she knew Azelma had no desire of being a chimney-sweeper, and was much too young to get married to a rich man and become a housewife.

Marius gave Azelma a gentle pat on the back and beamed at her. Azelma turned her head to the side and smiled. Marius mouthed words Eponine couldn't hear, still beaming. Azelma covered her mouth to hold a giggle.

Eponine smiled. It made her happy to see how much Marius loved her and her siblings- as only family sadly. Eponine glanced down to her needle and thread. She had done crooked stiches. She groaned silently and dug her nail into the thread, pulling each stitch out one by one.

As Eponine was doing this, a girl came and sat down at her four table station. Eponine was the only one there so far and she liked it, but no. Another girl had to come. Eponine glanced up to see a girl she never reckonized before. The girl had deathly black eyes, with a brown bob of hair. She glanced down at Eponine without a smile, she just sat down.

Eponine cocked her head. Why was this girl wearing all black? Maybe she lost a dear one to her, or maybe she's just, sad. Maybe this girl needed a friend, and Eponine wasn't the friendliest person.

It's not that she was mean, she just didn't come easily to making friends. Most of the people who she was friends with currently had introduced themselves to her. Eponine finished tugging at the stitches and began to sew again. This time, she watched her stitches.

At the end of the day, Eponine found out nothing of the girl. But maybe it was for the better, she didn't look like she wanted to be bothered. Eponine and Azelma went to pick up Gavroche, they walked to the humongous Upland house, which could've been a slightly smaller replica of the White House.

Azelma knocked on the door, and it was instantly opened by the youngest Upland, Gemma. She was 6, or was it 7? Marley stared up at the two, who smiled softly at the little girl. Eponine said slowly, "Hi Gemma, we're here to pick up our brother."

Gemma scowled and grumbled, "I know why you're here. I ain't dumb. I'll go fetch him." Gemma disappeared from the doorway, but her little voice screeched, "Gavin! Your stupid sisters are here!" Azelma looked at her feet and frowned, Eponine let out a low chuckle.

Gemma popped her head back into the doorway and smiled sweetly. "He'll be right with you." She said gently. After a few minutes Gavroche came to the doorway, his clothes and face covered in coal and soot. Eponine smiled at him, and he smiled back slightly.

Once the three were out of the Upland territory, Eponine bent down and licked a corner of her frock. She scrubbed Gavroche in attempt of cleaning him, but it was not working. Eponine murmed, "This isn't working." She turned Azelma and Gavroche and told them gently, "I have to go to Holsten's, I'm meeting the guys there. Do you guys want to go home and get cleaned up?" Gavroche and Azelma nodded simantiously.

Eponine nodded slowly and instructed Azelma, "You know the way home, don't let him out of your sight. You two can come to Holsten's once you're ready. You got it?" Azelma nodded and assured, "I'm 15 'Ponine. I think I'm ready." Eponine turned to Gavroche and told him, "you're only job is to get cleaned up, just leave your clothes somewhere, I'll clean them when I get a chance. Remember Gav, Azelma is in charge. Listen to her, she knows what she's doing." Gavroche nodded and grinned.

"Alright guys, I'm trusting you. I'll see you two at Holsten's right?" Azelma nodded and put her hand on Gavroche's shoulder. Eponine smiled and the siblings bid each other good-bye.

A/N So that's it for the first chapter! Do you guys like it so far? Please tell me in comments or rate it! So btw….who do you guys think mystery factory girl is?