Chapter One

Eponine

I hurriedly walk through the city, following the crowd of people. Marius told me about the rally he and his revolutionary friends had planned for today, and I wanted to see it. My view finally became clearer as the street widened considerably and people began to scatter, filling in all the unused space surrounding the rally. On a platform straight in front of me stands Marius and his friend that I recognize as the leader of Les Amis, although I do not know his name. The rest of their student friends are spread about getting the crowd riled up. All of them are chanting and shouting about liberty, equality, and freedom. They are talking about a very ill General Lamarque, the people's man, and I know that if they aren't careful, police will arrive soon.

My eyes focus in on Marius as he feeds off of the crowd's energy, continuing his passionate shouting. I wonder why I care for him so, follow him around like a lost puppy, when he barely gives me the time of day. I suppose I'll wonder this forever. Just as the leader utters a cry of "Vive la France" I hear whistles and shouts much different than the excited crowd. The police have arrived. I can't let Marius get arrested or hurt. I can't. I dart through the crowd, shoving people out of the way as fast as I can, not bothering to apologize. Marius and his friend are just jumping off of the platform right as I reach the front of the crowd.

"Come with me, Messieurs!" I shout as I take Marius's hand and grab a fistful of the leader's jacket sleeve.

I pull them along as fast as I can, trying to ignore the chaos ensuing around me. I get jostled by the frantic crowd, and I can feel the two men getting jostled as well. My instincts kick in, and without even thinking about it, I dart into an alley and begin travelling through one of my secret short cuts. The men don't complain that I am basically dragging them behind me, but I think they are in shock. When I deem us safe from the officers on the street, I stop, release both of them, and take a deep breath.

"You're safe now, Messieurs," I huff.

Marius's stares at me with wide eyes, "Thank you, 'Ponine! We surely would've gotten arrested if it wasn't for you."

"Anything, Marius," I smile, but out of the corner of my eye, I see his leader friend inching back toward the chaotic street.

Surging forward, I grab his arm, "Monsieur, you can't go back out there. You'll be arrested! Aren't you the leader? They will recognize you."

He whirls back around to face me, his demeanor stern but slightly frantic. He is taller than Marius, so he is almost towering over me. His icy blue eyes stare down at me fiercely, like they can see straight through my soul. I involuntarily shrink under his gaze and stature.

"My men are out there! They cannot be arrested either or our cause will be compromised!" he exclaims in a commanding tone.

I remind myself that I will let no one intimidate me, so I square my shoulders and stare back up at him as fiercely as he is staring at me.

"That may be so, but your men are intelligent, are they not? They will get themselves out of this situation. If you return to look for them, when they are most likely already to safety, you will be caught. Correct me if I'm wrong but once the leader a cause is caught, doesn't the entire cause usually fall apart?" I say, making my words sharp and articulate.

His eyes widen slightly in shock, and he opens his mouth to argue but thinks better of it.

"Point taken," he nods, relaxing his posture slightly.

I turn back around only to find Marius completely missing, and I huff. Couldn't he have at least waited on us? I don't even know this man. A few seconds later than me, the leader also notices the absence of Marius.

"Now where's he gone? The poor fool is probably lost in these alleys somewhere!" he sighs.

Irritation flares inside me when I hear him refer to Marius as a fool. I wave my hand dismissively.

"This is one of my favorite shortcuts. He knows the way out," I explain.

"So you and Marius are good friends then? He's never mentioned being acquainted with anyone outside of Les Amis."

He hasn't ever mentioned me? Who am I kidding? Of course he hasn't. I am a gamine, a good-for-nothing street rat with extremely dangerous ties. He and his friends are all students, much more respectable than I. But it still doesn't stop the ache in my chest. I thought I meant more to Marius than just some street girl who hangs around him.

"Oh. You could say we are friends. I've known him for several years."

He leans against the wall and looks at me curiously, "I wonder why he never mentioned you. Did I hear him say your name was 'Ponine?"

"To be fair, he hasn't told me much about Les Amis. I recognize his friends when I see them, but I don't know any of your names. It's Eponine actually," I respond.

"Well, Mademoiselle Eponine, it is nice to meet you. I am Enjolras," he nods his head in a slight bow, catching me off guard.

"Monsieur, I am no mademoiselle," I say, shaking my head.

He looks confused, "You are a young woman, are you not?"

"Well, yes…"

"Then you are a mademoiselle in my book," his blue eyes sparkle slightly and one side of his mouth curves up as he says the words.

"That is very kind of you, but suppose we make a deal? We know each other now, so could we avoid formalities? You don't have to call me Mademoiselle Eponine and I don't have to call you Monsieur Enjolras."

I don't like being called something that I am not, and I am most certainly not a mademoiselle. I am a filthy street rat.

"It's a deal," he concedes.

He holds out his hand, and I put my hand in his, thinking his intentions are to shake on the deal, but then he draws my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it lightly. He kissed my grimy hand that hasn't been washed in clean water in what feels like ages. I am floored. I quickly pull my hand away, embarrassed by my uncleanliness, even though I can't really help it. If he notices my shock and embarrassment, he doesn't show it.

Enjolras clears his throat, "Forgive me if this is rude, but I assume you are from the poorer areas?"

"It isn't rude. Once glance at me and you can see it, can't you? But, yes, I am."

"Do you think some of the people there would be willing to help with the cause?" he asks, hope in his eyes.

I don't like where the conversation his heading. I honestly couldn't see any of the people in the streets standing up for a cause they barely understand, but I don't want to crush his hope immediately.

"Frankly, I don't know, and I really must be going," I say before turning to walk away.

"Wait, Eponine!" he exclaims.

I stop and turn to face him, "Yes?"

"I don't know my way out of here, and I was hoping you'd show me. Is there a way out that is close to the Café Musain?"

I inwardly sigh, knowing I can't leave him here alone in the middle of this maze of alleys.

"I can get you out of here about two blocks from the Musain. Will that do?"

He nods.

"Alright then, follow me."

Author's Note: Hello! So I decided to start a new story after seeing Les Miserables on Broadway in NYC. I promise I will still work on Running as well. I hope you liked the first chapter of The Night Will End. Please don't hesitate to let me know what you think.

As a reader, you can picture whoever you want when reading the story, but I thought I'd let you know who I picture as I write.

Enjolras = Aaron Tveit, Eponine = Samantha Barks, Marius = Andy Mientus, Grantaire = George Blagden.

As more characters make an appearance, I will note who I picture them as in my author's note. If I forget, don't hesitate to remind me. Thank you so much for taking the time to read! Hopefully I'll have the next installment up soon!

~loislane16