Chapter One
Eponine:
Marius. All I can think about is Marius. I wake up with terror. I slowly open my eyes. My body is covered with blood. I try to get up, but my head feels like it was hit with a brick. I tried to remember what had happened. All I remember is Marius. God, why are all my thoughts about Marius? I was so consumed with my thoughts, that I hadn't realized the dozens of bodies surrounding me.
Is that Enjolras? No, it can't, can it? I look at the bloody body closely. It was definitely Enjolras. And these must've been the other students of the ABC Café. I quickly look around for Marius. Oh, god. What if one of them was Marius?
I couldn't think like that. Not until I knew for sure. I kept checking ever body but Marius wasn't there. Maybe he made it out of here alive, I thought. God, I really hope he did.
I can't believe he fell for it. Did he honestly think I got shot? It wasn't hard to find blood from the dead bodies that were being killed. It was well worth the lie. I needed him to finally see that I loved him. I have always loved him.
I felt a twinge of guilt. I knew it was wrong to fake him out like that, but what choice did I have? He's with Cosette now. He will always be with Cosette. I knew I couldn't go back there. They all thought I was dead. My parents were probably celebrating at a party by now.
I'm Eponine Thénardier and I am alive, I shouted. No one could hear me of course. They never could. I was a girl who was ignored. I was a girl who was used to torture Cosette as a kid. I was a girl who loved a guy who was in love with another girl, Cosette.
The universe sure had a sick and twisted sense of humor. I needed to get out of here. I didn't know where I would end up, but I knew I'd make it. I was a street rat after all. That's the only good thing that came out of my parents. I know how to survive out in this world.
It was dark out by the time I hit my home town. The streets were too familiar for my liking. Nights I would sit out here and dream about Marius. I decided to walk to his house. I knew he deserved to know, about me. It was the least I could do. Only, when I went to go knock on his door, I couldn't.
Well, I'll just write a letter. He needs to know. I had to keep reminding myself that.
Dear Marius,
I lied. I can't express to you the guilt I feel right now. I'm not dead and I didn't get shot. I just hope that you made it out of the barricades. I can't even imagine the sorrow I'd feel if you hadn't. I know what I did was wrong, but it was my only option. I had no choice. You never knew. Everyone saw it, everyone except the person who mattered most to me. You. I know you are with Cosette. I get it. I just thought you should know. I'm leaving town. I'm headed to NYC. I remember reading about that place in one of your books you had. I don't know how I'll get there, but I will. Don't worry about me. I'm a street rat, remember? Don't bother telling anyone about me. Just let them think I'm dead. If I could fool you, surely I can fool the rest of them. Look, I'm not looking for anything. I just need you to know that I'm alive and fine. Okay? It was nice, well, knowing you.
Love Always..,
'Ponine