Darkness felt as though it would come swiftly to Jean Valjean, and he was frightened of it. He had lived his life, had lived as three different people, and had spent decades running from himself. Prisoner 24601. When he heard footsteps his weakened heart livened, yet was disappointed to see a doctor. Not his beloved Cosette.
Cosette. How he loved that child, who had captured his heart so quickly, and who had given him happiness. That was his sin, he was happy. He had forgotten his past and had allowed himself to be free from his burden, yet Javert forced him to remember. He called to those at the door to come in and was jubilant to see Cosette, at the sight of his beloved, he felt a small bit of life re-enter him.
"So you have forgiven me?" He asked Marius pleading with all his heart that he had. As Marius explained that he needed to be forgiven, he only looked at Cosette.
"My Child, you look so much like your mother?" questioningly the girl glanced at him,
"My Mother, Father. You have never spoken of her." The great man let a few tears come to his eyes,
He kissed her hand. "May I tell you a story my dearest one, I have not much time less so I must tell it quickly,"
"10 years ago, there was one a Monsieur Madeleine, he was the mayor of a town, and a charitable man. The helped a woman, and released her from imprisonment. She was terribly sick, and begged for her daughter, Monsieur Madeleine promised to retrieve her from the Thenardiers, but they did not allow it. The woman died, and Monsieur Madeleine promised to care for the child." Valjean looked down at Cosette.
"Father, I do not understand." He stroked her cheek, and felt her shudder at his cold hands.
"Fantine. Never forget that name my child, and when you think of it bow your head. She loved you greatly Cosette. She was as rich in sorrow as you are in happiness. She suffered greatly, in order for you to live, and then she gave you to my keeping. My name is Jean Valjean. I was a thief and escaped my parole after 19 years of imprisonment. A bishop helped me, and bought my soul for God. I am Monsieur Madeleine, and you are the child I have spoken of." She grasped onto him "My child, do not despair. Dearest Cosette, I will at last be at peace. Let me look upon your face one last time." As he looked at her, a smile crept upon his features, and Jean Valjean was no more.
The light was blinding, and from it emerged a woman with gold and pearls.
"Monsieur, I bless you name. I bless you. You took care of my child, you kept her safe. Now ait last you will be with God." Jean Valjean took the hand reached out towards him,
"Fantine." She smiled at him "You are here, have you forgiven me?" The women laughed,
"Monsieur, how could I not forgive you? You have committed an angelic act."
As Prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean walked into the gates of heaven, an angelic chorus rang out.
"Do you hear the people sing? Lost in the valley of the night? It is the music of a people, who are climbing to the light..."