Eponine had circled the inn a few times, pressing herself to the walls and peering into the dirtied windows. The old building seemed to be in worse disrepair than it had been the year before. With the combined darkness and filthy state of the windows, it was impossible for Eponine to see inside. perhaps he's forgotten, she prayed silently. But she knew full well her father would not easily forgive her for her actions. Sucking in a breath, Eponine entered the inn and prepared for the worst.
The rotting wood that made up the floors betrayed her, sagging and creaking as she stepped on them. A few beams of moonlight filtered through the grimy windows, casting eerie shadows and turning the tables into hulking beasts.
"Thought ye could escape, eh?
Eponine felt her heart leap into her throat.
"Papa, I-I…"
"Shut yer mouth wit yer excuses. Little bitch, ruined our plans."
"Papa-"
"Enough. I told ye what would 'appen. I ain't jokin' wit ye."
He drew near his cowering daughter, hands clenching and unclenching. Before Eponine could speak again, her father struck her across the face with the back of his hand. With a choked gasp, the girl gingerly felt the wound, cringing in pain. She suddenly felt her father's strong hands grip her shoulders, jamming her against the wall. She felt his hot breath on her neck. Eponine gulped in shaky breaths, trying to press herself even farther against the wall.
"Ye wanna scream? I'll make ye scream, little bitch."
With that, Thendardier threw his daughter to the floor and began bludgeoning the girl with his fists.
"Papa stop! Papa please!" Eponine shrieked, trying desperately to shield herself from the blows. Her cries made no difference to her father; he only beat her harder. Once more he took hold of his daughter's shoulders, positioning himself on top of her to stop her struggling.
"Scream all ye want, it won't do ye no good," Thenardier growled, making his daughter squirm even more. He pushed her head to the floor with the heel of his hand, feeling the accentuated pulse in her neck.
"Stop movin' about, ye deserve it." He tightened his grip on the girl's shoulders, sneering when she quivvered and moaned. Eponine could barely choke out a protest when her father tore the threadbare skirt from her body. She lay motionless, silently petrified; all she could see was the malice reflected in her father's dark eyes. Now she screamed. Her cry rang out through the night, but to no avail. Her father fed off the pain of others. Not until Eponine was silent was he satisfied, leaving his daughter bruised and trembling on the floor. The girl shook violently, coughing and sobbing.
"I promise...I won't never scream again..."