Chapter Seven
Not too long after Enjolras and Eponine agreed to start over, they heard the door open.
"Enjolras?" Gavroche called.
"Come in the bedroom, Gav. Someone's awake," Enjolras called back, smiling.
They heard a small gasp come from the living area, and then the boy was almost instantly in the bedroom with them. He threw himself at Eponine, hugging her tightly. She let out a hiss of pain from the squeeze, and Gavroche jumped back.
"I'm so sorry, 'Ponine! I didn't want to hurt you!"
She let out a small chuckle, "It's OK, Gav. You didn't mean to and it didn't hurt that bad anyway."
"I'll let you two have some time together," Enjolras said before leaving the bedroom and shutting the door behind him.
Gavroche moved to sit on the bed beside his sister. His face got incredibly serious, and he gripped her hand.
"Please tell me who did this to you, 'Ponine. Was it 'Parnasse? I'll kill him myself!"
Eponine let out a dry laugh at her ten year old brother's enthusiasm. He couldn't take down Montparnasse even if he tried his hardest.
"No, it wasn't him, Gav. Don't worry about it. I'm fine. That's all that matters."
"It was Papa, wasn't it? Please tell me he didn't do this to you, 'Ponine. I know it was him. Please tell me the truth," Gavroche begged.
"Gav, it's OK," she soothed.
He raised his voice a bit, "No, it's not OK! Was it Papa? Did he do this to you?"
Eponine let out a long sigh, "Yes, it was him. It was Papa."
Tears welled in the little boy's eyes and when he spoke, his voice was shaky, "He'll pay for this 'Ponine. He won't get away with it. I'll make him pay."
"You will do no such thing! I don't want you going anywhere near that man, Gav. You're safe from him now, alright? Stay out of his way. I can deal with this myself," she said sternly.
Gavroche nodded in agreement.
"But, why did he hurt you like this?"
"I stopped him from robbing a house. He wasn't too happy about it," she smiled.
Her brother's eyes lit up, "What did you do?"
"Well, I saw his gang, and I knew he was going to rob a house, so I walked right up to them and told them to go away. Of course, they didn't listen at first, and Papa tried threatening me, but I told him that I wasn't afraid of him and that I would scream. They didn't listen so I screamed and spat in Papa's face."
"And that's how you ended up like this?" Gavroche finished the story for her.
"Exactly. Now, when exactly were you going to tell me that you've been staying with Monsieur Enjolras?" Eponine questioned.
"Oh, I guess I just forgot to mention it," he shrugged.
"Well, I'm just glad you're safe. It's pretty clear that you're loved very much among the Amis."
Gavroche smiled and hopped down off the bed, "Would you like some lunch, 'Ponine? I bought extra in case you woke up."
"That would be very nice, Gav."
Then the little boy bounded off, a smile on his face.
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Enjolras quickly made his way away from the door and into the kitchen when he heard Gavroche getting ready to leave the room. He had been listening to their conversation. He was completely repulsed at the thought of a father treating their own child like that. He should have known what Monsieur Thènardier was capable of just by hearing Gavroche's stories, but the thought of him actually beating his own daughter within an inch of her life left him enraged. He also wanted to know who this Montparnasse was. Could he be the man who Eponine was referencing when she talked about someone taking advantage of her? Enjolras had a lot of questions that he wanted answers to, but he knew he'd find out in time. They'd just agreed to start over, and the last thing he wanted was to make her upset with him again. He really needed her help, and somehow he knew that asking a bunch of questions would only push her away again. He could tell she was a very guarded person. Gavroche ran over to where he was putting the lunch the boy had brought home onto plates.
"Could you fix a plate for Eponine too, Enjolras? I made sure to get enough for all of us, just in case."
"Of course," he responded before handing the boy a plate.
He took off back to the bedroom with the plate in hand.
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A bit later in the afternoon, Gavroche was getting antsy again, so Enjolras suggested that he go find some of the Amis to visit Eponine since she was awake. Enjolras took the opportunity to speak with Eponine. He knocked lightly on the door before going in and sitting on the end of the bed, keeping his distance so neither of them was uncomfortable.
"I heard your conversation with Gavroche earlier," he admitted.
She stared at him with a fierceness in her eyes, "That was none of your business!"
"I know. I'm sorry, but your father truly did this to you, Eponine?"
She broke her stare with his icy blue eyes and looked out the window, refusing to answer him.
"I could report him to the authorities. He would get justice for what he's done," Enjolras said.
Eponine let out a harsh laugh, still refusing to look at him because she knew that if she did, she might fall apart, and she would not let him see her like that.
"I'd like to see you try. My father has evaded the authorities for years. He never pays for anything he does."
Enjolras didn't want to argue so he asked another question instead.
"Who is Montparnasse?" he asked quietly.
"No one," she muttered.
"Eponine-"
"Just leave it alone, Enjolras."
"OK, I won't ask anyone," he sighed.
He got up to leave, but Eponine spoke.
"You should know some things if I'm going to help you. First, I don't do well when people try to pry into my life. If I want you to know something about me, then I'll tell you, but I don't like a lot of questions. Second, if you want my help, you'll have to do what I tell you with no arguments. Regarding the streets and the lives of people like me, I have more knowledge than you, so it would be smart to listen to me. Lastly, I won't be available whenever you want me to be. For the sake of my and/or my sister's safety, I won't be able to attend every meeting. Also, I most likely won't be able to let you know ahead of time if I will or won't be attending. I have to live my life moment by moment, so I never know what will happen next. Got it?"
He nodded, "I understand."
Then, he left her alone.
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A short bit later, Gavroche returned with most of the Amis including Joly, Musichetta, Grantaire, Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Jehan, Feuilly, Bahorel, and Bossuet. If fact, the only one missing was Marius. When the front door to the apartment opened and all of them filed, Enjolras looked at Gavroche in bewilderment. There clearly wasn't enough room for all of them. Grantaire was quick to give an explanation.
"We're not all staying very long. We were all at the café and when we heard that 'Ponine was awake, we all wanted to come say hello."
Eponine heard the voice of one of her closest friends, and she called out from the bedroom, "Grant?"
Grantaire smiled and quickly made his way to her.
"'Ponine, you look like you could use a drink," he smiled once he was in the bedroom.
She rolled her eyes and groaned, "Oh, you have no idea."
"Do you care to tell me what happened?"
"Not particularly. Maybe later when I'm out of here, and we can do it over drinks," she smiled.
"That sounds like a plan to me. Now, I better go get Joly. He's been very anxious to check your bandages again," Grantaire said.
She smiled and nodded. Grantaire stepped back into the main room and let Joly go tend to her. Everyone began talking as they waited. A few minutes later, the door to the bedroom re-opened, and Joly walked out with Eponine by his side. His arm was around her waist, one of her arms was around his neck, and they were walking very slowly as each step greatly pained her. All of her friends looked on with surprise.
As they continued walking, Joly spoke up, "Her injuries are still healing and she still needs rest, but I saw no reason why she couldn't be out here with her friends with a little help."
They finally made it over to the couch, and Eponine eased down onto it. She smiled brightly once the pain subsided, and she realized she'd made the short yet strenuous walk. A few of the Amis wished her well before leaving to make more room in the apartment. Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Grantaire, Joly, and Musichetta stayed with them. They all stayed for a while talking, and Eponine greatly enjoyed their company. She was so close to Musichetta and Grantaire, but she was even becoming closer to Courfeyrac because of Gavroche. She had decided that she was glad to help Enjolras because seeing all her friends die would be too painful. Eventually, she got tired and needed to go back to bed. Everyone told her goodbye, and Joly helped her back to the bedroom before they left. It was late and the apartment was silent as the three settled in. Suddenly, Eponine heard some murmuring in the living area and then her door creaked open.
"'Ponine?" Gavroche whispered.
"Yes, Gav?"
"Could I sleep in here with you?" he asked timidly.
"Of course," Eponine smiled.
She scooted over in the large bed, and Gavroche snuggled into her side.
"I know we haven't seen each other for a while until recently, but you're the best big sister I could ever ask for. You always protected me and made sure I was OK."
She let out a chuckle, "You're the best little brother. I've missed you so much since you left."
"I've missed you too. How 'Zelma?" the boy inquired.
"We don't really get along anymore, but she's OK. I protect her like I protected you, even though she thinks she doesn't need protection from Papa and 'Parnasse. Azelma has no idea what they're capable of, Gav. Well, I suppose you don't really know either. They've gotten a lot worse since you left," she sighed.
"'Ponine, why don't you get out of there? You could do it, you know. I did. I don't want you to get hurt anymore."
"Gav, I can't. What would become of Azelma if I left? She won't come with me. She's too loyal to Papa."
"It just worries me," Gavroche groaned.
"I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me," she whispered.
He snuggled closer to her, and she wrapped an arm around him. After a long moment of silence, he let out a content sigh and looked up at her.
"You know something, 'Ponine? I have the best big sister and the two best big brothers."
"Oh? And who's that?"
"Courfeyrac and Enjolras."
She smiled at him, "Yes, you do have the two best big brothers."
Then, she hugged him close, and they both drifted off to sleep.
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Over the next few days, Eponine was stuck in Enjolras's apartment, slowly healing. She was able to move around some as she was healing quicker than she expected to. Eponine and Enjolras's personalities still clashed some and they argued occasionally. She was really enjoying spending time with Gavroche, but she was sick of staying in the apartment, and she knew she needed to get back home.
One afternoon, Enjolras was at the university and Gavroche was visiting his friends at the elephant statue, so Eponine decided it was the perfect time to get out of there. She took one of Enjolras's coats off the hook by the door, slipped it on, and left the apartment. On her way back to the Gorbeau House, Eponine did some pickpocketing to make up for being absent for a few days. She stepped into her family's apartment to be greeted by her mother and slightly drunk father.
"Where have you been, you little brat?" her mother sneered.
She glared at her parents, "Out."
Then, she walked over and dumped the items she pickpocketed on the table in front of her father. He stared at her, and she wordlessly went to her room. She shed Enjolras's coat and sank down onto her mattress. Azelma appeared shortly after.
"'Ponine! Where'd you disappear to?" she asked.
"Nowhere in particular. I ruined one of Papa's raids, and he wasn't very happy about that. I've been staying clear of him long enough for these bruises to heal before I get new ones," she smirked.
Eponine chose not to disclose information about Enjolras or the Amis. She didn't feel like she could fully trust her sister.
"Well, Montparnasse has been looking for you," Azelma said.
Eponine rolled her eyes, "I'm sure he has."
Azelma huffed and put her hands on her hips, "You know, Eponine, everything would be so much easier for you if you would just do what Papa says."
"Don't give me that speech, Azelma! I will never do what Papa says. Can't you see that what he does is wrong? I might participate in some of it, but that is because I can't escape it! If I weren't here, your life would be just like mine, Azelma, no matter how much you obeyed Papa. I am simply the one he takes it out on. My life will never be easy. At least as long as I'm living here," Eponine said firmly.
Azelma just rolled her eyes and huffed again, storming out of the room. Eponine used her pathetic pillow to stifle a frustrated groan. Gavroche was right. She needed to get out of there. She realized that the revolution the Amis had been planning was going to be her ticket out. Whether it is a ticket to a better life and future or a ticket straight to the heavens above, Eponine didn't really care.
Author's Note: First of all, I wanted to thank everyone for all the support I've gotten. Thank you so much for following or reviewing! That was so encouraging! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think!
~loislane16