Author's Note: First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank judybear236 for her time and effort in proofreading my work. It's greatly appreciated and I'm definitely learning new skills all the time! Also, as always, a big thanks to all you readers out there that continue to return and follow my work as it expands. Enjoy!
It was barely daybreak when Éponine launched herself onto the grimy streets of Saint Michele, loaded with the determination to pocket enough to buy a loaf of bread to see the week through. It would be substantial enough to keep the persistent pangs of hunger at bay at the very least. More importantly, it would also satisfy her father and perhaps, if she was lucky, tame the beast within him for a day or so before his temper would flare once more and subsequently unleash fresh abuse. And, as usual, her mother would simply take pleasure in standing by and cackling at the cruel private show before her; a cruel circus show that recurred frequently but never seemed to bore her. Madame Thénardier had always maintained a dismissive attitude towards the violence. She remained detached; although she had taken the privilege of beating Cosette at any opportunity, she never inflicted it upon her own child. Éponine knew this was to give her the self-satisfaction that she was theoretically doing no harm if she wasn't the one carrying the whip or using her fists. How wrong she was.
It was simple: they cared for her enough so she could carry our their dirty work and earn them enough food to prosper for the week, but little enough to show their distaste at her being another mouth to feed, with one less crust of bread for themselves. They cared little enough for her to know she was unworthy of their love. They didn't care if their daughter – if she could even be called the term – suffered from restless nights because her father's threats weighed on her mind, making her stomach churn with fear and anxiety. If Éponine was unfortunate enough to fall victim to a hacking cough and fever, Madame would give her unsympathetic condolence of "Oh, what a pity!" and force her out on business regardless, lest she be contaminated. As one pretty lark managed to escape and soar into the sky of promise, another was captured in replacement, its wings clipped, destined to forever be ensnared in the cage of depravity.
By noon, Éponine was fifteen sous wealthier and was satisfied enough with her efforts to feel confident in returning home, collecting the loaf on the way. The pitiful amount had been difficult to attain; she had managed to pickpocket a pocket watch from an unsuspecting gentleman and sold it for ten sous and had managed the rest through a few tiresome hours of putting on the waterworks and begging. As she hurriedly made her way across the square, a sharp tug startled her. Marius.
"Good God, what a rumpus that was yesterday!" he remarked, grinning.
He seemed genuinely cheerful and upbeat, his cheeks rosy with health, his blonde hair effortlessly swept back and tidy. But where most people would overlook, Éponine noticed the hint of pining in those brown eyes; a sense of pleading that was desperate to be known.
"Yes, indeed it was. That cop! He'd like to jump us, but he ain't smart!" the girl replied, returning the grin momentarily.
Already she had forgotten about her worries, about the bread and about the money she had striven to steal and pocket this morning using any means possible. Marius had that effect on her; he made her carefree in that moment. She had the desire to be whisked away by him, to be free of the binding reigns of this cruel life she led.
"Éponine, who was that girl?"
But, of course, how foolish she was to think Marius' purpose was to speak to her!
"Some bourgeois two-a-penny thing!" she dismissed.
Yet, he persisted.
"Éponine, find her for me?"
"What will you give me?"
"Please do this favour for me, Éponine! I need to know who she is and where she lives,"
It was then that she noticed his outstretched hand, offering her a couple of francs. That would be enough to buy a proper meal, she thought. Yet, she shook the very thought away. It pained her to see the handsome Marius so desperate to know of Cosette, the very one which had succeeded in leaving behind the slums and chores. Nevertheless, she found herself giving in, grasping at the thought that there was perhaps hope yet. If she did this errand for him maybe, just maybe, he would realise that pretty Cosette was not to his fancy.
"I don't want your money," she sighed, pushing away his open hand. "I'll do this errand for you and will come and find you tomorrow."
Immediately, Marius' face lit up like a spark of electricity had suddenly illuminated it. He embraced her in appreciation.
"Thank you, Éponine! You are a true friend!"
Éponine forced a smile and bid a resigned "Good-bye", before turning on her heel and dejectedly walking away, with a murmur:
"Yes, but I will never be any more than that."