I looked up, and I saw Monsieur Mabeuf stagger backwards. He was still in the same spot where he hoisted the Red Flag. Courfeyrac grabbed a hold of him before he could fall to the ground. But we all knew he was dead, with the bullet hole to his forehead.

BANG! BANG!

Is this their attack? That was only three shots!

"There's a boy climbing the barricade!" Joly shouted, before helping out another boy over the side of the barricade. I saw the second boy stumble down towards the ground, clutching his chest. Marius ran over to him.

"Good God! What are you doing?! 'Ponine, have you no fear?"

Eponine! Why has she come back! Damnit, I wanted her safe…why is she stumbling? No... God No! I didn't even notice the thunder rumbling, and raindrops suddenly falling.

"Have you seen my beloved? Why have you come back here?!"

Your best friend looks like she's been wounded, and that girl is the first thing on your mind? Damn you to Hell, Marius!

"Took the letter like you said…I met her father at the door."

I saw her hand looking a little darker…it was wet…

"He said he would give it…I don't think I can stand anymore!"

And then just like that, she stumbled and fell to the ground, being supported by Marius.

"Eponine, what's wrong! There's something wet upon your hair!"

"Stand back! Give her space! Please!" I told the rest of the students. I almost choked on my voice, trying to fight back tears.

"Eponine, you're hurt! You need some help! Oh God! It's everywhere!" Marius whimpered.

I took off my coat and whipped out my handkerchief and moved Marius's hand to cover up the wound.

Eponine grabbed my wrist and looked at me and shook her head. Enjolras tugged on my shoulder, and I crouched back, away from the two in front of me.

"Don't you fret…Monsieur Marius. I don't feel any pain. A Little Fall of Rain can hardly hurt me now…you're here. That's all I need to know…"

I stood up and turned away. I couldn't bear to see this anymore. Enjolras grabbed my arm but I yanked it away from him.

"And you will keep me safe…and you will keep me close…and rain will make the flowers grow."

Marius held her cheek in his hand and countered "But you will live, 'Ponine! Dear God above…if I could heal your wounds with words of love…"

I turned around to see them…this really was too much for me to bear.

"Just hold me now…and let it be…shelter me…comfort me…"

I felt something tug at my vest. It was Gavroche. I looked down and he wrapped his arms around my legs. I knelt down to give him a hug. Surprisingly, he never let go. I heard their voices over his sobs.

"You would live a hundred years if I could show you how. I won't desert you now!"

Damn you…you should've tried harder when she could've been saved!

"The rain can't hurt me now…this rain will wash away what's past! And you…will keep…me safe…"

"I will stay with you…until you are sleeping."

"And you will keep me close…" Eponine coughed, and winced in the pain. "I'll sleep in your embrace…"

"…sleep in my embrace…" Marius chimed in.

And then…it happened…the moment I feared since I first saw her here this afternoon…her hand went from his face, and then slid down and hit the cold pavement with a thump.

"At last…" I whispered.

I don't know which of the three of us cried the hardest. Gavroche, Marius, or myself.

Lesgles and Grantaire returned from bringing the dead body of Mabeuf into the Café.

Enjolras motioned towards Mabeuf and Eponine. "They are the first to fall…the first of us to fall upon this barricade…"

I looked at Enjolras with sad eyes. Was he finally beginning to see the impossibility of us winning this fight unless we are reinforced?

"Her name was Eponine. Her life was cold and dark, yet she was unafraid."

I got up, and slowly walked to them, and I lifted her limp hand and I consoled Marius. "We fight here in her name."

Prouvaire put his hand on Marius's shoulder. "She will not die in vain."

Lesgles put his hand on my shoulder. "She will not be betrayed."

I nudged Marius, letting him know it was time to let go. He loosened his grip on Eponine, and I scooped her body up in my arms…the first and last time I could actually hold her in my arms.

I turned around and headed for the Café. Lesgles slowly and softly pounded his chest as a sign of respect for Eponine, while Feuilly stood at attention with his rifle.

Inside the Café, I went carried the body upstairs, and I found where they laid the body of Mabeuf, and I laid her down right next to him. I took a moment to admire her beauty up close. I wished for a brief moment, she could look me in the eye and return the feeling. Unable to control myself, I knelt down and kissed her gently on the lips. A single tear fell off my cheek, and landed directly on her closed eyelid.

"Combeferre?" I heard a small voice behind me. I turned around, and it was Gavroche. He had my coat in his hands. "I thought maybe…" And then he extended his hands, offering me my coat.

"It's only fair to you…I know you loved my sister. It's the least I can do for you…"

He said, his eyes filled with tears.

I nodded, took the coat from his hands and hugged him tightly. After he ran downstairs, I took my coat, and draped it over her body, and stroked her hair one last time.