Marius was investigating the street behind the Café Musain. It indeed was a dead end. Why would Montparnasse drag Eponine into a dead end? He leaned against the wall and suddenly a terrifying thought came up. Could he have… abused her? He firmly shook his head because he wouldn't think about it. But when he investigated the street again he couldn't help but search for traces from a struggle, like blood. He didn't find anything, and he wasn't sure if he should be happy or not because he still hadn't a clue where Eponine could be. Suddenly he saw a hatch in the street, almost invisible to see. It seemed to go under the café. He tried to open it, but it was locked. He ran back to the café to share his discovery with his friends.
She felt weak and lonely and… abandoned. That was the right word. It felt like she'd been here now for ages but no one found her. She was still on her own. it was very hard to keep up the faith. Besides, her body was covered with bruises where Montparnasse hit her when he got angry. Her eye was swollen and her head was bouncing above her temple. She wasn't sure how long she could carry on like this. She tried to think of better times, when she was still mommy's doll and daddy's princess. She used to play with Azelma and Gavroche in the meadows around their inn. Every evening she went to the priest to write and to read. She remembered the stories about brave heroes beating the villains. But then times got worse. The inn had to be closed which was devastating, especially for her dad. He was constant drunk and he didn't take care anymore for his family. One night he was so drunk he got angry at Gavroche for no reason and hit him unconscious. She would never forget the image from her little brother laying on the floor, not moving. She thought he was dead. But then he woke up and looked at his father. All the hate from the world seemed to appear in his eyes. He didn't say a word and went upstairs to his little room. A few minutes later he came down with a bag with his treasures and without looking at his parents he walked out. Everybody stared at the door for a full minute. Then the door swung open and Gavroche came in. He walked straight to Azelma and her and gave them a kiss on the cheek and he whispered in her ear that they would meet again. Then he smiled and walked out. He never came back.
Eponine realised her hand was caressing her cheek and she smiled by thinking about her little brother. They met again. In Paris. She couldn't remember where, but she remembered she was completely flabbergasted. She didn't believe in faith, but at that moment, she almost changed her mind. Since then they met now and then. She watched over him, and he watched over her. Thinking about it, her life wasn't as miserable as she thought. She loved the vibe from the big city and she liked being on the streets at night when she returned from the Café Musain with Monsieur Marius. A lonely tear made his way down to her chin, but she angrily whipped it away and sniffed. No more crying. From now on she wouldn't show any weakness to that rat. She would make Gavroche proud. And then she heard his footsteps coming down which took her back to the miserable present.
'Friends! I found something! It's a hatch, and it seems to lead somewhere under the café. Unfortunately it was closed…'
'But I know what it is!'
'Please, tell us Madame Hucheloup. Where does it lead to?'
'I'm not allowed to say this… but if it would help my best customers…'
'More than anything in the world! Tell us!'
All the students shouted entreaties.
'Very well then! It leads to our secret wine cellar where our most expensive wine is hidden. But I haven't been there for ages…'
'So there could be easily someone there, without you knowing it.'
'I suppose…'
Suddenly Prouvaire jumped up as if someone shouted in his ear.
'Feuilly! Do you remember when we walked at the street last week and I thought I heard screaming?'
Feuilly raised his eyebrows. 'Yes...'
Jehan Prouvaire turned to Madame Hucheloup.
'Madame, how big is this cellar?'
'It's under the whole café.'
'And is there a small window or something at the side of the main street?'
'Yes, to ventilate.'
His eyes got big. He looked at Feuilly who sat pertrified in his chair and they said at the same time:
'I think I know where Eponine is.'
