Enjolras POV again
Marius had been right. The National Guards attacked, now with more men than ever. I don't understand why, as there are so few of us left anyways.
At this point, I believe I am the only friend of the ABC left standing. I witnessed Combeferre and a few others get shot all at once. I don't even know where Marius and Grantaire are at this point.
The king's soldiers have destroyed our barricade with their cannons, leaving the front of the cafe in ruins. From the window in the cafe, where I had again taken refuge, I see about twelve members of the National Guard, all holding muskets, making their way to the cafe door. They have come for anybody who remains... They have come for me. I try to blockade the door with the tables left here, but it does not stop them. After several pushes against the door, they knock it down with ease. I back up to the wall farthest away from the entrance, trying to get away, even though I have no hope left of surviving. The men at the door approach me, muskets up and aiming at me. They stop a few feet away, when one of the National Guards, who is most likely the captain, tells the rest of his men,
"I believe this is the leader of them all. Too bad he led them directly to their deaths. Him being the last one standing, he got to witness all his friends die." He turns to me and asks, "How does that make you feel, boy? Are you proud of your failed uprising? The people of France have abandoned you all."
As he mocks me, I hear the door open. In enters, Grantaire, the man that I expected to be the first to go. He makes his way next to me, yelling,
"Long live the Republic!" over and over again.
I look at him and can't help but laugh inside. Grantaire, the lazy drunkard, has given himself up to these men and is willing to die alongside me. I'm not even sure he believes in the Republic, and yet he tells these men that he does. I'd never have believed it if someone told me before this moment.
The twelve National Guards are surprised at the sudden arrival of Grantaire. I look around the room and remember that the bar still stands amongst the room here. Several months before, I remember the owner of this cafe showing us guns from behind the bar that he said he would not be afraid to use if anyone of us got out of line, specifically talking to Grantaire, who had been fooling around.. With luck, the guns would still be there, fully loaded. We could run behind the bar amidst the soldier's confusement, get the weapons and fire, using the bar itself as a mini barricade. What have we got to lose? This could be our only escape route.
I ponder whether I should take this chance, but in the end, I decide against it. Why should I even bother? It's not like I have any reason to live anymore. With Eponine, my friends, and my will to fight all gone, what do I have left? Absolutely nothing. I wouldn't mind dying right here and right now. If I allow this to happen, the sooner I can be reconciled with everyone I love. However, this does not allow me to cause Grantaire's death if he has another option. I nudge Grantaire, who has now taken a spot beside me, and motion my eyes to the bar. He follows and, from what I can understand, he remembers the weapons as well and gets what I'm trying to say. I wait for him to take his oppertunity, but he never does. He chooses not take this escape route either. I realize now of the extent of how much he truly cared for nothing. He didn't give a damn of what happened to him either because he had no purpose to live as well. He was willing to die.
Grantaire looks back at me. He offers his hand, and asks, "Do you permit it?"
I take it and smile. He grips my hand, anxious about the pain we'll soon feel. Although he is brave, that does not mean he is not afraid. Bravery is being scared of something, and still being able to get through it. I have never admired Grantaire ever more in my life. At least I do not have to go through this alone.
In my last moments, my mind drift off to thoughts of my lovely Eponine for one last time. I remember all the joy and love she was able to bring into my rigid life. In the short time that I knew her, she helped me grow into a better person.
I think of the little rock that she had given me, which was still in my pocket. I take it out and look at the stone in comparison to the size my hand. I squeeze it in my palm, knowing that dear Eponine had probably done the same when she needed it most.
I know now that even if Grantaire was not there gripping my hand, I would not be alone either way. Eponine will always be with me, especially in my final moments. Our love would be beyond this barricade... Even beyond this entire earthly world.
I take the flag that had been hanging on a pole in the cafe and put it in the same hand as that of Eponine's green stone. I choose to die for my two loves: for France and my Eponine. I raise my fist, stone and flag in hand, and with Grantaire gripping to the other hand. I am no longer frightened, and am back to how I have been for most of my life. Eponine has given me back the strength I had lost.
"Do you two wish to be blindfolded?", asks a National Guard.
We shake our heads.
"Well, do you two have any last words?", the same man asks again.
"Just finish us both with one blow, sir.", I hear Grantaire say.
The next thing I remember are several bullets coming towards us at the speed of light. I feel sudden impact and pain against my chest as I fall to the floor. It's all over now.
I lay on the floor, in excruciating pain. Unfortunately, I did not die instantly. I try to look over at Grantaire, who was much luckier than I. A bullet was probably able to hit him straight through the heart, meaning that he did not suffer. However, all this suffering on my part will be over soon. I can join Grantaire and all of the others in time. I close my eyes, waiting and hoping to see my dear Eponine, waiting for me on the other side. She has not been gone long, but oh how I've missed her so...