A Knock
Gavroche shifted uncomfortably, whimpering slightly as Joly and Combeferre probed his shoulder.
"I know un petit, I'm sorry," Combeferre murmured softly. "We're almost done."
"Still a little swollen," Joly said, "But the infection is pretty much cleared up. Try lifting your arm to the side."
Gavroche did so, but he couldn't lift it very high without hurting.
"Alright good, try lifting it in front of you," Joly instructed. Once again the boy tried, but it was even worse and Gavroche cried out in pain.
"Shhh, it's alright," Combeferre hushed him as Courfeyrac ran a hand up and down the child's back.
"Why can't I lift it?" Gavroche asked tearfully.
"It's going to take some time to heal," Joly explained, "It's probably going to be a few weeks before we can see about getting your range of motion back.
"But he'll get it back right?" Enjolras asked. "Eventually?"
"Eventually," Combeferre nodded, "Even if it's not all the way back to how it was before, it will be almost perfect and it won't hurt anymore."
"You sure 'bout that?" Gavroche asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously and the boys all laughed.
"Yes Gavroche, we're sure," Combeferre said just as Fauchelevent and Cosette re-entered the room carrying food for the boys.
"Merci Monsieur, Mademoiselle," they all murmured.
"Merci Cosette," Marius said quietly and she brushed some hair back off his forehead. Gavroche made gagging noises and the pair blushed as the rest of the group laughed.
They began talking, all of them actually feeling more relaxed than ever since escaping the barricade.
There was a knock on the door and they all fell silent.
"Stay here, stay quiet," Fauchelevent whispered, leaving the room.
Courfeyrac held Gavroche close and reached across to grip Jehan's hand. Cosette kept an arm around Marius's shoulders, looking worried. Enjolras and Grantaire looked at each other and wrapped their hands together, while Joly and Combeferre stood close by, holding their breath as they waited.
There were murmurs from downstairs and the group sat with bated breath. They heard the door close and footsteps coming up the stairs. The door opened and Fauchelevent stood there.
"The police are on their way," he said. "They're going to be inspecting all of the houses. We need to leave. Now."
Dun dun dun. What's going to happen? Will they get caught? New chapter next Tuesday!
This chapter was supposed to be up yesterday, but I woke up yesterday morning feeling like there was an elephant sitting on me. I got literally nothing done and spent all of today playing catch up which hasn't been fun because I'm now behind again. Geez, you miss one day of work and suddenly your whole schedule gets turned upside down.
Thanks so much for reading and let me know what you think!