Chapter 21, June 5th 2032, 4:50 P.M.
Eponine looked up at the sky as she made her way back towards the barricade. It was overcast and looked like it would start raining any minute. Eponine sighed and pulled out her cigarette box. She was down to her last two. She pulled one out and lit it. Breathing in the smoke she pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket. She hadn't heard from Azelma in weeks, and as usual it went to voice mail.
"Hey Zelma, I just wanted to call and see if you were ok." Eponine paused. "I'm at one of the barricades and you won't believe who I found there." Eponine switched her phone to her other ear. "Gavroche was there. He looks pretty healthy for a kid living on the streets. Apparently he's friends with the group of rebels Marius is a part of." Eponine stopped and leaned against a wall. "When this is all over I'm going to have him come live with me. Call me back as soon as you can, I love you stay safe." Eponine said before ending the call. She stayed against the wall for a moment longer before starting to continue to the barricade.
Meanwhile at the barricade, the spy had returned. He climbed through the barricade were he was met by Enjolras.
"I've found out their plans. The don't plan on attacking tonight but in the morning. They will also be coming from the right." He said.
"Liar!" Someone shouted. All of the men turned to Gavroche who stood proudly on the barricade. "I know this man. His names Javert and he works for the FBI." The boy said as he jumped off of the barricade. Now all of the guns were pointed at Javert. Combeferre and Grantaire grabbed Javert by the arms.
"Good job Gavroche." Coufeyrac said tousling the little boys' dirty blond hair.
"So what are we going to do with this Son of a Bitch." Jehan asked keeping a pistol leveled at Javert's head.
"Take him into the bar and tie him up," Enjolras said. When Combeferre and Grantaire got Javert in the bar he broke out of Grantaire's grip and sent the drunk into a wall, he quickly turned and threw a punch at Combeferre, hitting him square in the jaw. It took three other men and Enjolras breaking a bottle on the man's head to finally completely take him down. After they had tied the now unconscious man to the stairs that led to the top floor of the Musain, everyone paused to catch their breath. It was in that silence they heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps, lots of footsteps. The army had reached their barricade.
Eponine got back to the barricade just as the rebels heard the army approach. All of the students and rebels ran to man the barricade. Someone, Eponine thought it was Enjolras shoved a pistol into her hand. Eponine looked at the gun and then over to where Marius was positioned at the top of the barricade next to Enjolras before running over to the base and crouching down. Out of the corner of her eye she saw curly haired student, she thought his name was Coufeyrac push her brother into the bar. Then the footsteps of the soldiers stopped.
At the top of the Barricade Enjolras watched as the brigade of soldiers take up positions at the end of the street. The brigade leader stood up.
"Who's there?" He yelled. Enjolras looked over at Marius then back at the soldiers.
"Revolution!" He yelled back. There was silence over the barricade.
"Open fire!" the colonel yell. The barricades came alive with gunfire and chaos. Bullets flew from either side, striking down men on both sides. Soon the soldiers began advancing towards the barricade. Eponine fired her pistol as soldiers climbed over the barricade. She had no idea if she had hit any. Suddenly she saw a soldier raise his gun aiming it at Marius, who was un-aware that the gun was pointed at him. She dropped her gun.
"No!" Eponine yelled grabbing the gun barrel with one hand and pulling it towards her, as it went off. Loosing her balance at the impact of the gun she fell down the barricade clutching her stomach.
Meanwhile Marius saw that the barricade was becoming over run with soldiers. Acting fast, he grabbed a grenade from a dead soldier.
"Get back or I'll blow up the barricade!" Marius yelled holding up the grenade, ready to pull the pin.
"Jesus Christ." Coufeyrac said. The army coronal glared at Marius.
"You don't have the guts." He said.
"Want a bet." Marius said. The coronal stared at him.
"Retreat!" He yelled and with that the troops quickly ran back to there side of the street.
Marius was aware of the grenade being taken from his hand by someone and lots of people yelling at him as what he just did sunk into his head, he had nearly killed himself and all of his friends. He surveyed the carnage from the battle around him. There were people lying on the ground, most of them were moaning or crying while others were silent already in the cold throws of death. The rain that had started to fall made everything look even more bleak and dark. He turned back to the barricade and saw Eponine leaning against one of the cars at the base of the barricade clutching her hand to her stomach. He quickly walked over to her.
"Eponine," He said, she looked up at him. "Did you get the letter to Cosette?" Eponine nodded.
"She wasn't there so I gave it to her dad." Eponine said weakly. Marius suddenly noticed that she was holding her hand to her stomach and that something was trickling out from beneath her hand. Marius took hold of her shoulders.
"Eponine what's wrong?" He asked, his voice full of concern. Eponine shook her head weakly,
"Nothing." She said. Marius didn't believe her. He gently took her hand and moved it from her stomach. Underneath her dark green tank top had a large dark red spot blossoming from the center of it, where a hole was torn in the fabric.
"I guess that this could be a problem." Eponine said weakly looking down at her chest then back up at Marius. Suddenly her legs gave out and Marius caught her as she collapsed. He gently lowered her to the ground.
"You'll be fine, I'll go get you help." Marius said looking around for a medic. Eponine grasped his hand.
"No," she said looking up at him. "You and I both know that this is hopeless." She said. "Please just comfort me." Eponine said as a tear slid down her cheek. "Just tell me everything is going to be ok." Marius took her closer to him. He knew that Eponine was right. She was dying.
"Everything will be fine. You won't be in any pain." He said, his voice faltering slightly. Eponine could tell he didn't believe the words he said.
"This rain is washing away all of my pain." She whispered leaning her head against his chest. "Soon I'll be asleep." Eponine whispered. She started to cough, blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth.
"Hush Ponine, everything will be fine." Marius said. Eponine looked up into his eyes.
"You know Marius… I think I may have been a little bit in love with you." She whispered. Then another spasm of coughing wracked her body. She leaned her head against Marius's chest, her breathing becoming more labored. Marius leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She looked up at him and smiled weakly. Eponine's last feeing was one of complete happiness and peace as she let the light surround and consume her. Marius held her as her chest rose one last time and fell and did not rise again. She was gone. The rain still fell over the silent barricade.
And Eponine's dead. Please Review