Twenty-Six

Eponine

It's been just over a week since Enjolras was taken away, and I am so lonely. The first night was awful. I cried myself to sleep, and I slept in his bed rather than my own so that I could feel close to him. I have been writing letters to him, even though I do not know of a way to get them to him. If nothing else, he can read them when he returns and can know what he has missed. I am slowly coping, reminding myself that is it only two months, and that Enjolras is strong and will be okay.

Gavroche is supposed to come stay with me again, so I need to go to the market to get more food. I have been living off of measly scraps, not wanting to leave the flat. But I cannot do that to my brother, so I have to restock our cabinets. I grab the pouch with some of the money Enjolras left for me and tuck it into my skirts before leaving the flat. It is still very early in the morning, and hardly no one is out yet. The market has just opened for the day. I planned my trip like this so that I could get the freshest and best goods. I am a few blocks from the market, my mind bouncing from thoughts of Enjolras and Gavroche.

Just as I am passing an alley, I feel something enclose my wrist tightly and yank me to the side, almost pulling my arm from its socket. My back slams against the brick alley wall, knocking the breath from my lungs. I see my father and Montparnasse looming over me. I try to scramble away, but Montparnasse grabs me by the waist and pins me to the wall, pressing a blade to my neck.

"Lookey, it's my little runaway," my father snarls.

"What do you want?" I gasp.

"Ya left an' quit workin for Madame. I do believe ya owe me some money, brat!"

"I owe you nothing."

Montparnasse digs the blade deeper into my neck, and I yelp.

"Search her," my father commands Montparnasse.

I grimace as the dirty piece of scum cops a feel while searching me. He finds the pouch and dangles it in front of my father's face. My father opens it and smiles.

"Ya've found ya a rich fool, 'aven't ya," he laughs.

"You have your money. Let me go," I plead.

He pushed Montparnasse aside and restrains me himself, "What'd ya do with yer sister?"

"Azelma's dead," I respond harshly.

My father shrugs, "One less mouth to feed," he bellows.

I want to attack him, claw his eyes out and strangle him for that comment but I think better of it. He finally releases his grasp on me and shoves me back toward the street.

"I've gotten what I need from ya, brat. For now."

Then, he and Montparnasse disappears into the shadows. That's when the trembling begins. My whole body is shaking, and I am fighting back hysterics. I break into a run, not stopping until I reach Combeferre's place. I beat on the door, screaming for him. Finally, he swings the door open and pulls me inside. I cling to his chest, still trembling. He is shocked, but after a moment, he wraps his arms around me.

"Eponine, what's happened?" he asks.

"'Ferre, my father found me. I was going to the market, and he pulled me into an alley and threatened me. He took the money I had on me and told me he would leave me alone for now."

"It'll be fine, Eponine. We won't let your father lay a hand on you, I swear it."

I back away and wring my hands, 'I know he is more talk than action, but it still frightens me."

"I know it does. You can stay here tonight if it will make you feel better."

I think for a moment, the offer sounding nice considering how scared I am right now, but then I shake my head.

"Thank you 'Ferre, but I won't let my father win. He is not going to control my life."

Combeferre smiles, "That's our Eponine."

I am about to leave, but I turn around and face him again.

"It's only been just over a week, and I miss him so much already," I say softly.

"I'm sure he feels the same. He really loves you Eponine."

"I've been writing letters to him, but I don't know of a way to get them to him. If I could communicate to him in some way, even if he couldn't write back, it would make me feel better."

I can almost see the wheels turning in Combeferre's head.

"I think I have an idea."

A few minutes after Combeferre explains his plan to me, we are on our way to the Department of Justice. After getting approval from the receptionist, Combeferre knocks on Javert's office door.

"Come in," I hear his gruff voice say, muffled by the thick wood.

I follow Combeferre into the office, nervous to ask anything of the inspector.

"May I help you?" he asks.

"I am a friend of Gabriel Enjolras's, and this is his fiancee. We wanted to ask for letters to be delivered to him."

"I am afraid that is not possible," he replies harshly.

"You've taken her support system away from her and left her alone for two months. The least you can do is allow her to send letters to him," Combeferre presses.

"Need I remind you that he did this to himself? This was a deal that we made, and this was not part of the deal."

His comments anger me, and suddenly something pops into my mind. I step forward, out from behind Combeferre.

"Don't you remember me, Inspector?" I ask, cocking my head to the side.

"What do you mean?"

"I realize that I am clean now, and dressed properly, but you should still recognize me as Thenardier's daughter."

Javert's eyes widen, "I apologize. You have changed, Eponine."

"I have. I've got a good life now. And Inspector, I do believe you owe me."

"Why might you assume that?"

I can feel Combeferre on edge behind me. He has no idea where I am going with this, and I cannot believe what I am about to say.

"Don't you remember when I helped you catch my father and some of his gang members for one of the heists he pulled? Do you want to know why I haven't helped you since?"

Javert stares at me blankly, but I can see deep in his eyes that he is begging I stop speaking. He doesn't want to hear the honest truth.

"My father knew it was me who ratted him out. Bad things happen to rats, Inspector. Once you released him, the first thing he did was come to me. He beat me to a pulp, Inspector. I couldn't even stand or pull myself up. If that wasn't enough, he let his gang rape me as many times as they pleased. It lasted all night. I bled for days, and it took well over two weeks before I was mobile again."

Javert holds his hand up, motioning for me to stop.

"I'm just telling you the truth, Inspector. After that favor I did for you and what it cost me, I do believe you owe me," I say softly.

Javert won't look up at me. He sits with his hands folded, staring at his desk.

"Bring me your letters once a week, on Fridays and I will make sure your fiancé receives them. That is the best I can do."

"Thank you," I smile slightly.

As we leave the Justice Department, Combeferre is silent.

"Eponine, I-"

"Let's not speak of it," I say, cutting him off.

"Is it true?" he asks.

I nod.

He is silent for a moment before I hear him sigh.

"Does Gabriel know?" he asks, quieter than before.

"Most of it, yes. Some I have not been able to muster the courage to talk about."

We do not speak for the rest of the walk until I tell him goodbye as we part ways. I have letters to write.

Author's Note: Hi lovely readers! I'm sorry I was updating so quickly and then left you hanging for so long. It is final exam week in college, and it is slowly killing me haha! But, that means that break is just around the corner, and I sure hope to do a whole bunch of writing since I'll have the time for it. I somehow managed to get this chapter written. I was just from taking breaks from studying statistics. I girl can only take some much of that! I hope to be posting again soon! Reviews are always welcome.

~ loislane16