Éponine ran from it in pure terror. She fought her body and managed to run however with each step it became harder and harder. With every gallop she took her stride became smaller and smaller. Her legs felt as if they were moving through a sea of wet cement, and with each step if became harder and harder to go on as her legs became too heavy to lift any further. But Éponine could not stop running, she was terrified. Her head began to spin and her vision blurred. She heard cackles behind her and men saying words she could not make out with her distorted senses.
She felt like as if she had been drugged and her little body was desperately fighting to stay awake and run away from whatever was chasing her. She couldn't understand how on earth she had gotten here or what on earth was chasing her. All she knew is if she could just keep fighting a little longer, take even just one more step she'd be safe. Éponine gritted her teeth and with all her might pushed her body forward another step.
Her legs began to give out. But she had to keep going. She began to crawl her legs dragging behind her against the dark stone ground. Determination brought on only by fear raged within her and still, she kept going even as the ground scraped against her knees causing blood to draw. But still, she kept crawling, even after her arms pulled themselves forward for what she swore was the last possible time. This went on for what felt like hours, but she still kept crawling terrified of what would happen if she ever stopped or even tried to see what was chasing her.
And then it was all black.
Éponine awoke with a jolt. She was sweating profusely. Her shift was soaked in sweat, as were the sheets of the bed she shared with her sister. It was all a dream. A dream, unlike any Éponine, had ever had before. She shuddered at the thought of what it meant. To feel so terrified and so out of control of one's body? She rubbed her arms to comfort herself, feeling the goosebumps that had developed on her skin from both fear and chill. The single bedroom was cold, why judging by the light outside it couldn't be much earlier than four in the morning.
Éponine sighed knowing tonight would bring her little sleep, though she couldn't understand why. She was used to men treating her poorly or even soliciting her for sex. The same situation had even occurred before. Of course Éponine was able to run on both feet properly then. Éponine had even been able to defend herself not just run away, though that was always her safest bet. But with her sprained ankle, she hadn't been able to get away.
Éponine didn't wish to dwell on her vulnerability. Instead, she shifted her attention to her savior. Éponine had given up any thoughts of being a damsel in distress the minute her family had lost everything. Why on earth would she be worth saving, she was just a peasant? But Marius clearly was not like the other men of Paris. He saw her status and appearance and respected her in spite of it all, and oh how Éponine loved him for that.
Éponine sighed in admiration, Marius a man who truly respects women and wants to protect them, she thought to herself. The pleasant thoughts of his heroic actions slowly helped Éponine back to a dreamless light slumber, which she gladly accepted over her previous night terror.
Enjolras awoke the next morning looking like he had survived hell. He rushed to the water closet and stood before the mirror once again to examine his face. He had two dark swollen black eyes, his nose was completely swollen and red. Dried blood spurted from his nostrils. His once beautiful slender adonis-like nose had not only temporarily swelled up to twice its size but a large crook had replaced the once straight line formed from bone connecting to cartilage.
Enjolras touched his face in horror only to wince in pain at the sensation. His beautiful face had been ruined he prayed none of it would be permanent, though he knew better that he would likely have few scars if not a crooked nose forever.
Tears attempted to fall but Enjolras forbade them. He did not want the first tear he had shed in a year to be over something as futile as his vanity.
Enjolras felt resentful. He resented the man who did this to him. He resented men who treated women like objects. He resented himself for caring about his looks despite everything that had happened. But most of all he resented his friend for betraying him. Part of him even resented himself for putting himself in such harm's way for a stranger. He knew playing the hero wasn't the wise pragmatic choice, but yet he knew he couldn't have ignored the woman in danger as Marius would've.
Marius had proven his loyalty last night, or lack thereof. If he was willing to run when a single man threatened danger Enjolras shuttered to think how he would react in the heat of battle.
Enjolras moaned in pain as he splashed water on his face and attempted to cleanse his wounds.
Enjolras stared at his face in the mirror before him, hands resting on the water basin, face still dripping wet. Enjolras stared deeply into his own black and blue swollen eyes allowing his sadness to seep in. He was pulled from his state by a sudden knock at the door.
Enjolras opened it to reveal a very exhausted Gavroche. The boy grumbled past him heading the to chamber pot, not waiting for Enjolras to leave the room before relieving himself.
Enjolras prepared himself and the boy breakfast. Gruel with dates he had bought special from a merchant. Gavroche exited the water closet finally acknowledging the reality of Enjolras' face.
"Holy shit! Did I do that? I truly do not know my own strength," Gavroche laughed, assuming a fighting stance before being grossly reminded of his splitting hangover headache.
"No, you were passed out for the entire night. A true sleeping angel," Enjolras mocked knowing the words would annoy the precocious young boy. He passed the gruel to the boy and he quickly began to wolf it down. "Speaking of which, you need to slow down. Men of l'ABC are not the ones to admire."
Gavroche shrugged knowing Enjolras was right, but refusing to admit it. Enjolras dropped the subject knowing Gavroche was already suffering enough from his hangover and a lecture right now would only hurt Enjolras' attempt.
"I appreciate the help last night, but you know I would've been fine on my own."
Enjolras laughed. "You know that's not true do you even remember last night?" Enjolras grabbed Gavroche's hat from the table and placed it on the boy's head, so it just slightly tipped over his eyes.
"It's vague, I'll admit it." Gavroche had already finished his breakfast just has Enjolras had begun. The boy gave Enjolras a hard pat on the back, "Thanks for the food! I'll see you back at the café later, I've got some things to take care of."
"All right sir. See you later, keep an eye out okay?" Enjolras chuckled to himself, knowing the boy was hardly ever careful but was always street smart.
Enjolras sat at the table staring at the plain gruel before him. His brow furrowed in frustration, pain from his swollen eye responded to the movement and he winced once more. Enjolras cursed under his breath throwing the half eaten gruel in the trash. His appetite was too low any how. Enjolras instead began to pace nervously. He still needed a solution to the missing funds for l'ABC's plan. He had tried to solicit the funding from Marius last night before the incident, but after the stunt he pulled he doubt Marius would be a good team player. But it was his last shot.
Enjolras dressed in his signature navy slacks and a red jacket over a white collarless shirt. The subtle v cut neckline drifted done revealing glimpses of his taught stomach when sat down. He then proceeded to make his way to the cafe.
Enjolras spent two hours in the cafe working tirelessly scribbling an endless brainstorm of get rich quick schemes. It wasn't until the near afternoon that Marius entered the cafe and sheepishly approached the focused Enjolras.
Enjolras sighed to himself.
"What do you want?"
"I'm surprised you're even speaking to me, honestly." Marius chuckled pulling up a chair across from Enjolras.
"I wouldn't normally. But I have a way you can redeem yourself." Enjolras smiled wide flashing his perfect white teeth.
"And what would that be?" He cocked his eyebrow at Enjolras in confusion.
"As you know we are in a bit of budget crisis," Enjolras got up from his seat and began pacing with nervous arrogance about the empty cafe as he spoke.
"I believe that was your fault," Marius looked annoyed, seeming to know where this train of thought was going.
"You know I do not have access to my trust anymore, not after my last fifteen withdrawals for the rebellions. I cannot access unless I marry. I need your help funding until we can find a permanent solution."
"It was your choice to bankroll your passion project not mine. I only signed up to help you, Enjolras."
"No, you signed up for a better future for France Marius? Don't you want that for your future children?" Marius looked to the ground, unable to face Enjolras' pleading eyes. Enjolras could tell the words were resonating with his friend. "Besides after last night, it's this or be shunned." Enjolras smiled a wicked smile.
"Fine. I'll do it... But you'll pay me back once this 'permanent solution' is found, right? This is strictly a loan, since I pity your stupidity."
Enjolras patted Marius' back with a smile. "Naturally. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Marius. This calls for a drink!"
"I see. Money is all it takes to get you to drink, what a cheap whore you are, Enjolras." Marius laughed to himself as Enjolras left opportunely to grab the celebratory mugs of mead from the barmaid.
The two men celebrated together. Reminiscing of the days when they were closer as young boys in school. The two had know each other since childhood, and though incredibly different both felt a sense of duty and loyalty to each other.
Both significantly drunk and finally confident Marius apologized to Enjolras for his lack of loyalty to Enjolras the night before. Enjolras's still black and swollen eyes were unusually forgiving this night under the influence. The two ended the night drinking, singing, and reminiscing until it was dark.
Enjolras and Marius walked to exit the café feeling closer than they had in years. Marius went to hug Enjolras. In return Enjolras froze, allowing Marius to wrap his arms around him in an embrace, a rare allowance for Enjolras. The two then parted ways, saying goodbye. And Enjolras began a slow lonely trek back to this apartment.
Éponine sat beneath the steps of Gorbeau House. It had been hours, gotten dark and chilly, but still she waited. She was waiting for Marius.
She rubbed her still swollen ankle. Feeling stupid for commitment to wait for Marius, a man she barely knew. Just as she began to doubt her choices, a shadow appeared down the block.
A drunken Marius emerged, stumbling through the cobblestone streets. Éponine's heart fluttered. She hobbled as fast as she could to his side, flitting like an awkward large bird. He was surprised by her presence and nearly fell back.
"Monsieur Marius! I wanted to give you this, as a token of my gratitude for saving me yesterday." She pulled a slightly dirtied white handkerchief from the breast of her clothes. She offered it to him smiling, fluttering her eyelash and flashing a glint of yellow teeth at him.
He accepted the gesture though he looked unpleased, even disgusted taking a step away from her encroaching face. "Thanks."
She stepped in front of him as he tried to leave towards his apartment desperate to keep his audience. "I truly do not know what I would've done if you had not shown up, Monsieur!"
"Well, I do love to play the hero on occasion" Marius laughed to himself as if Éponine was hardly part of the conversation. "Well anyways. Bonne Nuit.. uhhh" He stared at her with drunken confusion.
"Éponine" She replied her cheeks reddened this time with embarrassment, not lust. This was not going how she anticipated. However, she didn't really know what she expected. After all, they were from completely different worlds, Marius saving her would be the beginning and end of any feasible relationship between them.
"Yes, of course. Bonne Nuit Éponine." Marius stumbled into his apartment without another word.
"Bonne Nuit Monsieur Marius!" She called after him as he left.
Éponine stumbled as well with her swollen into her own home far below Marius's luxurious apartment. In the darkness, she eventually found her way to her bed. Snuggled in and cried until sleep relieved her.
