A few days and a few headaches later, the new school year had begun and everyones normal routine were back in business. All the snow that had covered the small town of Musain had almost vanished leaving the roads damp and moist with just a slight slimmer whenever the sun hit the water. With the Christmas period now over the school was free of all the tinsel and paper decorations that had been put put all around the building weeks earlier, although if you looked carefully in the right places you could still see small amounts of confetti and glitter from stampede the group had caused on the last day. The energy in the school was sky high with people still raving over how incredible the party was only a few nights ago, apparently Enjolras and Eponine's performance managed to hit over 100,000 likes on YouTube. How the footage found itself on the site Enjolras was not sure although he had a strange feeling it was something to do with Grantaire. And much to Enjolras horror people were still watching it, even when the group first walked into the building the sudden sound of both performers' voices could be heard from a group of huddled teenagers – some giggling and others Cosette described as fangirling!

"Sorry mate but it's not every day we find stuff to use against you! That is of course if we ever need you to do an essay for us." Courfeyrac argued, lightly ruffling Enjolras's hair.

"Since when did you ever think I would even give into blackmail?" Came the stern reaction form a unamused Enjolras.

"Since Combeferre became a genius at video editing which means he can make you sound like a chipmunk and look like one too and have it reloaded in less than three hours!" Marius pointed out innocently but then backed away as he saw the glare coming from Enjolras. Joly found this the right moment in time to change the subject…only slightly.

"Are we not forgetting something else that happened that night also?" After looking at the blank stares coming from the rest of the group as they walked through the halls Joly continued, "Marius here getting so drunk he tried to walk home by climbing over every garden wall… in the opposite direction may I add!" Marius groaned at the memory, the groan however was barely heard with all laughter that had erupted from the rest of the group.

"Hey that is not funny! I fell off the last wall and now have the biggest bruise all over my shoulder and back!" This did not stop the laughter from the group therefore Marius decided to move to another unfortunate victim.

"Alright then who was it that locked herself in the cloakroom after believing it was the bathroom? Even though she has been to Courf's house more than enough times to know what room is what?" Cosette stopped laughing immediately and began to blush as the groups laughter now moved on to her. This had now sparked an embarrassing debate about who had landed themselves in the most outrageous situations at the party which had to be paused and restarted due to the number of lessons and finished finally at lunch. The unfortunate yet amusing events went as followed:

Marius: The wall walk of shame home as well as losing to every girl at arm wrestling!

Cosette: As she wasn't drinking as much as the others just the 'Cloakroom Lock in.'

Combeferre: Leading the entire room in a dance marathon of Gangnam Style and the Cha Cha Slide.

Musichetta: Dropping Joly in their attempt to re-enact the dance to 'I've Had the Time of my Life!'

Joly: If the above is anything to go by, I don't need to say!

Jehan: Passing out and napping in the big New Year's Eve cake.

Grantaire: Finding Courfeyrac's skateboard and attempting to go down the staircase banister!

Courfeyrac: Being at the bottom of the staircase when Grantaire fell and receiving a huge snog on the lips from the flying man!

As much as Eponine wanted to join in on the interesting debate she was too deep in her own thoughts to listen. She really wanted to go and find those two girls what were they names again…Casey and Emily and give them a good talking too. Even if it wasn't intentional playing those kind of tricks on people was horrible enough but in the current situation of Megan Howell still being missing was just downright sick, she was about to leave the table and go search the building but the conversation had now turned into something she had to see until the end.

"So Enjolras we never did find out the result of our little bet did we?" Marius asked with a smug and curious look upon his face, the table once again became quite looking to Enjolras for the good news (which for them was getting their McDonald run) or the bad news for Marius and his bruised back. The small grin on Enjolras's made the whole table hold their breath.

"I'm sorry Marius but I have to disappoint you, and also disappoint you two as well" looking over to both Taire and Courf "but you will not be using my car for a taxi serve and that is that!" The reaction from the table was priceless. Eponine, Cosette, Musichetta and Jehan watched in amusement as Combeferre shook his head laughing, he knew his friend all too well to believe he would ever lose a bet willing. Marius paled at the thought of now being the groups butler and pack mule, Joly just stared at Enjolras with an expression no one could really put a name to, it was a mixture of confusion and amusement but did not look like either of the two emotions. However it was Taire and Courf who had their jaws dropped who reacted the most…creatively and in unison stated

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHITTING ME!" Eponine quickly smacked the pair over the head after the entire courtyard stopped and stared at the group causing an uncomfortable silence for a good few minuets.

"Watch your language assholes."

A very angry and annoyed discussion was quickly put into action at how Courf and Taire had put so much effort into making the party the best way to get him laid, on how they lost hours of sleep and time that would have been better used to study on organising, planning and plotting the perfect night. The pair were in such a disarray wondering what the hell went wrong that night.

xxx New Year's Party 11:50pm xxx

Enjolras was standing in the small gap between Courf's house and the garage, leaning against the wall. He really needed to escape the party just for a while to get some fresh air although he was happy to have finally escape all of the tipsy girls who Courfeyrac kept sending over, being flirted with constantly one after the other can get pretty annoying. The air was bitter cold and nipped at Enjolras skin, so it was a good job one of his Christmas presents was a new coat, it had stated to snow again but only lightly, closing his eyes Enjolras listened to the wind and his breathing. It was calming, relaxing.

"Hey there stranger, knew I would find you here" came his favourite voice. Enjorlas opened his eyes to find Eponine standing opposite him mimicking the same position (arms crossed against her chest, body leaning against the wall).

"Well with everything going on in there I think I deserve a small break, don't you think!" He teased flashing her a small grin.

"Oh yes I saw you brushing off Sophie from your law class just now, what was that the seventh girl of the hour? How will you ever cope until midnight?" she replied placing her hand on her heart and sighing deeply casing a small chuckle to form from Enjolras's lips. It was then he noticed that Eponine was standing there in just her dress, her coat nowhere to be seen, she was shivering already and she had only been out with him for a few seconds. Without hesitation he pulled off his coat and wrapped it around her, pulling her close so that they were chest to chest.

"Here, you'll catch a cold if you don't cover up, then where would you be? Your last cold lasted nearly a month."

"Careful Enjy you're starting to sound like Joly!"

"Am I not allowed to care?"

"Yes, yes you are" Eponine took advantage of her position and leaning forwards catching Enjolras's lips with her own, Enjolras responded bringing a hand up to cup her cheek. The kiss was cut short much to both Eponine and Enjolras's dismay by the sound of Courfeyrac's voice through the speakers.

"Alright everyone here it is FIVE MORE MINUETS! Everyone quickly find someone to snog and don't let them go!"

Enjolras chuckled shaking his head at his friends antics but stopped as he felt Eponine's arms wrap around his neck.

"What are you doing?"

"Doing what our amazing host Courf demanded silly! Finding. Someone. To. Snog!" With every word Eponine leaned closer to Enjolras until she as close as she could be, allowing her forehead to rest against his gently.

"We could get found out you know!" Enjolras found himself saying.

"FUCK I GOT THE TIMING WRONG, SORRY GUYS 20 SECONDS GET SNOGGING!"

"Right now I don't care if anyone sees"

"10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

The small distance was filled and Eponine pulled Enjolras closer her lips still moving gently against his, Enjolras reacted immediately his hand tangled within Eponine's hair whilst the other explored her back. There was no battle for dominance, it wasn't rushed or sloppy. Soon enough Eponine found herself being pushed back against the wall, allowing her own hands to explore, all the way down his chest making sure every muscle was found until they landed on the small of Enjolras back. Soon enough the pair parted for air but they did not move from where they were, Enjolras nuzzled Eponine's neck lightly placing small kisses on her shoulder, casing Eponine to giggle slightly.

"Happy New Year to you too!" she teased, after feeling Enjolras smile against her skin she spoke again. "You know… I have a free house tonight, Mum won't be home until the morning, you could stay over if you wanted, we don't have to do anything I know that were not ready for-."

"I think we are" His interruption caught Eponine off guard and she looked up at him with a small smile

"Really?"

"Yeah I do, I mean if you want to wait I totally under-"

"I want to" Now it was Enjolras's turn to be caught off guard, it was a rare sight but Eponine couldn't help but think was adorable.

"You do realise this means I will be losing a certain bet" Enjolras teased. Eponine just chuckled,

"Well technically it wouldn't count as getting 'laid' because it's me" she winked. "And what they don't know won't hurt them, after all I bought a new History book in the sales and I think it's too heavy for me to carry so I will need a pack mule named Marius to do my heavy lifting!" Enjolras rolled his eyes, only Eponine would buy school stuff with her Christmas money.

"Okay then, let's go." The couple managed to grab their belongings and leave the party without being spotted and walked hand in hand back to Eponine's home, smiles never leaving their faces.

The whole town of Musain was an explosion of colours and sounds, fireworks being set off everywhere and music from numerous parties bounced off the roads and pavements. People were out in the streets dancing and squealing in excitement of the new year, making resolutions loudly such as 'getting a boy/girl friend' 'never drinking again'. There was so much going on throughout the town that nobody noticed the black truck that was driving down the back roads of the town heading up in the direction of the school. Nor were the two figures who were sat in the vehicle wearing dark clothing that covered their faces.

xxx end of flashback xxx

The day ended just as quickly as it started and soon enough the school car park and bus lanes were filled with children running around trying to miss their lifts. Enjolras had promised Taire, Courf, Jehan, Combeferre and Eponine a lift home and so was busy sorting out the seats in his car whilst the small group watched on helpfully.

"Feel free to help at any point guys!" came the muffled, annoyed sound of Enjolras from the backseat.

"Sorry Enj but you look like you're doing such an excellent job already" Jehan teased, resulting in a high five from Grantaire and then proceeded to carry on his conversation with Combeferre about the new Marvel film. Eponine wasn't really paying attention, she was too busy looking around at the students try to find the two faces she desperately needed to see and scold. Scanning the area was such a pain with all the students running back and forth, getting in and out of cars/buses, even those on their bikes were fast, but soon a face caught Eponine right off guard. The caretaker was stood in front of one of the many fire exits staring right at her, after immediately making eye contact Eponine quickly looked away. Even in the daylight he still looked terrifying, the scars on his face were more visible and the black leather gloves matched the black winter coat the man was wearing, but what made Eponine most uncomfortable was the shovel in his hands.

"Hey look, old man Jenkins has come out to play" observed Grantaire moving closer to Eponine, "I wonder how he even got a job working around children looking like that? I mean he looks like he belongs in a scary movie!"

"Yeah, I wonder how to." muttered Eponine turning her attention away from caretaker Jenkins back to the car situation. The rest of the gang came over quickly to say their goodbyes and sorting out later plans when suddenly the entire car park was silenced by the one sound that would haunt off of their dreams for years to come.

A scream. A loud, ear piercing wail that sounded like it did not belong to any human being. Before anyone could move the owner of the sound appeared, it was a young boy. It was obvious that he was crying the tears were streaming down his face as he continued to scream and wail, before he could run into the road onto the oncoming traffic Enjolras ran out and grabbed him back onto the pavement holding him steadily by the shoulders. People started to slowly crowd around, curious to what was happening, wondering what had made this young boy act this way.

"Woah, woah! What's the matter? What's happened?" The boy wouldn't respond (or rather he couldn't respond) but through his crying and trembling body he managed to point towards the school field. Enjolras looked over where he was pointing and nodded. "Okay, okay don't worry." He looked towards Cosette, Cosette in turn nodded knowing exactly what Enjolras had 'said' she quickly rushed over and wrapped the boy in her arms speaking soothing words into his ears in an attempt to calm him down.

"Ferre, Joly come on let's check it out. Rest of you stay here make sure everything's alright and someone get a teacher!" Enjolras knew that a situation like this must be serious, no boy would be in the state he was in just for something minor. The rest of the gang nodded and acted quickly to stop any other kids going towards the field, Grantaire ran in the direction of the school to grab an adult out of the building as the caretaker had disappeared suddenly. Meanwhile Enjolras, Combeferre and Joly ran over to the back of the school field, over the Christmas period it had grown wild the grass was up to their knees so it was easy to miss your footing and fall into the schools small lake. The three of them split up to look around the area, each of them looking around frantically seating for something, when suddenly another scream was heard only it wasn't Combeferre or Joly or even Enjolras.

"EP!"

The three ran over to where Eponine was now standing frozen to the spot. Her hands covering her mouth to stop herself from crying out loud. As soon as Enjolras and the other two reached her they quickly saw what caused both Eponine and the young boy to scream at. From this point on the four people standing in front of the lake, the school, the town of Musain would never be the same again.

A body, half dumped in the cold water and half on damp, muddy land. Joly looked away as soon as he saw the blood feeling like he was going to vomit. It was the most gruesome sight any of them had ever seen, the body was stripped bare and many large gashes covered every limb. Enjolras had to catch Eponine who had nearly fallen backwards due to her trembling legs, he wrapped his arms around and pulled her close making sure that she too wasn't looking at the horrific sight. Combeferre walked slowly towards the body.

"Ferre what the hell are you doing?!" Joly hissed

"We need to know who it is… If- If its Megan." Combeferre looked over to Enjolras who nodded in agreement, Eponine and Joly finding the courage to look down at the possible missing teen. Once Combeferre reached the poor being he knelt down brushing the hair out of the dead girl's face.

"Is it her?" Enjolras called.

"No, I don't - I don't recognise her"

Eponine looked closer to where Combeferre was kneeling, suddenly realisation hit her. That face. She knew who it was!

"Oh my god! It's Casey!"