Thenardier's gang was already out in town before Eponine awoke. Lying in bed, she strained to recall the lulling melody that lingered from the night before. For once, her mother's shrieking voice did not interrupt her thoughts. Even so, she was irritated that the song was but a haze in her mind. She sighed; it was pointless. Dejectedly, she sat up and swung her legs to dangle over the side of the bed. Hopping down, she smoothed her tattered clothes and slowly made her way downstairs.
"Yer down late t'day, 'Ponine."
"Sorry, Mama. Where's Papa gone to?"
"I 'aven't got an idea."
Eponine sighed. Her mother and father never really cared much for each other. And they hadn't cared about their daughter since she was a small child. So it was no surprise to Eponine that her mother didn't bother to ask where her husband had gone.
"I'm goin' t' find 'im, alright?"
"Don't know why ye'd want to, but go ahead."
Forgetting her coat, Eponine was thrust into the cold once she stepped out of the inn. It's only for a bit...With that, she walked against the freezing air to the town, hoping to find her father and his troupe.
She always hated going into town. So many wretched souls whom she wished to help, but simply could not. She could only look upon them in pity as they stared up at her with dark eyes, long deprived of a glisten of hope. Today she went past them as quickly as possible, trying to ignore the crying children and starving beggars. Among the crowd, she recognized Brujon, who appeared to be planning a way to steal some bread from a vendor. She decided not to bother him; Thenardier's gang was always close to snapping when they were on the job. Figuring the rest of the men would be in the general area, Eponine walked along, trying to find her father or Montparnasse. Instead, she stumbled upon Claqueous. Claquesous eyed Eponine for a moment, apparently confused on who he was looking at. Eponine wasn't surprised; excellent thief though he was, Clasquesous was never the most intelligent man Eponine had ever encountered.
"Oh. 'Ponine. Why're ye out 'ere?"
"I 'ave a right to be, don't I?"
"Well, yer father is 'eaded off to th' Rue Plumet, 'e said. Ah, reminds me...gotta catch up with 'im."
Claquesous wandered off in a general direction of the Rue Plumet, leaving Eponine silent in the streets.
"Cosette...Marius," she whispered, worry flooding her voice. Without another thought, she tore off for the Rue Plumet, hoping she would get there before the matter.
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"'Parnasse, what's goin' on?" Eponine breathed, having just caught up with her friend. Montparnasse was hesitant to respond; he knew as well as she did who lived at the house. What should I care? Serves her right, being blind all along.
"Your father, told us this'll be a good job this time." Montparnasse turned to meet Thenardier, who had just arrived with the rest of the men.
"That man, 'e'll pay fer what 'e's done."
"Enough, ye promised riches, let's get this o'er with," Brujon growled, impatient.
"Quiet yerself, lend me a 'and or you'll nothin'," Thenardier snapped back. Catching sight of his daughter, he snarled ,"Eh? Montparnasse, what woman's around ye now?"
"Idiot, it's yer own daughter. What's she doin' 'ere?"
"'Ponine, leave, yer slowin' us down."
"Papa, it ain't worth it. The people 'ere won't gain you anythin'," Eponine protested, knowing her words were total fabrications. Cosette and the old man were far from ordinary citizens. But should Cosette find her along with the gang...she would surely tell her dear Marius that his friend was no better than the rest of them. Eponine's heart would surely be torn in two then, if Marius were to turn his back on her. Thinking, she spoke again. "I'll scream. I swear I will."
"Don't you dare!" Thenardier bared his teeth, shaking in anger. But Eponine was defiant, scowling at her father.
"Séjour loin, 'Ponine," Montparnasse warned, knowing Thenardier would turn vengeful if his plans were foiled. Eponine, however, was affronted by the comment; Montparnasse never admonished her before. And so she screamed, anger blending with fear.
"Yer gonna regret this, 'Ponine!" her father roared, herding his misguided gang into the sewers. Montparnasse shot a final icy glare at Eponine, who returned the action before the men vanished underground. Holding back burning, bitter tears, Eponine gritted her teeth and ran, not caring where she went. It didn't matter where she ran, she would never get away. She would never escape this horrible, burning pain in her heart that was slowly killing her. Never.