Merry Christmas, everyone!
If you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays!
Eponine handed the pistol to Azelma.
"I'm going down there. Come behind me and be quiet," she commanded.
"Who's there?" she called.
"Eponine, is that you?" a rough voice called, "Let me in so I can see 'Zelma!" It was Montparnasse.
"Go away!" Eponine called, "She's not here!"
"And where else would she be 'iding? You better let me in, 'Ponine. I'll bust the door down, I swear!"
"If you break my door, I'll have the police called," Eponine replied firmly, "now go away."
The sisters heard retreating footsteps and sighed in relief. They went back upstairs, and Eponine made a quick dinner before they went to sleep. They shared Eponine's bed, just as they had done when they were small children.
A crashing of class woke them up. Eponine was out of bed in a flash, handing the pistol to Azelma.
"I'll handle this! You just be quiet and hide under the bed. Don't shoot unless I tell you to."
Footsteps came pounding up the stairs, and Eponine slipped a robe on over her nightgown, calmly opening the bedroom door and meeting Montparnasse as he mounted the top of the stairs.
"Well, 'Parnasse, you've broken my window," she said evenly, shutting the door behind her and leaning against the wall casually.
"I know she's 'ere!" Montparnasse said, "Tell me where 'Zelma is!"
"I'm afraid she's gone," Eponine answered, "now, will you leave a girl to sleep? I'm quite exhausted."
"Not until I've 'ad a look around," Montparnasse sneered, "You always were a sneak. Would surprise me if you were 'iding 'er around 'ere somewhere."
"You're not going to search my house," Eponine said firmly, putting her hands on her hips. He crossed the room and stood nose-to-nose with her. She stood her ground, although he had a good six inches on her.
"What do you want with my sister, anyway?" Eponine said quickly, stalling for time. Montparnasse had never been very smart, and she thought that she might be able to distract him.
"She's got somethin' o' mine," Montparnasse said, "I stole this necklace off an old lady, an' gave it to 'er. Now I want it back."
"Well, next time I see her, I'll tell her. Now go away," Eponine said, moving toward him and shooing him toward the door. He stood his ground.
"I'm not dumb, 'Ponine. I'm not leavin' till I've looked through this whole 'ouse of yours."
"You're not going in my bedroom. It's private. Now get out, or I'll send for the police."
Montparnasse grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her out of his way, grabbing for the door handle. Eponine grabbed him and tried to pull him away.
"Get out of my house!"
"No!" he shoved her, pushing her to the ground. She hit her head and blacked out. He threw open the door. Azelma was standing there, shaking from head to foot, holding the pistol in her quavering hands. Montparnasse laughed.
"You wouldn't shoot me, 'Zelma. You 'asn't got the 'eart. You love me," he said, his attempt at sweet talking making Eponine cringe.
"Get out of me sister's 'ouse," Azelma said bravely, "now."
"Come on, 'Zelma. We're to be married, remember?" he said, walking toward her. She began to shake more violently.
"You love me, 'Zelma," he said. The gun went off. Azelma screamed and dropped it, and Montparnasse dropped to the floor, shot through the chest. He gasped and gurgled, blood frothing at his lips. Azelma dropped to her knees beside him. Minutes ticked by.
Eponine, brought back to consciousness by the shot, stared at the scene with horror. The wheels in her brain seemed to be turning a million miles a second, trying to figure out what to do. She heard voices outside. Surely they had heard the gunshot and would call the police. But she couldn't move.
Montparnasse let out one final gurgle and passed over. Azelma's eyes were huge in her paper-white face.
"What are we going to do, 'Ponine?" Azelma whispered frantically. Eponine took a deep breath,
"It was self-defense, 'Zelma. Everything will be all right. They'll see the broken window and know that he broke in."
There was a pounding on the door downstairs.
"It's the police! Open up!" a man's voice called. Eponine hurried down the stairs to open the door.
"We had a report of a gunshot, and I see your broken window. Is everything all right, madame?" a tall, gray-haired man asked.
"It was simply awful, sir!" Eponine replied, "A man broke into my home and tried to attack my sister and I. She shot him."
"I see," the man replied, looking very stern. Eponine was afraid now. What if the policeman didn't believe their story? What if he took them to jail?
"Will you show us the scene of the crime?" he asked. She nodded and led him up the stairs. The pistol lay where it had fallen, and Azelma sat on the bed, teary-eyed. The policeman's lip curled like a bulldog's as he beheld the body of Montparnasse.
"I know this man. He runs with a gang of thieves," he said to the group of men behind him, "He has just barely escaped me several times. I suppose this is due justice." He inspected the body coldly, and turned to Eponine.
"I trust you would like us to dispose of the body, madame?"
"It would be greatly appreciated," Eponine replied, breathing a sigh of relief. She went to the bed and put an arm around Azelma.
"It's over," she said softly, stroking her sister's hair. Azelma nodded, but couldn't speak. The policeman were picking up the body, and Eponine stood.
"Thank you so much monsieurs," she said, inclining her head. The head policeman bowed to her,
"If there's anything else, I can do, please let me know."
"That should be all for now," she replied, "thank you ever so much."
He tipped his hat and went out the door. Eponine found an old towel, and set to cleaning up the blood. Azelma sat on the bed, her knees drawn up her chin. She watched Eponine, still shaking like a leaf. Eponine finished cleaning up and threw the towel in the rubbish bin, then washed herself and climbed back into bed. The sun was peeking over the rooftops, and she pulled the curtain.
"Let's go back to sleep now," she said soothingly, tucking Azelma in. They were asleep as soon as their heads touched the old pillow.
I totally wanted to turn this into a Sweeny Todd crossover in this chapter XD.
Buuut I didn't.
Enjoy!