Eponine's lungs scream as she runs through the streets of Paris, faster than she has ever run before. She knows that she should save her energy, God knows she's going to need it when she arrives home, but she still pushes herself faster. But in the back if her mind she knows it is hopeless. She's late, and her fate is sealed. She arrives home and takes a moment to catch her breath before gritting her teeth and walking through the door. The familiar faces of the Patron-Minette surround her.
"So Eponine, care to explain where you've been?" Eponine faced her father, praying she did not look as terrified as she felt. A few minutes late is a few kicks in the side, a slap in the face. But hours? Eponine did not want to know, but unfortunately, she wouldn't have to wait long to find out. Eponine didn't respond, not wanting her father to know she's been at the café. Her father already thinks she wastes too much time there as it is. "Answer me girl!" He shouts, slapping her hard in the face. When she still remains silent, he punches her roughly in the stomachs, knocking all of the air out of her. Eponine stumbles backward, right into Montparnasse, who laughs wickedly.
"We needed you tonight, 'Ponine, and you weren't there. I think you are going to have to make it up to us somehow." His hands slide lower down to her waist, purposely pressing on the bruises on her hips he gave to her earlier that day. Eponine squirms underneath his wandering hands, but he's stronger than her and they both know it. Still, Eponine has too much pride to simply allow him to have his way with her, so she turns and swiftly kicks him between his legs, causing him to cry out in pain. "You bitch!" Montparnasse tosses her to the floor. Eponine closes her eyes as she's kicked and hit on every part of her already weak body. She tries to suppress her screams, not wanting to give her father the satisfaction, but even she cannot hide the pain. She screams as a boot comes in direct contact with her ribs, as another crushes her hand. Tears stream down her face, and still the beating continues. After what feels like forever, it stops. Eponine's father hoists her up by her hair.
"If I tell you to be somewhere, you will be there when and where I tell you. Not a second later, or what happens to you will make this will seem like a walk in the park." With that, he pulls out his knife and presses it into Eponine's side. Tears run down her face now, but not just from pain. Her own father stabbed her. She knew Thenardier was cruel and relentless, but she never imagined that he would stoop so low. He drops her to the floor, and Eponine nearly passes out from the pain. Everyone slowly files out, giving her a kick or two as they go. Everyone but Montparnasse. Eponine doesn't even try to fight him, knowing its hopeless. She just lays there wishing she could die.
At the cafe, Enjolras cannot get over the feeling that something was wrong. He had always had good intuition, and he could not focus on anything but Eponine. The look of pure fear on her face as she discovered the time, the way she sprinted out as if her life depended on it chilled Enjolras to the bone. He feared that she may be in danger. He pushes those thoughts to the side. While he does have good intuition, he also can overreact to situations. Enjolras hopes this is the case as he rejoins his group of friends. It was well into the night, but many were still at the café, drinking and talking. Grantaire had fallen asleep hours ago, barely staying awake and sober enough for Enjolras' speech. Joly and Combeferre were laughing at something Marius had said, and Enjolras is put slightly more at ease. He notices Gavroche among them, laughing and joining in with the students. Enjolras knows that the boy's passion is real, but he cannot help but feel that it was far too late for a boy his age to be out at such an hour. "Gavroche, should you not be getting home. It is already morning, and a young boy like you should be getting some sleep."
"Hey Enjolras! No sir, you don't need to worry 'bout me. I'm perfect right here where I am. " Enjolras couldn't help but smile at the response, it was more or less what he expected.
"I'm glad to see you have enjoyed yourself, but you should be going now, I insist." Enjolras takes on a more commanding tone, and Gavroche's shoulders slump in defeat.
"If you say so, but I will be back tomorrow!" Gavroche calls as he runs out the door. Enjolras turns back to his friends with only one thought on his mind.
"Marius, can you tell me more about Eponine?" Enjolras asks, wanting to know more about the young gamin.
"She's a good friend of mine. I met her a year or two back when I first arrived in Paris. Why do you ask? It isn't like you to show any interest in any member of the opposite sex." Marius looks at Enjolras quizzically, along with the others.
"Enjolras asking about a woman? My God, how long have I been sleeping?" Grantaire pops up from the table, receiving a roar of laughs.
"I simply wanted to know more about her, she left so quickly I didn't get to know her well." Enjolras argues, not wanting draw too much attention to the subject. It's too late though, Grantaire is already on a roll.
"It's okay to like women Enjolras. Eponine's actually quite pretty for a a street urchin, a bit skinny for my taste, but I'd still bed her!" Grantaire rambles in a drunken slur.
Enjolras glares at Grantaire, refusing to partake in such a derogatory conversation. Seeing their leader's annoyance, they quickly change the subject. Enjolras' thoughts wander back to Eponine, wishing that he knew if she was alright.
Little did he know, Eponine was stumbling around Paris, struggling to stay alive. After the awful beating, and once Montparnasse finally finished with her, she gathered up what little strength she had left. She headed off to the only place she knew she might get help: the café. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed help. It was either swallow her pride or die. She was so close now, only a few blocks away, but her vision blurs and her legs give out from under her. This is it, she thinks. This is where I will die. She uses her last bit of energy to yell out in desperation, praying that someone, anyone, would hear her.
Gavroche is making his way through the alleys when he hears a girl cry out. He swears it sounds like his sister. He takes a few turns to where he thinks he heard the scream. He stands in shock as he sees his sister laying on the ground in a pool of her own blood. "Eponine! 'Ponine, wake up! Please Eponine!" He kneels by her side, his hands and pants instantly dyed red. "I'm going to get you help!" Gavroche runs off, tears running down his little face, his hands covered in his sister's blood.
The students all look up as Gavroche sprints into the cafe, tears running down his face, covered in blood. Enjolras immediately runs to him. "Gavroche, what happened?" Joly runs over, inspecting for the source of the blood.
"My sister! Please! Please she's been hurt real bad. Please help her!" Gavroche chokes out, shaking.
Enjolras didn't know Gavroche had a sibling, but he knows he must help. "Take us to her! Joly, Marius, Combeferre and Grantaire, if you can stand, come with!"
The group takes off, determined to help, but nothing can prepare them for what they find.
Thank you so much for reading! Please please please tell me your thoughts I'm dying for some feedback!