AN-HELLLLLOOOOOOOOO? *crickets chirping* IS ANYONE THERE? …I guess not… :P Anyway, I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry that it took me five months to finish this chapter! I just lost the inspiration to write (especially with how much I've had to write lately in my college writing class). So, here's chapter twenty (finally!). I can't believe I got this far, and I intend to stick with this story until the end. I hope you like the chapter.
Joly, Combeffere, and Enjolras carried Eponine to Grantaire's flat which stood at the edge of Pairs. They figured that it would be safer there because the National Guard would be looking for them at the heart of the city.
All three of the men silently wished that Grantaire would show up at his house. Just one less person for Enjolras to feel guilty about.
Relieved that Grantaire had forgotten to lock the door, the men walked right in.
"Enjolras, please start a fire. Combeffere and I will take Eponine to Grantaire's bedroom so that we can care for her wounds," said Joly.
"Alright," he replied, and Enjolras went to work. Ever since they had left the barricade, the pain in this leg and shoulder had gotten worse, but he had borne through it. He would have Joly look at his wounds once Eponine was tended to.
After the fire was started and Eponine was attended to, the three friends settled in the living room. As Enjolras sat down, Joly saw him wince in pain.
"What is the matter, mon ami?" he asked.
"I have been injured, but it is nothing," Enjolras lied. Joly needed rest, and he didn't want to worry his friends.
"Let me see," Joly demanded. Enjolras wasn't sure but gave in pretty easily. Unbuttoning his now crimson shirt, he revealed a bullet wound in his right shoulder and a saber cut on his chest. "Is that all?"
"No," Enjolras started. "When I jumped off the barricade to avoid a cannon blast, a cart fell onto my left leg. I think it's sprained." Enjolras then rolled up his pant leg to reveal a bruised and swollen calf.
"That looks like a little more than a sprain, Enjolras," Combeffere pointed out. "That looks like a fracture."
"Let me grab my medical bag out of Eponine's room, and I will attend your wounds. Combeffere, will you assist me?" Joly asked.
"Of course. After all, I am a medical student, too."
It turned out that Enjolras had indeed fractured his leg and would have to get it casted. His arm would also need to be in a sling for about eight weeks so that he wouldn't rip open the wound.
"You're lucky, Enjolras," Joly said as he was stitching up Enjolras's bullet wound. "The bullet passed right through your shoulder and didn't hit any bones or major arteries. If it had, we would've been in a lot more trouble."
"What about my leg?" Enjolras asked. "Do you have the materials to cast it?"
"No, nor do I have the knowledge to," he said. "We'll have to find a doctor who will keep quiet. I might have to sneak back into the city to get some money to pay for it if Grantaire doesn't have any money around here that we can borrow."
"For now," Combeffere started, "try to keep off you leg. It'll only get worse if you're walking around on it."
"I can't just sit around and do nothing while you two do all the work," Enjolras argued.
"You can, and you will, Enjorlas," Joly demanded. "I prescribe bed rest, and you better get used to it. You are bedridden!" With that, he moved Enjolras to Grantaire's spare room and made him lay down. "Do I need to tie you to your bed, or will you stay?" he asked, completely serious.
"I'll stay…" Enjolras said, giving into the exhaustion and lying back.
"Thank you, mon ami," Joly said. "Now, get some rest and I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Joly."
"Goodnight, Enjolras."
Joly closed the door of Enjolras's room and Enjolras settled into his new bed. After not sleeping for more than 48 hours, he needed some rest. Within seconds, he was already fast asleep.
AN-Well, I'm deeply sorry for making you all wait so long! I hope this chapter helps a little. I'm in the middle of writing the next chapter, so it won't be too long til my next update.
Review/Follow/Favorite my story! It's greatly appreciated :D