Disclaimer: I do NOT own Les Miz, sadly.

Chapter Two: Captured

Grantaire turned into the entrance of an alley, struggling not to burst out in tears. Even though he heard Courfeyrac calling him, he kept running, not looking back. Finally, he had to stop, and he leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. He put his hands over his face, and let out a quiet sob. He heard running, and then, "'Taire!"

He looked up at hands on his shoulders, and saw Courfeyrac standing in front of him, panting. He said, "Leave me alone, Fey."

"No, 'Taire, come here."

He pulled him into his arms, and Grantaire broke down. Courfeyrac whispered, "It's ok, 'Taire, just let it out."

They heard more running, and then, "'Taire!"

They both looked up as Jehan ran up to them, throwing his arms around both of them. He said, "Are you ok, big brother?"

"I'm fine, it's just that we've never fought like that, and we've never laid a hand on each other in anger."

Courfeyrac rubbed comforting circles on his back, and said, "He loves you, 'Taire, you know he does. It's just that he hates how you drink."

"I know, and I've tried to stop, I really have. But, no matter how hard I've tried, it just keeps coming back."

Jehan said as they all pulled away, "I didn't know that. Didn't you tell anyone?"

Grantaire shook his head, and Courfeyrac said, "Well, maybe that's why it keeps coming back. You should've told us, we can help you with it."

Grantaire nodded, and sniffed. They heard chuckling, and then they were surrounded by guards. The one in the front stepped forward, and said, "Well, well, if it isn't Lil Grantaire."

Grantaire gasped, and said, "Luc."

Luc smiled, and said, "Hello, runt."

Courfeyrac said, "What's going on?"

"You all under arrest for treason, and the disturbance of the peace."

Jehan snorted, and before Grantaire could stop him, he said, "Peace, my butt. What peace, I haven't seen any peace in a long time."

Grantaire covered his mouth, and hissed, "Jehan, you don't want to mess with this guy. This is Luc Javert, one of my childhood bullies."

Jehan gasped, and said as he pulled Grantaire's hand off, "Inspector Javert's son?"

Grantaire nodded, and they heard more running. As they turned, some of the guards grabbed them and started to drag them off. Enjolras ran around the corner, and when he saw them, he stopped, and said, "Let them go!"

Luc laughed, and said, "How about… no?"

"What do you want, Luc?"

"I'm taking your little friends in, and since you're here, I might as well get you, too. Get him, boys."

Enjolras stood still as two of Luc's friends grabbed him, and Grantaire yelled, "What are you doing, you idiot?! Why didn't you run?"

"Because I would rather be where you are. And, we need to talk."

Grantaire didn't answer as they were dragged off.

(prison cell)

They were all pushed into the same cell, and looked at Luc as he slammed the door shut, locking it. He smiled, and said, "I'll be back later."

He walked off, and Grantaire slid down the wall. Enjolras slid down beside him, and Grantaire looked at him. He said, "What, Enj?"

"'Taire, I'm so sorry."

"You hurt me, Enjolras."

"I know I did, but I didn't mean to. I just don't like the way you drink all the time. A little every once in a while is ok, but everyday, for that long? Are you trying to kill yourself? Don't you care if you live or die?"

"No, I'm not trying to kill myself, and yes, I care. I've tried to stop, but it doesn't work."

Enjolras was on the verge of tears, and he could tell that his best friend was, too. He whispered, "Can you ever forgive me, Dionysus?"

Grantaire looked at him, smiled, and said as he hugged him, "Of course, Apollo, we're best friends, and brothers. I'll always forgive you, even if you hit me."

Enjolras smiled, and said, "I didn't mean to do that."

"I know, it's ok."

Enjolras nodded, and the other two boys smiled. Enjolras said, "You remember the first time we met?"

"Of course, how could I forget?"

(flashback)

Six-year-old Grantaire was sitting on the curb, playing with a little bouncy ball. He threw it up, and a hand caught it. He stood up, and turned around. When he saw the school bullies, led by eight-year-old Luc Javert, who was holding the ball, he held out his hand, and said, "Gev me m' ball back."

"Why would I do that, runt? This is a nice ball, it shouldn't be in your filthy little hands."

Grantaire's lip quivered, and said, "Pwease, gev it back."

They all heard a voice from above them say, "He said to give it back."

They all looked up, and saw a little boy up in the tree. Luc said, "What are you gonna do about it?"

The little boy jumped down, right in front of the bullies, and kicked Luc in the shin, making him drop the ball, saying as he punched the bully in the face, "This."

Luc said as he limped away, holding his nose, "This isn't over, runt. Let's go, boys."

As the bullies walked off, Grantaire stood up as the little boy picked up the ball, holding it out. He said, "Tank you fer gettin' m' ball back."

As he took the ball, the little boy smiled, and said, "Your welcome. My name's Ricard Enjolras, but usually I just go by Enjolras. What's yours?"

"I'm Nicolas Grantaire, but I go by Grantaire."

"It's nice to meet you, Grantaire. Why were those boys picking on you?"

"Because I'm smaller than them, and the Inspector is Luc's dad."

"So? That doesn't give them the right to bully you around. How old are you?"

"I'm six."

"Me, too!"

Grantaire smiled, showing some of his missing teeth, and said, "Do you wanna be best fwends?"

Enjolras smiled back, and said, "Sure!"

"Do you wanna play with m' ball?"

Enjolras nodded, and they started tossing the ball back and forth.

(end flashback)

All four boys smiled, and Jehan said, "So, that idiot picked on you, when you were little?"

Grantaire nodded, and said, "He made my life miserable, before Enj showed up."

Courfeyrac said, "I'm glad you guys have made up."

Enjolras said, "Me, too."

Grantaire nodded, and said, "Enj saved my life, too."

Jehan asked, "What do you mean?"

Grantaire looked at Enjolras, and said, "Do you remember?"

The blond nodded, and answered, "It's kind of hard to forget."

(flashback)

Ten-year-old Grantaire ran down the alley, panting as he looked back to see Luc and his friends running behind him. He yelled, "Leave me alone!"

He turned back around, and saw a shadow running in front of him. He looked up, and thought he saw Enjolras, but he couldn't tell. A body slammed into him from behind, and he screamed as he hit the ground. Someone turned him over, and Luc climbed on top of him, straddling his waist. He yelled as he struggled, "Get off o' me!"

One of the boys handed Luc a large bottle of wine, and he smiled as he said, "What's the matter, Lil Grantaire? Are you scared?"

The young boy continued to struggle as Luc uncorked the bottle, and said, "What're you doin'?"

Luc took a small bottle full of pills out of his pocket, and unscrewed the cap, saying, "Getting rid of you. Did someone bring the rod?"

Another boy held up a large metal rod, and smiled as he stepped forward. Luc poured out some of the pills into his hand, and held the bottle in the other. He said as Grantaire began to shake his head, "Micheal, hold his head still."

One of the other boys knelt down, and held Grantaire's head in place. Luc nodded to the boy with the metal rod, and said, "Go."

The boy smiled, and raised the rod. Bringing it down, he hit Grantaire's legs, making him scream. Taking that opportunity, Luc poured the pills into his mouth, and stuck the tip of the bottle through his lips. He said, "Drink it, runt!"

Grantaire struggled harder as he was forced to drink the disgusting alcohol. The boy kept hitting his legs, and Luc pulled the bottle away, spilling some on Grantaire's face as he coughed. He started to cry as Luc poured more pills into his mouth, and then placed the bottle back in place. Through his tears, he saw Enjolras on top of the building, and the dirty-blond gave a slight nod as he began to climb silently down the long ladder. Luc took the bottle out, and poured the rest of the pills into Grantaire's mouth. Once he placed the bottle, now almost empty, back into his mouth, he got off of his stomach, and said as he held the bottle upright, "Hit him in the stomach."

The boy started to hit him in the stomach, making him jerk and cry. He could feel his ribcage bruising, even some cracking. As he began to lose consciousness, he heard the boys yelling. He struggled to focus on them, and he faintly saw Enjolras beating all of them with a rod that he had picked up from the ground. After they ran off, he ran to Grantaire, and fell to his knees beside him, saying as he pulled the now empty bottle, that had surprisingly stayed upright when Luc let go, from his lips, "Are you ok, 'Taire?"

"Enj?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"It hurts."

"I know, 'Taire. Just try to stay with me."

He stood up, and gently picked him up, with very little struggling. Grantaire winced as his best friend started to run toward the alley exit, and said, "Where we goin'?"

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

"All the way?"

"Yes, all the way. Try to stay awake."

"I'll try, but m' eyes are gettin' really heavy."

"I'm hurryin', 'Taire, just keep your eyes on me."

Grantaire said as he struggled to keep his eyes open, "'Kay."

Enjolras said as he continued to run, "You're my best friend, 'Taire, forever and always."

(end flashback)

Grantaire sighed, and said, "I thought I was gonna die that day."

Enjolras nodded, and said, "I did, too."

"The doctor said that they had broken both of my legs, and cracked my ribs, causing one of them to puncture a lung. And that what really could've killed me, was the…drug and alcohol overdose."

Enjolras nodded, and said, "Now do you see why I don't like you drinking that much?"

Grantaire nodded, and said, "You guys have to help me stop."

Courfeyrac nodded, and said, "We will, 'Taire."

Jehan looked around, and said, "I hope the others will be able to find us, and help us in time."

The other three noticed he was shaking slightly, and Grantaire pulled him to him, the other two gathering around them, trying to comfort their little poet of a brother.

(Musain)

The others were pacing, and Combeferre said, "I'm going out to look for them."

They nodded, and he walked out. He knew where Grantaire would go, and he knew that the three that had run off after him also knew. He ran down the street, and towards the river. When he got there, and he saw that none of the four was there, he went to Enjolras' apartment that he shared with Grantaire and Jehan. He took out his key, and opened the door. He walked in, and said, "Hello? Guys?"

When he received no answer, he looked around, and saw a piece of paper on the floor. He picked it up, and read it aloud, "To whom it may concern, the residents of this apartment, Ricard Enjolras, Nicolas Grantaire and Jehan Prouvaire, have been placed under arrest for treason and disturbance of the peace. If you know anything about the other Amis members, or their plans, turn them in, and you will be greatly rewarded. The execution date will be announced shortly. Signed, Luc Javert."

Combeferre gasped, and ran out of the room, still clutching the paper. He ran to the apartment beside it, which was Courfeyrac's, and ran inside. When he found the same paper on the desk, he started to panic. He ran out, and back to the Musain. He ran up to the bar downstairs, and said to the girl, their friend Eponine, behind the counter, "Shut everything down, 'Ponine! Close, and put a sign out that says so until furthermore."

As he ran upstairs, she nodded, and yelled, "Everyone out, now!"

(upstairs)

He ran in, and Bahorel asked as the boy stopped, trying to catch his breath, "Did you find them, Ferre?"

He shook his head, and said, "No, but I know where they are. They've been taken by the guards, and Javert's son!"

The room fell silent, and Feuilly stepped forward, and said, "Are you sure?"

Combeferre nodded, and handed him the papers. Eponine ran upstairs, and said as Feuilly began to read silently, "What's going on?"

Feuilly looked up, face pale, and said, "It's true, they've been captured."

Gavroche ran up to him, and snatched the papers from him. He read them, and said, "They took my brother! They took all of them!"

Marius put a hand on his shoulder, and said, "We'll get them back, Gav, don't worry."

The little boy nodded, and Feuilly looked at Combeferre, saying, "You're the leader, now, Ferre. Both Enjolras and Grantaire are gone, so what do we do? How do we get them back?"

They all looked at Combeferre as he said, "I don't know anything about being a leader, but I'll try."

He went over to Enjolras' table, sat down, and said as he picked up a pencil, "I guess first I'll draw a map of the prison. That way I can sneak in as a guard, and find out where they are. Then we can sneak in, and get them."

He looked for a piece of paper that Enjolras hadn't messed up. When he found one, he took a deep breath, and started to draw. Gavroche looked over his shoulder, and said, "Ferre?"

"Yes, 'Roche?"

"We are going to get them back, aren't we?"

The older boy stopped, and looked at him. When he saw his eyes filled with tears, he pulled him onto his lap, saying, "Yes, Gavroche, we will get them back."

He thought as the little boy nodded, I hope. He started drawing again, and soon the little boy was falling asleep. Feuilly gently lifted him from Combeferre's lap, and sat down in a chair beside him, holding the boy to him. They were all silent as Combeferre worked.

(prison cell)

Enjolras, Courfeyrac and Jehan had fallen asleep against Grantaire, and he thought, How the HECK can they sleep through this situation? They amaze me sometimes. He looked up when he heard chuckling, and saw Luc standing in front of the bars. He said, "What do you want, Luc?"

"To finish what I started."

"I'm not like the little boy I was a long time ago. I'm stronger, smarter, and I've got more friends than you'll ever have."

Luc unlocked the door, and stepped in, shutting the door behind him. He walked towards the boys, saying, "Says the boy in the prison cell, about to die, along with his friends."

Grantaire glared at him, and thought, Maybe I can get him to let them go. I've gotta try. He said, "I'm the leader of this whole thing. They didn't even want to be a part of it. Do what you want with me, you can even kill me, but please, let them go."

Luc didn't answer, and then they heard a voice coming from the shadows, "Luc, I believe he is telling the truth."

They looked to the corner outside of the cell, and Inspector Javert stepped forward, smiling. He said, "I remember you, Grantaire. You're the one that always breaks your friends out of prison, and you've just gotten yourself caught. Only a leader would do that."

He looked at his son, and said, "Let the other three go, Luc."

"But, father—!"

"I said, let them go."

"Yes, sir."

He jerked Grantaire up by the arm, causing the other three to startle awake. As Luc dragged him out of the cell, the boys stood up as Enjolras yelled, "Where are you taking him?"

Luc didn't answer, but he did stop, and turned, causing Grantaire to turn, too, a pleading look upon his face. Javert said, "You three are free to go. He, however, must stay here."

Jehan yelled, "What?!"

"He's your leader, he must set an example for everyone who disturbs the peace."

Courfeyrac yelled, "That's ridiculous!"

"Guards, get these three out of here."

Three guards entered the cell, and dragged the three boys out, Enjolras saying, "'Taire, did you tell him that you were the leader?"

Grantaire nodded, and said, "I'm sorry, Enj, but I can't let innocent men die. Go home, and stay there."

"But—!"

"Now!"

The three boys were led out of the room, looking over their shoulders repeatedly as their friend, and brother, got smaller. He sighed, and said, "Do whatever you want."

Luc smiled, and dragged him out, and to a different room. He stripped him of his shirt, and chained him to the wall. Picking up a whip, he said, "You will die a painful death, and it will be very long. I will make sure of that."

Grantaire yelled as he felt the first lash into his skin, leaving a bloody line as the result. He sagged, but arched his back as the lashes kept coming, trying to hold his tears in, but failing as a few escaped. He thought, Dear Lord, don't let them try to save me! I can't let them die because of me, it's not worth it! It's better this way! I'm sorry, guys, forgive me!

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