Chapter 12
Two Months Later
Éponine just finished her last class of the day at the University of Paris. She gathered up her books and walk outside to where she was supposed to meet Jean, so they could walk to the Musian together.
Éponine saw the young poet standing by the tree talking to Courfeyrac.
"Hi" said Éponine as approached the two.
"Hey Éponine" said Courfeyrac with a smile. "Question Gavorche mentioned that he wanted to see the new superhero movie that is coming out on Friday. Would you mind if I surprise him and take him, and Peter and Jacques." Asked Courfeyrac.
"Sure" said Éponine as she started to pull money out of her wallet to give to Courfeyrac.
"Éponine No." said Courfeyrac. "Its my treat. I want to do something nice for the boys."
"Courfeyrac. I know you do. And if I weren't going to be late for work we would still behaving this argument. But we will talk about it later" said Éponine.
"Okay sure" said Courfeyrac as he rolled his eyes.
"We will see you later" said Jean, and he and Éponine waved goodbye to Courfeyrac.
Éponine and Jean walked back to the Musian talking about their English classes, and their upcoming midterm and their friends.
They were almost back at the Musian when Éponine noticed a man wearing sunglasses sitting in a car. Éponine started to get a knot in her stomach.
"Jean do you see that man in the car over there?" asked Éponine.
"Yes. I don't like it all Éponine. He keeps looking at you." Said Jean.
"I know. Javert told me a couple months ago that as it closer to the trail, that interesting characters would begin to emerge" said Éponine.
"Wait! Do you think that this guy might be after you."? Asked Jean.
"I think so. He is getting out of the car now." Said Éponine, as were two feet from the Musian.
"Éponine get inside now." Yelled Jean.
Just as Jean yelled, a gun went off. Éponine was already inside. She grabbed Jean and pulled him down to the ground.
Just then another gunshot went off. Éponine closed the door with her foot. She then nearly jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Éponine turned around and saw that the hand belonged to Enjolras. He then wrapped his arms around her. Enjolras then whispered in her ear. "Its okay. We knew that this might happen."
"I am so sorry that you were dragged into this!" said Éponine.
Enjolras then looked Éponine straight in the eye "you did not drag anyone into anything, not even yourself. My so-called father dragged me into this mess when he committed his crimes, and when he tried to swindle my mother's money and property from me. And your parents dragged you into this when they forced you to partake in their crimes. You and me did nothing wrong."
Two more gunshots went off. Éponine was trying not to panic, but she knew that she had to something. She quickly called Javert, and told him what was happening.
Enjolras held onto Éponine as another gunshot went off. Jean and the rest of the Les Amis who were at the Musian tried to keep their cool.
The sirens of the police cars were getting closer and closer. It sounded like they were only a few minutes away when there was a knock on the door.
"Police open up," said the man behind the door who sounded like Inspector Javert.
"Javert?" asked Enjolras.
"Yes Enjolras. Now open up. We have the man in custody. He is on this way to the station." Said Javert.
Enjolras let go of Éponine for the first time sense the whole shoot out began. Enjolras opened the door and Inspector Javert came into the Musian.
"Ms. Thenardier." Said Javert. "I need to get your story about everything that has happened. I know you said that you were with a friend so I will need to speak to him to." Said Javert.
Éponine then sat down in a chair told Javert everything that she observed from when she first saw the man up until Javert came knocking on the door.
Javert just sat there quietly, writing down Éponine's story. There was silence all around the café. Police were outside gathering evidence. Éponine was just grateful that the boys had there after school clubs and activates, and that Azelma was at work.
After a few more minutes of silence Enjolras decided to be the one to end the silence.
"Javert do you know who the man who started shooting was?" asked Enjolras.
"Yes we believe that he works for the Thenardier gang. He was probably hired to take out the main witness in the Thenardier case." said Javert.
"How is killing me going to change the trail" asked Éponine? "Lamaraque has enough evidence against them even if they were to shoot me down," said Éponine. Éponine knew that this could happen, but she need to help putting her parents behind bars. It was the only way she could ensure the safety of her siblings, and her own safety.
"Thenardier thinks if you are out of the way that he won't have to stand trial, or he is going to frighten you so you won't take the stand and testify against him." sad Enjolras. "He is trying to scare you," said Enjolras as he held Éponine's had.
"I think he is trying to do more than scare me," said Éponine. Éponine hated admitting that she was afraid, but she was frightened. Her body felt cold and numb. That only part of her that felt any warmth was the part of her hand that Enjolras was holding.
Javert got up and left without a word.
"Éponine! I know this isn't the time, but I want to talk to you to later when you feel better. Go lay down up stairs." Said Enjolras.
"Okay. Can you come with me?" said Éponine quietly.