Mon Étoile

Chapter Four

When I woke, the passageway had been shut, but a plate of food was before me. I quickly ate and examined the few other things that had been set with the food. One was a dress as well as a bucket of water, a sponge, and a comb. I carefully bathed myself and brushed through my tangled mess of hair as well as cleaning the dried blood from my wrists.

This done, I changed into the dress. It was a simple one, probably once a servants, but good enough for me. Once my hair was combed, I tied it in a long braid and sat down to wait. Hours later, I was let out again and given more food. While I was eating, I said, "You know, if you left me a candle and a book or two my time in the passageway wouldn't be nearly so dull."

"I didn't think you could read," Léo countered. I chuckled and finished off my meal. Once he noticed I was done, he set aside the book he was reading, ready to listen.

Seven Years Before
It had been a week since I'd seen that man and he was mostly from my memory. At least, he was until I saw him again. He was standing in front of one of the buildings speaking with the landlord. After handing over some money, he took up a suitcase and went inside.

When he appeared again, he had with him a small bundle. I simply walked on, thinking and hoping he had certainly forgotten me. To my surprise, he called out, "Nicolette!" I made to run, but he stepped in front of me. "Please, I don't want to hurt you. Please, just take this as an apology for any fear or discomfort I caused you. Giving him a suspicious look, I took the bundle from him. Inside was a large, warm coat. As I was shivering, I wrapped it around my shoulders.

"Thank you, Monsieur," I said, not meeting his gaze. That was one of many times I saw him over the following year. He shed his blue coat for a vibrant red one. He had become rather well known as he was seen constantly giving out alms and helping those he could. He gave me at least five francs a week. With his money, I began to be able to support myself and tried once again to find work but, of course, nothing was available.

As time went on, my fear for him faded and I began to respect him. He turned away no one who asked for help. After the year was over, however, his easy smile and gentle expression became drawn and solemn. He still gave regularly but he became less approachable. He was seen constantly around the Café Musain, going in and out as frequently as into his own home.

One day, he approached me and handed me the usual five francs but he seemed more bothered than usual. "Monsieur?" I said after a moments reluctance. "If I may ask, is everything all right?"

"Mademoiselle, your next meal is unsure and yet you ask if I'm okay," he remarked, looking at me with curiosity.

"I'm used to it, Monsieur," I admitted.

"Please, just called me Hercule," he said.

"Call me Nicolette," I replied.

Smiling slightly, he said, "Have a good day, Nicolette." Giving me a small wave, he disappeared. I frowned slightly. His somber mood persisted throughout the month and into the next. With nothing else to do, I resolved to follow him into the café, hoping to possibly discover the source of his troubles.

It is a peculiar thing when you have nothing to live for other than the satisfaction of survival how you can latch onto one idea, one person to try and make your life meaningful. After he went in, I waited a few minutes before following after him. Scanning the room, I saw no man in red. Brows furrowed, I glanced at the owner of the café. She was busy with a man ordering his lunch. Watching her carefully, I stepped towards the stairs at the back of the café.

The woman still hadn't noticed. Quickly, I went up the stairs to the landing. There was another flight of stairs, but the area was open and I had to quickly move against the wall to not be seen. "If we set up a barricade here," Hercule's voice said, "we can leave this bit open. No one could get in through there."

Barricade?

"What have you managed to gather?"

"Just my own guns and a barrel of powder," another voice replied. I turned, taking a step to leave, but the floor creaked harshly under my step. I visibly winced, hoping against hope it wasn't heard. The room had instantly fallen silent.

"What was that?" a new voice asked. The entire room was on high alert and tension clouded the air. My anxiety kept me frozen as footsteps approached the upper landing. The moment a pair of boots were in sight, I backed up into the wall. The man sighed, looking over the the men I presumed to be in the room above. "It's just a girl," he said. Turning back to me, he asked, "Who are you?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but my voice died in my throat. More footsteps approached and Hercule said, "What are you doing here, Nicolette?" I was still frozen. With a sigh, he said, "She's harmless. We have nothing to worry about from her."

"Enjolras, you know her?" the man asked. Hercule nodded.

"Come on," he said, gesturing for me to come up the stairs. Clutching my shaking hands together, I did so.

"I-I'm sorry," I said. "I had no idea." Hercule shrugged, moving back over to the map. They continued the meeting. Each of the men were young, possibly even still university students. They spoke both with the eloquence of educated men and the foolery of young ones. The combination was varied in each, but Hercule seemed the only one with none of immaturity.

Present Day
"So, therein lay our problems," I explained as Léo listened intently. "I was too timid and scared, Hercule was too serious."