The Darkest Night Will End

The Barricade At The Rue De Villet, 5:08am, June 6th, 1832

The Barricade in Rue De Villet, 5:08am, June 6th, 1832

Grantaire was panicking.

It was true, everything in his dreams was true, he'd watched the life drain from Jacquelyn's eyes.

Up on the barricade men were still firing, though Chaos' grip was beginning to tighten as some men already began to flee back down the street, pounding on closed doors and begging to be let in.

He looked around frantically, mind racing. He had to get Enjolras out of here, he had to get him out of here.

The barricade was shaking, already having taken several cannon balls.

"Cannons ready!" The officer yelled again, "Fire!"

The barricade groaned, shaking again as it started to collapse.

"Advance!"

It was that cry that frightened Grantaire the most as he grabbed Enjolras' arm, pulling him away from Jacquelyn's body, and allowing him to cling to his shirt as he ran along with Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Basset and Joly.

The other amis were nowhere to be seen, but still he had to get Enjolras out.

"Into the cafe!" Combeferre yelled.

Valjean rushed out the building as they had gone in, running to where Marius had fallen and quickly checking for a pulse.

"Barricade the door!" Courfeyrac exclaimed.

"Upstairs! Upstairs!" Joly shoved Basset toward the back of the cafe and toward the stairs, "Everybody go!"

Enjolras still clung to Grantaire, muttering about Jacquelyn.

"Take him!" Grantaire shouted to Combeferre, who grabbed Enjolras to pull him along.

Grantaire, now free of the extra weight, ran, and grabbing the axe Madame Huchalopue had used for fire wood began to chop at the stairs once everyone was up them, knowing that it could stop the nation guard, at least for a time.

Basset grabbed his hand and hauled him up, shouting at the others, "GO! GO!"

Everyone rushed halfway into the backroom, Basset falling with another gunshot that echoed through the building.

Combeferre and Courfeyrac desperately began to throw bottles, smashing them onto the heads of the national guard that had made it into the cafe.

The room became all too quiet as they ran out of bottles, and moved back to huddle with Joly, Enjolras gripping onto Grantaire tightly.

There was a creak, and then more gunfire, and Enjolras cried out as Joly, Combeferre and Courfeyrac hit the ground.

Grantiare pulled Enjolras with him into the back room, searching around as something became very clear to him, they were the only ones left alive.

He spotted a half turned table in the corner, the same table where Grantaire had laid drunk, many nights, and hurried to shove Enjorlas down behind it.

"Stay down, and stay quiet Apollo," He begged, "I can't lose both of you."

With that he gulped, turning and moving to look out the window and onto the street, the sun finally cresting the city.

Turning he came face to face with 12 national guardsmen and the officer, Grantaire, unable to help himself, grinned, thinking might as well put on a show, and bowed, "Gentlemen."

There was a small noise from the corner in which Enjolras was hidden, but Grantaire didn't dare look that direction or give him away, "It would appear that I- the non believer is the only one left-" He laughed "- would you believe that?"

None of the men moved, and Grantaire sighed, letting his fake smile drop, "Well, I figured as much. Let's just get it over with, yeah?"

He rubbed his hands together, forcing a laugh, "This suspense is killing me! Oh- wait no, that'll be you gents. Oh well, hurry up. I've been meaning to see what happens after one dies."

The officer still stared at him, "Do you wish to have your eyes bandaged?"

"Damn your bandages. I look my death in the face." He spat.

The national guardsmen sighed, "Take aim!"

"Wait!"

Grantaire allowed his eyes to betray him and watched as Enjolras stood, "I am one of them!"

He staggered forward through the men, who did nothing to stop him, "I killed the artillery sergeant!"

Enjolras was now stood in line with Grantaire, "Finish us both with one blow," He turned to Grantaire, "If you permit it?"

Grantaire nodded, taking Enjolras' hand, "Always."

"Grantaire- I'm sor-"

-and then muskets fired, the words left unfinished, as they tumbled back, Grantaire pushed back against the wall, and Enjolras through the window, the only thing keeping him from slipping to the ground, was the hand locked tightly in his.