A Promise

Chapter Thirty-Eight

The days flew by with much improvement in my life. I no longer had to suffer the wrath of the prison guards, because Vauquelin was always there to protect me. My meals had improved as well. My bread was always free from mold and there was more meat on my chicken bones than usual. Vauquelin was going out of his way to better the lives of the prisoners. He and I grew very close. We had long conversations every day, and we developed something like a father-daughter relationship. Slowly, I found myself feeling much more optimistic about my future.

One day, in the late afternoon, I heard the sound of laughter coming from the prison guards. The noise was loud and raucous. I didn't even have to look at the guards to be able to tell that they were getting drunk. I vaguely wondered who had given them alcohol, but soon they quieted down and I thought nothing more of it. Later in the day, Vauquelin came into my cell holding my dinner. I smiled and greeted him as usual, but today he seemed very nervous. His eyes flitted around the room and he kept biting his lower lip.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He shook his head and set my bowl on the floor, then left the room hurriedly.

"Weird," I muttered, turning my attention to my food. I picked up the bowl and looked inside. To my surprise and disappointment, the bowl was empty. I frowned, and I was about to call Vauquelin back into the room when I noticed a piece of paper folded at the bottom of the bowl. I picked it up and unfolded it. On the paper were three words written in long, narrow handwriting. When I read them, I let out a tiny gasp. My heart pounded in anticipation. Those words couldn't mean what I suspected, could they? Nervously, I stood up and pushed on my cell door. It creaked open. Vauquelin had not locked it.

I couldn't help but smile as I stepped outside my cell. I cautiously crept down the hallway, past the guards who were passed out from drinking so much alcohol. I smiled slightly. Vauquelin had thought of everything. I continued to move slowly down the hall, limping slightly due to my mangled ankle. Finally, I caught sight of Vauquelin, who was standing with his back deliberately turned towards me.

"Monsieur," I said in a soft voice. He didn't turn around. Obviously, he was pretending not to notice me. I knew in my heart that he was taking a huge risk in helping me escape. If anyone found out what he had done, he would be thrown in jail immediately. "Thank you," I said. I saw his head nod slightly, as if he were saying "You're welcome." I took one last look at the man who was both my captor and my savior. Then, I continued to limp away. Finally, I reached the exit. I took a deep breath and threw open the door. Sunlight and warmth hit my face. I squinted, blinded by the sudden brightness. It had been ten years since I'd seen the light of day. I smiled giddily as I raced forward, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on my back. All I had to do was escape the high walls surrounding the prison, and then I would be free. I rushed towards the tall gates, which were open ajar. Silently thanking Vauquelin, I stepped out of the gate and into the world. At long last, I was free.

I glanced down at the note Vauquelin had given me, which I was clutching tightly in my right hand. Once again, I read the three words that he had scrawled on the paper.

Fulfill your promise.

My promise. I knew just what Vauquelin had been referring to: my promise that somehow I would return to Enjolras. Fulfill your promise. I intended to do just that.