Thanks, Javert || Adopted by the Barricade || A Les Mis Fanfic

Chapter 9: In Which Everyone Dies

The next morning began with an Enjolras Announcement. Based on Grantaire's face, this seemed to be a daily ordeal. However, Enjolras looked sad. The revolution seemed to have taken a toll on him.

"The people have not stirred. Let's not waste lives." We all look around at each other. It's obvious what Enjolras is saying, but nobody wants to move.

"No. I'm staying by your side until we die or this revolution is over. You guys are the only family I have left," I say. Enjolras winces.

"Elaine, you can leave. You're a kid. You have the rest of your life. No one will blame you for leaving," he says.

"No. I'm not leaving."

"Then neither am I," Courfeyrac says firmly.

"Same," Marius adds. Grantaire and some of the others echo their approval.

I think back to earlier yesterday when Enjolras thanked me for helping Grantaire out. I had confusedly asked what he meant.

"He's not drunk," Enjolras had said.

According to Enjolras, Grantaire had spent much of the revolution drunk. However, he's been mostly sober since I've gotten here. Enjolras thinks it's because of me. I'm not sure if that's true, but I allow Enjolras to thank me anyway.

There's some cheering and a relieved smile from Enjolras. However, it's quickly interrupted by a loud voice.

"You at the barricades listen to this!" Enjolras pushes me behind him.

The man gives us a chance to surrender. But, we've come so far and suffered for far too long. Enjolras climbs on top of the barricade.

"Let us die facing our foes."

The man looks as if he doesn't want to advance. I wonder why. He's a policeman, like my father. Shouldn't he want to kill us?

"Attack!" he signals, and the troops move forward.

The boys grab their weapons. Soon enough, gunshots ring out. I see people falling and my heart slowly cracks, piece by piece.

"Elaine. If we get out of this, meet me at..." Valjean mutters an address in my ear. Suddenly, there's a gunshot and Marius falls to the ground. "Marius!" Valjean runs towards him and begins to try and lift him off the ground. Courfeyrac grabs my arm and pulls me after him as we run into a building with Enjolras and some of the others. Grantaire isn't there and I pray he's still alive.

We're standing on the second floor as no one dares to make a sound. Courfeyrac is hugging me as I bury my head into his jacket. I don't want them to die. I don't want them to die. There's another round of gunshots and I feel Courfeyrac's arms go limp around me. I pull myself out before he can drag me down to the floor. I let out a startled gasp. Everyone's lying on the ground in a puddle of blood besides Enjolras. He grabs my arm and pulls me towards the window.

"Enjy," I murmured. He gives me a quick hug before holding me at arms length.

"Go, Elaine. Get out of here." I turn around to see a dozen guns aimed at Enjolras. I'm about to protest when Grantaire walks in. He wordlessly makes his way over to us. "Go," Enjolras says, and pushes me forward. "Be brave." I stumble towards the enemy and brace for a bullet to pierce my skin. However, the sea of red enemies part and I hurry to the door to the stairs. I look back at Enjolras and Grantaire once more. Enjolras has the flag hoisted above his head and a defiant expression on his face. Grantaire stands beside him, with a similar expression. There's a loud bang and red blossoms bloom across their chests.

"NO!" I scream, as Enjolras falls backwards out the window, his foot catching on the flag and the window. Grantaire sinks to the ground immediately.

One of the French officers gestures with his gun to the door.

"Get out of here. Or you'll be next."

I don't want to leave my brothers, but I know they would have wanted me to leave. I give Enjy and Grant one last look before running out the door. I just hope someone somewhere is still alive.

AN:

Nearing the end.

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ImTurtled