Before It's Too Late

Four

People of Paris gathered on the streets for General Lamarque's funeral.

The boys and I stood in a line together. I was rubbing against Enjolras' shoulder. I suddenly felt his fingers link with mine. He was holding my hand. He squeezed it tightly, as though it's the last time he'll ever feel my embrace.

"Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men." He whispered. The rest of the boys joined him in his chant. He released his hand from mine and ran up to Larmarque's coffin that was being pulled by horses. He and Marius climbed the buggy. Marius held a red flag. As soon as he reached the top of the coffin, he waved the flag violently.

All the people were chanting now. I joined them. I climbed on the coffin, holding onto the brass decorations that lined it. I punched my fists high in the air. A crowd was now forming behind the buggy, following it.

The moment was amazing. It was...glorious. The people were starting to believe in the uprising.

The buggy stopped abruptly and I almost fell off. I quickly redeemed myself. Dead ahead, I saw soldiers on horseback.

Oh, no.

"Draw!" the leader shouted. All the men drew their swords. They shined in the sunlight.

Marius and Enjolras pulled out guns and held their arms high, not second guessing their decision for a split second. I raised my head to see Enjolras. He looked down at me, then back at the enemy.

Boom!

I heard a gunshot crack through the air. A woman below me fell to the ground.

"You martyred an innocent woman!" Combeferre screamed, kneeling at the motionless woman's side.

"Charge!" the commander of the army led his soldiers to us.

I witnessed a man being stabbed in the chest. I saw him lay motionless, just like the woman. But he had one disturbing aspect about him. His lifeless eyes were still open.

Shouts and gun shots ringed through the air.

"Here," Combeferre handed me a gun. "Use it well, my dear."

Everything seemed to move in slow motion.

One.

I raised the gun.

Two.

I pulled the trigger.

Three.

I watched as the soldier falls off his horse.

I panted. I didn't know what I was really feeling. Happiness? Did I feel bad for killing somebody?

"To the barricade!" Enjolras jumped off the coffin and helped me off it as well. "We must go now, Adéle."

He held my hand the whole time we ran. Chairs and small tables fell from buildings all around us. Women and men grabbed them and throw them into a huge pile.

There was more shooting and yelling. We ran behind the pile of furniture.

"Adéle, you must run clear from here." I tired to argue with him. "No, trust me. Go to Musain. You'll be safe there."

I stood up, but couldn't help but turn back to him. I saw him shoot his gun.

"Go!" he demanded.

I did as he commanded.

I got to café Musain in a short amount of time. Chairs and small tables were falling from buildings all around. Some of the boys were already there.