Ink and Insurrection || Enjolras

07. French Revolution

Jo ran quickly through the streets of Paris. She was late. The Les Amis were all at the funeral of Lamarque and she had to get there quick before the chaos started.
She made it just on time, for when she did arrive, she watched Enjolras and Marius run into the street holding a red flag. The whole group joined them and so did she, making sure to stay hidden, her hair tucked beneath the cap she wore.
She stood beside the carriage that carried Lamarque's body as Enjolras, Marius and few other climbed to the top. It all happened so fast that she was scared by the sudden gun fire shot from the opposite side.
Chaos broke out and she heard people shouting about an innocent woman being shot, but she didn't have much time before she was ushered by her friends to join them at the barricade. They still hadn't noticed her but she ran beside them as people threw pieces of furniture from windows and each of the boys piled them up around them to secure their barricade. In just under 12 minutes, the barricade had risen.
"I need a volunteer!" Jo  looked up at the sound of Enjolras' voice, "Someone who can find out their plan and when they will attack."
An older man spoke up, "I can find out the truth. I know their ways. Fought their wars, served my time. In the days of my youth." Jo had never met him before, yet his face still looked familiar, almost like she had known a man with similar features.
"See? The people unite!" One of the students patted the man on the back as Enjolras nodded to him.
"I pray you're right." Grantaire said as he joined Jo's side, not realising it was the girl.
Enjolras ran to the top of the barricade, and Marius passed him the red flag.
       As the man stood on top of the barricade with pride, the mysterious man disappeared into the deserted streets of Paris to search for all the information he could find.

****

       Jo sat quietly in the corner, keeping her head down and ensuring her hat covers her features. Her shirt was baggy enough that it covered the fact she had breasts, but not too baggy that she looked out of place. However, when she glanced up and locked eyes with Enjolras, her heart picked up its pace. Had she been caught?
She thought she definitely had been when she saw him walking towards her, "You, boy." He pointed to the girl who refused to meet his eyes, "Come with me." Jo stood up and followed Enjolras into the Musain, "Do you know how to load a gun?" She shook her head, "Speak." He demanded.
"No." Her voice was quiet but she made sure to deepen it, still not looking the boy in the eye.
"Did you attend any of the meetings?" He asked and this time he accepted her nod, "Right," The man sighed, "Jo, why did you defy my one order?"
When she looked up, her eyes were wide with shock, "How did you know it was me?" She asked him.
"Your eyes." He answered, "Now why did you defy me?"
          "I'm sorry, I just..." the girl trailed off, not really knowing the true reason she came, "I love you, that's why."
          "I love you too, Jo. That's why I wanted you to stay away." Enjolras whispered, "I can't see you hurt, my love, please, go home while you still can."
          "Enjolras, please let me stay. I'll keep away from the actual battle, just allow me to stay near you." When he didn't reply she asked again, "Please?"
           "Fine. But I expect you stay away from the fight." He gave in and Jo nodded in agreement.
           Enjolras brought her into his arms, hugging her tight and kissing the top of her head before pulling back to kiss her soft lips.
            The didn't know that people were watching, one in particular.

****

       Soon, night fell upon the revolutionaries as they still awaited the man's arrival.
       A shadow appeared and someone shouted, "He's back!"
       "Listen, my friends, I have done as I said. I have been to their lines and I counted each man.  I will tell what I can. Better beware, the have many armies lined up and our danger is real. We will need all our cunning to stop them." The man explains and they let the volunteer back in.
        "Have faith!" Enjolras speaks to everyone before directing it back to the man, "If you know what their movements are, we'll spoil their game. There are ways that the people can fight. We shall overcome their power!"
       Jo stared at the man in red. There was something so mesmerising about him. He had authority. When he spoke, they all listened with eager ears. Everyone loved him. But not as much as she did.
       "I have overheard their plans, there will be no attack tonight. They intend to starve you out before they start a proper fight. Concentrate their force hit us when it's light." The man explains to them but as soon as he finished, a very small voice shouted.
       "Liar!" Gavroche's voice echoes through the barricade, "Good evening, dear Inspector. Lovely evening, my dear! I know this man, my friends, his name's Inspector Javert!" The man tried to run but he was stopped by Jo - who he looked at with an unfamiliar look in his eyes - with the help of the others, "So don't believe a word he says cause none of it's true. This only goes to show what little people can do."
       Courfeyrac holds one of Javert's arms as he congratulate Gaveroche, "Bravo, little Gavroche, you're the top of the class."
       Another Les Ami points a gun at Javert and says, "So what are we going to do with this snake in the grass?"
       "Take this man and throw him in the tavern in there, the people will decide your fate, Inspector Javert." Enjolras informs the group.
       "Shoot me now or shoot me later. Every school boy to his sport! Death to each and every traitor! I renounce your people's court!" Javert then tries to fight the boys, throwing Grantaire off his arm and a fight breaks out. When he punches Enjolras in the face, Jo gasped.
       Enjolras grabbed the cane from Javert and hits him over the head.
       Soldiers marching in the distance could be heard and everyone rushed to their places. But someone pulled Jo back. It was that boy from earlier.
"Josephine?" A female voice asks.
"Éponine? What are you doing?" Jo had never met the girl, but she had seen her around, Marius had pointed her out a few times.
"I could ask the same. I'm here for Marius." She responded and Jo smiled sadly.
"I'm here for Enjolras." She told the girl and they both joined the boys.
"Who's there!" A voice called. Both girls ran outside, wondering who the voice belonged to. It appeared to come from behind the barricade meaning the first attack was beginning.
"The French Revolution!" Enjolras shouted in reply and the army fired.
The battle began and it was chaos. Jo stood back with Gavroche. The little boy called for Marius as an officer snuck up on him. A shot was fired and Éponine took it.
Jo let out a screech.
"No!" She cried and cradled Éponine. Enjolras glanced briefly at her but continued his battle.
Marius scared the guards away as Jo cried with her best friend in her arms.
Enjolras and Marius climb down as they both walk to the girls on the floor.
Marius kneels to Éponine as they talk quietly whilst Enjolras takes Jo and cradles her in an act of desperation to shield her from the pain.
A few moment's later and Éponine goes cold and stiff. She's gone.
Jo loses all will to function and slowly, in the arms of her lover, falls to the ground. Enjolras helps one of the boys lift Éponine and he takes her to where they lie the bodies.
The man returns to Jo and sits beside her on the floor, allowing her head to rest in his lap, as he stroked her hair and whispered words of comfort.