Better Run for Cover

Chapter 5: Pawns in a Game of Revolution

((Hey everyone! Soooooo sorry I haven't updated in a while - I was very sick, and then was in the school musical with the lead, so I had no time whatsoever. However, the musical is over and I am healthy again, so here is another chapter! However, now I am playing softball, so, I will continue to update, but cut me a little slack, eh?))

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Chapter 5: Pawns in a Game of Revolution

{Gavroche's p.o.v}

Andy's back! But she's stayin' with the Inspecta... But, that could be's workin' in our fava! What if she were ta be distractin' 'im while we's were stealin'? Wonder if she would agree to that's...

I watched as André pounded her fist on a crate, calling the meeting to order. "So, all of you's have probably 'eard that I'se was nabbed by the Inspector, eh?" she called.

A combination of "yes's" and "WHAT's?" echoed around the little room, some faces rather normal while others were thunderstruck.

"Well, for those a you's who didn't know, I'se was nabbed by Monsieur the Inspector yesta'day when I'se was followin' 'im about on 'is daily rounds," André continued.

"Well, why aren't you in jail, Andy?" called Sacha.

André grinned. "Apparently, Monsieur Javert's heart be not completely made of stone! He's be sayin' children can't be goin' to the galleys, nor prison!"

Amíle's jaw dropped. "Andy, you let Monsieur the Inspector call you a child without beating 'im to death?!?!" he exclaimed, knowing how André despised being looked down upon for being a child.

André burst out laughing. "If 'im callin' me's a child is what it takes to keep me's out of prison, then I'se can take 'im callin' me a child this once," she explained.

Amíle nodded slowly. "I s'pose that would be logical," he mused.

André grinned. "Something me's said be's logical? Maybe the Inspector be's corrupting me's!" she shouted, then dramatically clutched at her throat and fell over, pretending as if she were sick. Amíle and Sacha laughed as Andy climbed to her feet again, laughing as well.

I laughed too. It was good to see André happy and laughing. She never used to smile... She would always be grim faced, her eyes dark and tired. She would just nod and say, "Maybe we's can get's a bit more money tomorrow fellas. There be only enough 'ere for a few scraps of bread, but we's need's ta get new clothes, we's need's some solid food, and we's need's medicine or someone'll end up dyin' of some disease or anotha."

To see Andy laughing and smiling meant that something good had finally happened. Maybe there was someone up there in the sky who cared...

Unlikely, being that all of the rest of us were still living in hell...

But maybe...

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{Sacha's p.o.v.}

I sat there, astounded. Andy was staying... WITH THE INSPECTOR?!?!

Something didn't seem right... what would cause Monsieur Javert to suddenly decide that children couldn't go to prison or the galleys? It went totally against his nature!

Javert upheld the law, and no matter who broke it, he punished them. His heart was as cold as stone and he felt no sympathy, so what had happened that would make him allow Andy to stay with him?

Andy had become a famed thief on the streets of Paris, even though she was just a child, and he had been trying to catch her for a while now...

I sat there, trying to understand the reasoning behind what the Inspector had done.

The only thing that I could come up with was using her as bait of sorts to catch other thieves that she helped by passing messages and goods along...

Unless he had a bone to pick with her older brother, Enjolras. He could use her against him...

Suddenly, an idea hit me and I froze. Gavroche and André had been hanging around the students over at La Café Musain for a while now, and had come home all the time talking of a revolution against the king.

Could Javert want to use Andy against Enjolras and the other students in this revolution?

I know if I were fighting and Amíle's life was on the line, then I would lay down my gun and surrender to ensure his safety...

Could this be what the Inspector was hoping for?

I glanced at Amíle out of the corner of my eye, seeing him laughing again.

It was good to see him smile.

No one smiled around here these days...

...

{André's p.o.v}

"So now that you's are all up ta date, I'se declares this meetin' over!" I shouted, banging my fist on the crate once, and then getting up from my seat.

As soon as I stood, everyone began talking at once. Gavroche, Jean Carlo, Sacha, Amíle and I made our way through the crowd of kids now on their feet yelling back and forth about what was to happen.

Once the five of us finally made it to a somewhat quieter corner, we began to talk.

"André," said Sacha, his eyes clouded with... was that fear? "I thought of something that may explain why monsieur Javert suddenly decided to have a heart. It also means your brother and the students are in danger. With you staying with him, Javert could use you when the revolution comes! He could threaten your brother by threatening to hurt you, or worse, kill you! Your brother would never let harm come to you, so the boys and him could end up in prison, or even hanged!"

I stood there for a moment, shocked by what Sacha had said. Was the Inspector using me as a pawn in his game of destroy the revolution? If so, I could be getting my brother and friends killed because I was staying the with Inspector. I swallowed hard. "Gavroche... Amíle... Carlo... What do you's think's of this?" I asked slowly.

Amíle looked at his brother for a moment, then said, "I do believe that this is very possible, especially with the revolution so close... but we can't be sure without more information."

Gavroche nodded. "Andy, do ya think ya might be's able to find out what's goin' on from the Inspecta?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Depends... haven't really figured out what'll be's happenin' between me an' 'im... Most likely it'll end up's silent... But then's again... I'se don't know's..."

Jean Carlo looked rather nervous now. "Andy, if what Sacha says is true's, then don't ya think you's might want to warn Enjolras and the students?"

I nodded. "Might be's a good idea," I murmured.

Gavroche, Jean Carlo, Sacha and Amíle each looked me in the eyes in turn. "We trust you'll do what's right Andy," said Amíle. "Just be careful," added Sacha. "The revolution could begin any day now..."

I nodded, hugging each boy in turn, then grinned. I bowed low, my cap falling off to reveal my long hair. Grabbing my cap and shoving my hair back under it, I turned on my heels and walked out of the statue. Turning to wave once more, I ran off down the cobblestone street. As I turned the corner heading for La Café Musain, I could just hear Gavroche yell...

"Watch out for Thénardier!!!"