Les Miserables Revolution

Chapter 20

{Gabrielle}

I hit the pavement hard on my two legs, but soon fell to my hands and knees. I might've screamed I'm not entirely sure.

Should've just talked to Enjolras, I thought. That would've been way easier and less painful. Well...maybe less painful, but not easier.

"Gabrielle!" I hear a voice call out, "Are you alright?" it shouted. I try to stand up, but I immediately realize I can't. I don't know who the voice belongs to either. I'm not really entirely sure what just happened.

I looked at the palms of my hands. They were scraped, but that would heal easily. I looked at my knees. I saw cuts on my left knee. They looked bad, but manageable. They wouldn't require stitches, I was sure. It must be my ankles then. I look down and see my right ankle jutting out in a way that is not normal.

I can hear footsteps and voices approaching me. I'm only aware of the extreme pain in my ankle. I tear off a part of the skirt of my dress. I hold it in my left hand put both into my mouth to block any screams that might escape my lips. The voices are screaming something at me, but I can't exactly comprehend what they're saying. I reach for my ankle, take a deep breath, shut my eyes, and snap it back into place.

The pain is maddening. If I hadn't had my hand and the cloth in my mouth I would've screamed. I knew I did scream, but you couldn't hear it. I laid down in the middle of the street. The voices were growing near.

"Gabrielle!" one shouted as it ran over to me. I could tell at least two people were rushing towards me. I couldn't see anything, but myself. I couldn't comprehend who they were. I only saw darkness. Were my eyes closed?

"Gabrielle! Damn it! What happened?" the same voice shouted. I tried to answer, but I couldn't. I couldn't concentrate. What was that noise? Was I still screaming?

"She jumped out the window!" another voice said. This one didn't just join me. How long had this person been here?

"Why did she?" the first voice asked.

"She was trying to follow Gavroche," the second voice said. I had been trying to follow Gavroche, but I had also been escaping a complicated conversation with Enjolras.

"Why would she-" the first voice started. It was cut off by the second one.

"I'll get her to Joly! She's hurt bad!" the second said. I can feel myself being lifted into the air.

"Gabrielle! What happened to her?" another voice said. This one was a kid's. Gavroche.

"Gavroche," I tried saying. I wanted to tell him I was okay. My voice was hoarse, probably because of all the screaming. No one understood what I had said. I couldn't even understand it. I opened up my eyes slowly.

The sudden light practically blinded me. I closed and opened my eyes a few times, trying to get used to the sudden light. Finally, I could open my eyes all the way.

I saw Enjolras, his face inches from mine. He was carrying me. I saw Courfeyrac yelling and running trying to catch up. Gavroche was next to him, running to catch up. He looked like he had a few tears streaming down his face. Did he think it was his fault?

"Enjolras," I say. No one can understand me. This draws his attention though. He looks down at me. His expression worried. I realized he was carrying me bridal style. I knew I wouldn't have been able to walk, but had I not been hurt I would've blushed. Maybe I did.

"What happened?" I croaked. He seems to understand enough of what I said.

"You jumped out of the window to avoid talking to me. After you jumped out of the window, you landed on your feet. Then, you fell on your hands and knees and you cut your knee. I ran downstairs just in time to see you rip a piece of your dress off and stick it in your mouth before snapping your ankle in place," he answered truthfully. "You really didn't want to talk that bad?" he whispered to me, smiling lightly.