The Unknown Past and Untold Future *Les Miserables Romance (Enjolras)*

Chapter II: The Devil's Charm

Chapter II: Devil’s Charm

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It began to rain; a drumming on the cobble that every human on the streets detested and feared. Rain made the cold worse; it stung wounds, blurred your vision, and chilled your bones. It hissed at you, chattered at you, whipped you.   

She was shivering, shaking, trembling; but she did not cry. Not anymore. There was no more time for crying. She had to work, eat what she could, and help who she could; survive. Joleigh understood the world better. It was a hard, terrible place. The winter took its toll, biting at her once clean, soft skin, the rain soaking her once beautiful golden hair. But she no longer cared that much, she had seen worst of it. Children battling each other over mouthfuls of food, men beating their women in drunken rages, and enough death to satisfy her for all eternity. Poverty turned a young girl into a woman in only a year.

There were times when she would think of her life before it went downhill. This was one of those times. Joleigh sat hunched and quivering against a soaked wall, her skin damp and cold but her eyes dry. Clasped in her fist were her earnings she had received from working a day in the fish market. She counted, for she knew how to count, the amount over and over again, meanwhile thinking of how disgusting the scent of the raw fish was clinging to her dirtied skirts.

It’s not the most I’ve received, she sighed, but if I go without food tomorrow, and work another day, work hard so Madame Perce gives me extra, maybe I could spend my savings on a pair of shoes. She looked solemnly down at her bare feet, calloused and rough, blackened by the street. A harsh gust of wind screamed in her ears, causing her to bite her chapped red lips and curl further into a ball. When it was over she opened her eyes and shifted position so she could place the tattered bag she carried across her lap. Joleigh added her earnings to her collection, feeling with her hands to check if everything was there. Yes, all 5 Francs and 45 sous were safely inside. Her stiff fingers brushed the edge of her book. Joleigh sighed with contempt. At least something of her past was still with her, that and the small silver cross she kept around her neck. She paused and aimlessly traced circles on the ragged cover, longing to take it out and read. But she no longer had access to candles. The sun was her only light source, but even then days seemed dark.

It stopped raining. Pressing her lips into a straight line, Joleigh pushed herself up. She slung the bag over her shoulder and clutched the button-less jacket she was wearing to her body. 

Where to sleep for the night? She pondered, clenching her jaw when the wind blew over her again, looking down each direction of the alley she was hiding in. To her right, there was a gathering of prostitutes, chatting to each other, occasionally cackling when a costumer passed. To her left was a clan of the homeless. There was a shrill mewling of a child that echoed of the walls, and the muffled sounds of the mother trying to silence it. Joleigh swallowed hard and took the route to her left, though it pained her to look at the people suffering. She didn’t want to be reminded she was in the same situation, but alone. Joleigh passed them quickly, crossed the road and turned into another alley. It was surprising that she never felt lost. The winding slums and alleys were her home now.

She turned a corner and headed down a strangely desolate alley, about two arm’s widths wide and greasy brick walls. The young girl trod cautiously, almost holding her breath. Water dripped rhythmically from the angled rooftops. Joleigh stopped.

 A shadow had appeared from the darkness, a sly grin shimmering white in the black. She was about to step out of the man’s way but he caught hold of her arm. She gasped at how cold his hand was and attempted to pull away from the icy grip.

 “Why hello, ma chère.” It was a husky, purring voice, almost charming; yet laden with immorality and deceit. However, she relaxed and bowed her head in embarrassment. “I see you kept my coat.” When Joleigh didn’t answer she felt the man’s other hand come up and hooked a long finger under her chin, tilting it gently upwards so she could see his face. “It looks good on you.” Even in the darkness, she could see his glowing grey eyes and crooked smile. His hair melted into the black, along with his tall hat and winter cloak. She always wondered why he would dress so smartly for someone of his class. Maybe to pass off as a pleasant sort, he was attractive; but pleasant was something he definitely was not.