When Tomorrow Comes

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Gavroche stumbled up the stairs of Café Musain in a flash.

"Guys!" he shouted, panicked. "Have you heard the news?"

"Tell us," Combeferre said.

"General Lamarque's dead!"

The room fell silent. Courfeyrac was the first to break it.

"Dead? Are you sure?"

"He's not breathing anymore and his heart stopped. Doctor called it."

"Damn!" Enjolras exclaimed. "No, wait. His death is the sign we await!"

"How?" Combeferre asked. "I don't see how this can help us."

"Don't you see? On his funeral day, they will honor his name!"

"So?"

"That's when we strike!" Enjolras bursted out. "It's perfect! That's where our revolution will begin!"

"I'm not sure..." Prouvaire mumbled.

Enjolras' eyes were gleaming.

"The people will join us! It's the perfect opportunity! The time is here!"

"I agree!" Feuilly exclaimed. "Enjolras is right! What better opportunity will there be?"

"I'm in," Joly said.

Soon it was decided: the revolution shall go down on Lamarque's funeral day. And the barricade was to be built on his tomb.

The boys were filled with adrenaline. Café Musain was rumbling with excitement. They were already making plans, talking about bravery; all except for Marius.

"Something wrong?" Courfeyrac asked him while he took a seat next to him.

"I'm... no, not really."

"Is it about your fight with Montparnasse?"

"No, not that..."

"You're worried."

"About Eponine? Yes. I don't trust Thénardier or Montparnasse at all."

"She's a tough girl. Only a kid, but hard to scare."

"Yeah... I guess you're right."

And that's when Café Musain's doors bursted open. It was Montparnasse. Enjolras stood up in a flash, walking straight to him, followed by Marius and the rest of the gang.

"Get the hell out of here," Enjolras barked.

"No, you don't understand," Montparnasse stuttered.

"You're not welcome here," Feuilly added.

"Get out!" Prouvaire exclaimed, pointing at the door.

"I need your help!" Montparnasse objected.

"And what can we help you with?" Marius asked, way past angry.

"Eponine's in trouble..."

"What?!" Enjolras bursted out.

All eyes turned on him. His face immediately became red as he awkwardly rested his back against the railing and cleared his throat.

"I mean: what's up?"

"Something's happened, I don't know what."

"Something meaning...?" Combeferre asked.

"She's gone," Montparnasse let out. "I can't find her anywhere."

"Wait, what?" Marius replied.

"Monsieur Thénardier kicked her out. She's in the streets, somewhere. I hope."

"And why should we believe you?" Joly asked.

"Fine, don't. But I can't find her. Try going to the inn, she won't be there."

"He's right!" a small high-pitched voice insisted from behind him.

All eyes turned to little Azelma hiding under a large hood.

"And you are?" Prouvaire asked.

"She's Eponine's sister!" Enjolras exclaimed. "You're supposed to be home."

"No way I'm staying there alone with papa! Eponine used to protect me, but now she's gone."

"We'll find her!" Enjolras announced.

"But we've got all this planning to do," Combeferre pointed out.

"Fine," he rectified. "I'll go with Montparnasse. Azelma, stay here and get some rest."

"No way," Marius butted in. "I'm coming too."

"Fine. Joly, take care of her," he said, talking about Azelma.

But she hesitated.

"It's fine," he told her. "I took care of your sister too."

He extended his hands.

"You're in good hands," Enjolras added with a smile.

Azelma slowly raised her hand and grabbed Joly's. She turned around and looked at Enjolras in the eyes.

"Find my sister," she said.

"Promise," he replied.

But Enjolras wasn't feeling too good. It was his fault. He had been there. He had seen Monsieur Thénardier kick her out. But he had been too scared of showing himself that he had just fled. And now Eponine was missing.

"Let's go," Montparnasse said. "The night is falling fast."

He headed out the door, quickly followed by Enjolras and Marius. But they hadn't turned two street corners that they ran straight into a fuming Monsieur Thénardier.

"What have you done with my daughter?!" he barked.