When Tomorrow Comes

Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Marius wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep. Sitting in his corner, Enjolras was looking at the night sky. Somewhere on this Earth, Eponine was looking at the same sky.

"Forgive me, 'Ponine," he whispered. "And find your way back to me... I don't want to leave this world before seeing you one last time."

He noticed Marius sitting alone at the top of the barricade. Enjolras grabbed two of Grantaire's bottles and went to join him.

"What are you doing up?" Marius asked..

"Did you actually think I could sleep after what happened?"

Marius sighed.

"I'm sure Eponine has already forgiven you."

"And I'm pretty sure she hasn't..."

He opened the two bottles and handed one to Marius.

"Something's wrong," Enjolras suddenly said. "It's like I'm not as confident as I used to be."

"Could it be you fear to die?" Marius asked.

"Maybe... I guess... I mean, we almost all died today. It has me wondering... What if my death, our deaths, mean nothing at all?"

He took a deep breath.

"Is my life just one more life, Marius?"

But Marius just played with his bottle between his fingers. He looked to the sky with no idea of what he could say to cheer him up.

"Aren't you the one who always says that everything happens for a reason?" Marius told him.

Enjolras smiled sadly.

"I never said it was the good reason..."

Marius held his bottle up.

"Drink with me," he said.

"It might be the last time..." Enjolras replied.

"Then let's make the most of it..."

***

Marius woke up sitting at the top of the barricade, still holding his gun.

"Morning, sleepy head," Courfeyrac said.

"What the...?"

"You fell asleep while on your watch," he explained.

"Yeah, good thing they didn't attack," Feuilly added.

"I'm sorry guys... Where's Enjolras?"

"He's off to check on the other barricades... Should be back soon."

And that's when everything happened. Enjolras coming back, telling them they were the last barricade left. The boys agreeing that they'd stay nevertheless. Courfeyrac spotting something on the other side of the barricade. The boys running up to check it out.

And then Enjolras. Enjolras felt as if his whole world had been turned around. He climbed back down, without being able to look at his friends one last time.

"It's your decision!" the commanding officer yelled again.

Enjolras grabbed his gun and made his way on the other side of the barricade. He froze for a second at the sight of all those soldiers pointing their gun towards them.

"I'm here," Enjolras said. "What do you want?"

"What I want?" the officer replied. "How about a deal?"

He pushed the figure standing next to him forward and Enjolras' heart broke.

"Eponine..." he whispered.

He took one step forward, but immediately all the soldiers pointed their gun at him.

"Don't move," the commanding officer warned, "or you won't be able to move at all."

"Let her go," Enjolras cried in desperation. "This is not her fight."

"Wow, she does mean a lot to you..."

The officer digged in his pocket and took out a bag of coins. He tossed it at the young man standing behind Eponine.

"Montparnasse?!" Enjolras barked.

"Times are tough, rich boy," he answered. "See you... never."

And with that he left with his money.

"I am so going to kill you!" Enjolras shouted after him.

"So what is it going to take for you guys to stop this little revolution? How about you all go home and she lives. Sounds good?"

Enjolras bit his lip.

"This revolution," he started, "is grander than me. I cannot stop it. All of Paris is behind us."

"Then I guess you can't stop this..."

The commanding officer put his gun to Eponine's head.

"Say goodbye," he said.

"No!" Enjolras cried. "My life! Take my life instead!"

"Monsieur, no!" Eponine replied. "I'm not letting you do this."

"Take my life away," he continued. "Let her live."

"You would trade your life for mine?" Eponine said, choking on her words.

"Yes, Monsieur, you want a deal?" the officer asked.

"My life," Enjolras confirmed. "Shoot me now and let her go."

"No!" Eponine persisted.

She tried to run to him, but a soldier held her back.

"You're the leader, right?" the officer asked. "Without you, the whole revolution falls to pieces..."

"Don't do it, Enjolras!" Combeferre shouted.

But Enjolras grabbed his gun and pointed it to his head. He looked at Eponine.

"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "I love you, 'Ponine."

And then the gunshot was heard.