Better Run for Cover

Chapter 8: A Call to Arms

{Hey everyone! So sorry that it took me a million years to finally update! I am suffering from some serious writer's block! So, I am in need of some support. I don't know whether I want to continue this fanfic or not, so once you read this chapter, give me a comment on whether or not you think I should continue it. Please??? Also, if you have any ideas as to where you think the story should go from there, I am open to suggestions! Thanks - Wolf}

Chapter 8: A Call to Arms

{André's p.o.v.}

I slipped silently into the Inspector's house, careful to be quiet because it was late at night. The door to the Inspector's room was closed, and I have to admit, I was thankful for that. I didn't want him questioning me about where I had been. I went over to the table, where I found a chunk of bread wrapped in a cloth.

Silently thanking Javert, I took the bread and sat down on the couch, chewing slowly as I reflected upon what my brother and the boys had said. They thought that I was the only one in danger... No, I had to be careful. What Gavroche had said could always happen. Staying with the Inspector was incredibly risky for my brother, the boys and me.

Finishing my bread, I took off my cap letting my long, dirty-blonde hair fall against my back. I sighed and lay down. It was risky to stay with Monsieur Javert, but I really had no choice. If I ran off, the next time I was caught, I could be sent to the galleys, or hanged! Shivering at the thought, I closed my eyes, praying silently that everything would work out in the end, and telling myself everything was going to be alright.

Oh, how I was wrong...

{Enjolras' p.o.v.}

I sat on the edge of my chair, looking out the window from the top floor of La Café Musain. It was rather late at night, and all of the boys had gone home, except for Grantaire, who was passed out drunk in a chair at the other end of the table.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I thought of my little sister. André was so young to have to steal to survive. I gave her what I could, but she would never take very much, saying that because I had a chance to do something with my life, I was the one who needed it more. I had told her many times that she could live with me, but she had always argued that it was her job to take care of all the other children that were like her, the street urchins of Paris.

I slowly rose from my chair, glancing at Grantaire for a moment before letting my thoughts turn back to the revolution. Andy had warned me that Javert could use her as leverage in the revolution. Did that mean the police knew our plans already? The revolution wasn't exactly a secret, but the details were... What if they knew?

Thinking fast, I crossed the room, putting a hand on Grantaire's shoulder and shaking him a bit. When he did not awaken, I put both of my hands on his shoulders and shook him roughly. Grantaire's eyes fluttered open. He looked at me for a moment, a confused look in his eyes, before they closed again.

"Grantaire!" I cried, shaking him again. He mumbled something about wine as his eyes opened again. He then said something that sounded like my name, and I nodded frantically, saying, "Yes, it's me, now stay awake!" Grantaire just stared off into space as I quickly told him, "Tomorrow! The demonstration will be tomorrow!"

I sighed as I realized Grantaire wasn't processing anything I was saying. "Idiotic drunk," I growled, though I smiled slightly as I hauled him to his feet.

Then, practically dragging Grantaire, I lead him down the stairs and out of the inn.

I guided Grantaire back to his house, closing the door as quietly as possible, for he had more or less fallen asleep while leaning against me. After depositing Grantaire on his half of the bed and leaving him to sleep, I lay down on the other side. I watched Grantaire for a moment, noting how his dark curls framed his sleeping face.

As my eyes drifted closed, I decided I would take André with me when I went tomorrow. If she was at my side, how could the Inspector use her as leverage?

{André's p.o.v.}

I woke to see the Inspector sitting at the table, eating some sort of soup while staring intently at a piece of paper.

I then realized that he was reading it.

I debated whether or not I would wait to see if he would leave before getting up, but for some reason, I decided not to.

Slowly, I sat up, combing my fingers through my hair. My gaze flickered to Monsieur Javert, and he had yet to notice me. I put my cap back on, tucking my hair up into it, and carefully got to my feet, making no sound as I slowly walked across the room and sat down across from Javert at the table.

He finally looked up from the paper, his face showing no emotion as he regarded me for a moment, then said, "You can have some of the soup." He nodded his head towards a fireplace that I hadn't really paid much attention to before. It was in the back corner behind the table, and hanging from a peg above the flames, was a pot.

I retrieved a bowl from where the Inspector pointed and ladled some soup into my bowl. Slowly, I sat back down across from Javert, who continued to watch me as I spooned some soup into my mouth. I paused for a moment, noting that he was still looking at me and asked, "What?" Javert frowned. "Where were you yesterday?" he asked, his blue-gray eyes regarding me curiously. "Out," was all I said.

The Inspector's frown deepened. "Where?" he asked, annoyance clear in his voice. "Around," I stated, a smirk forming on my lips. Monsieur Javert narrowed his eyes, anger flaring in them. "You will tell me where you," He was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Javert groaned and put his head in his hands for a moment before the knocking at the door began again, harder this time. "You's might want's ta get that," I said with a nod towards the door, taking note of how much I was getting on the Inspector's nerves.

"Quiet," he snapped. The knocking had now become a furious pounding. Growling under his breath, Javert got to his feet and strode across the room, yanking open the door to reveal none other than Enjolras, his fist raised to knock once more.

"What is it?" demanded Javert impatiently. Enjolras lowered his hand, peering around the Inspector. His gaze landed on me and he broke into a grin. My smile mirrored his as I finished the last bit of my soup, leapt to my feet and ran to the door. "Enjy!" I said happily, slipping past the Inspector and wrapping my brother in a tight embrace. He returned the gesture, and then put his hand on my shoulder, looking back at the Inspector.

From the excited, defiant look in his eyes, I knew something big was happening today. "I'm taking Andy with me for the day. I'll make sure she stays out of trouble and I'm pretty sure she'll be back tonight." With a not at all friendly smile, Enjolras nodded at the Inspector and with his hands on my shoulders, steered me away from Javert's house, leaving a very surprised and stunned looked Javert standing in the doorway.

"Where do we's be goin'?" I asked Enjolras. "To the demonstration outside General Lamarque's house." My eyes widened. "It's ta'day?" I asked.

My brother nodded. "The revolution is soon, Andy. We must rally the people. We must convince them to fight." I nodded enthusiastically as my big brother lead me through the streets to a large white mansion.

Marius, Courfeyrac and Combeferre were already there. They grinned when they saw us. "The people will unite Andy," my brother said, his eyes burning with determination as he turned to look at the people beginning to gather in response to the boys shouts of a demonstration. "This will be their call to arms."