Éponine ran through the streets putting as much space as she could between herself and her troubles. Frankly she was embarrassed. She had never yelled at Marius before and she didn't want him to see her like this. She looked so broken. Blood covers her body and her hair. She definitely didn't want Marius to see her like this. He would think she is ugly, well more so than she already was. She felt bad for leaving him there, but she just couldn't face him, so she ran away. She sighed, 'I guess that's what I'm good at. Running away, first father now Marius?' But she continued running, running back to the alley she had stayed in the night before. When she finally got there she collapsed into a sobbing heap. Her body was aching and she could feel the fresh blood still pouring from some of her open wounds. She didn't know what to do. She had no one to go to, like her father had said no one would help her. She was alone.
"Hello? Is someone down there?" She heard someone call from the entrance of the ally.
She didn't bother looking up nor moving, she tried to keep as still and silent as possible. The last thing she wanted was someone coming to her. She heard footsteps approaching and let out and body racking sob. She just wanted them to go away.
"Please just leave me alone", she cried, her voice cracking.
She heard a quiet gasp before she heard someone say her name, "Éponine, Éponine is that you!"
She looked up and saw a mop of curly blonde hair, it was Enjolras. Why was it always him? His eyes were filled with concern and worry, he even looked a little nervous. He, the marble man, looked slightly scared. Her breath hitched when she realized he was horrified by the way she looked. Feeling her cheeks flame up with embarrassment she shot up and tried run away. As soon as she stood a burning sensation engulfed her leg. She let out a cry before tumbling back to the ground. Once again she was in a broken heap on the ground.
She heard Enjolras take small slow steps towards her, unlike the large bounds Marius took when he saw her. Enjolras's approach was much gentler. "Éponine, please, let me help you", he pleaded gently kneeling down next to her.
Éponine curled up into a tight ball, trying to use her body language to discourage him from helping. She felt his hand reach out and touch her arm and she flinched away from him. He could not take a hint.
Éponine felt Enjolras put his arm around the small of her back and the other around her knees. He pulled her into him and held her. "Éponine, please let me help you" he said. He sounded completely different than he usually did at the meetings. He was so quiet and gentle; it was like he was a completely different person.
Éponine struggled to push away from him but he would let go. He held her to his cheat, her ear right against his heart. Listening to the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat she stopped struggling and sunk into his embrace. In that moment they were back on the bridge. His arms around her, helping her, pulling her from her confusion and sorrows. She had once again brought herself to the bridge and she was so close to going over the edge, but he was there, pulling her back over. He was there saving her from herself.
They sat there forever. Him holding her and her just sobbing. Her cries would not subside no matter how hard she tried, but Enjolras never moved. His eyes were always on her, filled with care and concern, and his arms stayed strong and unwavering, making her feel protected.
Finally her sobs stopped and she looked up to Enjolras. He was the first one who had ever seen her cry, and he gave her a small smile. His grip around her released as he tried to help her up to her feet. She held tightly to his hands but even the slightest application of pressure on her leg would shot the pain through her body.
She yelped in pain and she felt Enjolras's grip tighten on her arms. "What's wrong?" He asked, leaning down to search through her eyes.
"Oh it's nothing, just when I fell I think I hurt my leg" she lied. She could see Enjolras didn't believe her but he didn't question her further, and for that she was thankful. She looked up into his eyes and saw he was debating something. His brow furrowed on his head causing his lips to pinch together and after some deliberation, he looked to her.
"Éponine, you are obviously in no condition to be out here on your own, so would you want to come to my flat? It's in the building right here" he asked pointing to the rundown apartment building.
Éponine was shocked. She didn't know what to do, so she leaned in and hugged him. She felt him stiffen under her touch, but soon he wrapped his arms around her and accepted the hug. "Thank you Monsieur Enjolras. Truly, but I couldn't possibly burden you anymore. You've helped me too much already and-"
Enjolras loosened his hold on Éponine and pulled away. "Éponine, you will never be a burden to me. Please let me help you patch up your wounds and allow you somewhere decent to sleep tonight" he said.
Éponine nodded obediently and felt Enjolras shift her so he was carrying most of her weight. Slowly and steadily, the pair made their way to his flat.
YOU ARE READING
Not a Dream
Fanfiction"One rainy night in Paris, there was a girl running. The brisk wind cut through her wet, tattered dress. She felt like she was running for hours through the slums of the city, when in fact, it was only minutes. She knew he would send someone after...
