Love is enough- Les Mis fanfic/Enjolras

Chapter 12

I wouldn't let myself cry again, I had already proved how weak I was. The drizzly rain did the crying for me anyway and I lumbered on, my arm and side aching. The streets were empty, time had passed quickly as it was quite dark outside and I guessed it was around 9pm. I wondered where Gavroche and the others were. If they were safe. I just wanted them to be safe.

I got to the docks and saw the women, already offering their "services". I felt so out of place. They had no shame in doing what they were doing. They were strutting around in unbearably tight, low corsets and purposely ripped skirts and still managed to smile for the men. If they could do it, why couldn't i?

I took a deep breath before standing next to a youngish woman, with dirty blonde hair and sad brown eyes. She looked extremely tired, like she could sleep there and then and never wake up. I could see from her face that she was used to this. I realised that she wasn't going to make conversation anytime soon so I gave up and focused on what I came here to do, get the money.

I looked awkward, slouching on a wooden box waiting, but somehow, the men must have noticed how out of place I was and made it their mission to torture me. One by one, the men crowded me, shouting inappropriate things and trying to grab me in places. I pushed their dirty hands off me. Having to even face these men was against everything I believed in, yet I was to cowardly to do anything

"You little slut, you can't do that! We're paying!" One jeered, and pulled me off into one of the room.

I shuddered. He was a man slightly older than me with jet black hair and an evil smirk. His moustache gave the impression he was off high status.

"Montparnesse" I uttered to myself, recognising the sly man from my fathers gang. How is it, that these people led such different lives and nobody finds out?

He pushed me down on the bed, and I could feel my chest rising quickly. I felt a familiar tightness in my chest but swallowed it down as he approached me. Just get it over and done with I kept muttering to myself, praying that this mantra could keep me calm. I felt tears pricking in my eyes as he lowered his trousers and I clenched my eyes shut.

One after the other, men came into the room, throwing change at my feet once they were done using my body. I felt numb inside and outside. I wanted to die. Anything was better than this. I felt a throbbing pain in my lower stomach and I couldn't bare to think of what it was.

I hauled myself up and scrambled over to the foot of the bed. I had only made 50 francs. I felt like screaming yet I didn't have the energy to do anything at that moment.

I knew what I had to do however.

I got up off the bed, my legs failing me more than once and limped outside again. Most of the women had given up sitting here and had ventured further out to find customers.

If they can do it, so can I I repeated to myself as I stumbled like a deer in the headlights over to the alleyway where many people pass.

And my legs gave way again.

I fell flat on the floor in the alley, leaning against the wall for support. I heard hushed whispers from the women trying to seduce the men and for many it worked. Some however were a lot crueler and pushed the women away, spitting at them as they fell. I felt my heart go out to them. Maybe some were in a similar situation as me.

Unsurprisingly, nobody payed attention to me and I didn't have the energy to talk. My side was a lot more painful now as I had realised I had fallen on a sharp rock and a deep wound was sitting on my waist. Blood had gotten all over my clothes but that was the least of my worries right now. I would never see Madame Houcheloup again to pay her back.

Time dragged on and my half open eyes could just about make out the various men that walked passed. If only I had the freedom they had.

I caught a flash of red and my heart stopped. But was quickly replaced by disappointment when I realised it was just a women wearing a red dress. Who was I kidding? Of course he wouldn't come this way.

And then I saw it again. I kept my gaze focused on it as the owner came into view. First I saw that the man was wearing black trousers and then I caught sight of his curls. His blue eyes were filled with worry and were slightly red around the edges. He had Courf and Ferre at his sides and I noticed that the women realised these boys were bourgeois as many made their way over. They rejected them politely keeping their eyes on the road in front of them. Heck, even Courf looked serious.

I couldn't stop the smile that adorned my face but it dropped suddenly. They're not bothered. What would they want with me after seeing me like this? I was a nuisance in the first place.

I still couldn't stop my voice though.

"Courf!" I croaked as loud as I could, my voice failing me in places. It seemed to work though because his head snapped up and looked around him. He didn't look in my direction though.

"Courf!" I said again, my voice slightly louder this time. All three of them looked up and Ferres head snapped in my direction. His face turned angry as he saw the blood pooled next to me. He grabbed both of their arms and dragged them over.

I heard Courf mumble something and Enjolras gasped. They ran over and knelt by my side. I suddenly felt safer, despite the fact that I knew that I had to go home. I was just relieved that I could say a proper goodbye to them.

"Who did this to you?" Courf kept repeating getting worked up and Ferre checked the bruises on my arms and the gaping wound. Enjolras just sat their, his stare fixated on my eyes and didn't say anything. I couldn't even read his expression.

He then moved, and firmly took my hand in his, squeezing it as if his life depended on it. I zoned out of Courfs babbling and Ferres examining and closed my eyes, happy to be around my friends.

"Quick we need to get her to Joly!" Enjolras spoke up and he scooped me in his strong arms, careful to not touch the cut. I rested my head on his chest and he began walking back. I just heard Courf and Ferre whispering before Enjolras whispered.

"You're safe now little one"

And I fell into a deep sleep.