That night Éponine invited Enjolras to sleep in the bed with her. Enjolras hesitated at first, not sure if it was truly proper. However when Éponine grabbed his hand, he knew it was ok. There was not going to be anything crazy happening, just the two pressed close together sleeping. They climbed into bed and Enjolras wrapped his arm around Éponine's waist pulling her into him. Their warmth radiated off onto the other and they soon were asleep. Later that night, Enjolras felt something shaking in his arms. He was soon awakened by thrashing and saw that Éponine was rolling around the bed. Enjolras sat up and held Éponine's shoulders. "Éponine, Éponine, wake up!" He shouted.
Her eyes shot open and they darted around the room. In her brown eyes he could see the fear and worry from whatever dream she was having. Her eyes settled on him and she sat up and hugged him. Tears slid down her face as she pressed it into his shoulder and soon sobs racked her body.
Enjolras held her rubbing her back and soothing her, much like the night he had found her in the alley. Soon her sobs subsided and she looked to Enjolras with a sad smile. "Are you ok, Éponine?” Enjolras asked, his concern evident in his voice.
She shook her head as more tears fell down her face.
Enjolras pressed his thumbs against her cheeks and wiped the tears, "Do you want to tell me?" He asked gently.
Once again she nodded and took a deep breath. "You don't know much about me, or where I came from, and I think it's time you did", she started.
Enjolras sat down on the end of the bed facing her. "You don't have to tell me now if you don't want to Ép-"
Éponine shook her head vigorously, "I've waited long enough. Ok, here it goes. Will you promise not to think any differently about me when I tell you?" She asked him.
Enjolras took both her hands in his and stared into her eyes, "I promise, Ép".
Éponine smiled and began again, "when I was young my parents owned an inn. They were known to have good service, but all they did was scam people. They took everything of value off the person before they left, and I helped. I know it's no excuse, but I looked up to my parents and I thought they were the best people in the world. I didn't know there was another way of living. Then my mom had my sister, Azelma, and my brother Gavroche. My parents were too busy to raise them, so I had to act as their parent. I was forced to grow up fast so I could fend for myself and my siblings. Then Cosette's mom came to the inn, and dropped Cosette there. Cosette became a servant to us, cleaning the inn all by herself. She did all the chores, and frankly I followed my parent's lead and bossed her around. Then a man came and took Cosette away, causing my parents to realize that they didn't have a slave to boss around anymore, so they used me, my sister and my brother. Soon my brother ran away. He was only four. He just left, not telling anyone where he was going and the only one that was worried was me. When I told my parents he was gone they didn't care. I-I yelled at them. Telling them to care that their only son went missing and they weren't doing anything. That was when my father turned around and slapped me. That was the first time he had hit me and I didn't know how to handle it. I was 10. A few months later my parents lost their inn. We were forced onto the streets, forced to rely on thievery and tricks to get money and food. One day, a man in a gang approached my father and asked him to join. He accepted and soon became the leader of the it. The gang was the Patron Minuette." Éponine paused to take a breath. This trip into her past put a strain on her.
She felt Enjolras squeeze her hand and tell her, "I don't think any different about you" with a smile.
Éponine laughed softly, "if you think that was bad, it's about to get worse. A few years later, my father wanted to recruit the toughest, most ruthless men in all of Paris to be in his gang. However one would not accept his request. Montparnasse wanted more if he was to be in the gang. So, my father made a secret deal with him. He told him-that, that if-" Éponine started to cry again. Tears spilled down her face as she thought about what her father had done to her.
Enjolras pulled her into a hug and said, "You don't have to continue tonight if you don't want to Éponine".
Éponine pulled out of the hug and wiped her tears, "No, it all had to come out now, or else I will lose my nerve. So my father said that if Montparnasse joined the gang, my father would give him" she took a deep breath and whispered, "me".
She felt Enjolras stiffen and start to boil with anger. He was about to say something when she pressed her finger to his lips, "Later, let me finish" she felt him nod and she removed her finger.
"So years went by and 'Parnasse harassed me to no end. I found it flattering at first. An older criminal found me interesting. I liked the attention because I hadn't felt pampered in so many years. So I let him boss me around and kiss me once in a while, but then he and my father started making me participate in their crimes, and if I didn't they would beat me. I grew more and more distant from Parnasse after the first beating. He tried to get me to like him again, but it never happened. Then when I was 16, I managed to escape one of their beatings. I ran through the streets of Paris, but Parnasse found me. I tried to get away from him, but he was too strong and he pushed me up against and wall. That night he tried to do something he had never done before, he tried to rape me. I yelled for help and the police showed up. Parnasse was sent to prison and I kept my dignity. But I wasn't happy, I wasn't relieved because I knew that when I went home my father would continue to beat me more because Parnasse went to jail because of me. Then in a few years Parnasse would get out of jail. So I decided what was the point if living. I ran to the bridge and that's when you found me. You convinced me that life couldn't be all bad, there was some good in there that will mask the bad for a short time, and that's what that encounter did. You healed me a little bit. However when I got home life didn't change until one day, I left. I just stayed in the streets, until you found me again. I haven't seen my father in a few weeks and Montparnasse in two years, and when I'm here with you I forget who I was and forget my worries. You saved me Enjolras, in more ways than one. Thank you" Éponine finished and looked up into Enjolras's eyes.
They were brimmed with tears and his face was a mix of fury and happiness. He reached forward and pulled her in, not knowing what else to do. He hugged her tightly, letting her know he was there for her. "Éponine, I promise I will always be here for you when you need me, and I will protect as best as I can" he said and kissed the top of her head. He heard her whisper, "thank you", and he lay down with Éponine in his arms. Holding her tightly as they both fell asleep.
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...
