Love is enough- Les Mis fanfic/Enjolras

Chapter 55

I drifted off in Enj's arms to a sweet lullaby being sung in the distance. The voice was crystal clear with a sense of despair. I wanted to go over and comfort the person however my eyes were willing themselves shut.

I woke up colder, no longer in his arms but still with the red jacket tucked around me to preserve a little heat. The others were only just stirring too. Except Enjolras, who was walking towards us all, his face unreadable.

"What's going on?" Courfeyrac beat me to it.

We called all sense something was up, but we couldn't work it out. Enjolras' face was so placid and firm.

"The people have not stirred. We are abandoned by those who still live in fear. Let us not waste lives... let all the women and fathers of children go from here" he said, after taking a deep breath. His face expression wouldn't change, even when he caught my shocked expression. I for one, was not expecting that.

"Enjolras no" I said, it coming out high and strangled. He looked to the floor, and turned to walk around, probably to hide in the cafe to run away from his emotions. I looked helplessly behind me before I heard a voice.

Gavroche, who was perched on the barricade, started to sing the song we had sung at LaMarques funeral, when we were motivated and ready for this. Now we just felt defeated, however, the song held a magical quality, bringing a bit more determination. I watched the back of Enjolras stop and turn around, just as everyone else joined in with Gav. He was smiling slightly, and he joined in himself.

When the song ended, Combeferre spoke.

"We aren't leaving Enj"

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The sound of synchronised footsteps was edging closer and I held my baited breath behind our defensive shield wall, clinging onto Enjolras.

"I love you all! So much" I choked out loudly, tears rising like bile in my throat.

Enjolras held me tighter.

He looked down on me, a fierce look of anguish on his face yet the tenderness of love was present.

"Why do you always do this? Why can't you listen to me for once" he laughed through the tears that were now slipping down his cheeks. It made me start crying too.

"Because I'm always right" I laughed back, my frail voice shaking and I could taste the saltiness of my tears.

"That you are" he replied, before the world around us fell silent. We knew what was coming.

But it didn't come...

Instead, we heard a whistling.

"Little people know, when little people fight, we may look easy pickings but we got some some bite" my brothers voice sang and my heart dropped. I twisted my head in all directions, scanning the area for sight of him, praying that he was safe behind the barricade, singing a simple song. But the sound didn't come from behind the barricade.... it came from in front of it.

"Gavroche!" I hissed loudly, peeping from a gap near to the top. I could get a good look at him, hopping between bodies to retrieve fresh gunpowder, but if I peeked it over just a little more, my head would most probably be blown off.

A gunshot was fired.

I gasped but the boy carried on, thankfully missing him. The gunshot had attracted the attention of Courfeyrac and Grantaire, who were also mumbling to each other about Gavroches whereabouts. I could see it beginning to dawn on them. Combeferre could too, and edged slowly towards Courfeyrac whilst Jehan did the same with Grantaire, before a second gunshot rang out.

"Gavroche!" Courfs trembling voice grew louder, turning into a strained scream as they both scrambled past the 2 boys, and tried to climb the barricade. I joined them in the effort before I heard a third gunshot, and Gavroche could no longer be heard.

I screamed. I screamed and screamed and nobody could calm me. I screamed while Enjolras rocked me, kissing and stroking my hair. I screamed as Courfeyrac, who was sobbing, slipped out of our zone to retrieve my brothers stone cold body, with Marius close by, aiming a gun at the opposition in case they dared to shoot.

Gavroche had a cheeky half-smile on his face, despite the rosy stain that was on his forehead, and a matching one on his breast. He was clutching the gunpowder.

"No!" I cried, as I fought my way out of Enjolras' arms and crawled over to his turgid body.

I let my head fall against his stomach as I yelled in anguish, begging for God to spare some mercy and give my brother his life back.

I caught a glance of Combeferre doing a similar action to a distressed Courfeyrac and Jehan to Grantaire. The three of us had a special bond with the little boy that nobody could break.

In the space of 24 hours, I had lost my whole family. Despite being an orphan, I was also now without any family. If a miracle happened and I got out of this mess alive, I would have nobody at all. I would be better off dead.

Seeing Bahorel take my brothers lifeless body to lie next to my sister in the Cafe triggered something in me. Something that I couldn't work out at the time. I wiped my eyes fiercely, ignoring the extra tears that were escaping and stood up, despite my shaking knees and the bloody cuts and bruises that adorned them.

After all... they were my battle scars.

And even if we wouldn't come out victorious from this battle, we sure as hell won it.

And I would do it for Gavroche and Éponine, who wouldn't be able to see the outcome of this dreaded and fateful day.

The Éponine, who taught me how to live. My sister, the adventurer and the best friend I could ever ask for. The literal other half of me, that I was already finding difficult to live without.

And Gavroche, the brave little soldier.

And what pained me most of all was that:

He never found out that I was his sister.