As soon as the words escaped Enjolras's mouth chaos ensued. Shots rang out and soon they blended together with the yells and shouts of men.
Éponine swirled around trying to catch a glimpse of Enjolras somewhere in the chaos. Finally she spotted his blonde curls and red jacket dashing away towards the café. Before she knew it she too was running to the café. She weaved through the masses of people on the streets, ignoring the screams and gunshots as she went. She passed by many people with bloodied hands and chests and some were just staring distantly. She couldn't help but wonder if they were even part of the revolution. She pushed the thought aside and continued to run towards the café.
Suddenly furniture started to fall from the sky and she hid under a stoop of a building. The furniture crashed to the ground sending splinters of wood flying everywhere. Éponine turned her face away and held her hands up, but she could feel the splinters embedding themselves in her skin. She ignored them and made her way out to the street once again. Boys and men alike were sprinting down the street picking up discarded pieces of furniture as they went.
She followed suit before running after them down the alley. Finally she reached the café and saw the furniture being built into a wall. She found an entrance and placed her furniture onto the barricade before looking around wildly to find Enjolras. Finally she found him conversing with Courfeyrac and Combeferre. He was absorbed in the conversation and Éponine could see the fire of passion burning in his eyes. This was his moment and he needed to stay focused. Éponine now understood why he didn't want her here, he needed to be able to focus on the other boys at the barricade and not worry about just one person.
As the sun set the barricade grew taller as more and more men arrived at the barricades. Éponine watched each man come in to see if she recognized one. She noticed a man with a long brown coat. She couldn't help but feel like she knew him. He walked around the barricade eying everything and everyone suspiciously. His greying hair was pulled back and his thick sideburns accented the angles of his face. Suddenly it clicked. The man was a police officer, and not just a police officer, it was Javert. He stepped in front of Enjolras before telling him of the national guards plans. From the look on Enjolras's face, Éponine could tell that he believed every word Javert said. Éponine couldn't draw attention to herself by saying the man was a liar so she searched for someone to tell him. Finally her eyes landed on her younger brother Gavroche, who was also eyeing Javert suspiciously.
She walked over to him before pulling him aside. "Ey' whadoya think you're doing?" Gav said while trying to pry her hand off his coat.
She pulled off her hat and knelt down in front of him.
His eyes widened, "Ép, what are ya doing here?" He asked loudly.
Éponine put her hand over his mouth, "shh Gav, Enjolras can't know I'm here ok" she insisted quietly.
"No kidding" Gav said with a smile, "he'd flip if he saw you here!"
Éponine couldn't help but laugh, "ok Gav, I need your help. See that man talking to Enjolras?" She said pointing to Javert.
Gavroche nodded, "yeah, who is he?" He asked turning back to her.
"It's Inspector Javert. You need to tell Enjolras that everything he just said is a lie ok? Can you do that for me Gav?" She probed gently.
Gav nodded and saluted to her before scurrying off with a smile.
Éponine laughed and placed her hat back on her head while she heard Gav shout "Enjolras don't believe 'im! He's a liar. It's Inspector Javert!"
Before she knew it all guns were turned on Javert and Enjolras and Bahorel were restraining him. Enjolras glared at Javert and said something Éponine couldn't hear before dragging him into the café.
Suddenly Javert's arm got free and swung at Enjolras. Éponine felt herself flinch as his fist connected with Enjolras's face. More boys ran into the café to restrain Javert until, finally, someone knocked him out. Enjolras and the Amis walked out of the café with Enjolras rubbing his jaw. Two more men staying behind to tie Javert to the stairs before returning to the barricade.
Suddenly Éponine heard the sound of quiet footsteps that suddenly swelled into the pounding of the organized national guard. She guessed the others heard too because they all rushed to gather their weapons and climbed the barricade. It was going to begin. The fighting, the killing and Éponine was ready to do what she had to do. It was time.
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...
