La Souffrance

Book One: Many Deaths

VII
Azelma confronts Marius

Éponine and Marius walked down the crowded streets of downtown Paris. They were having a rather pleasant conversation when they passed Azelma.

"Hello, sis," Éponine smiled.

"Hello indeed!" Azelma replied, angrily. Marius went pale.

"What is wrong?" Éponine tilted her head. Marius tried to discreetly take his leave. But before he could get very far, Azelma grabbed his hand and yanked him back.

"What's wrong is your boyfriend here, stole my money!" Azelma yelped.

"I'm not her-" Marius was interrupted by Éponine.

"Is this true?" Éponine asked.

"Um... I was drunk!" Marius lied.

"No you weren't," Éponine shook her head.

"Uh... Was an accident?" Marius fibbed.

"I've been helping my father steal for years, Éponine narrowed her eyes. "I know you can't accidentally steal something."

"Oh, right," Marius frowned.

"Honestly, Marius, I'm disappointed in you," Éponine was truly sodden.

"Well *I'm a good thief, I just always get caught!" Marius smirked.

"Stupid boy," Azelma chimed.

"Oh shut up, Azelma," Éponine rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah!? And why should I?" Azelma sneered.

"Because he's older than you and-"

"And because I stole it so I could pay 'ponine's hospital bill," Marius added. Azelma and Éponine stared at Marius.

"What?" The two sisters were puzzled.

"You think the hospital would take a bullet out of you for free?" Marius snapped.

"A bullet?! What on earth happened?"

"Some little barricade thing," Éponine explained.

"You should really give all that up!" Azelma suggested.

"No. I won't," Éponine angrily said.

Azelma rolled her eyes. "Well anywho," She said. "Don't worry, Marius. I won't tell anyone you stole from me."

"Oh, uh, thanks," Marius said.

"Oh, you haven't happened to see my white gloves anywhere, have you?" This was to both Marius and Éponine.

"I didn't steal them, if that's what you're thinking," Marius joked.

"I figured," Azelma said. "But if you see them, please give them to me."

"Will do," Éponine promised.
"Have a nice day," Azelma said and she walked away.

*Quote from my friend