The Dark of Ages Past-An Enjolras Fanfiction

Chapter 6 The Righteous Hurry Past

"Uncertainty is the refuge of hope."

                                                  -Henri Frederic Amiel

Chapter 6 The Righteous Hurry Past

Lissette

"Are you ready, Mademoiselle?" Gavroche asks. I nod, sneaking one more glance at my reflection in the broken mirror leaned against the interior wall of Gavroche's elephant. We climb down and once we are on the ground the little boy holds out his arm to escort me. I laugh and place my hand on his forearm.

"Gavroche, what is going on?" I ask. The street urchin came to me yesterday with a message from Enjolras to meet him on top of our café at dusk today. "What is Enjolras planning?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that." Gavroche chirps. I roll my eyes.

Suddenly shouts echo from a side street to our left. Gavroche freezes, his eyes widening. He looks up at me. That's Benoît." He whispers. "I have to go!" with that he takes off down the side street toward the yelling.

"Gavroche, wait!" I call. He ignores me. I shake my head and run down the alley after the brave, reckless little boy.

Enjolras

I sit on the roof of the café, waiting for Gavroche to bring Lissette. I enlisted the little street virgin's help because I knew that if I tried to get the ball rolling I would listen to my doubts and back out. Gavroche happily obliged; I think he could tell how nervous this whole situation makes me.

God, I hope this isn't a mistake. I reach into my pocket and pull out the small velvet box. When my mother died, Father was all for throwing all of her things out--I think they demanded him too much of her. But Belle and I kept a few things, including her wedding ring. I asked Belle if I could have it and she gladly agreed. She loves Lissette like her sister.

I open the box and stare at the small gold ring inside. My mother was petite, like Lissette, with the same small, dainty hands; it should fit. I pull the ring out and examine it closely; it is simple, just a thin gold band intricately engraved on the top with a single small diamond set in the center of a square of silver. I can't believe I'm doing this. I put the ring back in the box and run my hands through my hair. I want to climb down to the street and run before Lissette gets here and I have to go through with this, but I stand my ground. I can do this. I tell myself, then say it aloud."I can do this."

I look up; the sun is already sinking in the horizon, turning the sky a fiery orange. They should be here by now. I peer over the edge of the building, searching the streets for two familiar blonde heads, but there I'd no sign of Gavroche or Lissette anywhere.

Maybe they're not coming. A small voice whispers in the back of my mind. I shake my head, trying to fight off the uncertainty. No, I'm sure they're just running late. I assure myself.

But as the sun sets lower and lower and the orange in the sky fades away, so does my confidence. Gavroche must have let it slip why I wanted to meet her, and she doesn't feel the same way, so now she's avoiding me.

I feel like crying. I look up; the sky is black and so full of clouds that I can't make out a single star. My vision blurs as I gather my things and climb down from the roof. Stupid, stupid Enjolras. I chide myself. This vs will never be the same between you and Lissette now.

Stupid, stupid. I tell myself over and over as I wander through the streets, not really paying attention to where I am going. Suddenly I hear quick footsteps barreling toward me from behind. "Monsieur Enjolras!" a familiar breathless voice calls. Gavroche.

I turn around. The street urchin runs toward me, his eyes wide and his cheeks wet with tears.

"What is it, Gavroche?" I ask, my self-pity momentarily pushed aside by the panic on his face.

The little boy stops in front of me, looking younger than he ever has. He takes a few shaky breaths and then opens his mouth, his chin quivering.

He says only four words, but they are enough to bring my world crumbling down around me. "It's Lissette," he chokes, "she's hurt."