What is Love?

Chapter 35

Éponine soon became aware of her surroundings once again and she knew someone was following her. She tried to stay on crowded streets, away from secluded areas but she knew she and to turn down one soon. She quickened her pace and turned down the dark street. She could hear the loose stones crunching under someone's heavy shoes behind her and she turned around. However she saw no one. Her gaze went left and right, up and down but she couldn't see anyone in sight. She ran her hands through her hair, she was crazy. She shook her head and turned around but when she did she came face to face with a man. A man whom she didn't think she would see again. A man who was supposed to be in jail. Her father.

She gasped and tried to cry out for help but her father's grubby hand was over her mouth. She squirmed under his touch but he wouldn't let her go. Instead he laughed at her feeble attempts to escape and he pulled her into the shadows.

He threw her to the ground and sighed, "Is that any way to greet your father Éponine" he asked, "come now, give your daddy a proper greeting" he sneered picking her up roughly and embracing her.

She pushed against him harshly and she landed on the ground. She scrambled to get up but he kicked her back down.

"You locked me up. If was because of your big mouth that your mom and I were locked up in that dump for three year" he yelled.

She stood back up, "You deserved it. You and mom. I'm glad you went to jail" she said as bravely as she could but her voice was audibly quivering.

He snickered at her attempted bravery, "Ive been gone for three years and my Éponine finally learns to stick up for herself? You know that's all I was doing. Trying to make you brave" he said advancing on her.

Éponine soon found her back pressed against a brick wall. She couldn't escape. "You didn't make me brave" she finally squeaked out.

Her father laughed, "I know that. You were the biggest disappointment! You made friends with that pompous rich boy and you expected me to treat you all high and mighty. I had to remind you of who you really were. Dirt. Look who your father is dear child. You are nothing" he sneered his face pressed right against her ear.

Éponine felt her eyes tear up and through her cloudy eyes she saw her father inspect her face closely.

"No, there's no way" he said gleefully.

Éponine wiped her eyes, "What?" She asked defensively.

"You must have missed me" he laughed at her.

"I did not! I was glad you were gone!" She yelled.

Her father pushed her back, "Shut up. I just couldn't help but notice the bruises on your face. You missed your old man doing it so you just had to find someone else. So who is it? Is it your rich friend?" he taunted.

Éponine shook her head, "No it's not him. And I didn't go looking for this it happened! Shouldn't you be upset that this is happening to your daughter. You're supposed to be the one who cares the one to protect me! But no instead you go and spend all your money drinking and come home and blame me for your failures! And you know what, Enjolras has always been there for me. He's been the one to look after and care for me. He's loved-" she stopped and looked away from her father. "He's loved me" she whispered. It all made sense now. He cared about her as more than a friend and she felt herself smile. How could she have been so blind.

In her distracted state her father pushed her back into the wall, "Oh he loves you how sweet" he said, Éponine struggling under his grip. "I guess I'll have to go see him and ask him what he really thinks of you. Wait, oh now I remember. He was the one who brought the police. I swore I would make him pay. I guess it's time to see " he sneered and winked at Éponine before stepping off into the shadows.

"No!" She called out trying to chase after him but it was like he vanished. He was nowhere in sight. She felt a mix of nerves and fury run through her body. She had to warn Enjolras. She ran all the way to the house and bolted up to his room. She pounded on the door until he finally answered.

He opened the door and when he registered the fear on her face he opened his mouth to ask what was wrong but he didn't get the chance. Éponine's lips were already crashing onto his.