A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Missed - Chapter 56

A/N: WARNING, THIS CHAPTER IS DARK (of ages past)!!! I don't wanna spoil, but... Yeah, this chapter's pretty graphic, so... Just be prepared. Or skip it!

Your dinner had gone a lot better than you (originally) thought it would have. After his apology, the two of you returned to talking the same way you had before things got complicated— and by the end of the evening, the both of you were taking a little too long to say goodbye. Even though it was past ten.

"Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?" Courfeyrac asked as Gavroche stood at his side, his thumbs tucking into his jacket as he tried to hide his "stolen" pastries (Courfeyrac had bought them from Madame Houcheloup).

"It's not too far away, Monsieur— I'll manage... But really. Thank you for the offer."

"Yeah, Courf— she wants me to walk her home, right M'selle?" Gavroche said, his jacket that once was a little too large nearly bursting with desserts.

You just gave a small laugh, you gaze turning to Courfeyrac as you ruffling the boy's hair a little.

"I'll see you tomorrow though, no?"

"That you will," he man said. For a moment, he nearly insisted again on walking you home, but you simply waved to him as you made your way to the door. You'd have to leave before you and him could get into another round of friendly banter.

You were greeted with a humid breeze the moment you pulled the door open.

As you walked outside, the crisp smell of rain permeating the streets, you watched the spots of moonlight dancing in the miniature rivers as they ran down the cobblestone. The world felt dozens of times warmer with the humidity.

You gasped as an ugly frog leapt in front of you.

"Oh— goodness," you laughed, hardly believing you were startled by something as small as that. Goodness, the night was gorgeous... the weather was a little uncomfortable, yes, but for the most part— you certainly weren't complaining.

It was moments later that sheets of rain came glittering down.

That would certainly make it that much harder to pull off your dress, but you figured— ah, what the hell? You were already soaked anyway... might as well just enjoy the rest of the night while you could. And besides. The cool water was certainly welcome given the circumstances.

It was then that you heard footsteps.

Before you had the chance to process what was happening, a large hand clamped over your mouth— and you felt yourself being yanked backward and greeted by a strong chest. You nearly tripped as you were dragged backward, a struggling mess as you tried to push yourself away, and you were quick to wince in pain as your back collided with the wall of a blacksmith's shop. This said person was using his body weight to keep you there.

"Mademoiselle... you know, I normally like it when you scream, but..." a voice purred, obviously finding some sort of sick pleasure in watching you suffer. You feared to open your eyes, and yet, curiosity got the better of you— and you were greeted with the putrid face of Timeo, the very man who made your life a living hell.

"Make a sound, and make sure nobody'll ever know where the hell you went."

His hand was still clamped over your mouth. For a moment, you wanted to bite his hand— to scream and get attention of some sort of bystander— but from what you felt, aside from a throbbing back, was a blade was being held to your neck...