After the End

Chapter 3

Weeks passed and Éponine was living just as she had before the revolution. She would spend her nights on the streets having to find a cold corner to sleep in every night. She couldn't go back home, no it was much better if they thought she was dead. No one would look for her, but still she would have to keep a low profile.

In her first few days on the street the citizens of Paris were going around like nothing had even happened, like there wasn't a massacre a few weeks before. A massacre that killed her love. If it wasn't for that barricade they could be together right now. Holding hands and walking through the streets but she couldn't, it wasn't possible, for he was gone. She wished to join him but she knew he wouldn't want that. When the time was right they would be together again, no doubt.

Also, Éponine couldn't help but notice more police patrolling the area. Since the revolution they had been on edge. She kept her head down and tried to blend in, which was easier since she was clean and had a nice dress. Before the revolution she was easy to distinguish among the rich men and women in the street and was targeted by the policemen. Now they couldn't see her, she was invisible. She scanned the faces around her seeing many of the same faces she had seen before, she wondered if they recognized her.

Suddenly she saw a face that was all too familiar. One she thought she would never see again. Marius. The freckles on his face and his spiked brown hair were unmistakable. He was alive! She couldn't believe it. She felt her soul surge inside her and she began to go towards him. She yelled to him, "Marius! Marius! You're alive". He turned around and she saw him mouth her name surprise in his eyes. A smile grew on her face as he was finally before him and before he could even say a word she slammed her lips to his. She expected him to welcome the kiss and melt into her embrace but instead he stood erect and immediately pushed her off.

"Éponine!" He scolded her, "Why did you do that? How are you alive?" He asked.

Éponine pushed her hair out of her face flustered, "I'm not sure how in alive , someone got me out of the barricade and a woman healed me. But you said you loved me, that you wanted to be with me and you couldn't cause I was dying, but I'm here now! I'm alive and we can be together. Marius don't you see? I love you!" She cried happily.

Marius suddenly got a concerned look in his eye, "Éponine believe me in extremely happy you're alive but I-I um-" he began before a figure appeared at his side and took his arm.

"Marius, who is this?" A beautiful voice asked. Éponine saw the voice had a beautiful face to match it.

Marius cleared his throat, "Eponine, I'd like you to meet my wife, Cosette" he said.

Éponine felt as if she had been punched in the stomach, he had told her he was over Cosette that she was moving away, yet somehow here she was. Éponine felt the tears come to her eyes, he had lied to her, he never loved her it was an act. His wife? When had they had the time to be married? She took a step back allowing the hurt to show on her face. She stared into Marius's eyes and saw nothing. She couldn't see any love for her, he eyes were staring at her as if she were a wounded dog. You wanted to help it but you didn't want to go near it. She did her best to smile at Cosette and shake her hand. "It's nice to meet you Madame" she said.

Cosette smiled, not showing any indication of seeing the looks between Marius and Éponine before. "You as well, erm-"

"Éponine"

"Éponine. It's been a long time" she said her eyes suddenly showing recognition.

Cosette, now Éponine remembered, could it really be her? Her sapphire eyes still glistened just as they had all those years ago. "Yeah it has" Éponine said.

Marius looked between the two women, "You know each other?" He asked surprised.

Cosette nodded, "We were children together. I lived with her and her parents in their inn, before my father took me away" she said, chocking slightly on the last part.

Éponine saw Marius squeeze Cosette's hand slightly and she nodded her thanks. Eponine remembered the day Cosette's "father" came to the inn. That was the day Éponine's life took a turn for the worst. How their lives had been swapped. She couldn't help but scoff and mutter, "look what's become of us now, huh" looking enviously at Cosette.

Marius looked up to Éponine, "Would you care to come over for dinner? I think we should catch up" he said.

Éponine nodded and agreed, as much as she didn't want to go she wanted to spend as much time with him as she could. She had to know why he lied.