After the End

Chapter 7

Enjolras awoke to a knock at the door. "Yeah" he mumbled with his eyes still closed. He heard the door open and the familiar sound of Marius's rapid breaths fill the room. He immodestly felt calmer. For as much as Marius annoyed Enjolras before the revolution with his endless chatter over Cosette, Enjolras would consider him his best friend. Marius has helped him so much in his recovery while also recovering for himself. It was something Enjolras could never repay, and he knew that, so he had to leave. He had to go back to his own apartment he shared with Courfeyrac and Combeferre before the revolution. He needed his books and his space. He needed to stop being a problem for Marius and his family.

Marius sat down at the end of the bed and Enjolras sat up. "How are you feeling?" Marius asked, his lopsided smile plastered on his face.

Enjolras chuckled, "Fine I guess. Yesterday was just difficult it was hard seeing what my revolution-".

"Our revolution" Marius emphasized.

Enjolras sighed, "It was hard to see the effects /my/ revolution had on families. I tore that poor girl's family apart. I took away her brother, I let him fight".

Marius shook his head, "Enjolras, Gavroche chose to fight in the revolution. It's not like you forced him to come to meetings or forced the revolver in his hand. He did it all on his own accord. He believed in the cause just as much as anyone else, maybe even more than some of them" Marius said with a smile, "I think if Gav were here he would be happy he died this way. He was fighting for righteousness and justice, instead of dying from some disease on the streets" he shrugged.

Enjolras nodded, "I guess that's true, but Marius it's just difficult to actually see the outcome, even though it's only a small glimpse. Marius what is it like in France right now?" He asked, surprised he hadn't been told of anything before.

Marius looked away before looking back at Enjolras. "Things have changed a lot since the revolution. The police have become more active and more suspicious. They have people placed at every corner in the city, they are always on duty even through the night" Marius said.

"Of course Javert would have them working overtime, doesn't want something like this to happen again" Enjolras said in disgust. Javert, the obsessive, deceiving police inspector. He almost tore the barricade apart before the revolution had even begun.

Marius shook his head, "Javert isn't the inspector anymore-"

"What? That's amazing! Did he retire after his successful put down of the stupid revolution" Enjolras asked.

Once again Marius shook his head, "No Enj, Javert is dead. He killed himself by jumping into the Seine" he said.

Enjolras was shocked, Javert committing suicide. If Marius didn't look as grave as he did Enjolras would not believe him. "Okay, so if it's not Javert then who is it?" Enjolras asked.

Marius looked uncertain, as if disclosing the information would be a condemnation. "Well, there is a new inspector and believe me he's crazier than Javert and, well he's looking for you" Marius said.

"'Me? How does he know me? I'm dead" Enjolras said surprised.

Marius shrugged, "I don't know, but he knows you're alive somewhere and he's determined to find you" Marius said.

"What about the girl? You don't think she will be a problem do you?" Enjolras asked, the last thing he needed was that girl to go tell the police where she was hiding because she hated him.

"Éponine? She won't be a problem. I hope. I was kind of horrible to her, but just seeing you like, well you know, it set me over the edge" he said trailing off.

So that was her name, now it was all coming back. The girl was Marius's shadow, the boys and him would always joke about how oblivious Marius was and how stupid she was to keep trying to get him. "Thanks Marius, but I think you should make sure she is okay, that she won't rat us out because you yelled at her" he suggested.

Marius sighed, "Alright, but I want you to come with me".