Forever and Always

Chapter 8: A Man in the Shadows

        Despite her protests, Marius insisted that Eponine stay with him for a few days. He was glad to see that her bruises were fading away and her rib had, for the most part, stopped hurting. One morning, Eponine came downstairs for breakfast. She was wearing a simple purple dress that had once belonged to Adalene. The dress hung rather loosely on her thin frame, but the color went well with her dark hair, which was braided in a dark plait down her back. Marius couldn't help but notice how she had transformed from a filthy street urchin in the short time she had been there. She had gained a pound or two and no longer resembled a living skeleton, much to Madame Lafaire's delight. Her cheeks had color and he seemed to be lost every time he gazed into her big brown eyes. She looks beautiful, he realized in surprise. Of course, he reminded himself, Ponine was strictly off-limits. After all, she was like a little sister to him. Still, Marius felt his heart skip a beat when she sat down next to him.

        "Marius," she said, looking down at her lap. "I have overstayed my welcome here. I will be leaving today."

        Marius frowned, but was not surprised. He knew his friend hated accepting help, even when she truly needed it. In fact, he was surprised she had consented to stay this long. Still, he tried to persuade her to change her mind.

        "You are not fully healed yet, Ponine. You must stay."

        Eponine shook her head. "I am not some fragile girl who needs help with everything she does, Marius," she said sharply. "I'm not weak! I can do things on my own." Her expression softened. "I am grateful, though," she said quietly. "I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I really should go."

        "Ponine," Marius said softly. "You don't need to do everything on your own."

        Eponine looked up at him. He could not read her expression. "Marius," she whispered. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something important, but thought better of it and shook her head. "Thank you for your kindness," she muttered, and stood up. She walked out of the room, her long braid swinging behind her. Marius followed her to the door.

        "Be careful, Ponine," he told her.

        "Aren't I always?" Eponine said with a smile. "Oh, wait a second!"

        "What is it?" Marius asked.

        "This dress I'm wearing isn't mine. I should change into my old clothes."

        "Your old clothes are rags. Keep the dress. I have no use for it. And I like the way it looks on you," said Marius.

        "Really?" Eponine smiled. "Thank you, Monsieur. For everything."

        Marius waved his friend good-bye. Suddenly, a movement in his peripheral vision caught his eye. Marius turned, but saw nothing. Strange, Marius thought. For a brief moment, he thought he had seen the figure of a man in the shadows through the corner of his eye. It must have been a trick of the light.

        Marius walked inside. He was already missing the presence of Eponine. He couldn't understand why she hated accepting help, but then again, that was a quality of hers that Marius had always found rather endearing.

        "You know," Madame Lafaire said after a long moment of silence, "She reminds me of Adalene, with that fiery, independent personality of hers. She even looks a bit like Adalene."

        "I've noticed," Marius replied softly.