After the End

Chapter 10

Enjolras watched Éponine run away from him, knowing he could do nothing to stop or catch her. He sighed deeply and turned around, making his way back to where he had last seen Marius. From the way Éponine acted he knew she didn't want to be found so he let her go. He knew she felt betrayed and lied to, both were true. Marius had betrayed her feelings and lied to her, which may have been harmless at the time but now hade major consequences. He would just forget he saw Éponine and hope Marius wouldn't find her.

He looked up at the bustle of the street. Marius was right, a lot has changed, but not for the better. While out he had seen multiple officers standing at street corners and overseeing everything in the crowds. There was less organized crime, nothing got far enough, the police would always get involved before anything happened. There was also a vacant look among the people in the streets. They did not look as carefree as they had before. As soon as they saw an officer they would cast down their eyes and pick up their pace as of they had done setting wrong. Surely he did the same thing, but he had indeed done something wrong. Extremely wrong.

Enjolras stopped and leaned against a building, suddenly becoming light headed. Memories flashed through his mind and anger and panic coursed through his veins. He felt like screaming, he felt like crying, but that would only attract unwanted attention. His stupid plan was the one that caused all these changes. He was the one to ruin everything. He ruined the little freedom the citizens had, he ruined their privacy, he ruined their lives, but most of all he ruined his friends' lives by cutting them short. If he hasn't made them fight, maybe some of them would still be alive today and he wouldn't, like it was meant to be.

Finally Enjolras got himself under control and emerged, back into the square. He noticed that the only thing that didn't change was the amount of poor and homeless people on the street. They swarmed around every corner, in every alley way. They reached and begged to the passerby's but nothing would happen. They wouldn't get more than a disgusted sideways glance.

He continued down the pathway until he found Marius. He was searching desperately trying to find Éponine and his brows were pulled together in frustration.

When Marius saw Enjolras approaching, he jolted towards him. "Did you find her?" He asked.

Enjolras shook his head, "No I'm sorry Marius, but I guess she just doesn't want to be found", he said shrugging, "so shall we head to my apartment?" He asked.

Marius sighed, "I guess so" he said following after Enjolras. They walked across the city, taking many obscure alleyways to avoid the majority of the police. As much as Enjolras wanted to run out into the street and announce himself as the leader he had to seem put together in front of Marius, or else he would never let him go home.

Finally they arrived on the familiar path that he and his roommates, Combeferre and Courfeyrac, used to take to their building. Enjolras walked up into the familiar stoop, opened the familiar door, and walked up the familiar flight of stairs. Finally he arrived at the familiar door. He closed his eyes and saw it being opened by Combeferre with a huge stack of books, Courfeyrac with girls on both arms, and by himself frustrated after a long day. His throat tightened but he pushed to feeling down. He lead Marius into the familiar living room where Enjolras spent countless nights with his two best friends.

Marius stood awkwardly in the doorway, probably it hung to go back out and find Éponine. "So do you need anything?" Marius asked looking around the deserted room.

Enjolras shook his head, "No, not right now, but when I do I will let you know. Thank you,Marius, for everything" he said nodding sincerely.

Marius smiled, "it was no problem, just try to not get into anymore trouble" He said with a laugh.

Enjolras laughed along, but he felt as if he had been punched in the gut. He knew Marius didn't mean for Enjolras to interpret his statement as he did but, Enjolras couldn't help it. Marius gave Enjolras a final wave goodbye and closed the door leaving Enjolras in the empty and abandoned flat.