After the End

Chapter 11

Éponine had managed to avoid Marius for about a week. She hadn't seen nor heard from him, his wife, or his friend.

She couldn't help but think about Enjolras. He was much different than how she remembered him before the revolution. He seemed much more fragile and personable, whereas before he seemed rigid and otherworldly. He was mortal now, he lost his power.

She marveled at how quickly everything changed. It seemed like yesterday everyone was planning for a revolution they didn't expect to happen anytime soon, but then one day it was upon them. Everyone was left scrambling to try and fix anything that could be fixed before the barricade rose.

Now everyone is changed, some for the better but some for the worst. Éponine had not yet decided which category she fell into. Was she better because she finally realized that Marius never had or will have feelings for her, or was she worse because she had no one to even say hello to anymore. All the faces she passed were unfamiliar and unfriendly.

Except for one, and she saw it everywhere. Enjolras's. However, she didn't see him person, only on posters and flyers that covered every street, alley, and corner. She didn't know how the police department knew it was Enjolras that lead the revolution, but the wanted posters were everywhere. In Éponine's gut she felt a twinge of fear and worry for him. She hoped he would be safe, but then she quickly pushed the feeling down. She barely knew Enjolras and she couldn't be friends with him. She hated him for what he did, but did she? The man had been suffering enough, and the way he had acted towards her earlier that week had been nothing short of extraordinary. After all she had done to him, he still listened to her and tried to help. She sighed, if only there were more people like him.

Suddenly, she heard someone shout her name. She turned around quickly and saw Marius. He had a huge smile on his face and was waving his hands around like a maniac. Éponine wanted to run, she wanted to sprint off through the maze of alleys she has grown to master, but she didn't. She couldn't. She needed to face him. So she stood with her arms crossed and waited for him to come to her. When he reached her he stared at her for a few moments before pulling her into a hug. "Oh Ponine I'm so sorry for everything! Please forgive me" he said.

Before Éponine would have sunken into his chest and stay in his arms for as long as she could, but now she pushed him away almost automatically.

"Aww come on, Ponine, don't be like that! I miss you and I've spent the past week trying to find you" he said annoyed.

"Yeah, well maybe you should've thought about that before you lied to me" she said turning her back to him.

Marius took another step forward, "Éponine, please understand. I thought you were dying. You were shot in the chest! I wanted to try to make it up to you. I know I was really terrible and literally blind to what was in front of me, but I found my love. I just wanted to help you find yours. Make your death a little less terrible" he said.

Éponine whirled around to face him, "You wanted to make my death more bearable? Sure I was dying, and in physical and emotional pain but that gives you no right to lie to someone! I really loved you Marius and I waited for you for 4 years. Never once did you show any sign of legitimate love towards me, but still I stayed by your side. I died trying to protect you so you could be with her, your perfect wife. I loved you so much that I sacrificed myself for you, but all you did to thank me was pledge vows of false love. You know I actually thought it was real. I thought that we could actually have had a life together if I lived. I think that might've kept me alive longer, but what's the use. I see now that you never loved me, not even a little. I mean I guess I'm a train wreak, who could ever love me?" She asked practically to herself.

"Enjolras?" She heard Maris mutter.

"Enjolras?"