Chapter 13: Little People

I tell 'em there's a lot to learn,

Down here on the ground!

The world is big,

But little people turn it around!

~~**~~

“Isn’t it amusing?”

“What?” Joleigh looked at Grantaire as if he was mad. The drunk was just smirking foolishly.

“You know-“ He waved his hand around at the men who had started to file out of the café and back to the barricade. “All this!”

“You know well enough I don’t find it amusing.” Joleigh sighed and checked the bruise that was forming on the side of his face due to Enjolras’ little outburst. Grantaire flinched when she touched it.

“It’s a stupid thing to say ‘Taire.” Gavroche added whilst glaring, trying to bigger himself up as much as he could. Grantaire’s eyes enlightened with amusement before shoving the child playfully.

“Just my opinion, little man.”

“Oi! Don’t call me that!”

“It’s true!”

“Whatever.” Gavroche huffed, pushing himself off the bar-table he was sitting on. “I’m off.”

“Where exactly?” Joleigh raised an eyebrow. Gavroche grinned and spun on his heels.

“Jus’ outside, madam.” Before she could say anything else he ran out the door. Grantaire rolled his eyes and reached for an absinthe bottle behind the abandoned bar. He was greeted with a slap on his hand.

“What?” The man laughed at Joleigh’s disapproving look. “Oh, stop it Joleigh. You know I need it.”

“Really? Do you really need more alcohol?” She jested, taking his still extended hand and putting it back on his lap.

“You know I do.” Grantaire sighed touching the bruise on his cheek. Joleigh immediately took his hand and he looked at her with a sadness she had never seen before. “It’s the worst he’s ever done.” He whispered, ducking his head so his black curls fell in his eyes.

“I’m sorry.” Joleigh gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

“You didn’t do it.”

“I’m saying it for him.”

“But it’s not him saying it, is it?” Grantaire choked down what seemed to be a laugh or a sob as he hopped off the bar-stool.

“Grantaire-“ Joleigh tried to grasp his shoulder but he shrugged her off.

“If you won’t let me have the wine, I’ll go to the wine myself!” He chortled, looking at her with eyes that did not match his happy act.

“And how are you going to do that?” Joleigh asked.

“Yes – how are you going to do that?” Courfeyrac appeared, leaning on the bar with a rifle on his shoulder.

“I’m gonna burrow into the wine alcove and never come out.” Grantaire sniffed, raising his head high in mocking to the ‘rich’. “I will doze between Merlot ‘89 and Pinot Noire ’73.”

“Sure you will, my friend, sure.” Courfeyrac snorted, shaking his head. “Maybe while you’re up there find some sense?”

“Oh, of course Courfeyrac.” Grantaire simpered mischievously and with a last glance at Joleigh, made for the stairs. Joleigh hit Courfeyrac lightly on the arm when he was gone.

“What?”

“Don’t mock him.” She said sternly and the man stopped smiling.

“I know. Sorry. It’s just-I…Sorry.“ He stammered, turning red.

“Courf, it’s fine!” Joleigh laughed and looked at the gun he was holding quizzically. “Why are you carrying that around? You seem to have it with you everywhere.”

“Well,” Courfeyrac held it out to her, turning it in the light seeping through Musain’s broken windows, “Just incase there’s another surprise attack. Defense purposes, really.” Joleigh nodded, lips pursed and thinking. His question caught her by surprise; “Don’t you have something?”

“Excuse me?” Joleigh’s eyes widened. Courfeyrac shrugged.

“You know, a weapon just incase.”

“No.” She replied sheepishly. Her friend’s eyes suddenly became concerned.

“You better find one, madam! It’s dangerous wandering around the street in this time without a weapon of some sort; what if someone attacked you and none of us were there to protect you! Joleigh, you need to find something. I don’t want Enjolras freaking out.” Courfeyrac laughed. “Also, stop taking the guns off Gavroche, I know it may not seem right; but I gave him them so he has defense. I told him to use it for strictly that purpose, though he’s got quite an aim.” Joleigh was taken aback with surprise. What he was saying was wrong in so many ways, however it was right! She needed to defend herself somehow.

“You’re right.” She blurted out. “I do need something…”

“Courfeyrac!” A student suddenly called from the doorway. “Combeferre needs you!” Courfeyrac nodded at the boy and patted Joleigh on the back.

“I’ll see you later.” He beamed and left, leaving Joleigh alone in the empty café. She got off her stool, broken bottle glass crunching below her feet and padded up to the doorway herself. However, she turned away from the barricade and made her way the chipped doors to her building.

She swung open the doors and stepped into the dark hallway. Each step moaned as she climbed the old wooden stairs only ceasing when she came to her floor. Everyone in the building kept to their rooms, too afraid to go outside in fear of being shot. Instead they watched from holes in their shutters as Joleigh did. The girl burst into her apartment and latched the door behind her. In the daylight that seeped through the windows the room looked abandoned. She hadn’t realized that the paper’s from Enjolras’ desk hand been strewn about the floor and that moving the furniture had caused deep gashes into the already rotting wood. The sink was leaking. The wardrobe door was open and their clothes were collecting dust. Joleigh pondered on whether to change or not. She looked down at her dress; the skirt was soaked in mud, at one part it was torn and the ‘rose’ color had faded to a sort of grey. Yes, yes I must change. Not only was she uncomfortable but also she felt embarrassed that she had been walking around in such a mess.  Swinging open the wardrobe doors further, Joleigh selected another dress, a faded blue, and shook the dust from it. After changing, she went to the bedroom. She took a deep breath before approaching the bedside table. Nervously Joleigh placed a shaking hand on the drawer handle. You need to defend yourself. I don’t want Enjolras freaking out. Courfeyrac’s words rang in her ears. She clenched her jaw and pulled the drawer open, rattling its contents. Joleigh carefully took out her book and placed it on the bed, revealing the gun underneath. Taking it in her hands she checked if there was any ammo. Only one bullet left. She sighed. That’s all it takes isn’t it.

Going back into the main room, she took her worn-out dress from the heap it was in on the floor and ripped the skirt. Taking two pieces of fabric, she lifted her leg and pressed the gun against her thigh. Joleigh tied it on tight so that the cold metal was firmly attached to her leg. Satisfied that the gun wasn’t visible, she let her skirt go and brushed herself down. Looking back once to her empty room Joleigh went back to the street.

Enjolras appeared out of the alley, immediately swarmed by his men to hear the news about the other barricades. It wasn’t good. The firm leader had gone very pale.

“The rain’s damaged the gunpowder and we’re short on ammunition.” Marius greeted him first. Enjorlas only nodded.

“We’re the only ones left.” He said softly. The men stopped what they were doing to look at him.

“What?” Joly spluttered.

“We’re the only ones left. The other barricades have either been deserted or destroyed by the Guard.” The leader sighed, shaking his head at the ground. How could he look at his men? It was over. All was lost. “The people haven’t stirred, we’ve been abandoned by those who still live in fear. Let’s not waste lives. All with wives and children may go.” The barricade was shrouded in silence as the men took in what Enjolras had just said. Was their fearless leader giving up? Nobody moved.

Gavroche, who was sitting atop the broken piano furrowed his brow and pouted. The men he looked up to could not be surrendering to their doubt so early! The boy pushed himself up and patted Courfeyrac on the head. He knew just what they needed.

Do you hear the people sing?

Singing the song of angry men.

He sang. The barricade men all turned to look at him.

It is the music of a people,

Who will not be slaves again!

Then Feuilly joined; then Combeferre, then Jehan and Lesgles and Courfeyrac. Everyone had joined by the time the verse ended, and by this time hope was back in their minds. Bahorel patted Enjolras heavily on the back and the leader smiled. It wasn’t over yet. Only one or two men left, but Enjolras did not care, for his friends still stood beside him. Preparation continued. Joleigh appeared from the apartment doors and went to her fiancée.

“Well?” She asked. Enjolras smiled wearily.

“Not good.” He sighed. Joleigh kissed him on the cheek and gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. Enjolras looked at her. “You have to go. I don’t want you to get hurt when the next battle commences.” Joleigh smirked and patted the side of her leg.

“Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll be just fine.” She whispered, but before he could inquire what she was talking about, the girl walked away.

“How are we going to make up for the loss of ammunition?” Feuilly suddenly asked him.

“Let me go to the streets, there’s bodies all around. Surely the guards carry their bullets with them. If I go out, then I can scavenge.” Marius offered.

“I won’t let you go, it’s too much of a chance.” Enjolras retorted. “The National Guard is just waiting for us to do that, so they can pick us off.”

“But the same is true for any man!” His friend argued.

“No, don’t let him go. I’ll do it. I’m old so there’s nothing to fear.” The volunteer appeared behind him. Enjolras shook his head and turned away.

Gavroche overheard this conversation and beamed wickedly. Courfeyrac had made him sit and watch as everyone else got to do something! The boy was bored of being treated like a kid; he was just as brave as any of them. He was going to prove it. Making sure that Joleigh and Courfeyrac were not paying him attention, Gavroche leaped off the piano and hid behind it.

“Little people know…when lil’ people fight.” He muttered as he pushed himself through a small gap in the barricade. The boy huffed and puffed until he was finally at the coffins; where the barricade ended. He looked above him and saw the body of a soldier. Gavroche smirked and grabbed the black pouch on the man’s side. He looked around. No more bodies were close enough for him to reach. The boy rammed his feet onto a beam and wiggled his way up and out of the barricade. He was now on the other side. Gavroche could see the National Guard at the end of the street, guns at the ready. One soldier looked at him and nudged his friend, laughing. This made Gavroche fume. “We may look easy pickin’s, but we’ve got some bite!” He hissed at them and yanked another pouch off another soldier. The soldiers glared and smirked; one of them raised their gun. Gavroche wasn’t put off; he defiantly walked onto the street clutching the pouches tightly.

Combeferre looked down from his watch and saw the boy, his eyes widening in fear.

“Gavroche!” He warned, scrambling higher and reaching out for the child; though still trying to hide from the Guard’s aim. “Gav – come here!” The boy ignored him, his mind buzzing with excitement.

“So never kick a dog, because it’s just a pup!” A shot rang out. The bullet plunged into the wooden coffin lid right by Gavroche’s head. The boy thought it was a miss, laughing; however the soldiers had fired a warning. The sound of a gun turned heads. Combeferre looked down at his comrades anxiously. Joleigh abruptly stood and moved forwards, when she saw Gavroche wasn’t where she left him, she felt for the gun at her side. Courfeyrac went to see what was going on. The boy had taken another step closer as there was a pouch lying on the ground just ahead.

“We’ll fight like twenty armies,” Gav yelled, “and we won’t give up!”

“Gavroche!” Courfeyrac shouted, scrambling higher.

“Come back!” Lesgles added. Joleigh turned white when she heard the voice. She couldn’t do anything. She couldn’t move. All she did was stand there, frozen in place, gun in hand, thinking; No. I’m not hearing this. Her brain screamed for her to move, but her body wasn’t listening. She couldn’t watch.

“Gavroche - what are you doing! Get back! Get back here!” Courfeyrac cried moving to climb over the barricade him self, but Combeferre restrained him for his own sake. It was too late. The man knew Gav was done for, and he wasn’t letting his friend die trying, no matter how much it pained him. “Let go of me! Somebody get him back!” Courf wailed. Gavroche turned to look up at him and smirked. Another shot. Gavroche stumbled. The boy cried out in pain, hissing through his clenched jaw.

“No! Leave him alone!”

“Please – this is madness!”

“Kid, get back!”

“Don’t do it! Don’t-” More men climbed up, more men shouting for Gavroche to come back.

“Stop you bastards!” Bahorel hollered at the soldier with the pointed gun. “Stop it, he’s a child!” The others took up the cry; but saw the same soldier reloading. The officer commanding him nodded stiffly. Gavroche felt the wound at his shoulder. It was so painful. His little fingers tried to stop the bleeding as he bellowed the rest of his song, reaching for that last pouch;

“So you’d better,” The gun was aimed.

“Don’t let him go! Don’t let him!” Courf screamed in panic.

“Run for cover,” Joleigh’s grasp around the gun tightened, but she was still immobilized by fear.

“Please…please…” She begged. “God, don’t let this-“

“When the pup grows-“ The shot rang out. Gavroche fell.

"No!" Courfeyrac ripped free of his friends and ran down to the carriage. Enjolras and Marius followed him quickly, trying to grab their grieving comrade, but they weren’t quick enough. He had burst through the doors and fell over Gav’ tiny body.

“Courfeyrac!” Marius warned, pointing his gun at the soldiers. They did not move, the officer commanding them not to attack. It was enough. Courfeyrac was sobbing, taking his little friend’s body in his arms and staggering back to the carriage. He collapsed as soon as he was back behind the barricade. The boy’s frosty blue eyes were still open.

“Gav-please. No, no…this can’t be…please!” Courf was shaking, Combeferre quickly rushing to his side. “Why?” He whispered. “Why did they-?” Gavroche was like his brother, like his son, like family. Joleigh stared. It was as if the world around her stopped. She couldn’t hear what the others were saying, she couldn’t see them. All she heard was the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears. All she saw was Gavroche’s dead body. All she could feel was the gun in her hand. Joleigh snapped.

Enjolras stared at each of his friends. There was an uproar going on between the students. They were demanding to get revenge; the Guard had killed a girl and a child. Some had to restrain others as their anger took hold of them. However, so many were distracted that none saw the girl climbing the barricade.

Joleigh was clouded by rage. She climbed higher and higher, determined to see the faces of the men who had killed Gav. They are going to pay. They are going to pay. She hissed through her breath. The splintered wood dug into her skin, digging into her shaking hands; but she couldn’t feel it. She was almost at the red flag. Joleigh peered over the edge. There they were. The soldiers proudly clad in their red and blue, acting as if it were necessary to kill children. Joleigh was about to do something she vowed never to do, but at the moment she wasn’t herself. She raised the gun and aimed at the head of the soldier who killed her friend.

~~**~~

I'm sorry did you want to find out what happened next? WELL TOO BAD! Muahaha...ehem...okay. No, I'm actually really sorry. Like really. I just had to leave you on a clifhanger! Mainly because I want to hear what you guys have to say about it! You've gotten to know Joleigh's character pretty well so far, and I want you to comment what you think she will do...

...will she really kill someone? Is this innocent angel scarred by war, finally cracking? You've gotta hand it to her, this is quite a traumatic experience for her; I mean around 4(ish) days ago she was only the pretty bakers daughter engaged to the man of her dreams. Now, already two of her closest friends have been killed! 

I want to give her a hug. Like really badly, don't you?! I want to give all of them hugs :')

Anyways, i'd like to thank you for all your lovely comments on the previous chapters; they are amazing (i just like thanking you for everything because you are a beautiful human being!) and they really make me happy! I jump for joy whenever i see one :D 

Also, the fan-art I've got are absolutely incredible! If you draw anything, be sure to tell me/send it and I'll definitely give you shout outs! I wish I had that sort of talent, haha!

Well, this is it guys. One more document...dun-dun-da...One more chapter...dun-dun-da...Oneeeeee chapppptteerrrrr moooooooooooooooorreeeeeeeeeee! ;)

Love you,

-Grantaire/Kat xx