The Dream Is Gone, But the Baby Is Real, a Les Miserables fanfiction (Chapter 7).
Click here for chapter 1 Click here for chapter 2 Click here for chapter 3 Click here for chapter 4 Click here for chapter 5 Click here for chapter 6
Summary: The complete story of Fantine, starting shortly before her conception of Cosette, up to her death. Based on the musical (a couple of concepts from Hugo’s novel are also present), with a “prequel” section. Multi-chapter.
Disclaimer: The title of this fic comes from the amazing song “This Night Has Opened My Eyes,” by The Smiths.
The Dream Is Gone, But the Baby Is Real, a Les Miserables fanfiction by PhantomDaae1981.
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Chapter 7
Fantine found herself over 100 miles from Montfermeil, in a city called Montreuil-sur-Mer. There was a textile factory there, where a recent expansion had resulted in many employment opportunities.
Fantine was hired to sew hemlines into dresses. The wages were decent, and she rented a small flat for herself. She sent the Thenardiers money for Cosette’s room, board, toys, and clothes.
Over the next year, Fantine was able to put money aside, as well. She intended to save up for a house for herself and Cosette. She dreamed of a little house with a garden, so she could grow her own food. With an ample vegetable garden, Fantine would not have to work, would not have to lie about being an unwed mother.
Fantine wrote to Cosette, told her of this plan, with the expectation that Madame Thenardier would read the letter to Cosette.
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Monsieur and Madame Thenardier poured over Fantine’s letter, laughing at her foolishness.
“She’s got money to spare, then,” Madame Thenardier cooed.
“Sounds like it’s time to up the ante,” her husband sneered.
Just then, Madame Thenardier noticed that Eponine was telling riddles to Cosette.
“’Ponine!” Madame Thenardier said severely. “Get away from Cosette. She’s trash.”
Eponine waddled off in confusion, two dolls in her arms.
Cosette returned to her bucket, where she struggled to wash beer mugs. Her face was smudged with dirt, and she had grown skinny. A glass slipped from her tiny hand, cutting her palm.
“Mama!” Cosette cried. “Hurt!”
Madame Thenardier rushed to her.
“You ain’t got no ‘mama,’ bastard!”
With that, Madame Thenardier grabbed the small girl by her shoulders and shoved her into the nearby closet, sliding the lock into place.
Cosette immediately began screaming and frantically pounding on the closet door.
“I told you before, Cosette,” Madame Thenardier bellowed from outside the closet. “I’ll let you out when you learn to behave!”
* * *
Fantine received a letter from the Thenardiers in the mail; she opened it eagerly. But, to her horror, the letter said that Cosette had fallen ill, and needed money for special medicine.
Fantine quickly took her savings box out from under her bed. She took out several francs, and ran out the door of her flat, in the direction of the post office.
* * *
It was a quiet night.
Madame Thenardier opened the closet door, and Cosette fell out, onto the floor. The child’s raggedy dress was soiled with urine, feces, and vomit. She struggled to pick herself up off of the floor.
Once she was upright, Cosette silently walked over to the wall, where she took the broom into her chafed hands. Silently, she began to sweep the floor.
On the other side of the room, Madame Thenardier smiled....
Cosette was broken.
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