How Fargo (the Movie) Restored my Faith in Humanity (Really!)

As the weather gets cold outside, I tucked myself in to watch a random movie off of my Amazon Prime list. And it turned out to be Fargo, a Coen brothers classic.

As the movie began, I started to see how this was a dark comedy. I expected to just be impressed at the movie's storyline, while feeling bad about how it ended up.

But NOPE. It gave me a warm smile. After seeing a movie almost entirely covered in snow, I never could have expected that.

I hope there aren't any spoilers, but if there are, you have been warned.

The movie ends with the detective, Marge Gunderson, snuggled in bed with her husband. First of all, seeing a husband take care of his wife like he did throughout the movie (making her eggs early in the morning and buying her lunch and eating with her instad of focusing on his paintings) made me feel warm already, but at the end when they talk about how they're doing and how excited they are about having a baby (I know it's not much, but those two lines pretty much sum up how they're feeling), it brought together such a great ending to such a sad movie, which was all about getting more money.

This family was fine where they were, versus everyone else (maybe except for the Grandfather and son). It was a weird but heart-warming ending, especially when the weather and world looked so bleak. I just can't wait to see how the kid is when it's grown up.

Also, the people acted so nicely. Being from New York, it's rare to see people that nice. The accent was something to behold. It was (math equation time) Canadian + German - "aye" after every sentence. I loved it.

What movie made you feel warm inside?

Why does Hollywood (seem to) Hate Families?

I mean don't get me wrong, there are films with great family dynamics. But why are the most celebrated ADULT films (not kids films) have some of the most depressing family dynamics?

Think about it: August: Osage County, Nebraska, The Silver Linings Playbook, The Kids are Alright (that one falls apart, sort of), Little Miss Sunshine (sort of, too), The Savages, the upcoming This is Where I Leave You... And that was just on the top of my head. 

There are so many more (just look here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_about_dysfunctional_families) or search for films with dysfunctional families

I don't really have an answer except that Hollywood likes making people feel good about their relationships, as if they're saying "It's a good thing my family isn't like them." 

What do you guys think? 

Sorry about the Hiatus... And another upDate

First off, BIG shout-out to my readers in the Phillipines! Thanks so much for the support!

I apologize for not writing so often. I know people have been asking, so I'll just tell you what's been going on. I've been dealing with midterms and promoting the book on wattpad.

Don't know what Wattpad is? It's here, at least my profile: http://www.wattpad.com/user/Epic0n

It's a story posting site for aspiring writers/ people with writing as a hobby. One of my short stories is in the running for their annual awards, called the Wattys. The story is called Black and White, and I would really appreciate if you read and reviewed/shared it with #Wattys2014. I know that sounds like I'm being slightly desperate, but I just want you guys to see if it's good.

It's been slowly gaining reviews, but since you guys are good critics, I thought you would want to see it.
Also, some other stories have been started on the site, including Second to the Right and the world premiere of my next big project! Check it out when you have the chance and hope to bring you big news sometime soon.

So here's what's going on with the book:

-Not even ready for editing yet- needs another read-through

-@ 67000 words and plateauing- going higher and lower but expected to stay at that range.

-More scenes added and removed to make more sense for characters.

-More chapters added to alleviate huge number of pages per chapter.

Finally, a new query letter has been made, and it sounds great!

Can't wait to hear what you think and SEE YOU IN THE SUNLIGHT!!

-Zach

Chapter 6 FULL- Take...wait this is a first!

The thin sunlight slapped them all awake. It was an especially cold November morning, as the frost decorated every windowpane and froze every ounce of breath on their lips. Luckily they were in some sort of shack in Islington, outside of London, their bodies covered with stolen jackets.

“Everybody still alive?” David was the first to stand up, still wearing his hat and the orphanage uniform. Besides for slightly growing out of his clothes, at that point he looked like one of them - he proudly wore the dirt on his face and the matted down bangs that reached down to his eyes. He had grown since he first joined them, now slightly taller than Oliver, but still had his high-pitched proper-city voice and all of his baby teeth.

“Yeah. Willy’s still ‘ere.” He pretty much stayed the same, except for the black eye; it switched eyes.

“Ughhhh, Oliveh’s h-h-h-‘ere.” He had lost one of his front baby teeth in a scuffle a week ago, and now wore a beret to warm his head.

“What kind of a stupi’ quest’n is that, Davey?” Johnny had slimmed down- after doing much scouting around town- but had as chubby of a face as he did before, his head covered in a wool hood. Somehow, he always seemed to know what was going on in their mad world.

“Just makin’ sure we’re all okay. You know wha’ ‘appened to the other group. One of them died an’ they didn’t even know it ‘till after they all tried to leave. It makes me feel good.”

“Yeah, like getting tha’ last punch on Tony yesterday. That really ‘elped us make a few allies.”

David glared at Johnny. “Shut up, Johnny. He was so annoying about how I talk. You know you wanted one too.”

He shrugged in agreement. “’Es got’a point. So, the usual everyone?”

“Yep.”

“I’m game.”

“I’m ready.”

“Then let’s go. Before we mee’ the twins.”

“Yeah. An’ befo’e the owna finds us.”

They snuck out of the shack and into the brightening morning as they backtracked to London’s city center and marketplace, using markings and pieces of scarves on light-posts. David remembered the first time they had walked at dawn. He was not used to waking up so early, so his legs ached from fatigue and his head hurt. Yet now he was used to it.

They kept flowing through the tiniest alleys, the smallest openings in walls, just to avoid the public eye and the bobbers. David now moved next to Oliver, with Willy and Johnny not too far behind, so when they split up into groups to mooch a fancy breakfast café in the richer part of the neighborhood, the guests wouldn’t know what was coming. It was a common technique amongst the orphan groups. There would be ruckus generated by the faster boys, while the slower ones took the rest while they weren’t looking. It was fool-proof, usually. Today would be a good one. He felt it.

David and Oliver went inside first, weaving through the tables, snatching up not only sweets but even wallets. He had gotten so much better at snatching wallets, Oliver thought that he was better than him, even if he had joined only a few weeks before David showed up. At that point, it just became a contest. However many they took, they both loved the reaction behind them, almost as if a carriage had crashed through the place, horses and all.

(By the way, Black and White needs your votes! Thanks so much!  http://www.wattpad.com/story/21897628-black-%26-white-wattys2014)

“Goodness! Filthy mongrels!”

“Ahh! James, watch for those rats!”

“They got me wallet!”

“After them! Police, do SOMETHING!”

“Oh, my HEAVENS! They took the good jam!”

They would laugh about it later, but they couldn’t at that point. They took off and covered themselves in an alleyway before circling back to the hideout and sharing their breakfast. David never liked saying grace, so nothing stopped him from chowing down on the biscuits- the stolen, sweeter kind.

“So why are we goin’ to the twins again?” David remembered the last time they had met. It was when he got the black eye from a stray punch.

Johnny looked up after wiping the crumbs on his face with his sleeve.

“There’s a new judge in town. Rumor is they know which terri’ories he goes fo’ fi’st. We need to know wheh so we could dodge him, and the’e askin for money. We go’ enough?”

“Plenty. From today alone, we got enough.”

“Then let’s move. They wan’ us the’h by the time Big Ben strikes seven.”

“But I haven’t finished yet.” Willy was so tired, he looked like he was wobbling even when seated.

“You gree’y scut. You’ll be better off to run if we bail from ‘ere now, wi’out your gut so full.”

They fly on the move again, avoiding the public roads- and grown-up’s eyes- and slipped through alleyways, passed other groups of boys- lost, just like them- and were embraced by London’s busy mornings.

The traffic of carriages and bodies made it difficult to squeeze through, especially when the meeting place was where Johnny called “the Big Bells” were- the center of town.

The center of London. David had heard about it. It even used to be in his dreams. He heard about the massive river that ran through it, the huge towers jutting up to touch the sky. It was majestic and big and mysterious at any other time. Now it just seemed threatening, the huge clock tower looking down on them as if it knew what they were. For a second, David thought that it might even be a watchtower , waiting to snitch on them to the bobbers once they put their guard down. 

They got to the meeting place before anyone seemed to call for them. Johnny showed them through a hidden door behind one of the grey buildings, tucked away from view behind the fireplace that jutted out, like the building grew it later on in life. Once down there, Johnny motioned for us to do one thing; keep our mouths shut. He was the best at talking than the rest, so the group understood. For all they knew, he could talk a wallet out of a pair of trousers.

There they were, staring down on them as they walked through the entranceway. The lamp behind them cast an eerie shadow of the twins, as well as the other three beside them. This wasn’t like the last place they had “met”, rather a new place they made for themselves. While it might have been an illusion to petrify anyone who entered, they didn’t need to fool anybody; the boys were actually bigger than all of them- even more than Johnny.

The twins wore the most suitable clothes for their swindling; jackets and pants so filled with greys and blacks, with bright ties hanging loosely off their necks. Rumor was that one of them even killed someone.

The boys surrounding them didn’t look too shabby either. Their hair was cut down to their heads, their narrow stares visible from the candle light and dirty white shirts rolled up their sleeves. It didn’t seem right that boys so big needed even bigger friends to help them. One of the other boys kept looking towards David. Then he recognized him. He didn’t know how. But he couldn’t help it.

“N-Nathan?”

All the boy did was put a finger to his own lips.

“Well,” One of the twins growled in a deep voice, the innocence sucked completely out of it. “You made the deal. You’ve got the money?” He spoke in a high-class accent too, as if he was born rich.

Only Johnny had a chance with words. “Give us wheh th’ Judge be searchin’, and the money’s all yours. Show ‘em Willy.”

With quick precision, he took out their collective pouch and showed them the exuberant amount they requested. Nathan, supposedly brought the money to the other twin. He examined it while the others kept their eyes on all of them.

Then David realized that one of them had disappeared. He tried getting Oliver’s attention, but he was too concentrated on looking tough.

“Not enough, boy. What else you got in that pouch of yours?”

Johnny kept his composure, even though they were clearly trying to take everything they had.

“Nothin’ else. That’s all we got.”

“Balderdash. There was more in there. I hear it. Troy, check it.”

David felt Willy turn pale white. As fast as he was, he knew that some ruffles of pounds got away. Why didn’t they take it out before they came in? They looked ready to steal a bank! The biggest question was: What was Johnny going to say now?

David’s ears perked to the back of the room. Was that a door hinge? Were they going to close them in? Was this… no…it was a trap?

The boy called Troy brought back the pouch to the twins. One of them immediately looked up and condescendingly shook his head, slow enough to push the perpetrators into guilt. They were so good at being horrible, greedy people, and David barely even knew them.

“Why do you lie to us, Johnny? We were on such good terms.”

“We di’n’t. You asked fo’ tha’. And we did! We gave ya’ the money. Doesn’t mean you can take any mo’.”

“Maybe, but you’re in our place now. We need to keep this place in order. And our business. It needs to be kept up. Bribing takes a lot of coin, Jonathan. (They call others by their proper names? Now they sounded like grown-ups. I don’t trust them. Then again, when did I?) We’ll just take this all.”

The pouch’s contents were poured onto their table, to another boy’s open glee. Johnny was speechless, Willy was white in the face and Oliver’s eyes covered his face. David was shocked before, but he was too confident to care at that point. He never saw a single pence after it went in and only kept what he snuck out of his “share”. One of the twins noticed his face. Big mistake on his part.

“Well, aren’t you just the brave one, little piss head? Not surprised, are you? Then you must be hiding something. Got anything on you?”

Surprisingly, he still had those twenty pounds. Yet he unsentimentally took it out and threw it to the ground by his feet. His confidence turned to heartless frustration.

“Come pick it up.”

The rest of the group turned around and didn’t know what to be shocked about: that he had twenty pounds or that he had the gall to talk down to them. The other twin tried calming the other one down. David could see through their silhouettes.

“Now, now. Don’t get so mad-”

“How dare you-”

“What? I gave it to you, didn’ I?” The rest of his group looked very tense. They had seen this heartless side of him before, and when it went bad, it went really bad for all of them. It’s how he got that black eye in the first place.

“Bring it to us now, filthy orphan.”

“I’m pre’y sure you can afford to do that yourself. We can’t no more.”

“Well, then. If you won’t then, you’ll be forced to.” They were taken aback by David’s defiance and resorted to only the best method.

“How will I-”

Then they gave the motion to the back of the room. He knew what was coming.

The moment they turned their heads up to the door, David bolted for it. Then the room went dark. The lamp had been extinguished. David suddenly tensed up in terror.

“Grab him! Don’t let the rest get away!”

Oh schweest. Which way was the exit?

The next few seconds were chaos. He heard the table smash, punches thrown, grunts forced out, even a few recognizable screams. The fright wasn’t worth being a part of such a nasty world. He didn’t feel like he belonged here anymore. He not only realized the trouble he got for everyone else, but how much danger he had put himself into at that point. He had to get out of that dark room.

        “David,” he heard Nathan whisper, “I’ll open the door. Go!”

Then he saw a sliver of light come from a crack in the door. He bolted for it, every muscle pushed to the limit and tensed for the impact. Little did he know how the door opened to the outside, so when he rushed the guard, he not only barreled him over but knocked the door completely open. He stumbled out onto the stone stairs, but didn’t feel anything but a strong push to get out, to somewhere safer, anywhere but there.

“Nate, you fool! Close it up! Don’t let them get away…”

He thought he heard others spill out, but he was around the block at that point. He didn’t take a breather until he was in another alleyway. For another time in a year, he was alone again. But this time, he wasn’t so scared. He had changed significantly since he had ran away the first time. He was more confident. He was- Ouch! What the-? So much pain. Coming up too quickly! What hurts?

He suddenly felt tremendous pain on his left shoulder, then noticed that a hole had been torn through his right knee, revealing a growing bump he knew would bruise. He didn’t expect it, so it was much harder for him to move.

Then he began to panic. How on earth was he going to be able to get better? He couldn’t steal medical supplies because not only had he become slow but no one else was around to help him. How was he going to eat? Where to sleep? What was he going to-

Suddenly he remembered-

Wait- Who was that guy a while back that offered to help? From that really nice courtyard… Ivan… Jacob…What was his name? Ich…Oh! Ichabod! That was it! He was in that… that courtyard behind the market place! Yes, that’s the best bet to go to! Maybe he can help me. Well, it’s worth a shot. Now we just have to get there without being seen.

So, what do you think? Let me know!!

See you all in the sunlight!!

-Zach

---

UPDATE... AGAIN- BUT THIS TIME IN CAPITAL LETTERS

So I guess I was yelling that, right?

Hey guys!


So remember I told you that the book went through a revision last post? Yeah it's pretty huge.
Like "parts of the book have to be completely rewritten" huge.

But it really feels like it's becoming more of a mature novel, even though it will now be geared towards children. Originally this was supposed to be a young-adult novel, but it got less preachy over time.
Now I'm glad I can just write a plot that's small but huge all at once. It feels great to finally have some serious progress in the book again.

I'm really sorry about making you all believe that this was the final version. Then again it will be done when it's completely edited and stuff, so I guess that's what to expect these days.

Also, it's still taking me quite some time just getting the first act finished, so it might be a while for chapter 6, and after that I'll probably take some of the chapters down- not that it matters anyway... the chapters are not even remotely close to what they are now.

So what was your favorite chapter so far? Sign off in the comments.

See you all in the sunlight!

-Zach

Chapter 5, FULL, Take 3

OK, here's where the story gets interesting. Up until now, the chapters had been edited and just posted periodically. Now they will be as fresh as it gets. Crazy thing though is that this sill has "draft" status.
Also, the book just went through another serious re-haul, so more details to come!! Here's to my new readers and old- Enjoy!
-Zach

Their eyes stayed wide for a good few seconds. Then the one with brown hair and a black eye calmed down.

“Sorry, but we try to stay as unknown as possible. I’m ‘Willy-’” he was the tallest, complete with a black eye, deep voice and buck teeth- “that’s ‘Oliver-’” he was the smallest, with long brown bangs and spoke with a rasp- “‘and Johnny-’” he was a little pudgy and grew huge dimples when he smiled-.”

 “Nice to meet ya, ol’ spotface,” Johnny replied as he extended his hand to David, but not before spitting on it. David felt horrified, but he tried his best not to show it.

“Ah, c’mon. It’s just his spit.”

Just his …spit? Gross! But, if there’s no other way…

As he put his hand in, he made sure to spit in the palm, where Johnny did. Then they shook, and David wanted to puke.

“It’s offici’l then! So Davey, was the coast cleah when you came in?”

“Y-yeah, I think it was.”

“Then let’s get ou’a here. I’m sick ‘a waiting. I’m hungry.”

“Me too.”

David’s stomach grumbled. “Yeah, me too. I must have ran for hours.”

Johnny got up out of his cross legged position and started towards the clearing. “Well, watta we waitin’ for? The marketplace can’ be too fa’away.”

The marketplace? Not too far away? David held back his excitement as they all got up together and slid to the opening, into the lit alleyway. When the coast was clear, the four of them bolted out and into the street, running as fast as they could. The other boys were just as fast as him, so it felt like a challenge to keep up with them, a contest he was happy to be a part of. He couldn’t believe his luck. Within only a couple of hours he had found a group of friends who not only liked him, but brought him into their group.

Oliver was the fastest, passing all of them with ease as they weaved through increasing traffic of carriages, business men and the occasional pram.

“Las’ one to the corneh eats one ’a Miss Mah’cy’s rot’en apples!”

As they turned the corner he saw the parked carts filled with doohickeys and produce, filling the sides of the streets, an overwhelming display of things to see, almost like what we’d think were exhibits in a museum. Two long rows extended on the far right and far left of the street as the pedestrians walked through the center. David had never seen such a sight up so close, or at all for that matter. As they pushed and inched through the crowds, he saw some old ladies gibbering on a faded bench between one of the separations between two dilapidated shacks, with pigeons feeding on nearby bread crumbs. It felt harder and harder to keep up, since they were so much better than him at sliding through a huge crowd.

 They continued to weave through traffic, but then David realized:

He did it.

He found it.

He really FOUND it!! Not by himself but with new friends too!

David was overjoyed as the main square, more like a main circle, opened wide in front of him, filled with people and carts moving to and fro. A large statue in the middle loomed over the populace -“Looks like… a soldier”- while loud noises and sharp smells arose from the different shops and shacks.

“Potatoes, over here! Three pounds a bag! Only got the best!”

“Fruit here!! Fresh exotic fruit! Never tasted anythin’ like it! Only seven pounds a fruit!! Get ‘em befo’e the’re gone!!”

“New toys for gi’ls and boys! Excitin’ an’ cheap! Get ‘em ‘ere!!”

He turned his attention to the boys in front… that were gone. He slowly began to panic, as the throngs of crowd overwhelmed him. He pushed against the crowd, but it packed him in, and he became a helpless part of the flowing crowd, almost like he was caught in a raging river. Then he heard a sharp whistle come from somewhere, sticking out of the other noises. When he heard the whistle again, he turned in its direction.

Willy was waving him to come to their alley, all of them trying to get him to come. But David couldn’t move. So Johnny came to pull him out and bring him in. All David could do was breathe a sigh of relief.

David felt more comfortable talking to them now.

“Whew, I thought I lost you guys. That was close.”

“Typical. We’ll fo’give yah since you’re a newbie. Who go’a purse?”

Got a purse? They bought one so quickly? And why would they buy that-

“Like taking candy from a baby.” Oliver thin hand held one up, a leather one with a metallic chain.

“I got two.” Johnny held up two, which looked so small in his huge hands.

David couldn’t believe it while they pooled all of the contents.

Did they steal those?

“Did you steal those?”

“Well of course! You think we bought these things? With money still in them?”

David felt uneasy. As much as he hated his orphanage, the commandments he was ordered to remember flashed in his head: thou shalt not steal…

“What? What’s the ma’er? You never stole something befo’e?”

David quickly shook his head while Willy grew an incredulous smile.

“Wow, not even in the o’phanage? No way.”

David shrugged. “Yeah well, they taught us about stealing when we were really young, and they’d punish us if we did, so… Why are you all looking at me like that like that?”

He saw some of them grow big grins. They seemed to have a plan that David was unaware of.

“Go out and steal a purse. Right now.”

David’s eyes widened in fear. He had already done enough naughtiness in one day, and now this? He couldn’t even speak, let alone tell someone “no”.

“Uh…Well… Um… I’d rather not.”

“David, if you want to be a part of the group, you have to break a few rules. Your stupid moral code will only slow us down. Do it, or you’re not a part of the group. Go. Now.”

A fierce battle began in his head. On the one hand, he was always taught that this would happen if he left. He could just go back and all of this would be over. One paddling and that’s it. He could be safe again if he just ran away.

On the other hand, he would be stuck there forever. That’s not what he wanted. Yet if he was to survive on the outside, until he could find the place he always dreamed of, he would need friends. For the first time, he felt what it meant to be alone in the world outside. He had to keep his new friends somehow.

“O-o-okay…I’ll (gulp) do it.”

“Tha’s ma boy! Oliveh, show him how’s done.”

“Johnny! I got more wallets!”

“Ye’, but Oliveh got more pounds. Show ’im.”

“Will do. C’mon orphy.”

They rose up and squeezed into the crowd.

Possible Chapter Break

With fresh eyes, David began noticing a pattern. The market seemed to be split into various sections for different products; a produce section, a furniture section and so on. It was so loud they could yell to each other and no one else would notice.

“The ripest fruits are at the furniture section. That’s where all of the greasy codfish go see what they could add to their livin’ rooms. That’s where we’e gonna go.”

“Codfish?”

“Yeh. That’s what we call them fancy people. They be grimy, smelly ones. They’re so ugly and smelly that no water and fancy soaps can ‘elp.”

“Oh. So how did you get the other wallets then?”

“We’re profes’als. We don’t need to pick only the ripe ones, idiot. You’re justa beginne’.”

He couldn’t believe himself. In one day, he was breaking not only a rule of the orphanage –not to leave, EVER- but from G-d too -“Thou shalt not steal”-!

He started feeling sicker and sicker just thinking about taking someone else’s wallet and keeping it. It was against everything he stood for. The lessons he had learned screamed in his head. The Nuns glared down on him, with scolding eyes, pointed fingers, and an escort to the dungeon forever. It was taught at the orphanage and ingrained so deeply in him that it would take almost supernatural strength to tear it off of him, like a bandage stuck on the skin with medicine.

But as he walked with the other boy, he felt another rush of calm sweep through himself. The same one from before.

If he wanted to separate from being a priest, from staying there forever, he might just have to do that. He might have to break who he was before. Maybe just this one time he could be someone different.

“Just a little while… The’, we’re ‘ere! You see the tables?”

“Oliver, do I really have to do this?”

“Of course you do! Don’t be a blickan fool! Just steal one an’ tha’s it!”

“But it’s not the right thing to do.”

“That doesn’t mean anything ou’ ‘ere, you scut. We ain’t got no rules. Tha’s the best pa’t.”

“Yeah… but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know… It’s just that…”

“Just what?”

“Just wrong. It’s cruel.”

“Why? ‘Hey ‘ate us. They wouldn’t be cau’t dead nea’ us.”

“So that’s why you steal from them? Because they hate us?”

“Yea’, and because it’s fun. The money doesn’t ‘urt eitheh.”

They weaved through the crowd like alley cats, tucked underneath the wooden tables and chairs.

“Theh. That pair of pants. You see tha’?”

“Yeah. The grey ones?”

“No. The black. It’s like it’s asking fo’ it. Ready?”

“Uh… yeah, I think.”

“Okay, watch this. It’s qui’e simple, really.”

As soon as David said “What are you talking about?” Oliver had slid in outside of the table, and moved around that man in a quick circle, before drawing his left hand in and pulling out the wallet. He rushed back under the table, next to a surprised David.

“H-H- How did you do that?”

“Simple really. Just slipped in and took it. Now you try.”

“Oh…um…ok…I guess.”

After some calming breaths, he slowly crawled out of the table on all fours and searched for what Oliver called “ripe” wallets, the ones that bulged out of the pants pocket. He got so close to them, he even heard their conversations. They were all so grown-up and snobby.

Then he felt it; the same sort of confidence when he faced John. He could do this, just like Oliver did. He chose a ripe wallet, slipped his hand in, and-

“What the BLOODY ‘ELL ARE YOU DOING, DEVILISH IMP!!”

David fell to the ground as he faced a fed-faced, infuriated rich man. He could tell by the rolls of flesh underneath his quivering chin. He was caught red-handed, surrounded by grown-ups on all sides, and was paralyzed with fear until Oliver screamed out-

“ORPHY, RUN!!”

“GET BACK ‘ERE, YOU BLOODY ORPHAN!”

David went into “do-to-not-get-caught” mode. He wriggled himself out of other men’s grips and dashed under the tables, almost colliding with his “mentor” bellow the stools on display. By the time they took off running, on the other side of the sidewalk, David was beginning to feel as happy as when he was filled with confidence.

“Goodness, Orphy! That was bloo’y mad! You messed it up! And you we’h so close too!”

Oliver’s face showed concern afterwards. He never saw David grin smugly before, and it wouldn’t be the last.

“Who said I was just close?” He held up a big, fat wallet tightly in his thin hands, before swiftly returning it into his jacket pocket.

“Whoa- Quick, ‘urry, Orph-Davey! E’s gaining on us!”

“How on earth is he gaining on us? We’re faster than he’ll ever be!”

“I know, but we ‘ave a crowd to squeeze throu’h. He goes righ’ throu’h it.”

Sure enough, they heard him parting the crowd.

“Move out of the way! I’m the JUDGE!! THEY HAVE MY WALLET!! Grab those boys!! Apprehend them!! Somebody!! ANYBODY!”

They passed numerous alleyways, tight and only accessible through the small carts that covered one of the sidewalks. That’s when David got a plan, for the first time outside of the orphanage.

“Wait! Oliver, here! I have an idea!”

“What? Whe’ are you goin’?”

“Somewhere safe! Quickly, under here!”

He followed David through the side of the tables, where the judge couldn’t reach them. Maybe the alleyway would lead to somewhere they could hide… maybe.

Their tiny bodies squeezed through the tight spots underneath the kiosks and they raced down to the alleyway, the judge’s voice quickly getting quieter. They looked to find out if the coast was clear, then shared a breath of relief and a quick chuckle. David couldn’t believe himself; not only did he steal his first wallet, but even guided his new friend to safety! He was so happy with his cleverness that he laughed to himself, until he was nudged on the shoulder.

“Davey, look. I neva saw anythin’ like this. Neva nea’ the marketplace.”

To their surprise, the path led to a wide-open courtyard, as big and as wide as the whole orphanage, covered in green and cobble stone, like a secret garden tucked away from the deadness of the greys. There were two massive maple trees that covered it like a roof, while small houses surrounded it on all sides, like walls. They slowly walked through the wide open space, completely different from the tight spaces they experienced just a minute ago. Yet for some reason, Oliver began to feel nervous.

“Davey, let’s get outta ‘ere. I don’t feel good ‘bout this place.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I feel like I’m bein’ watched. Don’t ask me why, but tha’s how I feel.”

“You still think the judge is behind us, don’t you?”

“No…”

“Then Oliver, why are you so nervous-”

“You boys lost or something?”

“AAAAAAAH!!”

They both jumped up in scared panic, then David hid behind him.

“Can I help you? Name’s Ichabod, by the way. I live here.” He looked like a younger man when in fact he was bent over in the way old people usually do, with greying hair that reflected from light shining from over the alleyway.

The two boys looked at each other in apprehension, then the braver one spoke.

“Yes. Can you please tell us ‘ow to get outta ‘here? We need to get back to the ma’ketplace. Our friends are waitin’ fo’ us.”

“Sure. Just go back the way you came from.”

“Um, well, it’s not that simple. We were… framed for a crime, right Davey?”

“Uh, yeah, we were framed. We need to get out to someplace safer.”

For some reason, Ichabod gave a long look at David before answering, almost as if he knew him.

“Alright. Just go out any of the other alleyways and you should be alright.”

They answered in unison. “Great! Thank you!”

He bowed his head. “You’re welcome. Now carry on.”

As they ran passed him, he spoke with his back to them.

“I know you are wallet snatchers. Don’t worry, I understand your plight. If you need a safe place to lay low for a while, Ichabod’s Book Store is open to you.”

They froze at the first part, then breathed sighs of relief and quick “Okays”. Then they rushed out into the public squeeze of the marketplace.

“Y’know, I’d rather be there than in the tight spaces here.”

“Not wit’ ‘hat guy, though. ‘E spooked me out.”

“Yeah, but there’s no space here. You see the judge?”

“No. All cleah. You still ‘ungry?” They were passing the fruit section, before the group’s hideout

“Yeah. You?”

“Starving. Follow me.”

They neared one of the stands and each slipped out with a fresh apple. He almost didn’t know what to do with it until he observed what Oliver did. So he polished the apple with his shirt and took a huge bite. It was the sweetest, most delicious thing he ever had, the fruit bursting with sweet juices and enjoyable crunches. He took each bite very slowly, chewing it and relishing the delicious tastes. Oliver was finished before David’s third bite.

“I guess it’s what they say: The stolen apples are the swee’est.”

“Yeah. We never had apples at the orphanage.”

“Yep. You’re a natural alright. The judge’s wallet and good apples. Nice bounty fo’ a fi’st day.”

They nonchalantly walked into the alleyway again, the rest of them sharing leftovers of half a chicken with another group. 

“Wheh were you? We went an’ got this wi’out ya.” Willy looked like he hadn’t eaten in a week, while Johnny was picking his teeth.

                    David whispered in shock, “How did they get that-”

                    Oliver waved him off. “They just do these things. Don’t ask.”

Oliver sat down with him, finishing their semi-circle. “We go’ apples anyway. I’m not ‘ungry. You, Davey?”

Now he was even part of the conversation!

“No, not really.”

“Speakin’ of w’ich,” Johnny was finishing up a wing, spitting out pieces of bone for marrow. “You got’a walle’? We we’h hopin’ you’d get one.”

“Oh, I did actually. Here it is!” David surged with pride as he lifted up the huge wallet from his jacket. He looked to Oliver, who flashed a smile when he really wanted to say: why are you giving away your prize? Davey you idiot!

“Great on yoo, Orphy! Now hand it over. It belongs to the group.”

David immediately brought it back to his chest. He felt the confidence flow through his veins. “No! Why should I?”

“Orphy, you want to be back on the streets? You need us to survive.” Willy was starting to sound indignant. Johnny was glaring at him.

“Wait, we’re already on the streets! And I learned to steal, so why should I stay with you guys?” Oliver buried his face in his hands. David was being too brash now.

“For protection. Yoo stray out the’h alone and you’ll be finished wi’in a week. Thell rob ya, beat ya up and leave ya at the bobb’as to rot in jail. Yoo wan’ tha’, orphy? Then yoo be’er han’ it oveh.”

David gulped at the thought of that. Even though he felt taller than ever, he was still unable to defend himself, and still couldn’t leave his only friends out here. So he gave over the wallet- all hundred pounds, seventy-five sickles and fourteen knuts, with a picture of two fat boys and a list of children he put away- and gave his loyalty to their group, whom they called “Lost”.

“Just ‘Lost’? Why that name?” He would later ask Oliver as they settled down in an alley-hole between two streets. Both Willy and Johnny we’re asleep already.

“Isn’t tha’ wha’ we are? Lost in London, never to be found?”

“I guess that’s if you’re lucky. And you don’t get caught.”

“Ye’h. Davey, you know you can keep wha’ they don’ know ‘bout.”

“Yeah. I kind of realized that. It’s funny, though. My friend and I really messed the judge up, didn’t we? He took his horse and buggy and I took his wallet.” He felt proud of himself as he stared up into the ceiling of brick, his head cradled in his hands.

“Well, you go’a lot to learn ‘bout what it’s like to live like t’is. This is only the fi’st of many. G’night, Davey.”

The little orphan laid awake for a while before closing his eyes, a ritual that he would do every night for the next three months. They would always be moving, setting themselves down under the open sky, hiding in the basement of an apartment complex when it snowed or rained, and even back in an alley-hole when they found enough clothing to keep warm. Yet every night, no matter if he had a black eye or twenty pounds in his pocket, he would always be thankful to be a part of a life filled with adventure. Unbeknownst to him, things (that good) never stay the same. 

-P.S. Let me know if you could understand the dialect, otherwise I'm keeping it.