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.
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