Scavengers were everywhere. Old scavengers, young scavengers. Some were barefooted and others tightly wrapped in dusty cloaks due to their searching for old tech in the Out-Country. All of them wearing sand repellent goggles. I looked at Tom, and like most Londoners, he was terrified of them. I could see it in the wavering glimmer in his eyes. Now that I think about it I understand why most people are afraid of them. Look at that one there with the long tattered coat, one with velvet black goggle and a sand mask leaving only his crooked nose visible to onlookers. Additionally they scavenge the one place on earth that is known for the amount of prey, all for old tech. “I wonder what they do with the tech that they don’t sell,” I murmured to myself, “I’m going to find out.”
I walked on forwards towards them them. I introduced myself to a group of them. “So have you found anything that the historians guild might wish to purchase? I asked with a great grin. Some nodded, some shook their head . One woman came forward wearing all black clothing. This broke down into a black scarf, and matching velvet black skinny jeans and jacket. She had a mask covering her face. She reached one hand into her jacket and said with a soft gentle voice, “Valentine I have something for you.” She pulled out a thin bladed knife. I was paralyzed with fear. Then her knife, aimed at me, started its descent.
Suddenly little Tom came and threw his body in the way. He grabbed the assassins hand and forced the knife out of her hand. I was surprised to see that amount of strength coming from Tom. The knife hit the floor the assassin wrangled loose and bolted. Without any hesitation Tom followed in hot pursuit. “Stop her!” I heard Tom bellow out, as they ran out of my vision. Then I heard the whistle of the police, as running through the districts was illegal. The high pitched sound revived me from my paralysis. I ran after them without even thinking about whether I should leave Katherine behind with the Scavengers. As I was running through the districts I was hit by the unfortunate truth. “I can’t run like this, like I would have been able to back in the day.” I said to myself panting like a dog.
Struggling to keep up I hear a familiar voice. It was Tom’s he was shouting at someone. “Don’t shoot” he cried “Do not shoot I can catch her.” Then I heard the unpleasant sound of crossbows being fired. The weapon that the police were allowed to use. Worry rushed through me due to me, little Tom might be dead and with his parents at long last. No, Tom is okay, its that assassin that should watch out. I reached deep down into my heart and found a final bit of determination. I powered on forward until I reached a wall, The assassin, Tom and the police must have been here. As the wall is covered with crossbow darts. One of witch had drawn blood and left a red stain on the wall. I turn my head and see the police reloading their weapons. A quick nod of the head to the officers and I continued to follow Tom’s trail.
I approached a narrow vent. Dangling from a point on that vent was the black scarf that the assassin wearing. “Had little Tom beaten the assassin?” I asked myself. Tom would have easily fitted through the small space as for me… Well it would be a tough fit. I started my crawl through the tight space and I heard a voice. It wasn’t one I knew, however the more it spoke the more of a sickening feeling I got. I must have met her before but where? It mustered and grew to a point where I was forced to stop. I could make out the words and heard her shouting at Tom. She angrily bellowed, “Why, why didn’t you let me kill him.” Tom as expected replied with, “I couldn’t let you hurt Mr Valentine. He’s a good man, a kind, brave wonderful…” Tom was interrupted. I crept closely out of the narrow opening. “Look at me!” She snapped back “Look at me, look at what your kind, brave Valentine did to me.” Then my memory started coming back to me.
“What do you mean?” a baffled Tom replied. “Ask him.” The snarling girl continued, “Ask him what he did to Hester Shaw!” It was that moment in time that I realized what had happened between me and Hester in the past. Enough of this eavesdropping. I came running out of the shadows and heard little Tom, who was standing by the waste chute shout no. It was obvious the assassin had jumped down the waste chute. She probably would have survived. Anyway I walked over to Tom. “Are you alright Tom?” I asked. “Where is she? Where is the girl?” I continued. “Dead.” Tom murmured lamely. I peered over the railing and looked down the chute.
“So, did you see her?” I asked Tom. “Yes.” he told me. “Did she have a massive on her face and did she give you a name?” I asked curiously. “Yes and it was Hester Shaw.” Tom informed me. I knew what I had to do. My tracks had to be covered and my reputation untouched. Not to mention my employer. If that person was to be revealed well it wouldn’t be great especially for Tom. After chasing her for me, after sticking up for me, and after all the kind words said it would be tough to do this. However it had to be done. I gently placed my hand on Tom’s shoulder and without a second thought pushed him over the railing into the depth of the waste chute. Before he was consumed in the darkness his body rotated and his frightened and betrayed eyes looked at me. I felt no guilt, it was apart of my job. At least my reputation could not be harmed.
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