The Artful Dodger

Chapter 6

Dodger sank down onto the floor. He wanted with all his heart to tell Fagin everything, but something stopped him. A slightly mutinous feeling rose up in him. Fagin... the kind of man to take the money and then bully his favourite boy? Was this who Dodger was helping? He pondered this for a while, then he thought of another reason to keep silent. Rose. Hurting her was the last thing Dodger wanted. She was a lady, he was an urchin. He had to do something- anything- to impress her, and protecting her was certainly what would fulfil her requirements, or so he thought. He sat and thought for a long time. He heard the boys chattering in their beds, and much later he heard the return of Fagin. Soon all that could be heard was snoring.

In the cell he could see out of the window, which was just large enough for a small person to fit through. However he was not careless enough to try, because he knew very well that he was at least three storeys from the ground. So the Dodger sank into an uneasy sleep, curled on the freezing ground with his hat as a makeshift pillow. What followed was the coldest, most uncomfortable night he had ever had.

"OI!"

Dodger jumped awake.

The cold floor and lack of blankets disorientated him for a second, but he soon realised where he was. The rain pattered on the window, and he could hear the boys outside complaining about having to go out in the storm. However, he could hear Charley Bates complaining about something else.

"But the Artful Dodger's gonna be hungry! Fagin, he needs somethin' to eat!"

A slapping sound rang out, then Fagin yelled at the boys to leave. Muttering and grumbles filled the air as the Dodger stood up and rotated his stiff neck.

When all was silent, Fagin prowled softly to the door of the cell.

"Dodger? Are yer goin' to tell me where Oliver is? Bill's right angry about this business."

"I told yer sir, I don't know where he is. I 'ad half the market chasin' me, I left him behind an' I dunno what 'appened to him," said Dodger, still determined to protect Rose from Fagin's clutches.

"Well, my boy. Lyin' again? I'm goin' to have to go to Bill to update him..." said Fagin, walking away from the heavy door as if expecting a reaction from the Dodger.

"What can he do? I've 'ad plenty of beatin's from Bill. I'm used to it." said Dodger, in resignation to his fate.

Fagin made a small snort of anger- his method hadn't worked.

"I'll see you, Artful. Make yer mind up when I'm gone. And don't even try an' escape, boy. If you do, Bill will soon sort you out."

Dodger sighed, knowing he had several lonely hours to himself. He still didn't want to tell Fagin about Rose. Fagin had a shadowy past and people who were in his way often disappeared mysteriously- unconnected to him, or so he said. Dodger couldn't let anything happen to Rose. Her lack of interest only made him more determined to impress her, and her disappearance would not do him much good in that respect!

Dodger sank onto the floor. It would be a long day.

Meanwhile, Fagin had scuttled down the wet alleyways to find Bill. The rain was relentless, and he soon reached a dilapidated building, with an open door- there was nothing worth locking away in there. Fagin climbed several flights of steps, past the rented rooms of poor families and other scoundrels, until he reached Sikes's room. He lifted his hand and knocked thrice, and almost immediately a threatening face peered out.

"Come in," Bill said, kicking Bullseye aside to make way for Fagin to enter. He complied. Nancy sat silently on the bed, nodded at Fagin then continued staring out of the grimy window.