All Too Well

♚ Chapter Eleven ♚

It was pouring out. I was in the alley, hidden from everyone. Today was my lucky day. I stole something that was very valuable. Now, I just need to wait for Freckles...

She ran into the alley, almost slipping on a puddle. "I got something special for you!" We shouted at the same time.

We blinked and I laughed. "You go first," I smiled.

In one pocket, Freckles pulled out two apples. She gave one to me and kept the other one for herself. In the other pocket, she pulled out a pistol. My eyes widened. "Where did you get that?" I gasped.

"A man with a large trench coat had this sticking out, so I took it," She explained as I examined the weapon.

"This is..." I breathed. It was loaded with one bullet. I promised myself only to use it in emergencies. I ruffled her hair, congratulating her for her work.

I pulled out my surprise and showed it to Freckles. Her eyes widened. "Painkillers?" She squealed.

"Yup!" I nodded. "A doctor stopped by here and I hid under his carriage. He set down his bag and I went through it. I found this. Now, our eyes can stop hurting for once!"

Splash! Someone stepped in a puddle. Maternal instincts kicking in, I pulled Freckles behind me. "Who is it?" I demanded.

A small group of kids with one large man revealed themselves. An orange-haired boy stepped foreword. "I see you have medicine," He coughed.

"Yeah? So?" I eased a brow.

"My two friends here are missing legs here, and they're in pain. Can we...borrow some of it?"

"No way! I worked hard to get this!"

The orange-haired boy sighed. "I have an idea. You must be...pretty talented to steal that."

"I stole this out of pure luck!" I rolled my eyes. "No way I can take this like a loaf of bread."

"My idea is...why don't you two join us? We could use some more help."

"You're just doing this so you can get the medicine."

"No. Really. I want us to join and become one big group."

Freckles tugged my shirt. "Let's do this," She whispered.

I sighed. I can't leave her all alone by herself. "Alright," I agreed reluctantly. "But, if you or your group don't come out with your end of the bargain, we're out. Got it?"

"You don't have to worry about a single thing!" The orange-haired kid smiled.

*~*~*~*~*~

I woke up to see Smile next to me. His face was still flushed from the fever he had and his breathing was still unsteady. Freckles was off the bed, stretching. I slowly climbed out so I wouldn't wake Smile. Freckles heard my movements. "Don't wake him," She said, back facing me. "He had a pretty rough night. He kept on tossing and turning, I could feel it. Probably had a nightmare. Let him have a day's worth of rest."

"Yeah," I agreed. "Let's go and get ready." I gave Smile one last peck on the lips and ruffled his hair as we left to get ready.

*~*~*~*~*~

The show had just ended. Freckles and I went and stopped by the medical tent to see how Smile's doing. His bed was empty. "Huh?" I asked. "Where did he go? I didn't see him at camp at all during the day."

"Black and Suit are gone also," Freckles pondered.

That's funny. The three of them seemed to know each other pretty well and with Smile sick...coincidence? As I was in deep thought, someone grabbed me from behind and dragged me away. "Hey! What gives?!" I yelled. Realizing that the attacker could go after Freckles, I shouted, "Freckles! Run!"

"Relax!" A voice assured me.

I turned around to see Jumbo. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, it's just you, Jumbo," I said. "But what were you doing dragging me away?"

"I guess I used a little too much of my strength," he sheepishly replied. "I meant to shake you to grab your attention."

"Oh, I see," I laughed. "What's up?"

"The group wants us to gather in the performance tent. Joker left this morning to attend to Father."

"Okay then. Come along, Freckles!"

Freckles, Jumbo and I headed over to the tent. When we entered the circus tent. Beast, Dagger, Wendy, and Peter stood inside. Freckles was greeted to a shove to the ground. Peter stood above her, angry. "I told you not to trust outsiders!" He shouted.

"B-But..." she trembled.

He was talking about the incident when we caught Smile stealing items in the tents. Boiling rage burned through my veins. How dare Peter hurt my best friend? Bloody brat! I immediately remembered the time when the baker stoned Freckles for no reason. White hot fury clouded my vision as I punched Peter in the face. He cried out as he fell to the ground. "Peter!" Wendy cried, hobbling over to him.

"Don't you dare strike my best friend unless you plan to do the same to me also!" I screamed at him, cracking my knuckles threateningly. "Because it just wasn't her! I was involved also!"

"Violet, that's enough!" Freckles shouted, getting up and brushing the dust off of her. "I will take the blame for letting Smile go...but he's still a child, and he said he didn't have anywhere else to go. And he promised me!"

I nodded, confirming what Freckles said. "That's why I'm saying you're still a brat!" Peter yelled as he prepared to push her again. I balled my hands into fists, readying them so I could punch Peter.

Jumbo grabbed Peter's hand to calm him down. "Peter..." Jumbo assured him.

"Jumbo!" He hissed.

"Smile isn't the only one gone," he added. "Suit and Black are missing also. If they work with the Yard, then it's dangerous for us to stay here."

"What should we do?" Dagger pondered. "Joker's gone to see Father."

"We already decided to do it without Joker of we had too!" The short tempered Peter shouted. God, isn't his voice hoarse yet? He's been yelling so much. Serves him right if it does.

"Father said the target was special," Jumbo reminded. "If we fail, then he's sure to get angry."

"Jumbo's right," Peter sighed in defeat. "This boy's place isn't near any towns, and we got to do it before we leave London. But if we go now it'll be dawn when we return...fine, we strike tomorrow night! Anyway, we should report this to Joker."

"I'll go," Beast volunteered.

"If you go, we'll be down a fighter we may need," Wendy pointed out. She glanced at the two of us. "Doll and Rose, you two go."

"All right," we nodded.

"Come with me," Beast gestured. "I'll get you two a horse."

*~*~*~*~*~

Beast helped the two of us onto our horse. We threw a thin cotton shawl over our clothes so we wouldn't automatically freeze to death once we leave the circus. "Sorry, miss," I muttered. "Because of us..."

"You're not to blame..." she mumbled.

We peeked up at her words. What did she mean? She smiled and shook off what she said. "Never mind," she said softly. "Quickly, to where Joker is."

"Right," we nodded.

Freckles snapped the reins on the horse and it neighed as we galloped away into the cold, dark, night.