Locked

Chapter Seven

He knew exactly where to find her. Wiping his hands dry, he began the descent down the sharp rocks and stone walls. She was, of course, sitting under the bridge, throwing rocks in the flowing waters of the Thames. The shipyards were a ways away but Will figured there was a reason for that. He sat slowly by her side, not uttering a word. He handed her another rock, which she took and chucked across the river, nearly hitting a group of geese who flew out of range with a series of angry squawks. V burst into tears.

They sat there in silence for a while; V sobbing into Will's shoulder, Will running his fingers through her hair.

"I'm sorry." V said suddenly, sitting up and wiping tears from her cheeks. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" She asked defensively.

"Probably." He said with a smile. V let a laugh escape, and smiled. "They can wait." "You are a mysterious man, William." V laughed again.

"So are you Violet Claymore."

V stared at him. She's wondering how I know. "How..." she started, "How did you..." "I've known for a while."

'That's not what I asked."

"I have resources." He said.

"What the hell Will! You're spying on me?!"

Will grimaced; this was not how he envisioned this conversation going down.

"I just wanted to make sure you're alright. With you losing your mother and fath..."

V interrupted him, "You have no idea how I felt then and you have no idea how I feel now!" She practically screamed at him. But I do. He protested in his mind, I know what it feels like to lose someone. But V wouldn't believe him; she wouldn't believe anything he told her right now.

"I just..." he started, but V brushed him off again.

"Leave me alone Will, I don't need anyone's help." She began climbing to the busy streets above. "Especially not yours." There was a tone Will had never heard her use before. Something about it made him decide to hurry up to the bridge above. She's going to get herself hurt in a mood like this. He thought, looking around for V on the crowded streets. She was nowhere to be seen. Well at least I know where to find her.

Will walked over a few streets to a wide alley used for deliveries to an old fisheries warehouse. You wouldn't know it at first glance, but a small covered carriage hid in the shadows. The carriage was smaller than any available commercially. It was pulled by one horse instead of two, there was only room for possibly three small passengers, and there was no storage box on the back. Will approached the carriage at a brisk pace. Any other thief might have ignored the carriage as it didn't appear to be of great value – but that was its secret identity, it knew how to avoid trouble. Unlike its owner.

A man stepped out of the shadows, but Will did not slow. Instead, the man joined pace with him, just a few steps behind of course.

"How'd it go sir?" "Terribly."

The man did not press.

"Hurry, we don't want to keep anyone waiting now do we."

"Of course not sir, but you must mend relations with her." The man said as respectfully as if a father took orders from his son.

Will said nothing, but clambered into the carriage. He could sit upright in here on the black velour seats. He tied the deep blue curtains down – no use having a clandestine carriage if everyone could see inside. He heard the whip crack, and the carriage lurch forwards. A few turns later, Will could hear the bustle of a main street. He was on his way.