Working Woman *On hold*

Part 2 - Secret Society

I didn't know where Andrew was taking me, but I didn't expect him to simply dump me on the streets near my town. I especially didn't expect to have to spend the night in an alleyway next door to a dumpster, yet the Duke exceeded my expectations as a chivalrous gentleman.

Once I was dumped on the sidewalk, the carriage sped away, but not before I caught a glimpse of the smirk that spread across the groundskeeper's face. Is that triumph I see? But before I could analyze it more, he was gone. I took a deep breath and hitched up my skirts, stepping over piles of foul-smelling gunk. Who takes care of these alleyways?

Although, I should get used to it, because I can't, and won't, go back to my family for two reasons.

1) I need to prove to them that I can take care of myself.

2) They wouldn't let me near them with a ten foot pole after my stunt at the manor, so any attempt would be fruitless.

All of a sudden, I stumbled on a scrap of some sort and tumbled forwards onto the hard pavement. I felt a shoot of pain go straight up my left arm from where I blocked my fall, but otherwise I was fine. That was until I tried pushing myself off the ground with said arm.

I let out a sheik of pain before I remembered that I was in an alley, where lowlife men would jump at an opportunity of a "defenseless" girl. I let out a string of extremities under my breath and cradled my arm to my chest. I had never experienced pain like this, my life had been safe and I was sheltered under a roof my whole life. How am I supposed to stay here, in the dirty streets, with no food or water, and survive?

I felt my hope dwindling as I saw that the sun was setting behind the tall buildings, but nevertheless, I looked around for a spot to rest tonight. I spotted a hole in the wall of the alley that I could slip though, so I ducked down and wiggled my way in, cursing my stupid dress for being so big and poofy. If women are supposed to be quiet and respectful, why do our dresses have to stick out like such a sore thumb?

"Stupid dress! Curse the 1730 beauty standards! This is oppression!" I had finally forced myself into the hole when I heard a voice next to me.

"Exactly! I'll 'ave to tell the boss 'bout you. How'd you find our 'ideout anyway?"

I jumped back with wide eyes as I examined the stranger next to me. I assumed she was a lady, although when she moved I saw she was wearing a split skirt, and with her tangled hair and crooked smile, she didn't look the part of a lady. I took a step back and gave her a suspicious glare, ignoring my racing heart.

"Who are you? What is this place?" She just looked me over curiously, not answering. My temper rose. "I said, who are you? And what kind of hideout is this? And who's your boss?" My voice rose despite my best efforts, earning a smirk from her.

She did a lopsided curtsy in her ragged split skirt. "Why, where are my manners?" She grinned. "I am Annabelle, but you can call me Elle."

I rose my eyebrows questionably. "Elle? Why not Anna or Belle?" Her smile faded immediately, and I knew I misspoke. She leaned in close and whispered in my ear, "You have no idea who I am or where I come from, so why don't you just scurry along, marry a rich bastard, and forget all 'bout me and this 'ideout. Understand?" And with that, she marched away further into the cavernous room.

Then it dawned on me. Where was I? Looking around at the large room didn't get me any answers. The ceiling rose three stories high, with metal walkways crossing the massive gap between the two walls. Two large metal staircases stood on either side of the room. A large platform displayed rows of doors, and past another staircase was a platform that allowed access to the walkways. The room was symmetrical except for the filth and clutter that dominated the space. Massive filing cabinets almost completely dominated the first floor walls, and I saw massive cork boards with what seemed to be hundreds of help wanted posters. Most of the walkways were parallel, but one of them led to huge mahogany double doors, with a massive sign above that I could read even from this distance: Boss

No Mr or Madam, just Boss. Like everyone should know exactly who he was. What is this place? The clock tower chimed 11 times, and all of a sudden I heard footsteps followed by a voice from behind me.

"Who're you?" I turned around and saw yet another woman in a ragged split skirt and tangled hair, this one barely held back by a brown bandana. She gave me a suspicious look, but nevertheless walked past me and into the room. Groups of the same looking women walked past me in waves.

I looked around for Elle, but she must've disappeared into one of the rooms. Curious for answers, I climbed the stairs and peeked in the first door, but I only managed to process the fact that it's a bedroom before the inhabitant lunged at me with a growl.

She tackled me to the ground and clawed at me with her nails until I could feel pools of blood oozing from my face. I let out a small scream and grabbed her wrists, managing to fling her to the floor. I rested my arms on her neck and caged her in with my legs, trapping her to the ground. Wait, where did I learn to do that? They didn't exactly cover that in finishing school.

"What the hell was that about? I was just peeking, I didn't know there was someone in it!" I glared at her, but her stare intensified along with mine. We stayed that way until we heard a voice from behind us.

"Now, what 'ave we got 'ere?"

~~~~~~~~~~

Ooo, suspense! (I hope)... This chapter was only about 1000 words, I'm sorry it's so short. If I continued it, it would be choppy, and the little suspense that's there would be spoiled. The next one will be longer, I promise! I have the book planned out pretty well at this point, so stay tuned!

Have a great day my fellow book hoes!