The Ripper of East End

Part 2: Thick as thieves

In another part of East London lived two orphans.

Joseph and Elizabeth Church, birthdays were never a thing in their lives. They were too busy trying to stay alive. They don't remember exactly how old they are, but Joseph should be somewhere around 19 and Elizabeth somewhere around 16.

Joseph's mother died during childbirth. He had been left orphaned at the age of 10 when his father was killed during a gang war.

Elizabeth was sold to a brothel by her family at the age of seven, along with her other two sisters.

Both were able to survive their tribulations but were eventually rounded up to work in the factories.

Even under the worst conditions, the two became fast friends and eventually like family.

For over three years, they endured the hellish conditions of the textile factories. It was a miracle they'd survived so long being overworked and malnourished, but it wasn't until Elizabeth started getting sick that they'd plotted to escape.

Joseph more or less pushed the brutish guard into one of the looming machines, grabbed Elizabeth, and ran out the factory.

After escaping the textile factories, the two lived together, but with no way to make money, they turned to a life of thievery.

Elizabeth was young and uneducated when her family sold her off. She didn't even remember her family name.

Joseph gave her his family name and took her under his wing. He didn't care if they weren't related by blood. With all the shit they've been through, they might as well be.

Their personalities were a stark contrast. Where Joseph was a brash, cocky and vulgar man, Elizabeth was a gentle and kindhearted girl.

Though robbed of her innocence at a young age, she was still a sweet, empathetic girl. The only reason she'd agree to a life of crime was to support her brother.

They were masters at their craft because of one thing: Magic.

Well, at least Joseph was.

It was around the age of 12. Joseph was caught stealing bread, the Scotland yard beat the shit out of him and threw him in a cell until he'd "learned his lesson."

While in jail, he was bothered by his strange cellmate, always rambling strange things and speaking a different language.

After 3 days of putting up with his ramblings, Joseph couldn't stand it. He snapped on the man. From his estimate, he could take the thin man in a fight.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU ALWAYS SAYING!? SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Joseph screamed at the man, he was so upset he got caught, and even more worried about his sister, left all alone. "IT'S BEEN 3 GODDAMN DAYS AND YOU HAVEN'T CLOSED YOUR DAMN MOUTH!" Joseph continued unleashing his anger, however the man paid no mind to him. "LOOK AT ME YOU LITTLE SHIT!"

It was only when Joseph had grabbed at the mans collar he paid any attention to the boy.

"Child, why are you here?" The man finally said something coherent to him.

"Fuck off! I don't care I just want you to shut up." replied Joseph coldly.

"Perhaps you'd be interested in this?" The man said as he pulled out a book from his pants.

"I can't bloody read so that shit is useless." Joseph rolled his eyes.

"I can teach you." The man replied. "I can tell you're a thief. That's why you're here. You got caught and can't quite escape. I can help you." The man was suddenly cut off.