ivegotmypride | trepidations

She hadn't needed to use the gun. The next person to walk through the door had been Bill. Nancy'd sorted it out- he'd already agreed to keep her secret long before. Nancy knew, definitively, he was on her side. He hated the old bastard, and he knew what the man did to girls, same as he knew what he did to boys, and he knew what the street was to Nancy.

So Bill had let Jackie stay at their flat for the night- though he got his bed make no mistake. Nancy'd set up as best a spot as she could for Jackie to curl up, and even so she'd fallen asleep with the other girl in her lap, once more. But they couldn't hide away for ever, Bill'd told them that flat out. They had to return to the den. Pretend everything was normal, test the waters and see what Jem'd done told everyone.

She'd hoped, now that they'd had time to cool, she would not have need to bring the pistol along, tucked into her basket like it was nothing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

knowntoherfriends

Jem claimed her

Jackie couldn't speak to that, it choke in her throat. No, no, no, she couldn't have it. No. She could feel the knife that they'd made a sheath for against her arm. She'd cut his cock off herself if she had to.

"It's the way it's always been, my dear."

From:

ivegotmypride

“Not anymore it ain’t.”

She stamped her foot for emphasis, her bright green eyes dark and narrowed.

“Jem don’t deserve Dodger. It wouldn’t have happened had he made it- don’t try t’say Bill an’ I had the same because we both know it ain’t.” She and Bill were mythic.

From:

knowntoherfriends

"And what does Bill say about all of this?" Fagin waved his hand. "Takings are down."

From:

ivegotmypride

“Because Dodger hasn’t been covering for the others, that’s why.” She won’t let him use Bill against her.

“An’ I don’t care what he thinks.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

And there was a think smirk that appeared on Fagin;s face at those words, as if he had been waiting to hear them in particular.

"Then you won't mind my asking him about putting our dear Dodger to other work."

From:

ivegotmypride

“No,” she says calmly. “I wouldn’t. Because Bill sees things, Fagin. He hears ‘em, too. Knows what the work does to me. And that ain’t Dodger’s life. She’s worth twice what the others are doing the same work she’s always been doing. You put her on the street and what’s to stop her from leaving you for good?”

Dodger was her own person. She could get out of this. With any luck. Nancy was in far too deep to ever get out.

“We both know Bill hates having me on the job.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

There was a long silence, Fagin clearly weighing things up in his mind.

"We'll see."

From:

ivegotmypride

“No. you’ll see. I know what Bill thinks. I know him better’n you.” She smirks. “Beside- It’ll make you look weak t’the others. Going to the great Bill Sikes.” She rolls her eyes.

From:

knowntoherfriends

And that got a noticable hesitation. Looking weak in front of the others - in front of his kids - was not something Fagin wanted.

From:

ivegotmypride

“We’ve got an agreement then?”

From:

knowntoherfriends

"For now, provided she can keep up her quota and then some."

From:

ivegotmypride

“And then some? No. That ain’t how it’s going to work, Fagin.”

She glanced at Dodger. Itheyd spoken earlier about what to do if anything happened. dodge was to run to Bill and Nancy’s, bolt the door and grab the pistol not to let anyone in unless it was Nancy or Bill.

“There’s no extra. You don’t deserve extra.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

Jack gave a small nod, understanding. But at the moment Fagin was silent, watching them both.

"As long as she keeps her quota."

Jackie didn't let her frown show. Something... was not wrong here, but she couldn't place it.

From:

ivegotmypride

“She will.” Nancy didn’t trust the old man. “You’ll see- her skills won’t change just cause she’s a girl.” If anything, Dodger would likely double her work.

“And Jem and the others don’t touch her.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

"Nancy, my dear-" Fagin began.

"They touch me, an' I don't do nothin' for 'em them they don't get their quota. Tell 'em," Jackie cut in, looking annoyed.

From:

ivegotmypride

“Dodger my dear-“

Nancy points at Jack. “See? There you go. You listen to her now.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

"I've been collectin' extra in case none of them do it fer ages," she said. "I ain't doin' it if they ain't gonna treat me same as they always did."

From:

ivegotmypride

“Keep your quota up and we will see, my dear.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

Jackie shot Nancy a look, feeling a little uneasy with just how, well, easy this all seemed.

From:

ivegotmypride

Nancy caught the look and echoed it. She didn’t like it.

Unless they really had outmatches the devil.

“That settles it then. You make sure no one touches her.”

From:

knowntoherfriends

Fagin gave a closed mouth smile that unnerved Jackie.

"...Help me sort me stuff, Nance," she said, looking over at the elder. Something did not feel right here and she wasn't right with it.

From:

ivegotmypride

No, Nancy didn’t like it either.

“Of course.” She keeps her eyes on the man.

From:

knowntoherfriends

Jackie pulled at Nancy's arm, wanting her to come with her. A stare down with Fagin wasn't going to help, not right now anyway. Later, yeah, but now they needed to work out why it seemed all so easy for them. What was he up to, and what was he planning?