trepidations

[ivegotmypride]

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.

Comments

[knowntoherfriends]

He caught her fists, snarling at her now. "Why would I lie about that, my girl? Blood's too precious to lie about."

[ivegotmypride]

“You’re a liar- an awful bastard—“ she pulled at her wrists but the old man had strength in him she always forgot about. Tears cascades down her pale, clammy cheeks.

[knowntoherfriends]

"I might be," he said, "but so are you."

[ivegotmypride]

“And if I am who’s fault is it?!” She yelled at him, her body shaking. “Yours- and you dare call yourself my father!”

[knowntoherfriends]

"Blood always wins out, my girl."

[ivegotmypride]

“No. Not here. Not with you!” She lashes out, kicking his shin

[knowntoherfriends]

He curses, letting go.

[ivegotmypride]

“Tell me you’re a liar!” She looks st him furiously, shaking. “Tell me you’re lying and you’re not- that you wouldn’t— you’re not my father. Never. Not ever!”

[knowntoherfriends]

"I don't lie about blood."

[ivegotmypride]

She lets out another scream and rushes at the ole man.

[knowntoherfriends]

Fagin looks ready for her again, grabbing. "No, you don't, girl!"

[ivegotmypride]

"Let go of me!" Nancy lashes out, even as Fagin's grabbing on to her. The result is a bit of a mess, and the girl stumbles.

[knowntoherfriends]

Fagin just shakes his head at the sight. "Get out of here. Go clean yerself up before work tonight."

[ivegotmypride]

"No." She looks up at him. "I ain't workin' tonight."

[knowntoherfriends]

"Yes, you are."

[ivegotmypride]

"Not tonight, Fagin." She was firm in it. There was no way she was going to the street.

[knowntoherfriends]

"Tonight or I tell Bill you ain't pulling your weight."

[ivegotmypride]

"Tell him, then. I ain't afraid of him." Bill would understand.

[knowntoherfriends]

"Don't think I won't!"

[ivegotmypride]

"Do it, then! See if I care. I ain't afraid of him, or of you."

[knowntoherfriends]

"You will, my girl," he tossed at her, storming off.

[ivegotmypride]

"If I do, you're not seeing a penny of it. don't think I owe you anything anymore. Not after this."

[knowntoherfriends]

Fagin didn't hear her, having walked away, grumbling to himself about ungrateful girls.

[ivegotmypride]

His footsteps were deafening as he walked away, leaving Nancy there in the den. She'd lost. She'd thrown all she could, sure she'd get the upper hand and still, the old man had his secrets and knew how to use them well.

Nancy looked down at her hands, rough from the streets, not a lady's hand at all. These hands had done so much for that man. For her fa-- no. no She wasn't going to call him that. Not on her life. Fagin wasn't her father. And the very thought that a father could do that to his child...

she took another swallow of gin to try to force the bile down. After that... After that she couldn't remember a damn thing.