146 messages
This is a story I am currently working on. For now...here is a preview piece (that is also the beginning). Enjoy!
DARTHO
The night was quite chilly. Tabitha did not notice, even though she was in beggar's rags. She was too frightened to take notice of the cold. She glanced behind her in fear. The stories she heard were true.
Suddenly, Tabitha bumped into a man in a black overcoat with a black top hat and wearing dark grey trousers.
She did not observe his clothing at the time, as she backed away, or tried to. The man had a hold of her shoulders.
"I say, steady on there, Miss!" stated the gentleman, but Tabitha hardly heard him.
She kicked the man in the shins, making him let go of her. Tabitha heard shouting behind her but she kept running. Ducking into a side-alley, Tabitha stopped as she reached a dead end. A shadow loomed over the nine-year-old girl. Turning around, gasping in short but heavy breaths, Tabitha fainted from fright, believing her persuer had caught up with her at last.
(if people like this and want more, please tell me here.)
DARTHO
The night was quite chilly. Tabitha did not notice, even though she was in beggar's rags. She was too frightened to take notice of the cold. She glanced behind her in fear. The stories she heard were true.
Suddenly, Tabitha bumped into a man in a black overcoat with a black top hat and wearing dark grey trousers.
She did not observe his clothing at the time, as she backed away, or tried to. The man had a hold of her shoulders.
"I say, steady on there, Miss!" stated the gentleman, but Tabitha hardly heard him.
She kicked the man in the shins, making him let go of her. Tabitha heard shouting behind her but she kept running. Ducking into a side-alley, Tabitha stopped as she reached a dead end. A shadow loomed over the nine-year-old girl. Turning around, gasping in short but heavy breaths, Tabitha fainted from fright, believing her persuer had caught up with her at last.
(if people like this and want more, please tell me here.)
21/146
(part 17)
"Oh, well, look who's 'ere! Come on 'in dearie an' I'll git your clothes washed!" exclaimed the flamboyant Madame Claudia.
Tabitha readily entered the house of Madame Claudia.
It was nothing fancy. The whole house was of wooden variety, slabbed into the back of concrete bricks of the back alleyway. The area looked a tad bit dusty, but otherwise, was a good place for men of all kinds to rest. Tabitha glanced up the wooden staircase as a man started coming down them, the staircase creaking each time he put his feet down.
"What's this 'ere, Claudie?" asked the man.
He was dressed in a jacket and shirt, his brown pants reaching past his knees and he wore heavy boots as well. He had a bit of stubble on his chin, as if he had not been shaving. And had a slight squint in the left eye.
"No you mind, Bill. Go back upstairs," stated Madame Claudia, shooing him away.
The man known as Bill grunted and went back up the stairs, the staircase creaking again.
Madame Claudia smiled at Tabitha.
"You no mind Bill. He an ol' softy at heart," she stated to Tabitha. "You wait 'ere an' I'll git you some more 'lothes."
(to be continued...)
"Oh, well, look who's 'ere! Come on 'in dearie an' I'll git your clothes washed!" exclaimed the flamboyant Madame Claudia.
Tabitha readily entered the house of Madame Claudia.
It was nothing fancy. The whole house was of wooden variety, slabbed into the back of concrete bricks of the back alleyway. The area looked a tad bit dusty, but otherwise, was a good place for men of all kinds to rest. Tabitha glanced up the wooden staircase as a man started coming down them, the staircase creaking each time he put his feet down.
"What's this 'ere, Claudie?" asked the man.
He was dressed in a jacket and shirt, his brown pants reaching past his knees and he wore heavy boots as well. He had a bit of stubble on his chin, as if he had not been shaving. And had a slight squint in the left eye.
"No you mind, Bill. Go back upstairs," stated Madame Claudia, shooing him away.
The man known as Bill grunted and went back up the stairs, the staircase creaking again.
Madame Claudia smiled at Tabitha.
"You no mind Bill. He an ol' softy at heart," she stated to Tabitha. "You wait 'ere an' I'll git you some more 'lothes."
(to be continued...)
22/146
(part 18 )
Tabitha nodded meekly and sat down upon a wooden chair in the small hallway.
Madame Claudia left the room to the left, into what appeared to be another room but was out of Tabitha's vision. Madame Claudia seemed to sway side to side as she was leaving, as if she had been drinking.
Tabitha was still cold and wet from the rain. Though the house was sturdy, it was a bit draft as well.
Shivering, Tabitha closed her legs together and held her arms with her own hands, trying to brave the shivers that over swept her.
It wasn't long before Tabitha heard the trotting of Madame Claudia's high heels upon the worn out and dusty floorboards.
Tabitha glanced up at the smiling face of Madame Claudia. The woman was not exactly a budding rose, but she had a fanciful charm which made Tabitha suspect that was the reason men spent their time with Madame Claudia.
Being ten, Tabitha knew well enough that it was not exactly polite to think of such things, for she liked Madame Claudia.
(to be continued...)
Tabitha nodded meekly and sat down upon a wooden chair in the small hallway.
Madame Claudia left the room to the left, into what appeared to be another room but was out of Tabitha's vision. Madame Claudia seemed to sway side to side as she was leaving, as if she had been drinking.
Tabitha was still cold and wet from the rain. Though the house was sturdy, it was a bit draft as well.
Shivering, Tabitha closed her legs together and held her arms with her own hands, trying to brave the shivers that over swept her.
It wasn't long before Tabitha heard the trotting of Madame Claudia's high heels upon the worn out and dusty floorboards.
Tabitha glanced up at the smiling face of Madame Claudia. The woman was not exactly a budding rose, but she had a fanciful charm which made Tabitha suspect that was the reason men spent their time with Madame Claudia.
Being ten, Tabitha knew well enough that it was not exactly polite to think of such things, for she liked Madame Claudia.
(to be continued...)
23/146
(part 19)
It was Madame Claudia whom had seemed like a distant relative, always providing shelter to those in need.
Madame Claudia presented some clean clothes to Tabitha. They were haphazardly folded but seemed warm enough.
"Here ya are, dearie. Mind ya put this here 'lothes on, I got Bill ter tend to. He dun like to be kept waitin', my Bill," stated Madame Claudia, smiling as she leaned back after handing Tabitha the clothes.
Tabitha had meekly taken the clothes, after removing her hands from her arms. She held the clothes close to her chest, glad of the warm feeling it had upon her wet nightgown and cold skin.
Madame Claudia had drawn her attention away from Tabitha, having done her good deed for the day, she had felt she deserved herself a good stiff drink. And if any were to be found, it would be with good old Bill.
Madame Claudia braced herself slightly as she started to trot up the wooden stairway, swaying from side to side as she placed her high-heeled feet upon each step.
She was soon gone after a few rapt banging of the steps above brought upon by the high-heeled shoes she wore. Small clouds of dust cascaded down from the wooden roof, after-effects of the stomping of the shoes.
(to be continued...)
It was Madame Claudia whom had seemed like a distant relative, always providing shelter to those in need.
Madame Claudia presented some clean clothes to Tabitha. They were haphazardly folded but seemed warm enough.
"Here ya are, dearie. Mind ya put this here 'lothes on, I got Bill ter tend to. He dun like to be kept waitin', my Bill," stated Madame Claudia, smiling as she leaned back after handing Tabitha the clothes.
Tabitha had meekly taken the clothes, after removing her hands from her arms. She held the clothes close to her chest, glad of the warm feeling it had upon her wet nightgown and cold skin.
Madame Claudia had drawn her attention away from Tabitha, having done her good deed for the day, she had felt she deserved herself a good stiff drink. And if any were to be found, it would be with good old Bill.
Madame Claudia braced herself slightly as she started to trot up the wooden stairway, swaying from side to side as she placed her high-heeled feet upon each step.
She was soon gone after a few rapt banging of the steps above brought upon by the high-heeled shoes she wore. Small clouds of dust cascaded down from the wooden roof, after-effects of the stomping of the shoes.
(to be continued...)
24/146
(part 20)
Tabitha did not hear the upstairs door shutting, or a few drunken shrieks of laughter from Madame Claudia. All Tabitha heard in her mind were the steady drips from her wet clothes plopping down onto the wooden floor. Probably the only time the place had been cleaned for a few years.
Still clasping the clothes Madame Claudia had given her, Tabitha was about to get up when she heard a sharp, "BANG! BANG! BANG!" from the front door to the left of her. Tabitha jolted slightly, glancing at the door, fear grasping her chest. Could it be? Did the shadow of her nightmares follow her? Was she doomed to keep running? What if...?
That was as far as Tabitha's train of thought went as Tabitha saw the door's rusty handle was suddenly starting to turn.
Tabitha felt her heart pounding within her chest. She held the clothes tightly, her knucklebones starting to ache from squeezing the clothes so hard.
The door was flung open with force after the handle had been turned all the way. Standing in the still pouring rain, there were three men dressed in policemen garb.
They stood in the doorway for several seconds, glancing at Tabitha.
Tabitha was shocked to see them, but she was also relieved it wasn’t what she allowed herself to believe.
Two of the policemen entered, the third entered last, holding the door open.
(to be continued...)
Tabitha did not hear the upstairs door shutting, or a few drunken shrieks of laughter from Madame Claudia. All Tabitha heard in her mind were the steady drips from her wet clothes plopping down onto the wooden floor. Probably the only time the place had been cleaned for a few years.
Still clasping the clothes Madame Claudia had given her, Tabitha was about to get up when she heard a sharp, "BANG! BANG! BANG!" from the front door to the left of her. Tabitha jolted slightly, glancing at the door, fear grasping her chest. Could it be? Did the shadow of her nightmares follow her? Was she doomed to keep running? What if...?
That was as far as Tabitha's train of thought went as Tabitha saw the door's rusty handle was suddenly starting to turn.
Tabitha felt her heart pounding within her chest. She held the clothes tightly, her knucklebones starting to ache from squeezing the clothes so hard.
The door was flung open with force after the handle had been turned all the way. Standing in the still pouring rain, there were three men dressed in policemen garb.
They stood in the doorway for several seconds, glancing at Tabitha.
Tabitha was shocked to see them, but she was also relieved it wasn’t what she allowed herself to believe.
Two of the policemen entered, the third entered last, holding the door open.
(to be continued...)
25/146
(part 21)
“Where is the wrench?” asked the one holding the door to Tabitha.
Tabitha could not say anything; she knew well enough not to say anything. But, she did glance up as she heard more banging coming from upstairs, causing more dust to billow out of the wooden roof.
“Right,” stated the policeman by the door as he and the other two policemen followed Tabitha’s gaze. He signalled with his nightstick at the two other policemen to head upstairs.
The two officers plodded upstairs, leaving Tabitha with their commanding officer.
After a few minutes of waiting, Tabitha and the remaining policeman heard a ruckus upstairs, a bottle smashing and some rather vulgar language of which Tabitha felt made the police officer turn his face beetroot.
Eventually, the two officers came down, leading the handcuffed Bill and Madame Claudia down the stairs.
Bill had his face smeared with lipstick, his clothes were rumpled and his shirt practically nearly torn off. Madame Claudia was in her pantaloons, shouting drunken profanity and other such things.
(to be continued...)
“Where is the wrench?” asked the one holding the door to Tabitha.
Tabitha could not say anything; she knew well enough not to say anything. But, she did glance up as she heard more banging coming from upstairs, causing more dust to billow out of the wooden roof.
“Right,” stated the policeman by the door as he and the other two policemen followed Tabitha’s gaze. He signalled with his nightstick at the two other policemen to head upstairs.
The two officers plodded upstairs, leaving Tabitha with their commanding officer.
After a few minutes of waiting, Tabitha and the remaining policeman heard a ruckus upstairs, a bottle smashing and some rather vulgar language of which Tabitha felt made the police officer turn his face beetroot.
Eventually, the two officers came down, leading the handcuffed Bill and Madame Claudia down the stairs.
Bill had his face smeared with lipstick, his clothes were rumpled and his shirt practically nearly torn off. Madame Claudia was in her pantaloons, shouting drunken profanity and other such things.
(to be continued...)
26/146
(part 22)
The policemen paid no heed, dragging Bill and Madame Claudia out into the rain.
The officer glanced at Tabitha with something that looked like pity.
“You got a home to go to?” asked the police officer.
Tabitha knew that if she said no, she would be sent to an orphanage, since that was what she was. Tabitha merely nodded her head in reply.
“Well, mind the weather out there, young un,” stated the police officer as he sighed and closed the wooden door behind him.
Tabitha was once again alone, she now felt empty inside. Her friend had been arrested. That was all Tabitha knew. But, what Tabitha didn’t know was that Madame Claudia would be hanged the following day after her arrest.
Tabitha had nobody to go to now. All she had was some new clothes that she promptly changed into and the dark streets to help guide her way through the night.
(to vbe continued...)
The policemen paid no heed, dragging Bill and Madame Claudia out into the rain.
The officer glanced at Tabitha with something that looked like pity.
“You got a home to go to?” asked the police officer.
Tabitha knew that if she said no, she would be sent to an orphanage, since that was what she was. Tabitha merely nodded her head in reply.
“Well, mind the weather out there, young un,” stated the police officer as he sighed and closed the wooden door behind him.
Tabitha was once again alone, she now felt empty inside. Her friend had been arrested. That was all Tabitha knew. But, what Tabitha didn’t know was that Madame Claudia would be hanged the following day after her arrest.
Tabitha had nobody to go to now. All she had was some new clothes that she promptly changed into and the dark streets to help guide her way through the night.
(to vbe continued...)
27/146
(part 23, chapter 4)
Chapter 4: Shadows In The Night....
The day was bleak, the very air surrounded by a blanket of soot and smoke. Wet grime-covered stonewalls were almost oozing refuge from the sewer-riddled ground below. A vast network of large tunnels that were the underbelly of London, a cesspool for the abandoned and unwanted. Their cold and clammy fingers reach out for comfort, their hopeful eyes brimming with tears that would not come to fathom under all the dirt. Some had grown blind by this cruel living despite the amount of times they bathed and washed their eyes in the rain, for it made no difference. The refuse had done its work.
Tabitha felt frightened as she tiptoed through these large sewer ducts, careful not to fall into the waste that was rushing past her, a river of filth.
There were many children, if one would call them children. They were mere shadows of what they once were, crippled by the stench of decay and unable to reach the surface of London, not that it was much better up there.
(to be continued...)
Chapter 4: Shadows In The Night....
The day was bleak, the very air surrounded by a blanket of soot and smoke. Wet grime-covered stonewalls were almost oozing refuge from the sewer-riddled ground below. A vast network of large tunnels that were the underbelly of London, a cesspool for the abandoned and unwanted. Their cold and clammy fingers reach out for comfort, their hopeful eyes brimming with tears that would not come to fathom under all the dirt. Some had grown blind by this cruel living despite the amount of times they bathed and washed their eyes in the rain, for it made no difference. The refuse had done its work.
Tabitha felt frightened as she tiptoed through these large sewer ducts, careful not to fall into the waste that was rushing past her, a river of filth.
There were many children, if one would call them children. They were mere shadows of what they once were, crippled by the stench of decay and unable to reach the surface of London, not that it was much better up there.
(to be continued...)
28/146
(part 24)
Tabitha ignored the children she passed, for despite knowing how they felt, Tabitha knew there was nothing she could do for these wretched yet innocent souls. They'd have to fend for themselves, a network of urchins that worked above and below the streets of London.
Making her way past them, Tabitha turned right at a junction and found herself in front of a shabby-looking door. It was merely a piece of rotting wood covering a crevice and was held in place by an old rope that hung from some pipes.
Knocking slightly, Tabitha waited as her knocks hit the rotten wood and echoed dully before it stopped.
Tabitha knew she had a purpose, for there were other places besides Madame Claudia's to go to if she was in desperate need of a place to stay.
Tabitha left her thoughts as she saw the rotten door start to swing open on the frayed rope hinges that held it in place.
Tabitha waited as the hole in the wall was unbarred and from the darkness of the crevice a figure shuffled towards her.
For a slight instant, Tabitha was worried but was relieved as she saw it was only Sammy Gibb, the boy she met in the posh place. He was standing in the opening that led into the home of the friend she wanted to find. He was more dirty then she remembered seeing him last, but that was because he was treated to a bath at the posh place.
(to be continued...)
Tabitha ignored the children she passed, for despite knowing how they felt, Tabitha knew there was nothing she could do for these wretched yet innocent souls. They'd have to fend for themselves, a network of urchins that worked above and below the streets of London.
Making her way past them, Tabitha turned right at a junction and found herself in front of a shabby-looking door. It was merely a piece of rotting wood covering a crevice and was held in place by an old rope that hung from some pipes.
Knocking slightly, Tabitha waited as her knocks hit the rotten wood and echoed dully before it stopped.
Tabitha knew she had a purpose, for there were other places besides Madame Claudia's to go to if she was in desperate need of a place to stay.
Tabitha left her thoughts as she saw the rotten door start to swing open on the frayed rope hinges that held it in place.
Tabitha waited as the hole in the wall was unbarred and from the darkness of the crevice a figure shuffled towards her.
For a slight instant, Tabitha was worried but was relieved as she saw it was only Sammy Gibb, the boy she met in the posh place. He was standing in the opening that led into the home of the friend she wanted to find. He was more dirty then she remembered seeing him last, but that was because he was treated to a bath at the posh place.
(to be continued...)
29/146
(part 25)
She was slightly surprised after her initial reaction, which was relief. Before Tabitha had time to speak, Sammy had uttered what she would have said.
"What are ya doin' 'ere?" asked the as much surprised Sammy Gibb.
Tabitha noticed there was no malice or disdain in the boy's voice, he wore a grin upon his face.
"Same thing as you, it seems," replied Tabitha to Sammy Gibb.
Sammy nodded slightly, as if accepting what she had stated.
"Yeh, guess so," he said as he began to squeeze his body through the crevice in the wall.
For a moment Tabitha thought he would get stuck, but realized this was foolish, for he was as skinny as her and managed to slip out unhindered.
With a few sideways glances to check the coast was clear, Sammy stepped to the side of the crevice in the wall.
"He be waitin' for yeh," stated Sammy to Tabitha simply.
Tabitha acknowledged this and brushed past Sammy Gibb, making her way to the tight opening in the wall.
Tabitha had more trouble then Sammy did, for she tore the long white singlet she had gotten from Madame Claudia. She did not pay heed, for the rip was only an inch or two long and was near her lower leg. Tabitha was also wearing some old undergarments, proper ones, probably ones Madame Claudia had back in the day before she led a life of sin.
(to be continued...)
She was slightly surprised after her initial reaction, which was relief. Before Tabitha had time to speak, Sammy had uttered what she would have said.
"What are ya doin' 'ere?" asked the as much surprised Sammy Gibb.
Tabitha noticed there was no malice or disdain in the boy's voice, he wore a grin upon his face.
"Same thing as you, it seems," replied Tabitha to Sammy Gibb.
Sammy nodded slightly, as if accepting what she had stated.
"Yeh, guess so," he said as he began to squeeze his body through the crevice in the wall.
For a moment Tabitha thought he would get stuck, but realized this was foolish, for he was as skinny as her and managed to slip out unhindered.
With a few sideways glances to check the coast was clear, Sammy stepped to the side of the crevice in the wall.
"He be waitin' for yeh," stated Sammy to Tabitha simply.
Tabitha acknowledged this and brushed past Sammy Gibb, making her way to the tight opening in the wall.
Tabitha had more trouble then Sammy did, for she tore the long white singlet she had gotten from Madame Claudia. She did not pay heed, for the rip was only an inch or two long and was near her lower leg. Tabitha was also wearing some old undergarments, proper ones, probably ones Madame Claudia had back in the day before she led a life of sin.
(to be continued...)
The Urban Rivals team is made by lovers of all kind of Collectibles Cards Games and Trading Cards Games like: Magic the Gathering, Dominion, Vampire, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, Wakfu TCG, Assassin Creed Recollection, Shadow Era, Kard Kombat and Might & Magic Duel of Champions.