Chapter 2
I took it on myself to find out where Alice and Oliver now lived. I had a vague idea of what street, by the type of gentleman their new guardian was.
Instead of my usual round, I went in search of Alice. I told Charlie I just needed to have a moment by myself, which was half the truth, I suppose.
I walked through the 'posh street'- as I like to call it. Wondering which house was her new residence, when I saw a front door opening. I made myself scarce for If I was seen on this street, with my attire, there would be questions. The door was open and two young figures stepped out dressed in their finery, they turned to go down the steps, smiling and laughing, then it hit me, this was Alice and Oliver.
She looked so happy ,as did Oliver, but then I expected him to be. Not Alice though, not her. I resisted the urge to go straight out there and pull her back to me. Alice looked happy, like she had been when she was six years old. Only her eyes, her eyes didn't glisten like they used to.
It seemed that I wasn't the only one who had the urge to retrieve the two siblings. I followed, keeping myself hidden -that part was easy, it was watching how Bill and Nancy went about it which was the hardest. I watched them struggled for a minute but I didn't linger, I went to the place where I knew Bill would take them, Fagin's place.
When I got there, I busied myself with various tasks, that I was assigned to, almost (I say almost, but it was still there at the back of my head taunting me) forgot about the incident. When booming through the door came Bill carrying a grey bag, which was shaking and kicking. Nancy followed behind Bill, looking somewhat guilty for her part in all this. Bill slammed the bag on the floor, Alice and Oliver scrambled out.
Before I could be even slightly relived, Bill pulled out his belt and seized Oliver, pressing him against the table, raising the belt above his head. Both Nancy and Alice rushed in, trying to stop Bill, from hitting poor Oliver. Eventually he gave up, Alice took Oliver's hand and Nancy ushered them aside, towards me.
Nancy persuaded Bill to take his leave now before he got to violent, before doing so he came over to us staring at Oliver.
"I'll get you later," then he turned sharply to Alice, " both of you."
Putting my arm tightly around Alice and she around Oliver, I glared at Bill, no longer would I look up to him as I had done when I was younger. I vowed to be a better person and a more caring Artful Dodger, looking out for the group unlike Bill ever did.
They left, Bill slamming the door behind him.
I let my arm drop from Alice. Fagin was acting as though nothing had happened, although you could tell he was bothered by Bill's actions. It was half surprised me and half delight me when Alice turned round, hugging me tightly. Gently her voice whispered in my ear, 'I missed you!' that was enough to rethink my feelings for when I saw her earlier in the day.
I fell asleep with Alice by my side but when I awoke, I found her side empty. I assumed she had got up early and was now eating her breakfast. I was wrong. A lice was not anywhere to be seen, neither was Oliver. Which was odd, I knew something was amiss, Alice would have told me if she was planning to take Oliver somewhere.
