Lucy stared and covered her mouth. "Oh, my God." She gasped over and over, "No, oh no. Oh my God."

(You must remember, dear reader, these characters as piast people, and Lucy was saying this not in vain.)

Arthur stood and called out, "Constable!"

...

Within a matter of minutes, the police crowded the crime scene and started up an investigation. The chief officer took the three children's arms. "Come, I'll take you all home, before the reporters get here."

Arthur eased a hand onto Destiny's arm. "Come, Des. Let's get you home first."

"D- dead body..." the girl trembled as she took uneasy steps, eyes wide. "B- blood every w- where..."

Lucy glanced up at the chief officer. "Can we get her to her house first?"

The officer nodded. "I wouldn't blame her. She suffered a lot."

The three sat in the coach in silence as they rode.

Arthur finally spoke. "I- it's all my fault, Destiny. I shouldn't have let you go down that ally alone- or even down it at all."

Destiny shook her head. "N-no, Art, it's fine. Had Lawrence and I not gone down the ally, we never would have found Miss Betsy."

Lawrence whimpered and rested his head in Lucy's lap.

The blonde child rubbed his ears. "Good boy."

Destiny stared out the carriage window, quiet and thoughtful. She couldn't think of anyone who could hurt Miss Betsy. Details stuck out in her brain- whoever did it was strong and much taller than any average man. Maybe one of those boxers that fought in the alleyways at secret gambling clubs she'd heard about?

She was pulled out of it when the carriage halted in front of her home.

Arthur opened the door for the girls, and Lucy helped Destiny out. "Oh, Destiny! Let's find your mum."

The Wade home was a fairly large two- story house, which her father helped remodel and refurnish after buying it from a relative that was moving away. The exterior of the house was a soft creme, and the windows decorated with lovely, dark blue satin curtains.

Lucy helped Destiny onto the extended porch and walk around the house to the back garden.

The Wade home was a fairly large two- story house, which her father helped remodel and refurnish after buying it from a relative that was moving away. The exterior of the house was a soft creme, and the windows decorated with lovely, dark blue satin curtains.

Lucy helped Destiny onto the extended porch and walk around the house to the back garden.

The constable was talking to Ms. Wade. "...but your daughter took the situation very well, Madame. She's here now."

Destiny's mother was a woman of elegance and grace, an looks even more so in her lavender lawn frock. Destiny didn't inherit her dark gold hair or very fair skin, but the lack of clumsiness and fine brown eyes full of spirit was what she got instead. Her mother rushed to Destiny and knelt down in front of her and took her cheeks, which were stained red from tears. "Oh, darling Destiny!" She gasped. "Are you alright?"

Destiny nodded, feeling a little embarrassment from her mother's affection. "Yes, ma'am."

Her mother stood and brushed down her daughter's sleeves. "Let's get you inside.

The constable opened the door for Destiny and her mother and waited outside, as it was rude for a man to go into any woman's house without being invited.

Destiny's mother offered the office before walking inside, "Would you like some tea, Constable?"

He shook his head politely. "No, thank you, Madame Wade." He looked down at Destiny. "Young missus Wade, an officer will be here tomorrow afternoon to ask you questions. Yes?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir."

Good, then." He put his helmet back on. "We shall see you soon." He patted Lucy and Arthur's backs. "Come on, children."

Lucy took Destiny's hand with a quiet, weak smile. "My mum probably won't want me to see you and Art for weeks- maybe a full out year!"

Arthur laughed. "No, it'll be over in a while. Me, my father's going to sit me down and have a nice, long talk, perhaps before swatting me."

Madame Wade beamed at the two of them. "Now, of anything like that does happen, try to come by. You two are always welcome."

The two said their goodbyes to the Wades, the hurried off to the carriage.

Madame Wade stroked her daughter's back. "Come, let's go inside."

The interior of the house was accented with beige and light green wallpaper in the living room and kitchen, and crimson and white in the parlor. Destiny was taken upstairs by the house servant, Helené, an African woman with a sweet spirit.

"Now, Missus Wade, you done better get dressed, an' I'll clean them dirty clothes," Helené fixed Destiny into her nightgown and took her muddy clothes. "You take a bath." Then she left.

Destiny soaked in warm water for a long time until her toes became pruny and skin got the chills. She got dressed and laied down in bed and didn't sleep, because the image of Ms. Betsy still burned into her memory.

Aaaand another chapter down. Don't forget to review! :)