A Promise to Children

A handsome man with bright blue eyes and neatly combed hair had entered the market place. He looked at all of the various baked goods for sale. He wasn't especially hungry but he couldn't resist buying a loaf of bread. This well dressed man was he walked around the late 1800's of London, he noticed prostitutes on the block, calling out to him for a good time. Simply ignoring their beckoning. He was looking for someone in particular, someone he saw back on the island. The outside world had always been interesting, it was always changing. One day something could be the latest thing in technology, then a few decades later be reduced to caveman tools by a newer type or method .Jacob found some comfort in going to the outside world, at first he was scared at just how different it really was. Each time he visited, he would engulf himself in the various cultures he visited, learning as much as he could about the people outside his island home.

Richardus had the island under watch while he was away, he had met the shipwrecked man a few decades ago, and decided to let him become his adviser to the people he brought to the island. Although he didn't want to involve himself with the candidates, he had a crucial role in getting them to the island. Things had been going smoothly for him so far, but he knew he had to stay on course. As he made his way towards the the slums of London, he looked at the areas. He saw how desperate people were, just trying to survive the harsh life fate had handed them. Fate was one thing Jacob tried very hard to consider. It favored some and ridiculed others, it had no preference and did not decide based on a person's actions. To Jacob, faith was a powerful weapon and at the same time, a powerful adversary.

As he moved deeper into the more vacant parts of the slum, the smell of sewers spewed up from the ground and the vermin could be seen as common as strays. There were various beggars asking for some spare change as he passed them, ignoring their cries of help. Jacob strove on forward. He had seen it time and time before, he knew that the human condition was self motivated, that in some twisted aspect his brother was right. Yet many candidates had fallen prey to themselves or to his brother, but as he stood by his morals, Jacob would let them fend for themselves, he was here on a mission, not leisure time.

At the edge of a butcher shop, two young children stared with a great hunger in their eyes. One was a young boy, no older than nine, he was filthy and a bit gaunt. His hair could have been a nice brown at one time, but the grease and dirt gave it more of a black tinge. The younger female next to him had a face that looked quite lovely, but the grim that covered her didn't do her any justice. Both children turned as they saw the well dressed man heading their way. They shrunk back, as to not be seen by the man, but Jacob already had his eyes on them. Giving a gentle smile, he leaned down and looked at the younger boy in the eye as he clasped to his sister.

"Hello there little ones, what are you two doing out here all alone?" he asked. The boy looked at him with suspicion. "What does it look like? We're orphans, the alley is full of them." Jacob's smile faded slightly, his eyes softening.

"Yes, it was sad that your mother had to die during your sister's birth, and your father wanted nothing to do with you both. You were raised by a stepfather who mistreated the both of you until you decided to run away." The young boy's eyes shot open, a look of surprise and fear overcame him. Jacob knew he had touched a cord with the boy. "W-what do you want sir? Someone dressed all fancy like you doesn't want anything we may have!" the boy said, he was shaking from both fear and the cold. Jacob kept his gentle smile and shook his head.

"I beg to differ little one." he laughed. The brother and sister looked confused at his laugh, what could they have that he wanted? "What are your names if I may ask?" The boy regained composure and squeaked out "Conner, and this is my baby sis Elenore." Jacob already knew their names, but he still felt it was a proper introduction. He leaned into his bag and rustled for something. Eleanore looked curiously with an innocence at what he was doing.

Jacob smiled and handed the loaf of bread to the children. It was this reason he ignored the beggars. "You two are young, just born into this world, life didn't give you a choice." he touched both of their shoulders. "But I will give you both one." The two children looked surprised as the huddled the loaf of bread.

Conner looked up curiously. "What must we do sir? We'll do anything! I can work in the stables and fields, my sister can cook if someone trains her!" he pleaded. Jacob merely shook his head. "No, no! I don't require that kind of service. You see, there will be a time, many years from now that I will need your help, a time that will alter your lives." Both children looked wide eyed at him, as if not believing what they were hearing "I need you both to be pure of heart and strong of mind until then." he told them.

Both of the children looked to him in awe, what could he possibly mean? With saying that, Jacob handed the children a pouch they weighted at least several pounds. There must have been over a thousand pounds or so in it! With one final look, he told them."Now you will not know it, but when you come to help me, you'll have the family you both have longed for." The little girl's eyes sparkled in joy, something her brother had not seen in a while. "Really mister! A family!" Jacob gave a small laugh as he tussled her dirty hair "Yes little one, and they'll welcome you both. You may not see it that way when the time comes, but you'll know it in your hearts." he said. Conner's face grew dark, but he didn't let him know what was on his mind.

Jacob looked to the sky and looked back at the children. "I have a boat to catch, but remember what we talked about. Embrace yourselves and remember who you really are. You'll both do just fine." With that said Jacob left the children alone. Before he left, he could hear Conner telling Eleanore something.

The sun reflected into the compass as the needle began to spin in counter clockwise direction.

Sometime later he came into a clearing as the sun shined down onto the dark cityscape. As he pulled out a compass it was pointing to the northwest, his ticket home. He knew children had a chance to change their condition easier than an adult. By touching them, and all the others he's witnessed, Jacob was getting closer to an answer than he had in centuries of trying.

As he stared into the glass of the compass, he could see the ocean and landscape from atop the lighthouse back on the island. Closing his eyes, the needle continued to move rapidly, and in a glare of sunlight, Jacob had vanished.