CHAPTER 6

Secrets And Stitches

...

JULIA'S POV

I don't know how long I had been asleep for, but I woke up and saw Dodger and Charley walking in. I wasn't as dizzy as I was earlier, but I still feel a little sick.

"Wow, you're awake. You've been asleep for a few hours," Charley replied

Dodger sat down and started to untie the handkerchief around my arm. I tried to move my arm away, but he held on tighter and said, "Relax. I'm only going to look at it, and if needed, disinfect it."

I sighed as Dodger removed the handkerchief and examined my arm. "It's a little red, but not as bad as before," he examined. "Charley, pass me a cotton ball and the Cleaning Alcohol."

Charley passed him a cotton ball and the Cleaning Alcohol, and then he sat down on a stool, behind me. Dodger had the cotton ball wet with the Cleaning Alcohol. Charley wrapped both of his arms around me. "Don't worry, Little Lady; it's for your benefit."

"What is?" I raised a brow in confusion.

"The Dodger assisting you," he teased, causing me to scowl quietly at him.

"Charley, leave her alone," Dodger glanced at him.

"Oh come on Dodger, I'm only joking."

"Charley now isn't a good time to joke around."

"Dodger, she still feels hot."

"I know," Dodger started to disinfect my cut again, and it had stung more than before.

Charley still had his grip on me as Dodger tied the handkerchief around my cut. I felt warm.

"Come on, Charley, I think supper's ready," Dodger stood up, and Charley released his grip on me.

I sat up as Charley walked away.

"Julia, are you sure you're fine?" Dodger asked me.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I still felt sick, but he didn't need to know that.

Dodger looked worried but shrugged and walked off. I followed after him and wondered why he was so nice to me all of a sudden. Perhaps it's because I'm sick. I walked into the dining room, and the rest of the boys stared at me.

"Julia my dear, how is your arm?" Fagin blabbed on.

"Okay," I said, weirded out.

Hm, I never knew Fagin was so sympathetic towards me. People learn something new every day. I learned that a person should never watch a thief steal from someone; they never know where they'll end up. I also learned never to trust people because they can always be deceiving. People always split apart, and I am not too fond of that because everyone usually ends up forgetting about each other, and I don't want that. I trust Anissa with all my heart; she's one of my only friends. Because of this, everyone says I'm quiet when I'm not. Even the workhouse owners called me soft and Anissa obnoxious (when it isn't the case).

"Are you feeling better?" Fagin broke the silence.

"Yeah," I lied.

I still feel sick, but they don't need to know that, because Dodger and the other boys will be worried about me. That's the last thing I want. I hate when people feel sorry for me. I would not say I like sympathy.

"Good," Fagin clapped his hands together, and I sat down between Cameron and Jake.

Cameron looked at my arm. "Does your arm hurt?" he asked.

"Only when Dodger 'disinfects' it," I added air quotes for the word disinfect.

Dodger shot me a look and went back to helping Fagin with dinner.

"Oh, Nancy wanted me to tell you she says hi," Fagin smiled.

"Nancy? When was she here?"

"She came by when you were asleep."

That didn't explain where Anissa was.

"Where's Anissa?"

No one answered me. Some of the boys stared at me. Some of them looked down, avoiding my eye contact and the rest of them were watching what was going on but continued eating. Something wasn't right.

"You mean she didn't tell you?" Jackson, the older blonde asked me. I saw Dodger and Charley look at each other.

"She left with Nancy," Fagin told me. "We're sorry. We thought that she told you."

That's very weird. Usually, Anissa would tell me, unless she wanted to make it look like she did. She and Nancy are hiding something. I'm going to find out what it is that they're hiding. Dodger handed me a plate with a ham sandwich.

I started to eat when Jake grabbed my arm. "Could I see it, Miss?" He asked me.

"Maybe later," I stalled.

"Is the cut big?" He asked.

"I guess," I answered.

Then Jake let go of my arm and began to eat his sandwich.

After that, it was silent. I sometimes wondered who my parents were and if they were alive or dead. I sometimes also asked if I have siblings and if they think about me. Hm, maybe not. Usually, when kids are given away or adopted, it's for a reason, so I bet the biological parents don't think about them.

My rule is "If you aren't ready or don't want a baby, don't get pregnant." It's that simple. I wonder when people will follow that rule. I broke out of my thoughts when a door from downstairs opened and closed. I heard someone come up the stairs; the footsteps got closer and louder with every step. The person opened the door, and I saw that it was Anissa.

"Anissa, my dear, it's nice to see you back," Fagin smiled, "How was Nancy?"

"She was well," Anissa answered.

"Very well then. I hope Bill's treating her right," Fagin sighed and continued to eat.

"He never does," Jake pointed out.

"Never lose hope in the day Bill changes. Just don't tell him I said that."

"We won't, Fagin."

Anissa turned to look at me, and I nodded my head toward the door, giving her the signal that I want to talk to her privately. She got the message and nodded.

I stood up and announced, "Excuse me, but I need a word with Anissa." Then I grabbed her arm and dragged her downstairs near the narrow hallway next to the staircase.

"What the heck?" Anissa took my hand off of her arm. "What was that for?"

"Let's go somewhere quieter. I'm afraid the boys will hear us," I said.

We then crept down the hall near two other bedrooms and the drinking room and stopped.

"What do you want to talk about?"

I looked at her. "Why were you with Nancy?"

"Well, she came by when you were sleeping, so I went to talk with her."

"Yeah, about what?" I sounded stern.

"Nothing," she replied, with a weird tone in her voice. She's lying! However, why would she be lying to me? Uh oh, this isn't good.

"Don't lie to me, Anissa Glori Schreiber."

"I'm not lying."

"Yes, you are. Why were you with Nancy?"

She sighed. "You caught me."

"You know that I am an expert in detecting lies. Now talk."

"Well, I told her that I want her to help me..."

"Help you with what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um," Anissa said, looking down, "I want her to help me with freeing Oliver."

"Anissa, have you lost it?" I whispered. "You know that if he's gone Fagin and the boys will run away. Moreover, worst of all, they'll take us with them. Then they'll never trust us, and we won't be allowed to go outside ever again!"

"Look, I told her that you want Oliver to escape and one day you were going to take him with you — "

"I'm not doing it now! I'm not escaping, and you know that. I was never going to peach either."

"Let me finish. Nancy knows that already, so both of us decided to do it alone. We're going to Brownlow."

"You're going to peach?" I asked.

"Yes."

I placed my hands over my heart and gasped. "Anissa, you're risking your life! They will think that I had part of it."

"Nancy and I are going, just like I sad. She knows that you wouldn't do it. It's what we want to do. Besides, no one will know."

"Anissa, you don't know the trouble you'll get us both into!"

"Look, we're doing this for Oliver because we care about him."

"You think I don't? I wanted to leave with him. It was my idea, but not like this. Also, I wasn't going to risk it because it's dangerous outside and we have no money, so I forgot about it. If you tell, the traps would know, and Fagin would run off. Then who knows where we would be after that."

"I'm sorry, Julia."

"No, listen. Please, don't," I begged.

"We're going too," she wasn't changing her mind.

"I bet you got this idea from me!"

"I didn't, honest! I've been thinking of leaving since the day I got here," Anissa admitted.

"You don't have to do this."

"I know I don't. I'm doing it because I want to."

I gasped. "How dare you! You're making the biggest mistake. I want to get out of here, too, but where are we going to go?"

That was a little bit of a lie. I don't want to leave.

She looked at me dumb folded. "I don't know."

"If we stay here, it might be best for us."

"No, it isn't. It isn't for Oliver either. So that's why Nancy and I are peaching."

"Anissa, please don't do this."

"I'm not changing my mind, Julia."

"You're betraying everything Fagin gave you," I stated.

"He's having us work."

That is true.

"That's what girls our age do! We work around the house. Are you blind?"

She glared at me. "Look, I don't want trouble."

"If you didn't want trouble, you wouldn't peach."

"What's so bad about it?" She asked.

"If you tell the traps, and they don't find Fagin or Bill, then what will happen to Oliver? Alternatively, us?"

"I don't know, okay? Nancy and I talked about it. We want to save him, that's why only she and I are doing it. Plus, we'll be out of here in no time. Trust me."

It looked like she hadn't thought her whole plan through. I'm not going with it, but I'll keep her secret. She better not mess up because if she does, she won't just put herself in danger, but everyone else too.

"I'll keep your dirty secret. However, I'm warning you, Schreiber, it will be your worst mistake and your last."

All of a sudden, the door opened, and there were footsteps. I can hear the person, whoever they are, come down the stairs, closer and closer to the two of us.

"Crap," I put my hands on each side of my head and breathed heavily, "we're dead."

"Relax," Anissa said. "Don't be so melodramatic."

I put my hands to my side.

I glared at her but said nothing. I am not melodramatic. Okay, I worry a lot, but it is an excellent trait to have because sometimes something might be wrong and most people won't think anything of it. The footsteps got nearer but it was only Dodger, and I breathed in relief. What if he heard our whole conversation? Dodger is very sneaky; no one knows when he's watching them. Oh no, if he overheard us, even though we weren't that loud, we're dead!

"Are you two all right? You were gone for a while; Fagin got worried."

Fagin? Worried? Oh yeah, he probably thought we escaped and peached. Like that would ever happen. Oh wait, it will, soon.

"Oh no, we're fine," Anissa said. "Did you hear us?"

"No, we didn't hear you. Why?" Dodger gave her a rather funny look.

"Oh, it's because we were talking about Nancy. She told me that if I ever wanted to spend time with her, I could. She also said that I could bring Julia. Sorry for the worry," Anissa lied.

"It's fine," Dodger shrugged. Anissa's a better liar than I am. "Now, get upstairs," He said coldly.

Anissa brushed past both of us and walked up the stairs quickly. I was expecting her to back talk Dodger like she always does, but I guess I was wrong. Maybe it's all part of the plan she had in mind, but that would make Dodger and everyone else suspicious (not that Fagin doesn't trust us already). I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.

I started to walk, but Dodger grabbed my left arm and turned me to face him.

"What were you two talking about?"

I guess Anissa isn't that good of a liar after all.

"I wanted to know why she was out."

"Why didn't you ask her around us?"

"Because it is a private matter and it doesn't concern you."

He stepped closer to me, his grip on my arm tightened just a little bit. "It does concern me Julia, and you know that. Whatever is said here involves everyone under this roof."

"Why do you care so much?" I asked as I shook my head.

"Who said I cared? Private conversations can be suspicious, especially when you both were gone and unattended for about ten minutes."

Wow, we were gone that long? He did say about ten minutes, so I'll say about five minutes. That made more sense.

"You went to check up on us," I pointed out.

"I only checked on you two to make sure you didn't escape."

"Don't give me that nonsense. You were worried," I snorted.

"I was worried about your friend peaching, but I guess we can trust you."

I looked at him, speechless.

"I bet she tried to convince you to run away and tell on Charley and me. If you do, it's in for all of us, even her and you. Here's what you and your brainless friend don't understand: there's no point in running away because we will always find a way to get you back. So be careful of what you say and do Princess, it could backfire."

I looked at him, annoyed. Though, he is pretty close, not that he'll figure any of it out.

He got closer, "I'm giving you a warning, darling, no matter how hard you try, you will never, ever leave. I'll make sure of it."

I looked at him, shocked.

I can't believe Dodger was saying this to me. Does that mean I'll grow up, thieve for Fagin and die here? What about Anissa? What will happen to her or anyone else when she tells Mr. Brownlow about Oliver? He leaned in closer to me, and we were very close, to the point that our heads were about an inch away from one another's.

"Do you have anything to say to that?"

"Let go of me," I tried not to cry.

"Crying won't make the situation any better."

"I'm not crying," I spat. "I've never met a Gent as rude as you. I hope never to meet another one either."

"That's all right because I'm not a Gentleman. I'm far from one. I'm a thief, that's what I am, and guess what, I'm proud of it."

I looked and then glared at him. I tried to get his grip off of my arm, but he wouldn't budge. I looked into his eyes, and I saw that he's angry. For someone who looked angry, he was talking in a very calm matter. Weird. I can tell that he isn't the yelling type.

"Why are you mad at me?" I asked in a tiny voice.

"I'm not mad at you, Julia," the anger disappeared, "I'm annoyed because I know you two were talking about something."

"I'm telling you the truth."

He looked at me. "I don't know why you're getting upset. I didn't do anything."

I looked down because I didn't want to look at his face. His eyes make me want to stare at him forever.

"I'm not trying to make you upset, Julia," His voice softened. "Fagin thought you ran off and when I came to look for you. I heard the two of you whispering."

Then he let go of my arm, and I walked upstairs, away from him. I walked into my bedroom, closed my door and sat on my bed. I thought about what Dodger said to me.

"I'm giving you a warning, darling, no matter how hard you try, you will never, ever leave. I'll make sure of it."

I don't know if he was serious, or if he was trying to scare me. Anissa then walked into my room and closed the door. "I heard what Dodger said to you." Anissa started the conversation.

"Were you eavesdropping?" I looked up at her.

"Yes, I was. Did Dodger mean what he said?"

"I don't know," I sighed.

"What a Gent he is," Anissa scowled. "He's so rude, even to you; why does he keep talking to you privately, especially when no one is around?"

"I don't know but — "

"But what?" She asked.

"I think he likes me."

"Interesting," Anissa made a face.

"Why do you say that, and why are you making that face?"

"I think Charley likes me, but I'm not so sure."

I guess I'm not the only one who noticed. What if Dodger saw the way Charley acted toward Anissa?

"I think he does. After I re-colored Dodger's boots, Charley said that I should polish his. What made me suspicious was when Dodger said, 'Why don't you have Anissa do that for you?'"

"Oh no," Anissa sighed, "he does like me."

"Yeah, I think so. We can't be too sure."

"You know, when you were sleeping — " Anissa began.

"What about when I was sleeping?" I asked.

"I heard Dodger and Charley talking about you. I don't know what they were saying, but I heard Dodger say your name. That has to mean something."

"Let's not jump to conclusions yet," I said. "We have to be extra observant."

"You're right," Anissa agreed. "But how could we be so sure?"

"I don't know. Maybe we should watch how the two act around us."

"Good idea," Anissa nodded. "The sooner we start, the better."

"Agreed, but don't act too suspicious, and we can't be near one another. We'll raise everyone's suspicions."

"You're right; come on, I want to see if we're right."

We both walked out of my bedroom and down the stairs. I was in the living room, sitting on the couch while Anissa decided to stay in the kitchen. I sighed and waited to see what will happen.

After a couple of hours, I was lying on the couch, thinking about what Nancy and Anissa were up too when Dodger and Charley came in. It's been a while since they've checked my cut.

"Let's see your cut," Dodger said.

I ignored him, but I didn't pay attention because he sat down and started to untie the handkerchief around my arm. When I came back to reality, I saw him examining my cut.

"It looks better, but it's still red," he told Charley, ignoring me.

Charley was sitting down behind me, with his arms wrapped around me, so I wouldn't be able to escape, not that I have my strength back, anyway. Charley was powerful, so even if I tried to get out of his grip, I wouldn't be able too. Dodger had a cotton ball wet with Cleaning Alcohol and was about to disinfect my cut until I squirmed.

"Stop moving," he said to me.

"Charley let go of me, please," I struggled.

Please? Forget the 'please.' If it were Anissa, she'd bite both of his hands off.

"I don't take your orders, Little Lady," was his response. His grip on me got a little tighter, and Dodger started to disinfect my arm. It stung worse than before.

I grunted and closed my eyes.

"I can't keep disinfecting her cut," Dodger sounded annoyed. "Her cut isn't too deep, but a handkerchief won't do anything. The only way to make sure it doesn't get infected is to give her stitches."

My eyes got wide, mostly because I didn't know if I could trust Dodger with suturing my cut closed.

"Dodger, do you know how to put in stitches?"

"Of course I do Charley. When I was younger, I used to go to my mom's job where she would aid people. She showed me how to suture. I still remember, even after she died."

"Okay then," Charley shrugged. "It's best if you get them. If I let her go, she'll run out."

"They're in the box," Dodger held up the small box and took out a bag of stitches. He looked at my arm, "By the look of her cut, she'll need about six of them."

I almost fainted. Dodger tightly held down my arm and picked up the first stitch. He placed it on my skin and onto my cut, it hurt so much. Dodger looked at me, and I glared at him. He shook his head and went to grab another stitch. I could have sworn that he blushed a little.

"Let go of me, Charley," I ordered.

"No," He looked at me. "Relax. You'll be fine."

"Nicky," Dodger called him from the kitchen, "could you come in here?"

After about five seconds, Nicky walked into the living room. "What do you need, Dodger?" he asked.

"We're putting stitches in Julia's arm. She'll try to escape. Could you hold down her arm while I close her wound?"

"Sure thing, Dodger, I'll hold her arm."

Nicky walked over and grabbed a stool and sat down next to Dodger. He then held my arm down with his right hand on my wrist and his left one on the elbow of my arm. I couldn't move my arm.

Dodger scooted over a little bit and placed his stool diagonal so he could stitch my arm. He set the second stitch into my skin, and it hurt. I think it started to bleed. He grabbed a cloth and placed it on my cut. He took another stitch and with the fabric on the two stitches in my arm, he set the third stitch gently into my arm. Then he tied it as he did with the other two. I hope that he knows what he's doing — my arm stung. I felt Dodger put another stitch into my skin, and that one hurt badly.

"Only two more," Charley said to me, "you'll be okay."

"Dodger, she's bleeding," Nicky pointed out the obvious.

"I know."

Charley and I looked at one another. I sighed because I couldn't get him off me. "You're lucky. I'm too sick to move."

It's true. I don't feel well, and I don't feel like moving.

He smirked at me. "What? You think you can escape the wrath of Master Bates?"

"Yes. Thank you for noticing my stupendous strength," I smirked back, causing Dodger and Nicky to snicker quietly, but for Charley to glare at me.

"I'm a lot stronger than you think, Little Lady."

I felt another stitch placed on my cut, and that one hurt the most. I looked and saw that some blood was coming out, but Dodger wiped it away carefully with the cloth. He held the towel onto my stitches so that the blood would get on it. He picked up one more stitch and looked at me. Then he looked at my arm and placed it on the end of my cut. Then he tied it as he did with the others. He started to disinfect it again, and it stung terribly. He took a new, clean cloth and replaced it with the bloody one. He placed it on top of the cut and grabbed a few handkerchiefs'. He started to tie the handkerchiefs' tightly onto my arm, and it held the cloth in place.

Charley let go of me, and Dodger said, "That should keep it from getting infected," then he stood up.

I then sat up, holding onto my arm and the three of them walked out. As soon as the three t left the room, Anissa walked in. "What happened? I heard a little commotion in here."

"Dodger put stitches on my cut."

"How many?"

"Six."

"Oh, my," she sat down next to me. "It must have hurt."

"It did. What surprised me is that Dodger knows so much about nursing supplies and aid."

"How does he?"

"He said before his mother died, she would take him to work. She must have been a doctor or nurse because she taught him to apply stitches."

"Wow," Anissa seemed surprisingly interested. "That's surprising. He doesn't look like the type of Gent that knows how to handle that kind of stuff. Not that he is a Gent,"

"We learn something new every day," I retorted.

"You know, the boys care about us," Anissa changed the topic. "When they found out you got hurt, they wanted to see you."

"Really?" I asked with shock.

"Yeah, they did. When I left for a while, the boys asked if I got hurt when I came back upstairs after talking to you privately. They care about us, Julia."

"It's too bad your peaching," I whispered.

"You aren't changing my mind," Anissa looked annoyed.

"Anissa, you're putting yourself in danger."

"No one will suspect anything. Relax," Anissa assured.

"Okay, fine." I took a deep breath. I won't tell her the consequences of her intrigue. I'll let her figure that out on her own.

...

It was after dinner, about six in the evening. Fagin was controlling the fire in the fireplace, Nancy was looking out the window on a small couch, the smaller boys, Nicky, and Jackson in the living room, Bet was reading a book, and Anissa was quietly knitting a scarf. She loved scarves for some reason.

Earlier, Fagin dropped Oliver off with Bill, and the boy has not been heard from since. I never knew why Oliver was out with Bill, but my gut feeling was warning me that something terrible was going to happen.

I was sitting with Dodger and Charley who were playing this game called 'snap.'

"Dodger," I interrupted their game.

"Yes, Julia?" he looked at me.

"I wanted to thank you for putting in my stitches."

He smiled, took off his hat to show curtsy and put it back on his head, "Anytime."

"What about me?" Charley turned to me. "Don't I get a thank you, little lady?"

"Thank you, Charley, for holding me against my will so Dodger could stitch my arm."

"You're welcome," then he looked at me and poked my nose.

"Charley, don't poke my nose."

"No, I want too. You can't tell me what to do."

I sighed and looked away. I saw Dodger quietly snickering. That's when Bulls-eye, the Bulldog, started barking and ran over to the window. Nancy looked out, and Nicky went downstairs. Toby, who had ginger hair and was at least 6'2, came in holding onto Oliver who had an open arm. Everyone stared at them.

I noticed a man standing discreetly behind Toby. The man looked about 5'10 and in his mid 30's, with Oliver's hair color and skin tone, but dark eyes that seemed bold, deceiving, and seductive, but not in an "I love you, I want you" way. He was wearing dark pants, a beige collared shirt, and a navy coat with black shoes.

"Well, hello, Fagey," Toby stalled.

Fagin looked annoyed. "Everyone, scarce, scarce! Where's Bill?"

Nancy moved everyone away and walked up to Oliver. "He's bleeding!" she helped Toby bring Oliver over to the chair near the fireplace.

Toby turned to the mysterious man. "I'm fine here. Go and find Bill."

The man nodded and caught my glance. He looked at me with a look of interest on his face, but at the same time, like he can seduce anyone with the countenance he carried. I gulped, he was a little creepy. He turned away and walked down the stairs, leaving as quickly as he came. Something seemed off about him, but I don't know what. I was next to Dodger, who had a worried expression on his face. He must have caught my glance because he looked at me and I turned away.

"I won't talk unless I've eaten and drank," Toby took off his blue raincoat and sat down.

I looked at everyone. The boys in the living room were wondering what was going on. Nicky was leaning against the wall with an emotionless face. Charley, Dodger, Anissa and I had 'worried' written on our faces.

Nancy was moving Oliver's sleeve up.

"Nancy, scarce, scarce!" Fagin scolded.

I felt something rubbing against my leg. I looked down and saw Bulls-Eye looking at me and whining. I petted him, and he licked my hand. He rubbed against my leg again and walked over to Anissa.

"Oh," Fagin replied as he examined Oliver's wound. Oliver was grunting and kicking his foot onto the ground.

Nancy walked over to Toby. "Where's Bill?"

"Produce the sustenance if you please."

Nancy turned to Fagin, annoyed because Toby wouldn't tell her where Bill went.

"Dodger," Fagin nodded his head to Toby as if to say to give him a drink. Dodger walked over. "Nancy, scarce!" Fagin yelled. Nancy jumped a little bit and walked away as Dodger poured Toby a drink and handed it to him.

"The bullet went into his arm. The crack also failed," Toby was stalling. There had to be a reason for it. I know he's a goofball, but there had to be a reason why he wasn't telling Fagin anything.

"I smelt that. For the last time of asking, where's Bill?" Fagin turned to Toby with an annoyed expression on his face.

Toby motioned his hand to Oliver and moved it back and forth, saying that he didn't want Oliver in the room. This can't be good.

"Dodger," Dodger walked over to Fagin and Oliver quickly, and Fagin was wrapping a handkerchief around Oliver's wound. "Put him to bed. Give him a nip of gin."

Dodger grabbed the gin bottle and a cup. He put his arms through Oliver and dragged him out of the room. Toby and Fagin started whispering. I looked at Anissa, and the two of us paced up the stairs to the attic. The door was open, and we ran up the stairs. When we got there, Dodger was helping Oliver onto the bed.

"Ow," Oliver groaned.

"Relax Oliver," Dodger then turned and saw the both of us. "Anissa, I'm fine. I don't need your help."

"I want to help."

"Go downstairs."

Anissa snarled and stomped down the stairs. I went to follow her, but Dodger interrupted me. "Julia, you can stay."

I know why he doesn't want her help. I forgot that he doesn't like her. "What do you want me to do?"

Dodger helped Oliver lay down. "There's a first aid kit under the bed. Get it out."

I looked under the bed and saw a black box. I grabbed it and pulled it out. In white ink said the words, 'First aid kit.' I put it on a small stand next to the bed, and I took Oliver's shoes off and pulled the blanket up to his stomach. Dodger reached into the first aid kit and took out stitches, cotton balls, and cleaning alcohol. I sat down at the end of the bed.

"Okay. Oliver, this is going to sting."

Oliver didn't say anything. Dodger started to disinfect the boy's cut, and he grunted. "Stop. It hurts."

Dodger didn't listen to him. "Julia, pour some gin into the cup."

I looked at him feeling light-headed. I still felt dizzy, but that didn't matter right now. I picked up the bottle and poured some into the cup and handed it to, Dodger. Dodger held Oliver's head up and tilted the cup to his mouth. Oliver drank it, and Dodger set the cup down next to the gin bottle. I looked at Oliver, who was already knocked out.

"That knocked the wind out of him."

"It kicked in quicker because he's younger and smaller."

"It worked on me."

"That's because when we brought you here, it was your first time having it. You get used to it."

I nodded, and he started to stitch up Oliver's cut.

"That's all I need, Julia. I'll take it from here. Thanks for your help."

I looked at Oliver, sighed, and walked down the stairs. That's when I realized something, why didn't they give me gin when they stitched my arm? Sure, my cut wasn't deep, but I lost blood, and the stitches hurt. Weird. I overheard Fagin and Toby talking when I reached the kitchen.

"He was about to blow on us, Fagin. He was seen."

"Seen? Who saw him?"

"Two elders. Oliver shouted for help; Bill got mad and fired his pistol."

"And he hit the boy?"

"I don't know. There were two bullets, and one was Bill's. I had a hold of Oliver."

"Where did Bill go?"

"He fell."

"Fell?"

"Yup. Last time I saw him, he was swimming East of London."

Uh-oh, that can't be good. I looked in the living room and saw that the younger boys and Anissa weren't there. Nancy and Bet put on their coats and silently walked out the door without saying goodbye. I entered the living room and saw that the only person occupying the large room was Nicky, who was smoking his pipe.

"Is Oliver okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine."

Nicky nodded and looked away. I started to feel more lightheaded than I did a minute ago.

"Are you okay, Julia?" Nicky seemed worried.

"Yeah, I'm just exhausted."

"No, you look sick. Do you still have your fever?"

I didn't say anything. I just laid down on the couch that I laid on earlier when Dodger sutured my cut. I closed my eyes, and I was out cold as soon as my head hit the pillow.

...

NORMAL POV

It was about 11:00 at night. The boys were in bed, and Julia fell asleep on the couch. Fagin and Dodger decided to keep her there so she wouldn't wake up. The most loyal of Fagin's was in the living room, checking on Julia's cut, seeing if it was healing well. He could tell that Julia was not entirely over her sickness since she went to bed for the rest of the night. The smaller boys were worried, but Dodger knows that she'll be a lot better in the morning. He doesn't only have to worry about her; he had to worry about Oliver.

"Dodger," the top-hatted boy heard his name. He turned around and saw Fagin.

"What, Fagin?" He whispered, re-tying the handkerchief around Julia's cut.

"What are you up to?"

"Just checking Julia's stitches. I'll be in bed soon." Dodger replied, taking Julia's shoes off.

"eActually, my boy, I need to talk to you; in the kitchen."

Dodger pulled the blanket up on Julia, and they both walked into the kitchen. Fagin turned on a small lamp so that they could see each other. They were standing near the light in the corner.

"What is it, Fagin?"

"It's Anissa."

"What'd she do this time?" Dodger sighed in disbelief.

"It's about her going out with Nancy earlier."

"What about it?"

"When Julia came into the kitchen, she had no idea where Anissa was. I have the feeling that Anissa lied to us," Fagin said suspiciously.

"Why would she ask to go with Nancy anyway?"

"That's my point. Look, I don't trust Anissa. She is always up to something. I'm not so sure about Julia."

"I trust Julia, Fagin," Dodger said silently. "Charley and everyone else does. Why can't you?"

"It's not that I don't trust her. I think that she knows whatever Anissa talked about with Nancy."

"Fagin, Julia's sick. You can tell that she doesn't feel good just by looking at her. Look, I bet that Anissa didn't tell, Julia. Besides, Julia was out cold sleeping, and she's sleeping right now."

"Listen here, Dodger," Fagin leaned in, "a few hours ago after the boys fell asleep, I went over to Bill's place. I told him that I want him to handle Anissa, you know, take her with him."

Dodger hid his smile. He didn't care if Anissa was gone. As long as Julia was around, he didn't mind at all. "And?" he asked, trying to sound serious.

"But I know he might kill her. So we were thinking about peaching her to the traps. Either that — "

"Fagin, you can't do that," Dodger said interrupting Fagin. "Julia will want to go with Anissa."

Not that he cared about Anissa, but Julia will want to leave, and her departure will cause problems.

"You're right, my boy. We'll wait a little longer and see what happens," Fagin whispered.

What they didn't know was that from the kitchen staircase that leads to Anissa's and Julia's bedroom, and the spare bedroom where Oliver was sleeping in, Anissa overheard everything.

'I can't believe it,' she said to herself, 'they'll give me away, but keep Julia,' Then she smiled. 'I know Dodger's big secret—Charley knows too. I heard them the other day before I left with Nancy. If he tries anything, the word might go out.'

Then she quickly and quietly walked upstairs and went to bed.

...

JULIA'S POV

It's the next day, and I woke up on the couch to Dodger coming into the room with Charley. Dodger sat down on the sofa, untied the handkerchief, and looked at my cut. For some reason, I can't keep my mind off of that man from yesterday. Who was he, and why was he here?

"Wow, you were right, Dodger."

"Yup, but the dry blood is stained. I'll need to clean her arm and then if it needs to be, disinfect it."

Why disinfect my arm if it's stitched up? That is one of the purposes of a stitch, isn't it? Dodger took a clean cloth, and a cup of water as Charley held me down.

"I won't move."

"How do I know to trust you?" He eyed me.

"Uh, instinct?" I replied, sheepishly.

"Charley, don't trust her."

Charley still held me down, and I glared at Dodger. Dodger wetted a corner of the cloth and started to wipe off the dry blood on my arm.

"Dodger, how will the stitches come out?" Charley asked.

"I'll cut them with scissors when the time comes."

I almost fainted to Dodger's response.

Dodger started to disinfect my cut, and then he said. "By the look of her cut, it'll heal in a few days since her cut isn't deep."

Charley looked at me and then looked at Dodger who was tying one of the handkerchiefs around my cut. I sat up, but Charley grabbed my left arm to help me up.

"Come on Charley; let's get to work," Dodger changed the subject.

"My favorite time of the day," Charley laughed.

I'm serious, those two have opposite personalities, but they get along so well. Anissa and I are opposites, but we fight once in a while. They both left, and I walked into the bathroom, then entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Julia," Anissa came over to me. "Look, I need to talk to you. In private."

"Um, okay," I said. We walked downstairs and into the hallway. When we saw that no one was around, Anissa started to talk.

"I have news," she whispered

"You won't peach?" I smiled with much hope.

"No Julia, I am."

I frowned. "Then what's the matter?"

She looked away, trying to avoid my eye contact.

"Anissa, what's the matter?"

"I overheard Fagin talking to Dodger last night."

How interesting. "What did Fagin say?" I asked.

"You won't believe what I'm about to tell you,"

"Anissa, for the last time, what is it?"

"Fagin was saying to Dodger how he doesn't trust us."

"I already know that," I crossed my arms.

"But Dodger said that he trusts you — "

"What's your point?"

"Let me finish," she scolded. "They both decided that if they don't trust me, they'll peach me to the traps or give me to Sykes and keep you," she frowned.

I gasped. "Anissa, I won't leave without you. If they're going to kick you out, they're kicking me out too."

The tears in her eyes went away, and she smiled, "Thanks, Julia, but they are right about one thing, they can't trust me."

"Anissa, I hate to say it — "

" — You hate to say what?" Anissa asked, interrupting me.

"I have a bad feeling about Fagin."

"What do you mean?" She questioned

"I think he's getting suspicious about the both of us. I mean, Dodger, said he would make sure I would never, ever leave. What if they're planning something?"

"I don't know, Julia, but if they kick me out, then I don't know what I'll do."

"Anissa, what if they know that you and Nancy are going to peach?" I whispered very faintly.

"Why would they? Bill wasn't in the house, and I talked to you privately."

"Well, Dodger got suspicious when we were gone long. He did ask me what we were talking about while we were downstairs. What if he was eavesdropping?"

"I don't think he was, Julia. I didn't see him." Anissa didn't seem worried.

"You don't know Dodger as I do. He's very sneaky."

"I can tell you this much; he's rude," she scowled.

"That isn't the point, Anissa. The point is that those two are up to something; I don't know what."

"You worry too much, Julia."

"Sometimes, worrying too much is the right thing to do."

"If you say so."

What if Dodger did hear what we were talking about privately? He was the one that came down the stairs. That doesn't make sense; even if he opened the door slowly and quietly, we would have still heard it. Anissa's right, I am worrying too much. I hope she knows what she's doing. That's when Nicky came downstairs, narrowing his eyes as he saw us. I gulped and felt my heart race, knowing that Dodger and Charley will find out that Anissa and I were talking privately.