A few months flew by and Ham was now a bonny seven month old baby and Bill was proud to see him thriving. He showed him off at every opportunity he could and Fagin and Dodger proved to be a good help to him. If only Nancy had been alive...

As Bill walked through the busy London street passing the old curiosity shop where Little Nell was sweeping outside, she smiled at him as she greeted her grandfather, he then passed William Dorrit and Martin Chuzzlewit the elder who were talking outside the tavern, Bill knew that Martin had a grandchild named after him that was only a month younger than Ham and he grinned to himself. he was tempted to try and pick pocket something from him as he knew Martin was a very wealthy gentleman but he decided that it would be best not too.

As he continued walking, he spotted Edward Murdstone and watched him for a while. He had known Edward since he was a child and always despised him for his arrogance and cold hearted nature. Edward always used to make fun of him because of his poor status and lack of parental figures. Edward realised that He was looking at him for he began to approach him with a glint in his eye, he gave a smile which Bill did not return,

"Good afternoon, Mr Sykes." He murmured and Bill said nothing.

"I believe this is your child. Illegitimate isn't it?" Bill's fists began to clench,

"He may be a bastard but he is my bastard Murdstone!" He whispered furiously. Edward smirked,

"Tis been a long time since we were children. You have not changed since that time. I see you still walk the streets lie a common street urchin."

Bill grabbed Edward by his collar just as a woman dressed in black and looking very stern as if she sipped bitter lemons all day long. She grabbed Bills hands as she snarled,

"Get off my brother at once! You lay another finger on him and it will be the last thing you'll ever do!"

Bill let go off Edward who straightened himself. The woman linked arms with him,

"Have you met my sister Jane, Mr Sykes?"

"No but i already regret doing so."

Jane Murdstone looked at her younger brother and then she looked at Bill with a look of pure hatred,

"So this is the guttersnipe that tried to rob you all those years ago. And you wonder why I'm not married Edward."

Bill smirked,

"No one would ever want to marry as bitter and cold hearted as you." He sneered as Edward and Jane walked away. Bill sighed as he walked on, passing Seth Pecksniff who was speaking with Old Martin Chuzzlewitt while holding his elder daughter Mercys hand, his other daughter Charity was the same age as Ham. There was something rather sinister about Seth but Bill could not pinpoint it.

Sarah Gamp was sitting outside the Pickwick club with her friend Betsey Prigg and as usual they were drinking liquor. The two women had been friends since childhood and supported each other through thick and thin. It was also common knowledge that Betsey had the vision and was able to predict events that had been known to come true. Betsey kept this to herself for fear of ridicule.

"So then Sarah my dear any gossip you got for me?"

"Well Honoria Barbery the girl who had that baby with the captain, well she has gotten married!"

"Oh lucky thing! Who is is the lucky Gentleman?'

"Its that Leicester Dedlock, him who owns that posh house. He's very rich but hes alot older."

"Oh well i wish her all the happiness in the world!"

"Oh and it looks like that old curiosity shop is going to shut down. That poor girl Nell has gone missing!"

"Oh my lord! Really?"

Suddenly she became stuff, like she had frozen solid and Sarah knew that she was having one of her visions.

"What do you see Betsey?"

"Oh no. The girl is going to die! She will be found but she will not live long. Her Grandfather will also join her in death."

"Oh no! Not that girl! She's so young!"

Betsy's heart fluttered and she drunk more liquor coughing as it burned her throat.

Old Martin Chuzzlewit was eating dinner with his business associates Seth Pecksniff, Nicholas Nickleby and Samuel Pickwick, his brother Anthony was due to arrive shortly and as he watched his young grandson also named Martin crawling around, he immediately called for his maid to take him away. He was bringing him up following the death of his son and his wife and although he loved his grandson dearly, he was still grieving for his son. The door burst open and Ebeneezer Scrooge walked in, shaking hands with the men before taking of his hat and coat,

"Your late Mr Scrooge. You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago." said Martin as Ebeneezer sat down.

"I beg your pardon Mr Chuzzlewit but I had important business to take care off."

Nicholas, the youngest of the men, spoke up as he passed the bread rolls around,

"Bad business very bad business. Increase in pickpockets robbing the streets."

"Yes most unsettling. Still what can we do?" This came from Ebeneezer who ate his bread roll with his fish. Martin and Seth didn't say a word as they ate then Seth said,

"I would have all pickpockets hanged. Together."

"Well Mr Pecksniff! That is barbaric! To take another mans life away let alone a childs!" said Martin.

"Oh I beg your pardon Mr Chuzzlewit I had not realised your own loss."

The door opened again and Edward Murdstone walked in. Ebenezer and Nicholas didnt look happy to see him and neither did Martin,

"Good evening gentlemen!" Edward said jovially. Seth nodded his own greeting but Martin soon thundered,

"What are you doing here? Get out of my house!"

"Believe me Mr Chuzzlewit, I take no pleasure of being in your house but I was told a Mr Ebenezer Scrooge was in this house."

Ebenezer turned to look at Edward,

"And what is it that you want from me?"

"I believe that you were the victim of a robbery a few days ago, am i correct?"

"You are Indeed."

"Well what if I was to tell you I know the name of the man in question?"

Ebenezer looked surprised and he stood up,

"And who was it that robbed me Mr Murdstone?"

"He goes by the name of Sykes. Bill Sykes. I can show you what he does first thing in the morning."

"Are you absolutely certain of this Mr Murdstone?"

"Very much so."

"Very well. You may show me what he does in the morning and I want my possessions back also."

"Good evening to you all." Edward left and Martin sunk into his chair,

"I shall never forgive that man for ruining my son." He whispered.

The next morning, Bill left Ham with Fagin and set off to do his daily work. He was partnered with both Charley and Dodger and he hoped to see Oliver, he often wondered what he was up too now he was living under Mr Brownlow. Deep down, he had a soft spot for Oliver especially considering that Nancy had been so fond of him. He went about his work as Dodger and Charley went off on different directions. He slowly walked past Gruff and Tackleton, the toy shop before passing the coffee shop Garraways. He saw Mr Pickwick and his acquaintances coming out of the tavern on the end of the street till finally he saw his potential target; Seth Pecksniff.

Seth was admiring the dress shop Mantallinis where he knew Honoria had once worked before her marriage. He liked Honoria, really liked her and the fact that she had been with Captain Nemo had been gut wrenching for him. Still there were plenty of other women available. Suddenly he felt a tug on his trouser pocket and knew that he was about to be robbed, he turned on his heel to see Bill standing behind him. Bill was horrified to have been caught and he began to run just as Jane Murdstone shouted,

"Thief! Scoundrel! After him!"

Bill ran as fast as he could, Edward had gone to get Inspector Bucket. The crowd chased Bill up the street and into the alleyway where Fagins hideout was. Just as he was about to run up the steps, Inspector Bucket catched him.

"Come along Mr Sykes, there is nowhere to hide for a thief like you!"

Edward watched as Bill was led away, Charley ran off to find Dodger and tell him what happened.

Dodger was standing outside The old curiosity shop hopeful that Little Nell would come out but he knew she wouldnt, she was still missing and the likely hood that she would never be found had increased. He had overhead Betsey prigg's dire prediction and his heart sunk. Little Nell was a dear friend and the knowledge that she was out there somewhere was breaking his heart. Charley ran over to him,

"Charley, whats the matter?!"

"Its Bill hes been arrested we need to tell Fagin!"

The two boys ran off to the hideout.

Bill sat in his cell, it was cold and wet and the smell of the sewer was overpowering. Fagin had to know that he was in prison by now and he hoped that he was planning an escape for him. Bill hated it inside, all he could hear was dripping water, people shouting and screaming and the footsteps of the constables as they patrolled the corridors. Bill didnt dare look up not even when his cell gate opened revealing Edward Murdstone,

"Mr Sykes such an unfortunate circumstance." He murmured with a smirk, Bill clenched his fists.

"You snake Murdstone! You did this to me!"

"People like you are corrupting our society! The sooner you are taken care of the happiest we will all be."

"You do not frighten me Murdstone!"

"You know that you will hang for your crimes. There is no escape for thieves."

"If I hang I will go to my death with dignity. I have no fear of it."

Edward looked at Bill with un denying hatred and sat in front of him,

"I shall see to it that you hang Sykes!" He shouted, Bill looked at Edward and gave a smirk surprising Edward,

"Ah that you will do Murdstone. But remember this; you will pay for your own crimes. Maybe not in this present time but you will pay. Its odd I will hang but your the one to be pitied. Everyone will see you for what you are and then where will you be? Sad, alone and maybe dead."

Edwards face displayed a cold heartless expression as he stood up and walked away, Bill sat alone, deep in thought, thoughts about his son. What would happen to him if he hanged?

Bills trial took place two days later and despite testimonies from Fagin, Bill was found guilty and was sentenced to hang. The night before his execution, Bill sat in his cell looking out of the small window, then cell gate opened and Inspector Bucket walked in, the sound of keys clanging against his leg,

"You have a visitor."

Bill turned and saw Fagin standing behind the inspector, He stood up looking very pleased to see him as Fagin embraced him.

"Oh Bill what has happened?"

"Do not weep for me Fagin. I am not worth the tears, Murdstone has made that clear. He has gotten his wish. I shall perish in the morning and my son shall be an orphan but You must not let Ham have a life like my own."

"What happened to the boy I took in all those years ago? That Bill Sykes would have pouted and escape, he would have been unstoppable."

"But I'm not him anymore. There is no way i can repent. How can I escape this wretched place with so much security? There is nothing to be done."

Fagin andBill stayed together for most of the night.

The next morning, Martin Chuzzlewit was admiring the clothes being sold outside the dress nakers when he saw Seth and Ebenezer hurriedly walking up the street,

"Where are you two going in such a hurry?"

Seth turned and smiled,

"There is to be a hanging this morning, a their is to swing."

Martin followed Seth and Ebenezer while Sarah and Betsey followed with Honoria and Leicester who was also attending.

"Once the execution is over, we need to discuss the finances of your latest investment Mr Scrooge. I would hate it if you ended up in debtors prison like William Dorrit." Seth remarked as they gathered round the scaffold where the noose hung high.

A small crowd gathered outside the prison as two constables led Bill outside with his hands tied behind his back, Fagin and Dodger stood at the front, anxiously awaiting him. Fagin was determined not to let Bill die, not only for his own sake but for Hams too.

"Bill Sykes, you stand before the crowd having been found guilty of theft. Have you any last words as you stand before your kinsmen about to pay for your wicked crimes?"

Bill remained silent for a few moments as the hangman prepared the rope, Fagin got nearer to the scaffold and upon seeing him Bill cried out,

"Go away Fagin! I don't want you to see this!"

The constables led Bill to the rope,

"Look after my boy, tell Ham I love him!"

Fagins breathing became more errate and he knew he had to fight for Bill.

"No! You can't do this!" He shouted as the hangmans assistant tried to grab him, Fagin punched him in the face sending him flying as Bill looked on. Fagin then punched two men who had been needing before he was apprehended by Inspector Bucket.

"Fagin, there is nothing you can do. Let me go." Bill whispered as he became tearful. The hangman looked at Edward who had just arrived with Jane and when Edward nodded, the hangman put the bag over Bills face as Fagin began yelling,

"No!"

The rope was pulled in due succession and Bills life ended within seconds. Fagin and Dodger watched in horror as Bills body swung in the breeze, Bullseye barked mournfully and Fagin scowled at Edward who suddenly looked uncomfortable as Jane led him away. Fagin looked at Bill again and began to cry for his lost friend.