So... there's really no excuse for why I haven't updated this story for almost a year. I wouldn't be surprised if I'd lost all my followers by now But...there was a review just under a month ago...so hopefully someone is still reading this. And you won't come after me with torches and pitchforks for being soooooooooooooooooo irregular on my updates. To tell the truth, I completely forgot until I received an e-mail that I'd gotten a review on it. Ironically, I still have the rough drafts of chapters 11-13 on my computer...uncompleted and unpublished. I am deeply sorry ︿But I did promise someone that I would finish this fanfic...and I always keep my promises..well...usually. So. Here's an extremely, very, totally long overdue, chapter 11 of Syd's Gem ∩﹏
Surrounded by boys, a hat on my head in breeches and a cotton shirt. Reader, I'd never been more comfortable. I can't really tell you what an absolute relief it was to be out of skirts and stockings for a day. Beside me, the Lady Rachel was hardly recognisable. She'd dressed down completely, her hair tucked into the cap on her head, and she'd smeared a little grime on her cheeks. Benjamin looked like a little chimney sweep in his clothes, soot rubbed on his face for dramatic effect. The Butcher's Boys had grown in number. I saw Joe and gave him a grin, and he tipped his hat to me, the Ace of Spades in between his fingers. Nick was right beside me, Syd at the front of the gang as we made our way back to Shepherds' headquarters at this ungodly hour of the night. Syd had the letter clutched in his grasp, and Billy's gang members stared at us uncomfortably as we made our way into the grand hall where Shepherd was seated on his throne, a frown on his face. Clearly, he'd not anticipated Syd's ENTIRE gang. And honestly speaking, neither had I. I knew Syd had many connections, but I didn't think he'd bring along this many strangers to ensure my protection. I was sure that none of them knew why I was to be watched over, they just knew that the shrimpy kid in the middle of the gang was not to be harmed, and they were responsible for keeping me safe. Billy stood up, grinning as he approached Syd.
"Ello there old mate. 'Ow's the eye?" He asked, cheerily. I couldn't see from my position inside the crowd, but I had a feeling that Syd would be scowling.
"Skip the plesantries, Shepherd. I wan't me mother's gem."
"Ahh Fletcher. Alway's in such a 'urry to get everyfink over and done wiv'. Can't we 'ave a nice chat like a coupla gentlemen?" He said, wiggling an eyebrow.
"If we were a coupla gentlemen, it wouldn't be a problem, Billy. As it were, the only gentlemen I see 'ere are in me gang, and I ain't too sure 'ow long they'll remain gentle if you keep messin' me around."
"Now now, Syd. We can be civilised 'ere can't we? You gimme what I want, I'll give ya yer gem. 'Ow's that sound?" He said, grinning.
"What DO you want, pray tell." Frank stepped forward to join Syd, finally finding his voice.
"I want Cat Royal. I need 'er 'elp. Or rather, 'er good friend Mister JF does." Billy said, sneering at Frank. "Where is Miss Royal? Out of interest?" He asked. Syd emitted a low growl, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from speaking up. I felt a hand latch around my wrist, and turned back to see the Lady Rachel shake her head at me. I must have unconsciously stepped forward, and she was warning me. I nodded my understanding, but she didn't release her grasp.
"She's safe, Shepherd. Safer than you are at any rate. Where is this JF, then?" Asked Frank, annoyed. Billy frowned.
"Right this way milord. And tell yer guard dogs that Miss Royal is the one 'e wants to see. So they'd best let 'er outta the middle o' the pack. Or we ain't gonna get nowhere." He said. Reader, I wasn't even surprised that he knew I was there. Billy was as quick witted as I, though I loathe to admit it, and I could see Syd's rage boiling over.
"Cat. Come out." The order was not to be disobeyed. The boys parted like the Red Sea in front of me, and I walked out, Syd pulling me protectively to his side.
"Right then. So it's you, the dook and the Moggy then. Let's go." Billy said. Syd nodded to his gang, gesturing them to stay put and keep an eye on Rachel, then he, Frank and I followed Billy up a spiral staircase. The feeling of foreboding was overwhelming, I couldn't help but feel there was more to it than this. It couldn't really be this easy!
"The boy is in there. But 'e wants to see Cat alone. I'll even stay out 'ere with you both." Billy said, pointing to a door.
"Nah, Shepherd, I ain't stupid. Cat ain't goin' in there alone." Syd said, menacingly. Billy frowned.
"Then I'm just gonna 'ave to 'old on to the gem then. Maybe I'll pawn it, probably get a coupla quid and treat me lads to a drink." Billy taunted. Reader, I could see that Syd was torn. It was between losing me, or losing his mother's gem.
"I'll be fine, Syd. JF is my friend." I assured him.
"I know that, Kitten. But Shepherd here ain't. E's got something up 'is sleeve." Syd said, shaking his head.
"Yes, and in his pocket and in his boot-"
"And on every other filthy piece of cloth he wears on his putrid body." Syd and I finished in unison, chuckling. Frank and Billy stared at us as though we'd gone mad, but I ignored the gazes.
"Don't worry, Syd. If it IS a trap, the gang isn't far off. I'll be alright." I reassured him. He nodded, reluctantly, then bent down, whispering in my ear.
"If it's anyone but JF, scream like the fires of hell are burnin' ya. You hear me?" He asked. I nodded, meeting Billy's eye as he smirked at me.
"If you two are done whisperin' yer sweet nothin's to each other, the king o' thieves is waitin'." Billy said. I nodded, then knocked the door before entering. The room was well lit by a chandelier on the ceiling, a single four poster bed was in the center of the room. A boy was seated on the bed, facing away from me, turning over a bejewelled letter opener in his hands.
"JF?" I said softly.
"Cat? Is that you?" Asked JF. He didn't turn around.
"JF...what's going on?" I asked.
"Cat. I need you to promise me you won't scream." He said. That was when I knew something was amiss. "Because if you scream, he will kill me." JF slowly got to his feet, raising his hands above his head. As he rose, someone got up from behind the bed, a single pistol in hand, directed at JF as he turned around. I bit my lip, swallowing the scream that had begun to form in my throat. The goon was not one I had seen before, probably the latest addition to Billy's gang. His hand was trembling, but he kept the gun directed at JF.
"JF...what's going on?" I asked, as I finally saw his face. He'd been badly beaten, his left eye was swollen shut and his cheek was a nasty purple. There were scratches on his forehead and neck, and he was struggling to stand.
"Oh my lord, JF!" I said. I ran to embrace him, but the goon behind him coughed.
"Back, missy. Billy didn't say nufink about 'ugging." He said hoarsely. I shot him a furious glare, but stepped back.
"Did you call for me?" I asked him. JF shook his head.
"No. I was used as bait. I would never put you in danger, Cat." He said. I nodded, looking at the goon behind him.
"What is all this about then? Is Billy setting me up again?" I asked angrily. He shook his head, grinning.
"Nah, lady. You're just a distraction for the giant. We're after a much bigger prize." He said, grinning. I frowned.
"What do you mean?" I was scared to ask, but I had to know.
"We're after the money, milady. And we'll be gettin' it the only way we know 'ow. By kidnappin' the lord and demandin' a ransom. Lucky for us, you brought him right to us." He said. My eyes widened.
"Frank..." I whispered softly.
"And the pieces finally fall into place." Billy's voice was mocking me, taunting me. I turned around, furious. Syd was standing with his hands bound to the railing, looking as though he was about to murder someone, and Frank was nowhere to be seen.
"Now 'ere's what's gonna happen. Moggy, Froggy and Boxer are gonna leave quietly, or Frankie's gonna get a bullet to the brain. You get me?" Billy said, a hand on his pocket.
"The Earl will send the runners after ya you stinking pile of rabid dog crap! And I 'ope to God they catch you and yer entire gang!" Syd yelled angrily. Shepherd merely grinned.
"I think not, Fletcher. You tell the duke if the runners even get wind of this, yer friend's gonna be taking a plunge." Billy said, grinning. "And 'e won't be the only one." My eyes widened. He couldn't mean... "That's right, Moggy. I was expecting you to bring me one duke, but two? You're slippin' Cat." He said. Reader, if not for Benjamin and Frank, I would have punched the self-satisfied grin right off his face. "Now. Get off me territory." JF stumbled forward as Billy's goon pushed him, and I rushed to Syd, undoing his bonds. He looked like he was about to rush Billy, but I held him back.
"No. He's got Frank and Benjamin. Let's just go." I said. Syd scowled, but complied, slipping an arm under JF's for support as he saw the boy struggling to walk. It pained us to walk away, but reader, we had no choice.
"Master Shepherd will be in touch with the details." Someone sneered as we headed out. Infuriated, Syd took the letter opener from JF's hands, jamming it deep into the wooden doorframe, using a strength I never knew he possessed. The boy looked at Syd, his smirk falling.
"Tell Billy Shepherd that the next time this happens, it'll be 'is face that I jam the bloody thing into." He growled. With that, we left.