Chapter Twenty – Jacob's Island

Jacob's Island was a foreboding place, even in the light of day. As Nancy approached the derelict and crumbling building where Toby Crackit made his home, she felt a sense of foreboding, lingering about the place like an unseen mist.

And yet, she thought, she must go and visit him. He of all people would know what had happened; he was famous for sticking his nose in everyone else's business and spreading rumors and falsehoods; and yet people still liked him… Nancy herself had never been fond of the man; too egotistical by far.

However it was not the man of the house who greeted Nancy on the doorstep; instead it was Toby's manservant; a greasy haired and lanky individual by name of Barney. Another character of whom Nancy wasn't fond; he leered unpleasantly at her as she stood on the doorstep, shivering slightly from the cold.

"Wot you want, eh?" he said sullenly as he observed Nancy. "Toby ain't in the mood fer visitors!"

"Barney, I need to see him!" said Nancy firmly, trying to stay calm. She wasn't sure how long she could keep up this façade of tranquility, not when she had her suspicions that Bill, her Bill, was trapped in a jail cell, guarded heavily by police…

"Oh really?" said Barney, clearly enjoying Nancy's discomfort. "An' why's tha', eh? Wot's Toby gotta do wiv you?"

Just then Toby himself appeared behind Barney, his usual air of showiness and obsequiousness quite drained. He told Barney, in no eloquent terms, to clear off, which Barney did, pulling a face behind Toby's back as he lollopped back up the stairs.

"I'm guessin' you 'eard the news," Toby said, his naturally sly expression replaced by one of grief and fear; an expression that chilled Nancy to the core. What had happened to make Toby, Flash Toby Crackit, like this?

"That's why I came here," said Nancy hurriedly. "Toby, wot do ya mean? Wot news?"

Toby bowed his head, his melancholy expression worsening and confirming Nancy's fears.

"I 'ate to be the one to tell ya this Nance, m'girl…but Bill…Bill's been caught. Nabbed by the traps."

Nancy's heart sank. She'd known this all along, she realized, but hadn't wanted to believe it, had denied the truth.

Bill was caught.

Her Bill.

She had hardly noticed that Toby kept talking; despite the tumultuous event he couldn't help but tell all he knew.

"'E wos in the beer shop yesterday evenin', even after the old 'un warned 'im not to leave the 'ouse! Just like Bill, innit? Ignore Fagin's advice, 'ead off to get some beer down 'is throat-"

Bill was caught.

Her Bill.

"-an' it wosn't some toff out fer a night on the town; the man was a flippin' copper! The same one tha' tried to nab 'im in the alleyway! /Then/ things started gerrin nasty, lemmee tell ya-"

Bill was caught.

Her Bill.

"-'e went flyin' backwards and seconds later Bill wos runnin' fer it-"

"TOBY!"

The man in question looked somewhat affronted at being interrupted in his ramble, but quickly fell silent, not wanting to risk an emotionally unstable Nancy's wrath.

"D'you know wot's 'appenin' to 'im now? Will 'e still be in the clink or-"

"Oh, 'e'll be on trial, m'girl," said Toby with a sad shake of the head. "Up in front of the beak an' all tha'. Mind you, I don't reckon 'e'll peach, not even to get 'imself off…sure 'e don't like Fagin but 'e wouldn't want 'im to face the drop…would 'e? After all Fagin's done fer 'im?"

Nancy wasn't sure why Toby was so het up over Fagin; shouldn't he be worried about Bill, his old comrade?

"Can't ya think of anythin' we can do?" said Nancy, voicing her thoughts. "We 'ave to 'elp 'im, we can't just do nothin'!"

"Maybe you should tell the old 'un?"

Nancy shook her head firmly. That wouldn't help Bill.

She had made her decision. She knew what she had to do. She was going to go to that courtroom and, some way, somehow, help Bill to escape. She just had to.

No matter what happened, she'd stand by his side. She wouldn't, she couldn't, just give up on him now. Not when he needed her the most.

--

A/N: Yes, I enjoy writing Toby; egotistical prat that I make him out to be. XD

Hope you like this chapter, dears; sorry I took so long to get it up! D:

Please R&R! =)