She silently wished in her heart that she would never be Sarah Henderson again, but start anew as Dash.
Dash had been standing by the window that Christmas eve, staring meditatively out at the twinkling stars in the midnight sky. More than a week had passed since Dash was invited to live with the old Jew and his gang. However, she had not been out of the house for fear of being recognised by the brothel owner, Craig. Altough she had gotten used to receiving more attention from the boys than usual, she simply retreated to a secluded corner of the house and sat alone, till Dodger approached her.
Within that week, snow had already begun to fall since winter was fast approaching London. The fireplace was barely glowing due to a shortage of firewood.
Things had been vastly different in a house full of experienced prigs. Dodger and Nancy tried their best to help her assimilate into their surroundings, but memories of her former life would never fade away that quickly. All in the house except the Fagin and Sarah had not believed in Christmas, or in Saint Nicholas shoving presents down the chimney. However, the old Jew seemed to have had forgotten all about the good times of Hannukah and Christmas, and joined the boys for a drink of rum and poker.
" Royal-" hiccup "- flush!" A drunkened Charley laughed as he slammed his cards down on the wobbling table.
" That can't be!" Tom cried, " I was so close to winning!"
" Face it, Tom. Charley's unbeatable." Jerry advised his friend as he surrendered his loot of the day, being a heavy gold watch and a embrioded lilac handkerchief. Dodger snorted as he dropped a pocket watch into Charley's palm, evidently unhappy about his losing streak.
" Who's up -" hiccup"-fer the next-"hiccup"- round?" Charley giggled as he took a gulp of rum and began dealing the cards again.
" Count me out! I'm outta loot!" Gibbs raised his hands in the air.
Dodger stretched his arms and turned to see Dash's arms perched on the window sill, staring intently at the starry sky. " Me too!" He kicked his chair and walked over to join Dash, thinking of accopanying her.
" So it's just yer, me and the kiddo." Charley signalled at Tom.
" Errr..." Jerry shifted uneasily in his seat before faking a yawn, " I think I'm going to bed."
" Suit yerself." Tom called after Jerry before facing Charley who was already trying on his watch, " I'm going to win all that back, don't get too com'table in it."
Dodger strode over to Dash and looked out of the window, wanting to see what was so fascinating to the girl. " Whatcha lookin' at?"
She laughed, " Nothin' much. Just the stars."
" Stars?" Jerry, who had overheard their conversation came over and gazed at the stars, " Bet says they're actually pretty ladies winkin' at yer from above."
" Hush yer mouth." Dodger motioned to Jerry, " That ain't proper."
" I'll leave yer alone, I guess." Jerry walked away dejected.
" They're beautiful. Can yer see that one?" Dash pointed at a patch of stars in a odd arrangement.
" Looks like two dogs fighting!" He chuckled nonsensically to himself.
" Oh look!" She exclaimed and pointed, " That's supposed to be the North Star."
" I don't see it, Dash."
She sighed, " Them city lights down here too bright for stars to shine."
Dodger caught sight of Dash's disappointment and suddenly thought of an idea, " Follow me!" He said to her as he tugged at her hand.
" Where to?" said Dash as he led her outside to a secluded staircase at the back of the house. Fresh snow was already piling up to their ankles as they plodded across the yard.
" Up here." Dodger looked up at the long flight of stairs, snow-dusted.
They climbed up slowly to avoid slipping on hidden patches of ice. Finally, they reached the top of the rusty stairs and took a breath of fresh air, clambering on the rooftop, where exposed parts of the tiles were covered completely with snow. The duo brushed aside some snow and sat gingerly on the steep roof, where they could see all the stars.
" Wow! Yer can see the whole of London from up here!" She said excitedly, as London looked as if it were covered with a blanket of half a foot deep snow.
The sparse street lamps were flickering in the wind, offering light to passing carriages that were led by fine-groomed horses. Chimneys were billowing columns of smoke for that cold wintry night, as were owls hooting mysteriously in tall, shawdowy trees. The usual fog, however, had not passed over London that night, making the city look more white than ever.
" Them stars shine brighter from up here." He said as he adjusted his seat, " Dash, show me that star yer mentioned."
" The North Star?"
" Yeah, that one."
" Look up at that one, over there." She pointed over the chimney at a star in the middle of two others. " It's between that loaf of bread and the fightin' dogs. Yer must find it in that sphere, the brightest one, it is."
Fascinated by her knowledge, Dodger asked, " What does it do?"
" Well... it points out the direction. Yer never get lost."
He stared at her blankly, awed by her intelligence, " Who told yer all these?"
" My father did, " she sighed, " when he was still around." By looking at the stars, Dash was reminded of the happy family she once belonged to. She longed to hear her father's voice guide her through the galaxy of stars twinkling in the skies above.
Suddenly, Dodger dug his hand into the tattered pocket of his trench coat and deftly sifted out a metallic gold chain and dangled it in front of Dash, gesturing to her to take it. The pocket watch had an uncanny resemblance to the one Dodger had flung off London Bridge. Initially, Dash was elated that Dodger had recovered her family heirloom and her face lit up upon sight of it.
However, on closer inspection, Dash ran her fingers along the back of the cold item and felt rough scratches, forcing her to realise that her signature surname, " Henderson" had not been carved on its back.
" Merry Chris'mas." He looked down at his boots coyly.
" It almost looks the same, Dodge." She gushed and gave a disappointed smile.
" It was the best I could do." He sighed, " Look at the back."
Dash flipped the pocket watch on her palm and squinted at some faint scrawlings, her face brightening up as she finally made out the scratches, " D-A-S-H". It had been about half a month since Dash had been her old self. Dodger was enlightened by the fact that he had managed a smile from her.
" Thank you, " she smiled and grasped it tightly in her palm till her knucles turned white, " it's perfect."
He returned the smile generously and went on cheekily, " Well, haven't yer got anythin' fer me?"
Dash proceeded with difficulty, " Not particularly...all I've got are stories about stars..." She trailed off.
" Well...tell me 'bout them." He encouraged her.
He listened intently to her explain what she knew and listened patiently to her stories of the stars when she suddenly exclaimed, " Oh! Look! Over there! Shooting stars!" She cried as a fragment of a meteor shot across the sky, leaving trailing blazes after it.
" Wha-what?" Dodger asked confused.
" Nevermind, quick! Make a wish!" she clamped her fingers together and shut her eyes, appearing deep in thought in her tranquil position. She silently wished in her heart that she would never be Sarah Henderson ever again, but start anew as Dash. The gift from him signified a new beginning in life. Dodger who was not making a wish, however, looked at the blissful state of Dash and closed the gap between them.
Regally, Dash looked up from her wish and felt a pair of eyes watching over her. As soon as she turned to face Dodger, she saw him staring intently at her. There was a pause of inactivity as they watched each other before the connection bonded them.
Without thinking, they leaned towards each other, embracing the warmth, and before their lips met, a sudden creaking sound below them was heard. In a flash, the tile under Dodger gave way under his weight, causing him to slide down the roof, dragging the girl with him. The two screamed and shouted as the slid down the roof, falling two storeys down to hit the cold hard ground.
Dodger landed on his back, and gave an agonising yell before the next 'thud' was heard when Dash fell face-on him, pressing his tummy and flattening him in the process. They landed in a clump of snow, which swirled around them in a mess. Dodger choked and coughed as the dizzy Dash attempted to get off him. But before she could, he grabbed her arms and rolled over, landing on top of her. The wind howled ceaselessly as it whipped the snow and their hair around their faces. Dodger and Dash both stared at each other for a while before one broke the silence.
" Do yer," Dodger whispered, " do yer believe?"
" Believe in what?" She replied softly.
" Fate." Dodger leaned closer to her face until he was barely inches away from her.
" Depends..." she smiled, " depends if that wish comes true."
He smiled back at her before leaning away and moving his arms away from her sides, releasing her from the protective cage of his arms. She got up from her position slowly, as much as she enjoyed his warmth, and together, they returned to the house.
Midnight had struck. Christmas was here.
Greetings all. I hope you all are having a great new year. Well... I hope this chapter was to your satisfaction.
Initially, I considered letting them actually kiss for once, but then... haha... I thought this was funnier. (:
Refer to the earlier chapters for the part on the pocket watch. Cos I kinda planned the whole story before beginning, so it's necessary to read the previous chapters to understand the connection. And the part on fate will be expanded on later. Errr... please tell me if I'm too naggy... LOL
I must apologise for not thanking SweetyPie50 for all the lovely reviews she has written in the previous chapter.
Thank you for all the encouragement you have given me throughout this story!
SweetyPie50
Blackfishy
SilentMorning's Voice
Sir-Not-Appearing-In-This-Show
Charlene Bates
Elaine Dawkins
Broken Amethyst
Red-Cherry-Flowers
The next chapter will be the last before I post the alternate endings... Please stay tuned for the last chapter... it's been like 9 months since I've wanted to write it.. and I think it's really touching and you'll like it!
You'll get the ending once the reviews hit number 88!
