Chapter 4

On the streets later that day, Lilly's stomach began to growl. Even through all her fear and anxiety, she found herself desperately hungry and couldn't recall the last time she had eaten. She counted all the money she had made so far to see if she could at least afford something small to eat. Though it had been a better day and her earnings could have bought her something at a street cart, she hesitated to spend any of it just yet. If she could just hold out and ignore the pains in her stomach, she could sell a few more and be able to afford a decent supper.

With that as her motivation, she set off down the street towards a crowd in front of a pet shop. She had intended to try and hawk to them, but found herself distracted by three small puppies playing in the window. She watched as they jumped on each others backs and nipped at their ears. She smiled broadly; she had always wanted a dog, but there had never been enough to afford one. Even though they were allowed in her flat, she didn't know if she would ever be able to feed it for long. Still, she stared tenderly at the bouncing dogs and touched the glass. She felt the people passing by; bumping into her every so often. She suddenly felt something strange, as though someone had rubbed up against her; then, there was a familiar smell. She turned quickly and saw nothing out of the ordinary, until she looked in her basket. Inside was a folded piece of paper that looked like a note. Unfolding the note, she struggled to read it. It was written in a rather fancy style, but if she tried, she could put it all together.

Lilly,

Hungry? Go to this address and we'll see if we can't do something about it.

Edward Hyde

P.S Are you enjoying my coat?

Enclosed was an address, which appeared to be in the east end of town by the docks. Lilly was stunned and didn't know what to make of the note or the offer. Should she go? Of course not! her mind told her. Edward Hyde aside, the docks were not a welcoming place and filled with unsavory characters. She was nearly ready to toss the note to the ground, but stopped herself. He had mentioned food and the thought of it was all that kept her from refusing outright.

She hadn't eaten properly in days and as it was, she would have to work the rest of the day to afford a sandwich and some tea for supper. Perhaps if she went and took advantage of the meal, she could save her money for some groceries to keep at her flat. Her mouth began to water at the prospect of some biscuits in her flat, or maybe even some cake, or fresh apples. Oh, it was a horrible predicament to be in; only now could she realize how truly smart and cruel he was. He had probably guessed that this would be her response and that he could lure her into some more of his game by using food to bait her.

She sighed and closed her eyes. She had no other choice. Taking her directions and with a final fond glance at the puppies, she started to make her way to London's east end.

She found herself outside a seedy-looking pub. She checked the directions quickly from the note in her basket. This was it alright, but why had he asked to meet her here in such a God forsaken place? She thought better than to think of an answer and quickly went inside.

It was not much better on the inside; it was dark and smoky and she just knew everywhere around her there were cutthroats and thieves, all of them eyeing her. She scanned the crowd looking for him, but he was nowhere in sight. She frowned; had this all been a trick?

Suddenly, she felt a cold hand on her neck. She shivered and turned around, ready to defend herself against one of the unsavory characters she'd seen, but found herself face to face with Edward Hyde.

"You came." he said, as though expecting it all along.

"Yes." she replied, still startled.

"I had almost given up and was about to leave. Shall we?" He said, offering his arm to her. Hesitating, she took it and allowed herself to be led to a small table in the back.

"What is it you want?" she asked sitting down.

"Supper." he said simply. Lilly blushed.

"Something to drink?" he asked.

"I suppose it's not really safe to order a glass of water here."

"You suppose correctly. I don't think you want to see the kitchens here."

"Then, why come here?" she asked noticing a spider disappearing off the lip of the table. She tensed; she did not like spiders.

"It's out of the way, dark, private." he said with a touch of something in his voice that she didn't like. She began to feel more uncomfortable, but her hands were tied. She could either face the madmen on the docks outside or face the one across from her.

He ordered for her and as she ate, she couldn't help but notice that all the while Edward looked at her with an almost animal-like acuteness. Was he studying her? He himself ate nothing.

After a few moments, the meal in front of her became all that mattered; let him stare if he wanted. She cleaned her plate, taking advantage of the rare novelty of hot food put in front of her. It was easy if she didn't think about where it had come from. When she was done and the plate cleared away, he looked satisfied and they left. For a short while, they walked in silence along the foggy docks. It was quiet, nothing but the lapping of the waves and distant horns from ships almost entirely out to sea. It seemed that everything had become still in Edward's presence, for fear of crossing him, not even a seagull could be seen or heard.

"Thank you. For supper, I mean." Lilly said, breaking the silence at last.

"It was nothing, but I did notice you had no dessert." She avoided his stare again, looking everywhere but him. "What is it about you?" She muttered under her breath. He stopped abruptly, "What?"

"Nothing." She said, not even realizing she had spoken the words out loud.

"No, you meant something. What was it?" His voice was getting deeper. She stopped walking as well and turned to him, trying to think of something to say. "I just meant that there was something about you that was sort of, sort of…" she stammered.

"What?" he said. He shoved his hand at her shoulder as she backed away, causing her to nearly trip over his own feet. His temper was flaring, "What am I?"

Words finally failed her and without warning, he grabbed her by the coat and slammed her against the wall of a building. The pain hit her like a shock and spread throughout her skull.

"Do you know what I am? Do you have the vaguest conception of what I am? I am fire, pure fire!" He had her by the throat, but even if she could scream, no one would hear her or care. The docks were a place where screams were fairly common.

Tears ran down her face as she tried to pry his hands off of her, she was having trouble breathing now. He was too strong and soon she began to feel lightheaded. Her hands dropped to her sides and her eyes lowered to the ground. She was beginning to see spots when she caught sight of the cane in his belt. She summoned the strength she had left and reached for the handle. In a moment, she managed to remove the cane and send it crashing into the side of his face.

He let go promptly and she fell to the pavement with a hard thud. Her vision began to return as air circulated back into her lungs. The thick moist air coated her throat and the salt stung her eyes. She looked and saw him where he had landed, also trembling and breathing heavily, clutching the side of his face. She buried her face in her hands and cried silently, listening as he slowly got to his feet and picked up his cane. Now, he would finish it.

Lilly heard the sound of hooves on cobblestones coming closer then stop suddenly close by. She then felt herself being picked up and put into a carriage. She lifted her face from her hands and saw Edward Hyde, half his face bleeding and his chest rising and falling as though he would fall over at any moment.

"It was a pleasure having your company." he said. With that, he closed the door and the carriage sped off.

Jareth had been climbing the steps into the brick building when the carriage came around the corner. It stopped in front of his building but the driver made no move to assist whoever was inside with any luggage or even open the door for them. It was queer, a carriage being in this part of London in the first place. Most folks who lived in that area could never afford a fancy carriage or else they wouldn't be living there. Perhaps they were lost and needed directions?

Being a friendly sort he went back down the steps and up to the carriage door.

"Are you lost?" he asked peering into the window. He gasped and opened the carriage door wide. "Lilly?" He couldn't quite believe it. Lilly sat in the plush carriage looking a mess. Her hat was missing and her hair askew. She had red marks on her throat and her face was stained with tears. "Good Lord." he said. He reached inside and lifted her small out onto the street.

"Take me upstairs." she said weakly.

"What happened to you?" he asked.

"Please, take me to my room." She said again.

"Alright." he agreed at last. He picked her up in his arms and turned to carry her up the steps. What about him?" he asked, motioning to the driver.

"He's already been paid."

She would say no more; the driver and carriage were already on their way.