Disclaimers: Although I wish I were the creative genius behind John's and Robert's character, they belong to Julian Fellowes.
Chapter 1: Running away
John rushed through the crowded streets of London. He'd just turned the corner heading towards Whitechapel, leaving behind him the boroughs of East End. Nearly bumping into a chariot, he threw away the baskets of the seller trying to maintain a distance between him and the three men hunting him down. He managed a glance above his left shoulder, just in time to see them turn the corner. They were getting closer. John knew it. Though he was tall and had long legs, the men following him were lighter and faster than him. John had to think of a new strategy, or he'd be beaten down in the streets or even killed if he failed to escape them.
Luckily, John knew London like the back of his hand. He was from an Irish-Scottish background, his parents settling in London for work. He'd been raised in this city and had walked through those streets thousands of times and could get his bearings even with his eyes shut. He knew that not far from where he was, there were little back alleys where he could maybe lose them. As he turned on his left he saw a great number of people going in the direction of the Royal London Hospital. Blending in with the mass would probably help John hide and lose his pursuers. Without hesitation, John ran in the direction of the crowd.
As he tried to make his way through the people gathering, John felt a hand grasp his shoulder. Spinning around, he recognised the face of one of his pursuers. He was blond with piercing blue eyes and he was shorter than him. He was wearing a worn out bowler hat that was casting a shadow on his face. But up close for the first time, John could see details of his features. He had buckteeth, and a scar running along his right cheek. It wasn't uncommon for lower class people to have scars, as life wasn't a long and quiet river. John knew it all too well. He had earned one in a fight a few years back, after getting himself in a bit of a complicated affair, similar to the one he was stuck in at the moment.
John immediately pushed him away. The man came at him again. This time, John was prepared and threw a powerful punch right in his face. He was a broad guy for his age, so the punch directly put his assailant on the ground. Alarmed, John hurried in case the other two were near him. A brawl in the middle of the street in broad daylight would only draw attention to him and if the Bobbies were sent he'd end up arrested. In other words, he would end up in a worse situation than he already was. Finally John saw it. A big stand with men in uniforms all around. The Union Jack was floating in the air as a sign on the street in front of the hospital entrance was saying "Enroll for King and Country here, serving in his Majesty's Army".
John looked behind him to check. The other two were helping out the third one who was trying to stand up.
"He's right there! Catch him!", he shouted, pointing at John.
He had no other option. He knew that. He went straight towards the stand, his heart beating fast in his chest.
"Want to enroll, son? You look quite burly, exactly the type of men we're looking for. How old are you?", asked a man in uniform in his mid-thirties. He was sporting a brown mustache and little glasses on his nose.
"Aye, sir. My name is John Bates, I'm 25. I'd like to enroll, sir", John answered.
It didn't escape the military man how John seemed nervous. A look above John shoulders gave him his answer. Three ragged men were looking at John angrily.
"All right son, very well", said the recruiter. "But before that, are you sure it's the right path for you? We will not tolerate any disorder or disobedience. Are you willing to leave this life behind you, young lad?"
John followed his gaze towards his pursuers. He turned and looked right in the recruiter's eyes.
"Yes, sir. I want to turn my life over. I've nothing to lose", he said without hesitation.
The man gave him a smile of approbation and handed him a pen to sign his name on a paper. Once done, the man in uniform led him with a gesture towards a truck full of other young men.
"Welcome into your Majesty's Army, John Bates. I'm Regimental Sergeant Major Henry Watson. I'll be in charge of your training before heading to South Africa where the real action is taking place. Take a seat, we're leaving for the base", said the recruiter before getting into the truck and leaving John with his new camarades.
