Chapter 5

A few days had passed since the resurfacing of Jack the Ripper. Imagine Luciana's surprise when Nick had explained to her that it wasn't the first time it happened. Apparently the murders started months ago but the police only now thought of it as a serial killing. 'Maybe they need a new commissioner.' She remembered telling Nick. It had made him choke of laughter despite the situation. Never the less our resident time traveler quickly understood that the history books were wrong and Mary Ann Nichols was not the first of the victims. It also meant that Jack the Ripper was much more dangerous than anyone in her time thought.

But whatever the case Luciana wouldn't let that ruin her routine. Like always she went on her visit to the library. Today however was different. On her way there she saw a group of people gathered by an underpass murmuring amongst themselves. All of them had stricken and pale faces. Some displaying shock others disgust. It thoroughly intrigued her. One would think after her predicament, she would be more cautious with her curiosity but no-'Curiosity may have killed the cat, but cats have nine lives.' Luciana thought with too much glee as she came closer to the gathering.

"Do help me." She squeaks in surprise as a pale bony hand with long black nails settled on her shoulder. A giggle escapes the person behind her. Suddenly the black clothed man hands her several white linens and drags her with him.

"Wha- hey! What are you doing?" She shrieks as the man's long silver hair bounces with every step. 'Damn that's nice hair.'

"Weren't you going there anyways?" He answers between giggles, a maniacal grin adorning his face as he points a bony finger towards the crowd. "You'll get a first row seat." His grin widens as he laughs pulling Luciana along again. She gapes at his behavior. 'Who are you? The Joker?!'

Making their way through the crowd, Luciana doesn't actually see anything until they were right at the front. Sometimes she really hated her height. Not that she could see much now either. The 19th century Joker towered her easily as he continues to tug her forward. But from the little she saw; there was blood and a lot of it. That's when she realised what the commotion was about- another victim. The girl takes a calming breath to simmer that excitement bubbling beneath her skin as a small smile spread on her lips.

"What do you think you're doing? Stay back!" A ginger haired man intercepts their path. Luciana supposed he was with the police- though he looked a little well, weak.

"Just doing our job he he he~." The man's grin doesn't falter as he gets up close into the officer's face. "That's my new assistant." The bony hand tugs Luciana forward as she cocks a curious brow at the man's answer. 'Since when?' But decided to play along, not that she was given much of a choice.

The crime scene was bloody and gruesome. She had seen pictures of them in the internet but this- this was the real thing. It looked so much worse. To say the body of the victim was mutilated might have been an understatement. But it was hard to say, there was just so much blood. She didn't know why she wasn't affected by this; maybe it all just hadn't sunk in yet. She helped remove the body from the scene and load it into onto the man's cart safely.

"So you're a mortician?" the girl tilts her head to the side curiously.

"They call me Undertaker." He grins widely at her as his fringe obscured the rest of his face. Now that Luciana had gotten a better look at him she could barely hold her laugh. His dark and gloomy black clothing and long silvery hair made him look- 'More like Death. All that's missing is the scythe.'

"Right. Thanks for the show." Dipping her head she was intent on making her way to the library. But a bony hand gripped her shoulder, making her squeak again.

"He he he~ Did you forget?" He came up close and personal, so that strands of his long silver hair tickled her face. "You're my assistant." Undertaker tugs her onto the card as it takes a while for his words to sink in.

"Wait, you were serious?" She looks at him with wide eyes as he nods with his maniacal grin swaying side to side like a drunk. Apparently he was. "The names Luciana Kaligan, call me Luce."

"We'll have soooo much fun!" His loud laughter resonated through the streets of London as they made their way back to his shop. 'What did I get myself into?' She groaned slightly but eventually his laugh made her giggle as well. She may have finally lost it.

Thank you for reading! I know it's short but the next chapter is out this weekend.