November 1899
Charlotte sat at her and Spot's usual bench in Prospect Park waiting for Spot. Over the past month, they had gotten into a routine where she would get the papers and he would get lunch. A clock tower chimed in the distance, telling Charlotte that Spot should've been at their bench a half an hour ago.
It wasn't unusual for Spot to be late, but he'd been late or completely absent more than usual lately. Even when he was with her, he seemed distracted. Before, Spot would hold onto the money, giving Charlotte a handful for whatever she needed when she wasn't with him. Then he started splitting it right down the middle at the end of the day, as if trying to make sure they each got an equal share. Not that Charlotte minded, she just found it peculiar.
She sighed and stood up. If she was waiting for him, she might as well get some papers sold. She walked around the park, calling out headlines. The headline wasn't particularly interesting, but Charlotte got a few good fake headlines out of it.
Before she realized it, the sun was dipping below the skyline. She frowned, having not seen Spot all day. She headed back to their bench and sat for a while. It was completely dark and the street lamps had been lit. Charlotte tightened her coat around her and headed back to the tenement basement.
She walked as quickly as she could, knowing that without Spot, she had no protection.
She got to the tenement, yanked the door open and got downstairs.
"There she is," Blade grinned as she walked in. "We were starting to take bets on whether you'd come back or go back to Manhattan."
Charlotte furrowed her brow. "Why?"
"Why?" Fire chuckled. "Guess she doesn't know, Blade."
"I believe not, Fire."
"Know what?" asked Charlotte.
"Your boyfriend got himself arrested today," said Blade.
Charlotte felt her stomach turn and a lump form in her throat. Spot got arrested?
"Why?"
"Got caught stealing food from a street vendor," said Fire.
"I never would've called that one," said Blade.
Charlotte felt like the room was spinning. Spot got arrested. Her only friend in this whole city was put away. She didn't know what to do or where to go.
There was only one thing left to do.
"I'm going home," said Charlotte.
"At this hour?" said Blade. "It's nighttime. Pretty girl like you shouldn't be walking through our neighborhood alone after dark. I'll walk you home." He smirked.
Charlotte got a bad feeling, but nodded anyway.
"Just gotta run a quick errand on the way," Blade said as he put his arm around her, guiding her towards the door.
"What sort of errand is this?" Charlotte asked, sticking close to Blade as he navigated the streets of Vinegar Hill.
"Just a little pleasure between all the business," he said as he turned down an alley. He knocked twice on a dirty looking door.
Charlotte swallowed, looking around at the people hanging around in the shadows.
A man missing several teeth opened the door and grinned. "Ah, Mr. Blade," he said. "Come in, come in."
Blade stepped in. Charlotte, not wanting to be left out in the alley on her own, followed Blade inside. She squinted through the dark haze of smoke and could make out several beds and chairs scattered around the room.
"What'll it be tonight?" the man asked.
"An ounce for me and my girl here," Blade grinned, putting his arm around Charlotte.
"Excellent," the man said, gesturing towards a bed.
"What are you doing?" Charlotte asked, her voice shaking.
"Don't worry, darlin'," said Blade. "This will relax you."
Charlotte shook her head. "I'm going home."
"Fine," said Blade. "Have fun getting rapes, kidnapped, or killed on your way home."
Charlotte swallowed hard.
"That's what I though," said Blade. "Now come on over." Blade sat down on one of the beds and patted for her to join him.
Charlotte put her arms around herself and walked over next to him. She considered turning around and leaving, but she knew she'd be lost as soon as she stepped out of the alley. The old man prepared something on the table next to the bed. Charlotte couldn't see what it was.
"Here," said Blade, putting a pipe up to her lips. "Just a little puff. You'll feel better."
Charlotte, shaking, put the pipe between her lips and inhaled. She coughed a bit.
Blade chuckled. "The first couple are always the hardest. Trust me. It's worth it. Try again."
Charlotte inhaled again and Blade took a puff as well.
"Ah, that's good stuff," he said, laying back on the bed.
Charlotte begin to relax and a calm happy feeling came over here.
"Atta girl," Blade chuckled when he saw her expression change. He handed her the pipe again and she inhaled again.
"Just let go," Blade said.
