The past year has held many challenges for me, few of which I have looked forward to. Hades' annual challenge is not among those, I am glad to say. Though I am rusty and may have less time than I would like to work on these entries, I have returned, determined to actually complete this year's list of prompts.
Happy Writing to everyone!
Prompt from trustingHim17: Include the Irregulars somehow.
Recruitment
"The one with the dog and the limp?" the tallest boy asked.
"Why you want us to follow him?" the tow-haired one asked, almost at the same time.
"Yes. The one with the dog and the limp," the tall, dark-haired man said, the flicker of a smile creasing his lips for an instant. Turning his eyes on the tow-haired boy, he said, "You need not concern yourself with why. Follow him and report to me what you observe. Two shillings each. Agreed?"
"Come on, Wiggins," growled the black-haired boy with the scar on his nose, broken at some point in the last year. "Hang this. Smells like trouble."
"Yeah," agreed the red-haired boy. "Two shillings just to follow some geezer with a gimpy leg? Can't be real. Let's find something to eat."
"Two shillings apiece!" hissed the tallest boy, rounding on the others, clinching his fists as if he were pulling in a net. "That's more 'n what we got. More 'n what get in a week, Tommy!"
"I don't like it," the black-haired boy said, shaking his head and stepping back. "You go on if you want to waste your time. He ain't never going to pay you."
"Will!" Wiggins called after the black-haired boy as he trotted down the alley away from the street.
"I'm with him, Wiggins," the red-haired boy said and jogged after his friend.
"Tommy!" hissed Wiggins. When Tommy ignored him, he turned to the remaining boy. "Danner?"
"I'm thinking," the tow-haired boy growled.
"What's to think about?" Wiggins demanded. "He's getting away. What if he takes a cab?"
"He will not," said the tall man.
"Two shillings?" Danner asked and cast a speculative gaze upon the man with the dog.
"Two." The tall man nodded, his expression smooth. From his pocket appeared two shiny coins pinched between long fingers. "Half now. Half when you report."
"And we just follow him?" Danner asked, reaching a dirty hand for the shillings.
The coins disappeared into the man's palm and he held up a long finger as if he were a choir conductor. The boys both looked him in his piercing grey eyes, holding their breath, still as hares in a lurcher's gaze.
"You follow him. Observe his movements. Note what places he visits. To whom he speaks. Understand? This is a job. You must earn your pay."
The boys nodded, still spellbound.
"Very well," the tall man said and produced the shillings, handing one to each. When they remained frozen, he smiled and patted their shoulders. "Off with you! And, report to my rooms this evening. You recall where?"
"Aye, sir!" Wiggins called over his shoulder as the pair hustled down Baker Street.
Excerpt from Dr. Watson's journal: Though I find his habits fascinating, my flatmate's manners are somewhat distressing. This evening, upon the arrival of two of the scruffiest street Arabs I have ever seen, H actually asked me to excuse myself. I have no notion what business a grown man can have with such creatures, but surely, it could not be anything clandestine enough to warrant private conversation. What distressed me most, however, was the manner in which they stared at me. I know I have not yet fully recovered, but my appearance has dramatically improved since my discharge. Especially so since H recommended walking Gladstone daily.
Speaking of Gladstone, he is quickly learning to heel and to sit on command. His efforts at fetch leave something to be desired, though. I shall continue his training. Perhaps a larger ball would help.