Author's Note: I want to give a huge shout out to linalove for taking the time to read this and telling others about it. You rock! Hugs and a Kirby for you (^-^) I also need to thank you for getting my lazy butt in gear by PMing me about the next chapter, so…thank you so much!
Thank you to my other awesome reviewers: dionne dance, GingerDepphead, Makrciana, music is life 99 xxx, and AqoCJeyBee. You guys rock!
Just so you guys are aware, this story takes place a year and a half after the events that took place in the movie.
Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer:I do not own From Hell. If I did, people might wonder what was going on upstairs…if you know what I mean…O.O That's right…insanity.
Chapter Two
Lucy was walking through the tall, green grass covering the country, making her way towards a small cottage in the distance surrounded by trees. Maple trees to be exact. A smile grew on her face as she got closer, able to make out the small forms of her mother and father. The closer she got, the better she could make out their warm and comforting features.
Lucy could pass for her mother—long, raven hair reaching halfway down her back; deep, green eyes that always seemed to sparkle; pale skin that match a fresh winter's snow. Possibly the only trait she got from her father was her kind heart and clever mind. Both stood on the front step of their home, waving to her, beckoning her to come closer.
"Lucy!" she heard her mother's voice call. "Lucy, darling!"
The girl walked closer to her parents, reaching for her mother's hand as she did. The closer she got, however, the sky darkened to almost black, if it weren't for the apparent orange of flames licking it. Lucy looked around her, until she looked back toward her parents, who suddenly burst into flames. Their small cottage and the surrounding trees were engulfed by the fire, smoke billowing all around her. The flames broke off any possible escape.
Lucy frantically looked around her, hoping to find a way out of the fire. The only thing she found was a shadowy figure in the distance. As the shadow drew closer, Lucy backed away, nearly casting herself into the fire. She looked behind her and jumped forward, trying to keep herself from burning. She tried to elude the creature, but to no avail. It's hand wrapped around her throat, lifting her up in the air. She kicked her feet in an attempt to escape, but the hand gripped tighter, slowing her movements. Lucy could feel the oxygen being cut from her lungs. Her vision blurred, her body numbed, her breathing became labored. Her eyes began to close, slower and slower…
Lucy sat up straight rather quickly. Her breathing was heavy, and she was frantically looking around the room. Her glowing emerald eyes fell on the form of Mrs. Godley, who had one hand on Lucy's shoulder, and the other over her heart.
"It's alright, dear," Mrs. Godley assured her. "It's just me."
"Mrs. Godley?" Lucy asked. She looked around the room and noticed the light shining through the curtains. Realizing where she was, she asked, "What time is it? Did I sleep in?"
"I'm afraid you did, dear."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Godley!" Lucy got up from her spot on the bed in a hurried fashion and headed for her closet. "I—I'll get dressed and get started on those chores straight away."
"Now, hold your horses, love," Mrs. Godley stopped her. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, but calm down. I expected as much. You did have a long journey after all."
Lucy gave the older woman a small smile, and took a deep breath.
"That's better. Now, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just a bad dream is all."
"You're sure?"
"Positive," Lucy said with a small smile.
Mrs. Godley quirked an eyebrow. "Well, grab your robe and put it on. There some breakfast on a plate for you downstairs."
"Mrs. Godley, I couldn't—"
"Nonsense, I insist. You look like you haven't eaten a decent meal in a week."
"But—"
"Downstairs with you," Mrs. Godley interrupted her.
Lucy gave the older woman a small smile and grabbed her robe like she was told. She walked out of her room with Mrs. Godley trailing behind her. When she made it to the kitchen, she saw a small breakfast of eggs and sausage waiting for her on a plate on the table. She turned to the other woman, who smiled.
"Go on, before it gets cold," she urged.
Lucy took a seat at the table and started to dig in. Mrs. Godley grabbed a small cup and poured some tea in it for her.
"Cream and sugar?"
Lucy nodded. "Two lumps, please."
Mrs. Godley handed the girl the cup and herself one. She sat down right across from her, and watched her eat. The young girl looked around the kitchen as she took bites of her eggs. She took a drink of her tea and then asked, "Is Mr. Godley not coming down for breakfast?"
"Oh, dear, no," Mrs. Godley replied. "He ate a small plate before he left for the office this morning."
"Oh. Does he ever have time to eat with you?"
Mrs. Godley smiled. "Yes, he does. But he just started on a new case, so he has been going into work early lately."
"I see," Lucy said, taking another bite of her eggs. She swallowed, and then said, "If you don't mind me asking, what is the case about?"
"I'm really not sure, dear. I do know that it has to do with fires."
Lucy slowly took a drink of her tea. Images from her dreams came back to her. "Fires?"
"Unfortunately. They are not sure if someone is causing them, or if they are just accidents."
"How many have been reported?"
"Two, I believe," Mrs. Godley said. "One happened two streets down about three days ago, and another happened out in the country two weeks ago."
Lucy gave the older woman a puzzled look. "Why are they investigating the fire that happened in the country if it's beyond their district?"
"Well, the department in the country sent the reports to the officers here in White Chapel. They examined the cause of the fire, where it started, and everything else. They found similar findings in the incident that happened three days ago."
"Are they connected somehow?"
Mrs. Godley shrugged. "Inspector Abberline seems to think so."
Lucy nodded, taking another sip of her tea. "I see."
"Speaking of Abberline," Mrs. Godley said as an afterthought. "He is coming over for dinner tonight. Do you think you can help me get the house ready in time?"
Lucy nodded and smiled. "Of course, I'd be happy to. That is why I am here, right?"
The older woman smiled. "Thank you, dear. Once you're done, help me with the dishes and then you can go get dressed. Then we can get started with the chores."
"Yes, Mrs. Godley."
Lucy quickly finished her meal, and then took her dishes to the sink. She washed the breakfast dishes while Mrs. Godley dried them off and put them away. When that was done, Lucy wiped off the counter and table, and then headed back upstairs to change. Not having much, she picked the dress she felt was good to wear when doing chores, and put it on. Before heading back down stairs, she pulled her long black hair back into a braid and tied it with a blue ribbon.
xxx
"That should do it," Mrs. Godley said, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Is there anything else that needs to be put on the table at the moment?" Lucy asked.
"No, dear. When Abberline and Peter get here, we can pull the chicken out and put it on. But for now, that should about do it." Mrs. Godley took that moment to sit down on one of the armchairs in the parlor. She looked exhausted, compared to Lucy who seemed unfazed by the work she had done today.
"Is there anything else that needs to be done?" the young girl asked.
Mrs. Godley gave her a quick smile and said, "No, dear. Feel free to go wash up. They should be here in a few hours."
"Alright. Well, if there is anything you need, just let me know."
"Of course, dear. The towels are in the linen closet next to the spare washroom."
"Thank you." With that, Lucy headed upstairs and to her room to grab her night gown and robe. She headed for the washroom across the hall and set her things in there, while she walked out to get a towel. She almost ran into Mrs. Godley when she did, who had brought up a bucket full of warm water.
"I'm sorry, dear," she said.
"No, don't be. I almost ran into you. And you didn't have to bring the water up. I would have gotten it."
"Nonsense. Can you open the door wider for me?"
"Of course!"
Lucy opened the door to the washroom wide enough that the older woman could get in without any problems. She poured the water into the tub, and then put the bucket down. "There you are, Lucy."
"Thank you, Mrs. Godley."
"Anytime, dear." She took a look around the room and saw Lucy's night gown. "Turning in already?"
Lucy hesitated. "I…I'm tired…and…"
"Oh no, you don't. You are not going to bed with dinner. Let's get you a clean dress to wear for dinner."
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked. "I don't want to impose."
"Pish posh. You are part of the household now. Don't you think for one minute that you are getting out of eating any meals without us, or separate from us."
Lucy couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. And now that we've got that cleared up, let's pick you something out for dinner." Mrs. Godley opened up the young girl's closet and looked through what she had. "My dear, we are going to have to get you some new gowns."
"How? I haven't any money."
Mrs. Godley smiled. "Don't you worry about that, love. Leave everything to me." She looked back at the dresses Lucy owned. "Ah! This one will be perfect!" She pulled out a floor length, emerald gown and gave it to Lucy. "Wear this one. It matches your eyes."
Lucy took it, nodded her thanks to the older woman, and headed for the washroom. She didn't want to let all of the warm water go to waste. In thirty minutes, though, she was out and getting dressed. She grabbed her dirty clothes and took them to her room, putting them in a bin so that she could wash them first thing tomorrow. She took the towel she was using and dried her hair as much as she could, and then ran a brush through her raven locks.
When she was done, she made her way downstairs to check on the chicken and make sure everything was in check for dinner. Then she made her way to the parlor and to the bookshelf, grabbing a volume and then sat down in the armchair next to the fire. Her volume of choice being Edgar A. Poe: Selected Works. She was in the middle of reading The Raven when the front door opened, allowing entrance for Mr. Godley and their guest. Lucy was too enthralled in the poem to get up and welcome them.
"Helen?" Mr. Godley called out.
"In the dining room!" Lucy heard her call out.
The sound of keys against the wood of a table was enough to pull Lucy out of her poem and look up. "Oh, Mr. Godley!" She stood up straight when she saw him enter the parlor. "You're home!"
"It's alright," he said, seeing the girl's distress. "I didn't mean to interrupt your reading."
Lucy shook her head, and gave him a small smile. "Not at all. I'm sorry that I didn't get up to open the door for you."
"Don't apologize." He turned his head slightly to look behind him. "At least someone knows how to occupy their time."
Lucy was confused. "Sorry?"
Godley looked at Lucy, and shook his head. "Nothing. I was just referring to my friend here." He moved out of the way to reveal a man who looked to be a few years older than Lucy herself. He had dark brown hair with matching facial hair. His eyes were a warm, chocolate color. The man was just a head taller than Lucy, but a head shorter than Godley.
Lucy was awestruck. Not only was the man handsome, but she knew who this man was. The man seemed to know her as well, because she could see recognition grace his features.
"Lucy, this is Inspector Frederick Abberline," Godley said, introducing the two. Looking at Frederick, he said, "Frederick, this is Lucy Miller."
Lucy walked up to the two men, trying to fight the tears that were forming. She looked at the inspector, and then said, "Frederick? Is it really you?"
Abberline smiled. "Hello, Lucy."
Lucy smiled, and then hugged him. Frederick hesitated a little, and looked up at a confused Peter Godley. He looked down at the girl who was hugging him at the present moment, and then slowly put his arms around her, holding her close.
These were two people, two friends, who never thought they would see each other again.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please don't forget to leave feedback. It's really my only payment, and it keeps me motivated and happy. Just, no flames, please. I laugh at the flames.
~Xanthe
