Time dragged on, deliberately slowing down in order to fully punish Benjamin for his naivity. And oh, how he was punished. The things they made him do, the sights they made him see. As time passed, things changed. He changed. The sweet, innocent Benjamin Blake was fading, and a new man was taking over. This man was stronger, more experienced, more aware of the world. Timid Benjamin, the hopeful teacher, could not cope in this enviroment, but one man could, and that man was determined to escape...

His name?

"Mr Todd? Mr Todd?" It was Andrew Hope, an explorer, calling his name. Mr. Stephen Todd, skin almost as white as snow and jet-black hair wild and messy, turned to the young man. It had been Andrew Hope that had found him. Had it not ben for Andrew, he'd be lost on the ocean still. After fifteen years of agony, he had finally managed to escape.

He looked now at Andrew, deep, sunken onyx eye boring into the boy's soft green ones. I say boy, I mean man. Well, young man. Andrew was only 20, while Stephen was 40. Forty years of age, and very practised in the ways of the world.

"I cann see Lonndon from here, Mr Todd!" the man's voice was filled with excitement. Oh, how naive he was, so naive, it was almost sickening. And that smile! How could he smile when he was sailing toward the cruelest place on earth?
Andrew's parents, Anthony and Johanna Hope, were explorers. They had raised Andrew at sea, where they had sailed the world and seen its wolders, from the pearls of Spain to the rubies of Tibet. But there was definitely, without a doubt, no place lile London. They were on their way to London when it happenend. Their bote, the Bountiful, had crashed into an iceburg and sunk. Andrew was the only survivor. It had been on his way to London in a liferaft when he had spotted the strange pale man, victim to the ocean's merciless current. Andrew had rescued the man at once, who had then thanked him and introduced himsel a Stephen. Together, they sailed in the life boat until a cruise ship spotted them, taking them aboard.

"Isn't it beautiful, Mr Todd?"

"Beautiful, yes..." his voice was far away, as he was in na trance-like state. "But also doomed.

"Mr Todd?"
"Hm."

"What do you mean?"
"You're not the only man to have sailed the world and seen its wonders," Stephens voice was low and gruff. "For the cruelty of men is as wondrous as Peru. But there is definitely no place like London, where those above make a mockery of those below, turning beauty into filth. No. There's no place like London."

It was fifteen minutes later when the boat pulled in. Andrew scrambled to get off-board, eager to soak up the city and see all the 'wonderful' sights it had to offer.

"P-Please, Sir?"

It was a woman's voice, raspy and weak, trembling, yet with a rough and street-wise edge. Scowling irritatedly, Stephen whirled around. He then came face to face with a strange-looking woman of the streets. Her brown dress was torn and tattered, her hair was stark white. Her tanned skin was as wrinkled as a prune. A high brown hat covered her eyes, though they looked sort of blue. Her voice was shrill and high-pitched, comparable to that of a high soprano with a sore throat. He glared at her, slumped over, back arched. But Andrew took pity on her, placig five pounds in her trembling hand. She let out a soft whimper at his touch, quickly puling away.

"Ooo, thank you, Sir!" she then turned to Stephen, rushing towards him and gripping his shoulders.

"How about I make some money over you then, Sir? Hmmm... her tone was seductive now. "Wouldn't you like to - ?"
"GET LOST!" he shoved her backwards with extreme force. He knew exactly what she was implying and he was absolutely NOT interested. No. He was only interested in one person and one person alone, a person he simplly had to find.

"Pardon me, Mr Todd, but there's no need to fear her," Andrew chuckled softly. "She's only a crazy old beggar woman.

"Sorry..." Stephen muttered gruffly. "Forgive me, my mind is elsewhere."

"There's nothing to forgive, my friend!" Andrew assured warmly, just as Stephen turned and began to walk away.

"Now leave me Andrew. There is something I must find out, alone."
"Will I see you again?" Andrew called after him.

"You may find me if you like, around Serenity Lane."
And with that, he was gone.