Chapter 11:

Author's note: Hello there! Thank you for still following this stroy! I'm incredibly happy :)

Chapter 11 here.

Have fun!

Disclaimer: I do not own AC Syndicate.

(/\/\/\/\)

The sun was almost at its highest point when I took my first step outside the asylum. Even though it wasn't summer, the beams of the sun were almost hot and it was a relief to feel that warmth on my rather cold skin. The dress I wore was the same dress as the night from the Ball, but slightly different. When I saw this dress the first time since the Ball, I noticed that my dress was completely smoked and even at some places ripped. The once white and blue had become greyish, even dark and hazy blue. If I put it on, the bottom would nearly reach over my knees. Being a sewer for 9 years made me think it was inappropriate to walk like this through the streets of London (besides the obvious fact that it would attract wrong attention and raises the chance to be bothered by men and women). And so the sewer in me walked out of the room I was in, looking for Miss Nightingale who would probably help with what I was looking for. Instead, I met a very young woman who was in training to be a nurse. She kindly escorted me to their storage room, where the things were which I was looking for. That room was dark, until the young woman lighted the bulb at the ceiling. At one of the shelves lay some very thin wire where a needle was stuck into. Next from these lay a scissor.

'Mmmmm, I was certain that there were some unusable shee-… oh, there they are!' She walked passed me and began to pluck a pile of cotton across from this room. Eventually she picked one and showed it to me.

'Well, it isn't much, but I hope it's just enough for your idea..'

'N-No-Nooo, it is perfect! I-Is it really okay…? I mean, can I really use this?'

'Yes, certainly. We haven't used them since 2 years, so it's only a waste of them to not make use of it, right?' I nodded, bowed to thank her and made my way back to my room.

After 3 hours of stitching, fitting, cutting and adjusting I was satisfied with my transformed dress. It was now a simple long grey dress that didn't have a wide skirt anymore, but still reached her ankles. De very hazy details matched not to badly with the once grey sheet that was now my skirt. The leftover of the sheet was draped loosely on my shoulders to hide my bandage.

I tapped lightly with my fingers on my lips. So which way should I go… From Lambeth to Southwark is at least 500ft, if I would know which direction to go. Most hard part after I figure out where to go is where I should go first. To my home or to the Cathedral? Where would it be most likely to find my p-.

'Miss, can I help you?' A shock run from the end of my toes to the tip of my head when I heard a unfamiliar manly voice. I quickly turned around to meet the owner of that voice. A man in tidy clothes, a lot of brown facial hair and a small black hat was just as startled as I was.

'I'm sorry! I didn't mean to surprise you! You looked like you were looking for something.' He held up both of his hands to empathise his apology.

' Oh! I-It's alright. And I w-was actually looking for my way. Uhmmm…c-c-could you tell me…where to go for Southwark?' Brilliant Alice! You just sound like a 7 years-old child…as usual.

The man let out a tiny chuckle. 'Southwark? What a coincidence! I happen to be there for some business. Perhaps we could share a carriage? We could go by foot, but my time is a little bit precious at the moment.'

Guiltily I looked down. ' I would love to, but I'm afraid I don't have anything to spend…'

'Mmmmm…tell you what, this ride will be on me if you pretend to be my date during this day.' Quickly he added: 'It's won't be all to fancy. We're going to Southwark, then I'll take you out for coffee and then I'll be more than satisfied.'

Well, this doesn't sound all too bad. A stranger that offers me a ride home for in return a companion who drinks something with him. Sounds like a fair deal.

'It's sounds like a good plan sir,' I replied with a honest smile. His smile in return was even wider.

'Please, the name's Frederick, Frederick Abberline,' he said with a bow. 'And what would be yours?'

'Alice, Alice Churchhill.'

(/\/\/\/\)

'…one time that even I had to shed a tear. There was this woman. She was hysterical when she explained that her precious silver necklace with a single pearl was gone. She told me all kind of reasons why it meant so much to her, but to keep it short she made me swear to do everything in my power to find her lost necklace. I asked her kindly where she saw it for last. So, when she mentioned the place, I made my way towards it…'

Mister Abberline and I were currently at a bar, not really far from the factory and definitely not far from home. He started with a coffee, but by now he drank from his second beer. I just had my tea, but I doubt that he knows that I'm not really listening until he said this.

'… eventually we found deeply buried in a drawer a small wooden chest. It had some delicate curly patterns, some even shaped in hearts. When I opened it, I…' He blinked his eyes before continuing, as if he was still there at this moment.

'It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. You see, when I opened that tiny box, a very tiny ballerina came and a very soft and gentle music filled the quiet air. It was, truly touching.' His eyes began to water when he said the next words.

'I couldn't held it dry when I saw that inside the little box was the necklace AND a small note. Curious as I was I opened it, because it was just the note without an envelope, couldn't hurt right?' Mister Abberline was already crying a bit. I couldn't, because something was bothering me. 'And then, mister Abberline?'.

He leaned in a bit forward and said: 'Unfortunately I don't know the exact words, but it was something like this. Dearest, First I apologize for borrowing your charm. It was the only way to make sure only you could find it. You told me once you lost this chest when you were little. And…uhmm… oh, I remember! Know you'll always be in my heart and I'll always look after you and our sweet fortune. You'll find your necklace here, but my heart's in your gem. Yours, Paul.'

I widened my eyes. No way….I didn't realized I was shaking my head until mister Abberline spoke again.

'I know, right? It was, like I said, touching. And so said, because apparently, the person who wrote it wasn't just anyone. It was a death letter for her wife. Shortly after we returned and filled in the paperwork, we were searching for her husband's body, but we haven't found it yet.'

Strange…

'Mister Abberline, when did you meet this woman?'

He chuckled and took a handkerchief from his pocket. It was a few days ago. To be more specific, one day after that incident in City of London.'

For quite some time I couldn't speak. Then I stood up. Mister Abberline stood up as well. 'Is everything alright miss Churchhill? You loo-'

'My apologies. I-I just feel a little tired. Thank you for this. And everything you've shared with me. I had a wonderful time mister Abberline.'

He raised his eyebrows questionably. 'Of course. Shall I take you home?'

I shook my head. 'No, no need for that. I do hope we see each other very soon.'

'Y-yes. Yes, I do hoop too.' I bowed my knees slightly. 'Good day, mister Abberline!'

'Good day, mis- wait. Wait! You have forgo-'. I walked out the door before he as finished speaking. I just couldn't.

Author's note:

I'm in writing mode! Tomorrow comes the next one! I would love to here what you think of this story so far!

Bye for now!

ES12