A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Twenty-Four
By evening, Jack was still puzzled by his
visitor. However, he hadn't been too distracted. He had a good evening playing
poker in the bar and was considerably better off than at the beginning of the
game. It was getting late now. Most of his opponents had wandered off home,
wage packets slightly lighter. Jack was finishing his beer, leaning on the bar
top talking to Susie. She hadn't mentioned going out with him again and Jack
had never suggested it, so she presumed that it wasn't going to happen again.
"You had a lucky night," she said, wiping some glasses.
"Made up for the other nights" Jack laughed.
"So you decided about your trip to New York?"
"Yeah, I'm going. For certain." Jack patted his pocket.
"Good for you. I'm sure you'll have a great time. One day, I'll go to New
York. Stay in a swanky hotel and go shopping in the best stores. Get myself a
new dress that the proper ladies wear and a hat. Oh and some gloves, long silk
ones."
Jack couldn't help but think of Rose.
"I'm sure you'd look real swell. Dark blue with lace trim and a big hat
with a ribbon."
"Yeah Jack, that sounds really nice. You can draw me wearing it. And a
parasol of course. Got to have a parasol, like a proper lady. Then I'd go to
tea in a carriage, then a show of course."
Jack laughed and finished his beer.
"I gotta go now Susie. See you tomorrow maybe"
"See ya Jack"
Jack put a couple of coins down, waved and walked out into the cooler night
air. It was still warm, but not as heavy as in previous nights. The door closed
with a click and he started down the road. The sky was speckled with stars. All
seemed peaceful.
As walked, he thought he heard a noise behind and stopped and turned. There was
nobody there. Jack wasn't normally jumpy. He laughed to himself. Boy, that
creep has got to you today.
Hands stuck in his pockets he carried on a little way, whistling to himself. As
he passed an alleyway he was sure he heard something again. He stopped and
looked down the dark alley. He was about to shout who's there? but never got a
chance. Someone jumped him from behind and knocked him to the ground with a
blow to his head and face. Before Jack had a chance to hit back he was kicked
in the stomach and chest. His mind reeling from surprise and pain he tried to
focus on who was attacking him and how to defend himself. But he didn't stand a
chance of getting a hit back as he curled up to try to protect himself from the
blows. He could taste blood in his mouth; his head was going fuzzy. He fought
to clear his mind. Come on Jack he screamed to himself. He feared he would be kicked
to death unless he managed to pull himself together. The breath was being
knocked out of him, he struggled to breathe and groaned and choked. He felt the
kicking stop, someone, perhaps two people, grabbed his arms and were pulling
him up. He hung limply like a rag doll, unable to stand, unable to focus. His
left eye was almost closed from swelling and blood trickled from his mouth and
head. The pain was indescribable and he was aware that he was going to sick.
Was it one man or two? Jack swayed and tried to focus on the dark alley. Two
men, he was sure of it, no three. A third figure stepped out of the shadows. He
couldn't focus, but the man was tall, smartly dressed from the limited vision
he had. Jack, still swaying tried to look up at him but couldn't. Somewhere, in
the buzzing sound in his head he thought he recognized the man's voice.
"Compliments of Caledon Hockley"
The arms released him and he fell into a crumpled heap in the alley. Unable to
help himself, the vomit came from his mouth. He heard the sounds of feet
walking away, then everything went black.