Thread: Twisted Fates - Risi & Caspian

The whirring of the gears and sewing machines snaked their way into Nell's ear, slowly but surely causing her to hear nothing but it as she worked. The job was a bit dangerous at times, but she was proficient after a year or so. Some of the women had twisted, gnarled fingers but she had yet to reach that point yet. As her lithe hands worked over the sewing loom her mind went to her father, wondering if he was at work or if he was off squandering what little check she was going to bring home at the end of the week. Most likely the latter. She sighed softly and focused her attention back to the length of fabric she was attaching to another. Soon, the lunch bell tolled and all of the women stopped their work to go to the cafeteria, where instead of the noises of machines it was blabbering women. Feeling the tug of her blonde hair from behind, Nell turned to find her co-worker and friend Mae, a tall brunette who was a bit too nosy for Nell but they chatted anyways. As they ate, they talked idly about the weather, gray, and their lives, also gray. Of course, Mae would have found Nell's predicament not so dull, but she wasn't going to share her family secret here, or with her. It was for the privacy of her mind, and whomever her father gambled with that night. Her eyes moved to the large blind-drawn windows atop the factory, unfortunately so did Mae's. You always glance up there, why so curious? Mae asked with a gossip's grin, but did not pause before she continued. I've heard that he steals women from the streets and makes passionate love to them before he kills them because they've seen his face, she added with a giggle just as the work bell rang. Nell sat frozen for a moment from what had just come from her friend's mouth, but then quickly composed herself and went to work. As the day faded to night, Nell found her way home along the darkened streets. After being home for a generous amount of time, time enough to put dinner on the table and for her father not to show, Nell knew she was going to have to go search for him again tonight. With a slight huff, she gathered her light blue work skirts and left her home. About an hour later, she stumbled upon her father. It happened to be in the back alleyway of a pub, at knife point of a man, who Nell assumed was a bookie of sorts. Nell whimpered to herself quietly and took a deep breath as she approached the two men. Papa! she called out harshly as he spotted her coming from the side. Nell, you get away now. Go home! he called back to her, but it was too late then. The bookie had caught sight of the fair beauty of his client's daughter. Well, well, well, what do we have here? the dirty man asked as he jabbed the knife in the air of Nell's general direction. Just leave her out of this, her father said to the bookie, This is my debt. Then to Nell, Go home sweetheart. Papa... she tried as she stepped closer, then turned to the bookie, Look, I get my paycheck at the end of the week, I'll pay you then. How much does he owe? About as much as your fine piece of arse would bring me in, he told her with a grin just before he stabbed her father in the stomach. Nell gasped and moved to help her father, even if it was straight into the arms of his killer. Papa! she cried out, but she never reached him. A swift blow to the back of her head with the blunt end of the man's knife subdued her quickly, her small body crumpling to the ground in a haze.