Chapter 9 #2
“Only Dopey could ruin the genetic line.” Sneering at Dorian’s retreating form, Gerald throws the broomstick in his direction, “Stupid idiot took the height and left the brain cells behind.”
The tip of the handle catches the back of Dorian’s sneakers and sends the kid flying. Falling face first into the dirty floorboards, he doesn’t get a chance to catch his breath before the older men start snickering.
“Our youngest brother was born prematurely, so he’s a little... slower with his mental capacity.” Smothering a laugh with a cough, Doc shakes his head with a smile, “Keeps us entertained if nothing else.”
What a bunch of assholes.
Resisting the urge to pull out my backup grenade and shove it down his throat, I redirect the conversation to the matter at hand.
“I need access to your railroad. The underground system, in particular, but a spare minecart would come in handy.”
A bushy brow lifts, amusement dancing across Doc’s face, “And why would we be inclined to accept such a gracious offer?”
“Because I have something you don’t.” I pause, letting the silence expand between us, “Access to White Castle.”
Gerald sucks in a breath, and somewhere in the cottage a pan clatters to the floor. Doc studies me silently, his eyes suspiciously narrow behind his glasses.
“What business do you have with the White family?”
“I’m going to steal back the Hoffmann Diamond.”
“Are you out of your mind?!”
Grumpy Gerald is at it again, shouting until his bulbous nose matches the flush racing across his cheeks, “Nobody has seen the Hoffmann Diamond in years, not since it was stolen from our sister-
“After the witch killed her. Yes, I am aware.”
I tilt my head, meeting Doc’s inquisitive stare, “Rumour has it, the diamond is being kept in a glass coffin, one that holds the decaying remains of Evelyn’s mother. It is said to be littered with more gemstones than you can possibly imagine, and with your help, I’m going to steal it.”
Silence falls upon the room.
Gerald is staring at me with comically wide eyes, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. Doc continues to assess me, his gaze dancing across the different tattoos peeking out of the torn cloth of my shirt.
“The devil who got lost in the witch’s cavern.” His eyes linger on the grim reaper screaming across my ribcage, “There is no mercy for those who drink her poison.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t plan on drinking, then.”
“You may not get that choice. Especially if Evelyn White has anything to say about it.”
A scuffle of feet draws my attention to the banister overhead. Big brown eyes peer down at me, Dorian’s purple beanie almost falling off his head.
Even from here, I can see the tattered state of his clothes. The hole-ridden soles of his sneakers that have been passed down one too many times.
Even for the unfortunate, there are always those who suffer more. The lowest rung on the ladder, the last pig to collect his meal at the feeding trough. The castaways already struggling to stay on the island rarely get a chance to take their share, however small.
Dorian may be the tallest one of his family, but he certainly isn’t getting much food from the table.
“Leave the witch to me.”
Forcing my eyes off the misfit who deserves a better home, I look back at the man holding my fate in his hands.
“Uninterrupted access for the next five months and the Hoffmann Diamond is yours again. I’ll need copies of the underground railway system in its entirety, including any manholes and halfway points that offer quick and safe passages, as well as an updated work schedule so I know when and where your men will be at all times. ”
“The location of our mine is a Hoffmann secret that has been passed down for generations.” Gerald the Grump sneers at me, “What makes you think we’ll just hand it over to you?”
“I don’t.” Slipping a hand inside my pocket, I carefully tear the stitches holding the velvet bag in place, “Which is why I’m offering a deposit. As a token of my goodwill.”
London’s most recently stolen diamonds tumble into the palm of my hand. It’s only a mittful of the hundreds we stole back home, but it’s enough to put a sparkle in the Gem Doctor’s eye.
“Doc, that would be enough to feed us for the year-
“Hush, Gerald.” Fiddling with his reading glasses, the eldest brother takes a step closer, “Go fetch me a glass of water.”
“What the hell do you need-
“Water. Now.”
The grumpy dwarf stomps to the kitchen and returns with a glass of water. Doc takes it from him and holds it out to me.
“I’ll need to test their authenticity under UV light, but for now, let’s see if they’re minerals or not.”
The sparkling gemstones fall into the water and hit the bottom of the glass with a thud. A smile creeps across Doc’s face, his spine straightening as the Hoffmann future shines a hell of a lot brighter.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” Shaking his head with a laugh, Doc tucks the glass close to his chest and wanders back over to the basement steps, “Boys, get washing! We’re having gooseberry pie tonight.”
Cheers rumble throughout the cottage as four men covered in soot stomp their way up the stairs. The living room becomes a cluster of colourful hats and yodeling as a small family trades in their years of misfortune for a single stroke of good luck.
A tug on my hand drags my direction to a purple beanie sliding off Dorian’s head. He’s clutching his hat, staring at me with wide, hopeful eyes that punches a hole right through my chest.
“Mr. Wolf, would you do me a favour?”
A soft chuckle escapes my throat, “It’s Christopher. Sorry if I scared you earlier.”
“Oh, you didn’t scare me.” Motioning for me to bend down, he whispers in my ear, “Wolves are my favourite, but Doc says I’m not allowed to pet them.”
“Probably for the best.”
He giggles softly, looking down at where our hands are touching, “But I’m petting you.”
God. This kid.
“What can I do for you, Dorian?”
A nervous expression crosses his face, his eyes darting around his family celebrating around us. Everyone is too busy singing to notice us, rejoicing with a song and a dance that seems to have no rhyme or reason.
“Can you pass this along to Evie?”
A rumpled piece of paper gets pressed into my palm. I take it from him, carefully unfolding the homemade piece of art.
“We kissed, you know.” A blush stains the boy’s cheeks, “Three times.”
My heart fucking breaks as I look at the pencil drawing he drew.
A wonky apple-shaped heart lies between the two stick figures, one with blonde hair and one with dark. Massive smiles take over their faces, their hands clenched together as though they never want to let go.
The lump in my throat has me unable to respond, the simple drawing so painfully similar to the one I tried to hang on my mother’s fridge many years ago.
“Just make sure Evie gets it, okay?” Dorian gives me a shy smile, his eyes brimming with love and devotion, “I don’t want our time together to be forgotten.”
“I’ll try and pass it along.”
The lie slips off my tongue, the words just about choking me from the inside out. I watch the elation take over Dorian’s face, the happiness that would only dwindle if I told him the truth.
Evelyn White isn’t the kind of person who would remember him. I’ve read the reports and seen the images, I know exactly the kind of person she is.
Fame. Money. Glamour.
It’s like looking into a time capsule and seeing the past so much clearer. The silly drawing being ripped from the fridge before my mother’s boyfriends could see it. The ridiculous notion of thinking a woman like that could ever change.
My own mother couldn’t be bothered to remember me.
Dorian and his adorable picture don’t stand a chance.
Evie & Dorian 4ever <3