Disclaimer - See chapter 1. ‘Nuff said.

- Ten Years Later -

Over the past ten years Eva Porter had taught, loved, fed, and provided for Oren as one of her own. Her children had grown to love Oren as one of the family and Edward, Eva’s husband had grown to refer to her as another one of his angels. Oren, herself, had transformed into a beautiful young woman over the years. She was a much shorter then her sisters, though still held a sleek frame. Her hair was long and styled quite differently then the rest of her female companions. It was the one thing Eva could never change about the young woman. She was adorned with a gown that any other respectable English woman would wear, however, there was still the lurking feeling in Oren’s mind that it just did not fit.

The family had just finished their meal and were taking up time with tea and their usual after dinner activities. Eva and Oren were seeing to the table while, Oren’s “sisters” worked on their sewing. Oren, herself, had never really understood sewing, nor had she ever seen the same fascination in it as her sisters had. To her it was useless and one of the most boring activities she had ever considered. However, it made them happy and she simply shook her head slightly and continued to clear the table.

Edward was sipping his tea and reading an edition of the evening paper. Soon Eva and Oren joined the rest of the family in the sitting room and poured one another a cup of tea. Eventually, as often happened, Oren became bored and excused herself to her room, where she quietly dressed for bed and fell asleep. Though her sleep would not be easy tonight.

Several hours after the rest of Oren’s family had retired to bed she stirred from her sleep as a sound caught her resting ears. She lifted herself from her pillow and glanced around the room. She began to lie back down when she suddenly heard it again.

Oren jumped out of bed and began to dress herself. Before she got too far she heard footsteps quietly coming down the hall, as well as whispers from outside her room. She silently crept up to her bedroom door to try and hear what was being said, however, she could not manage to make out any words. Shrugging a little she continued to dress herself. Once done she waited in darkness and silence for any sign that the intruders had left.

Suddenly she heard the confused voice of Eva, coming from her parent’s bed chamber.

“Where is da’ lettle brat...Missus?” A gruff voice sounded in the distance.

“I...I haven’t the slightest idea what you are talking about sir...but I do suggest you get out of this home...” Eva responded with fire in her voice and Edward tried to calm her down, however, she could not be stopped. In her heart she knew who they were after. “Gentlemen, unless you are looking for a lovely stay downtown I suggest you leave.”

“Ah, naw Missus...w’at would da boss say?” The intruder smiled a bit then pulled out his pistol. “Guess, we’ll ‘ave ta do this da hard way...”

All Oren heard after that was a short scuffle and two shots. Then dead silence. She felt the urge to scream, though quickly covered her mouth. She could not believe it was happening again. She refused to loose another family, no matter how odd they seemed to be.

Silently, Oren opened her bedroom door. Taking a deep breath she crept into the hall and into the bedroom of her two sisters. At first they started to scream, though Oren quickly hushed them. Oren was the oldest of the three girls, being eighteen years of age. Samantha, the second eldest, was sixteen and Molly was the youngest at thirteen.

Oren looked at them both with a serious look and whispered in a hushed tone, “We must be quiet...do you understand? Our lives depend on it!” They responded with simultaneous nods full of fear and Oren nodded in return. She then glanced around the room, looking for anything they could use in defense.

She saw nothing of particular use, though finally decided on taking a vase of Daisies off of Molly’s nightstand. She turned toward her siblings as footsteps once again started sounding along with loud and threatening voices. “Listen to me...you two must open the window and climb outside, do you understand??” The girls again nodded and started their task, just as they finished getting the window open the intruders threw open the door to the bedroom and shouted in triumph.

“Well, well, well, w’at ‘ave we ‘ere?? Lookin’ for one pretty little thin’ and end up findin’ three!!”

Samantha and Molly stopped moving for the slightest of moments and stared in horror at the two men in their room. Oren noticed this and responded harshly, “Go on...get out of here!! NOW!!” They continued to climb out of the window as Oren threw the flower vase at the two large mice.

It shattered against one’s brow knocking him out cold. His companion simply glared in shock for a few moments and Oren took this chance to race to the window, shoving the struggling Molly out of it and then began to push herself through.

Before she could reach the yard, however, the end of her dress caught onto a piece of the now broken window. A thousand thoughts flew through her mind, though the most prevalent being, ‘Damn this bloody dress to hell!’ She had never cared for the styles of English society and at this very moment she finally knew why.

Molly and Samantha ran to Oren’s aid and started pulling her from the window, though soon the intruder gained the same idea and grabbed onto Oren’s leg pulling her in the opposite direction. However, the dress soon ripped and Oren, Molly, and Samantha found themselves falling to the ground. The intruder quickly stood from his own fall and watched as the girls began to race across the street. He quickly drew his pistol and fired three shots into the night. Two of these shots missed, though one managed to nick Oren in the side. She fell for the slightest of moments though willed herself to continue to run.

“Damn!” the intruder swore under his breath, “Boss in’t gon’ like this.” Then he fled the scene leaving his comrade behind.

The girls had managed to make their way up five blocks from where they had started. However, Samantha had soon found it necessary to carry Oren. Though the wound was not too deep, it was still bleeding badly and Oren had become very tired, very quickly.

“Sam,” Molly spoke up as they continued to run, “We must stop. There isn’t enough time to get her to a hospital.”

Samantha simply kept running, she didn’t know who she could trust anymore, and at this point the hospital seemed like the safest place for all of them to be. Molly, however, continued to press the issue.

“Come on Sam...I’m tired and I know you are too. This is a good part of town. Surely we can find somewhere to rest a while at least!”

Samantha contemplated her sister’s words and silently decided to except them. Molly was taken by surprise as her older sister came to a sudden stop and nearly ran into her. She shook her head and looked at the flat they had stopped in front of.

Samantha spoke suddenly and Molly looked at her as she did so, “We’ll stop here.” With that said she strode up to the doorway, Molly just behind her and knocked. It took a while, but soon enough the door was answered by what a appeared to be a land lady and a large gentleman with a mustache.

“My heavens...” the land lady spoke, “...what on earth...”

Samantha spoke softly, exhaustion lacing her voice, “Please...we need help, my sisters been injured...you must allow us to stay. Please!”

The gentlemen spoke up next, directing his comment to the land lady, “Mrs. Judson, fetch Basil.” He then turned to the three young ladies on the doorstep, “Do come in...you are more then welcome. You can lay her down on the sofa in here,” he pointed to the sofa and Samantha gladly took Oren from her back and laid her on the sofa. She then glared at the large gentleman with an unsure glance.

“How can we trust you?” Samantha chimed waiting for a response, though when it came it was not from who she had expected.

“I can assure you that you are in safe hands Miss Porter,” Samantha and Molly turned toward a short staircase as the new voice broke in. What they saw was a tall, thin gentleman with piercing green eyes, wearing a burgundy robe and smoking pipe. He began to walk toward Oren, who continued to take up the space on the sofa.

“Oh...and how can you be so sure? And further more how in the bloody heavens did you know my name?” she followed him with her eyes as he strode casually across the room.

Once he reached his destination, in front of a red arm chair, he turned slightly pulling the pipe away from his lips, and spoke, “It’s elementary my dear.” He sat in his arm chair crossing his legs. “I’m Basil of Bakerstreet, of course.”