Disclaimer: I do not own Oliver Twist. If I did, Sally would be in it.

Pickin’ Pockets

Chapter 1

Freedom Sweet Freedom

“You’re leaving?!” Exclaimed Sally Goldfields, she was a young ten year old girl who had short dark brown hair that only reached to her chin, her face was covered in dirt and grim. Her clothes were dirty, old and torn. She had dull green eyes.

“There’s nothing ‘ere for me. It would be better if I just leave.” Jack Dawkins replied calmly. He had light brown hair and grey eyes. He was equally dirty and his clothes looked exactly like Sally’s, except for the fact that they were boy’s clothes. It was dark and late at night. Jack had just announced to Sally that he was leaving.

“You’re probably right.” Sally said sadly as she looked away. She and Jack lived close together and were very close friends. They both had really rotten lives. Sally’s mother died and her dad was a drunk and he hated her. Not that she cared much for him anyways. Neither of them got the care and attention that they needed.

“Come with me.” Jack said. Sally looked up at him, shocked.

“I can’t Jack. ‘E’ll look for me and beat me to my death ‘e will.” It was true. Bruises ran up her arms and decorated her cheeks. Her father blamed Sally for her mother’s death and took all his anger out on her. She was only two at the time of her mother’s death and why would she do such a thing? She loved her mother.

“Sally, if you don’t leave now you’ll never be able to leave.”

“But where will we go?”

“Anywhere but ‘ere,”

“What if they come looking? What if they find us?”

“They won’t. I promise.”

“You promise? You really promise?” Jack smiled.

“I really promise.”

“Alright, but we have to leave now.” Sally replied.

“Sally!” A slurred call reached their ears. Sally knew it could only belong to one person. “You better be in that ‘ouse by the time I get there.” Sally gasped as she whirled around.

“‘E’s coming!” Sally cried as looked at Jack.

Jack snatched her hand. The two of them bolted away from the house.

“We’re going to be in big trouble.” Sally said as they turned a corner.

“Not if they can’t find us.” Jack replied.

“You better ‘ope they don’t, Jack Dawkins.” Sally said. They ran for about fifteen minutes before they decided that they were a safe distance away from her father. Sally let go of Jack’s hand and leaned against a wall. She slid to the ground, panting and gasping for breath. Jack had his hands on his knees and was breathing deeply. It took them a few minutes to catch their breath

“Now that we’re out o’ there,” Sally began. “Where do we go?” Jack was silent for a moment and Sally knew where they would live.

“The streets, ain’t it?” She asked. She would have never wanted to live on the streets and had told Jack that that was her worst nightmare.

“Sally, I know you said that living on the streets was the last thing you would want to do but, do you see anywhere else to go?” Sally sighed. Right now, going back was starting to sound like the best idea of the night.

“A good ol’ beating isn’t starting to sound so bad right now.” Sally said turning around.

“No Sally.” Jack said grasping her arm. Sally turned to face him, her short brown hair swinging around her face. “You said it yourself. ‘E’ll beat to your death.”

“As true as that is,” Sally said. “I’ll die on the streets to.”

“Then we’re going to have to learn how to survive.”

“Fine,” Sally put on hand on her hip. “But if we get so much as a cut, we’re ‘eading ‘ome.”

“Fine,”

“Shake on it.” Sally demanded. They both spit on their hands and shook. Sally giggled a bit. “Why do we do that?” She asked.

“I dunno. I guess it’s just one of the many things we ‘ave in common.” Jack answered. Sally smiled.

“Well, I think we should get farther away from them.” She indicated to the way that they had come. Jack nodded in agreement. They began to walk, seeing no reason to run, away from their old houses. Sally smiled. It felt kind of good to not have to worry about her father pulling her hair and punching her and what not. She took a deep breath of fresh air, closed her eyes and sighed in relief. In short, it was good to be free.

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Me: So what did you think? And be nice it’s my first Oliver Twist fanfic.

Sally: Why am I the one who gets beat?

Me: Because, if you had a good life then you wouldn’t run away.

Sally: grumbles.

Jack: R&R. And be nice.

Me: All wonderful reviewers get fudge. D