Chapter 4

Edward walked into the tavern and instantly a foul smell hit his nose. It smelled of drunken men and women covered in the stench of rotten food and barf. All of them either lounging around or talking in slurred voices. He pressed forward to where the bartender was. As he walked forward he caught glances of laid off miners and factory workers sleeping in their own throw up or drinking until their merry death.

It was hard to see; faint lanterns clung to the creaking ceiling which groaned with each step. Edward glanced back, making sure Alexander and Hugo were behind him. They were, and they looked just as disgusted as Edward did with their contorted faces.

Hugo poked a man, thinking the drunk was dead. The man jumped up in a fit of anger. "I don't care 'o you are. I'll drink 'til the taverns 'ave no more drink ta serve!"

Hugo didn't flinch, but kept walking forward. The three reached the bartender who pretended to clean a few mugs with a dirty rag. "How can I—" he asked.

He froze and stared at Edward with a shocked look. "Edward," escaped his elderly lips.

Edward stared at the man; cogs turned and gears shredded their cobwebs. His memory sparked like a combustion engine. Adam, the bartender's name was Adam. He smiled and sat down at the bar. "It's good to see you, old man," He said, softer than a drop of water onto glass.

A small cackle left the old man's hoarse throat. "Finally old enough to drink, I see," he chuckled as he placed some glasses behind the counter. "Care for one drink, just for old time's sake?"

Edward was about to accept before he paused and a look of fear took his face, making his once surprised joy dissipate. "We're here to see Ben," he said.

The old bartender instantly stopped what he was doing and looked at Edward; sweat and fear splashed his face. His pale skin seemed even paler and his blue eyes white with fear. "Oh no, you don't want to do that. He's pissed. Some runt tried to take a lot of money from him," Adam whispered.

"I don't think you understand. We're not askin' for your permission," Edward said quietly with a beastly anger hiding under his soft voice.

The old man's eyes caught sight of a metal glint in their hands. He shook with fear. "Edward? Edward, what's gotten in—" he began to stutter.

Edward grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him closer, their faces inches apart. The bartender could see a blinding anger in his eyes, a monster lurked in the swampy depths, waiting patiently for its time. "I. Want. To speak. With. Ben," he growled.

Adam was left paralyzed by fear. His body wasn't willing to make a sudden movement. Edward didn't even notice his knuckles were ivory white and his teeth clenched so hard he thought they'd shatter. A light tap nervously poked his shoulder. He spun his head around, ready to fight anyone who dared step in his way. "WHAT?!"

It was Hugo, who looked terrified by Edward's anger. "Easy there. I'm on your side," he whispered cautiously.

Edward looked at Alexander, who looked just as scared, before he caught sight of a few people peeking from their drunken sleep. He let go of Adam got a hold of his monstrous rage. He paced around as he took a deep breath, letting the monster breath a little. "Let me see Ben, please," he said, an unmoved intensity still lingering in his voice.

"I-I-I. . ." Adam stuttered before he took a deep breath and wiped his face with the rag he used to clean the glasses. "I'll go see if he is ready to see anyone."

He scurried out of sight into a door behind the counter.

"Hey."

Edward looked at Alexander. He still looked unsure if he was fine. "What?" Edward asked.

"It's just that. . ." Alexander began before trailing off into a mumble.

"It's just that we've never seen you that mad before," Hugo said.

Edward let out a deep sigh. "We just need to see Ben," he said, shrugging off their observations.

Both boys glanced at each other with a deep worry locked in their eyes; shreds of doubt wrapped their hearts. Adam came scurrying back to them. "He'll see you now," he murmured as he opened the counter for them to pass through.

They followed the old bartender to the back and through a worn hallway with withering walls punctured with a few holes. They walked past several open doors with unsavory sights between man and woman. . . or women for some. They could already hear a blood curdling scream over the many moans of pleasure. It was an unfortunate young man's scream. They continued forward until they got to one door and the screaming stopped.

Adam paused before he opened the door. "It. . . It was good seein' you again, Edward," he mumbled before turning to face him. He looked Edward up and down, and with a saddened smile he said, "please, tell everyone I said hello."

he then opened the door and let them in. Edward stood for a second. "I'm sorry I snapped, Adam. I didn't—"

"Don't worry, you're forgiven. Your nothin' compared to the fat bastard in there."

Edward laughed with guilt's pressure on his chest. They walked in to a young man tied up in chains with another man standing over him with a gun. One fat man was washing the blood off his hands, paying no attention to the young man's whimpers. He had pale, dough-ish skin and thin raven hair. His clothes were greasy and bloody. He looked more like a cook than a gangster, but he was both really. Big Ben turned to them and smiled. "Look 'o came walkin' in ta town, Edward an' a few of 'is kids. What can ol' Ben do for ya?" he chuckled with a thick bayou accent dancing on his lips.

He snapped his fingers, "Luke, come get me 'n' Edward a few chairs, please?"

The other guy pulled up two chairs before he brought a small wooden table between them. He looked familiar to Edward with his dirty, bald head and his crooked teeth. Edward stared at the man for a moment more before the man noticed. "Nice to see ya, Edward," snickered the man with a smoker's voice.

"Luke?" Edward asked.

The man nodded.

Edward quickly stood and hugged him before he sat back down. "It's good to see you," he told the older man.

Luke winked. "Nice seeing ya too."

Edward then caught sight of the other man tied up. "Mind tellin' us who this poor boy is?" he asked as he took his seat, setting his hat down at the same time.

"'im?" Aw, 'e's just some no good for no'in' thief," Big Ben said before sitting down; it groaned under his weight.

"Actually, do ya notice anythin' different about the lad?" Ben asked.

Edward looked past Ben at the young man. He looked bruised and blistered, soaked in his own blood. Edward's gaze moved down the young man's body. A lot of blood was on his pants, near where his crotch would be. Hugo and Alexander must have noticed too because Edward heard two loud gags. "You didn't?" he asked, not wanting or even willing to finish the sentence.

"I did, cut 'is cock off an' sewed 'im back up," Ben replied with a proud grin.

He turned his head and looked back at the young man. "Ain't that right, William?"

"And you're making him live without it?" Hugo asked, a disturbed look carved out by the thought of feeling the pain of getting his genitals cut off.

"That boy tried takin' a lot of money from me. After gettin' caught by me, there won't be a damn lady 'o would folk 'im. I think I did 'im a favor cuttin' the small sausage off," Ben barked, these gruesome things not seeming to faze him. He liked getting his hands dirty with this kind of stuff; it was the fun part of running his street gang.

Edward wanted to barf, but he needed to keep his emotions away from his expressions. "Poor bastard," he murmured under his breath.

"Ya know how Ben is," Luke snickered.

"But, I assume ya didn't come 'ere ta talk 'bout 'im. Why did ya come 'ere? Ya never visit ol' Ben," Ben asked, sounding a little disappointed.

"We need a lil money to help one of our own," Edward said.

Ben leaned back in his chair and scratched his long beard. "Ya don't come an' see me an' after four years now ya want money?" he asked in a low, nerve wrecking tone.

Edward could see a gentle anger sway in Ben's pupils as he thought whether to be glad that they were back or if he wanted to shoot them then and there. Edward leaned back and his body began to sweat, betraying him as he tried to look calm.

Alexander glanced around nervously. He didn't like how Ben was looking at them, it was unsettling to him. He stood with his arms folded and he leaned near the door they walked in from. Hugo had picked a chair to sit in. He seemed unfazed by the mood Big Ben forced in the room, but he was scared. He fiddled with his tools to keep his nerves tame.

Big Ben stood up and walked over to where he washed his hands; silent as he looked through his tools. A gruff snort bellowed from his nostrils like a bull before finding what he wanted. He came back with a large butcher's knife and placed it gently on the table. He sat down and crossed his arms. "Why did ya leave me? . . Why did ya stop 'elpin' me? . . Why did ya stop letin' me see the lil ones?" he asked, his voice growing more intense with each question yet never turning into a scream.

"Ben, that's a bit far—" Luke began before he quieted under Ben's quick glare.

Edward felt like he had no power, that Ben was in control without needing to even use his brute strength. His glare into Edward's soul overpowered any confidence or any courage still standing tall in his heart. Before Edward could answer, Big Ben shot up and slammed his hands on the table. "WHY?" he shouted, his voice booming like the giant he was.

Edward scooted back in his chair; Ben's wild anger consumed his face. Alexander froze and Hugo stopped what he was doing. Everyone had their eyes on Edward and Big Ben. Edward was left in shock, not able to say what he needed to say.

Ben's eyes burned hotter every second Edward put between the demanded question and his answer. "Well?" he shouted, flinging his arms in the air.

For a split second Ben snapped out of his anger and a flash of sorrow took its place; nostalgia slipped into his mind only for a moment while he looked at a scarred little boy, Edward. His demeanor shifted. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He grabbed his chair and sat. He looked calm, but Edward could sense a little bit of wrath hidden behind his calmness. "I-I'm sorry for yellin'. I just. . . J-Just answer the question," he said, almost whispering so he doesn't lose it again, not making eye contact but keeping his head down.

Edward stayed silent for a moment before speaking. He knew the reason but he wasn't ready to tell Ben. A lump buried itself in his throat, the words clinging to him. "We thought. . . it would be better for the kids if we stopped meddlin' with you," Edward finally said, "after what happened to Charles."

"What 'appened ta Charles' 'as no'in ta do with the lil ones. So what was the real reason," Ben demanded without raising his voice.

"You know we've been stealin' kids from the factories and mines? Hell, you helped us get some of them," Edward said.

Ben nodded.

"Well, after Charles' accident, we thought it was best we stop doin' your dirty work and focus on makin' a real family like we always wanted. We didn't want all the kids growin' up with. . . with gangsters," Edward tried explaining.

The room was silent. They all waited for Big Ben's response. He lifted his head and leaned back in his chair. His gaze told an unspoken misery with their sunken lips and blistering eyes. "You didn't think we were a family?" he asked.

Edward bit his tongue. "That's not—"

"I raised you, Charles, an' Thomas. When you three got out of those factories. I took ya in an' raised ya; defended ya from Monty an' Paris! I let you stay with me an' I was there when the nightmares 'appened. I 'elped ya learn 'ow ta pickpocket. I felt like I was y'all's father," Ben said, a few tears squeezing out of his eyes.

"You were. Ben, but we. . . We were worried 'bout the kids because of what happened to Charles," Edward whispered.

"I was the one 'o 'elped you save the first six. I gave ya the lay out of the factories and mines. I pulled as many strings as I could ta 'elp ya," Ben whispered. "Luke even went with ya ta take the first one, lil Henry! Did ya think 'ow 'e felt when all of ya left? Did ya think 'bout Adam when y'all left?"

Edward glanced at Luke who looked away with pitiful sorrow on his face. "I'm sorry but we didn't want them to get hurt like Charles."

Ben gestured to Edward's leg. "I got ya that damn leg an' 'elped get ya better when stealin' Isabella went wron'," he saided under his tears. "I tol' ya, what 'appened ta Charles was 'cause of what 'e did ta hurt me."

Edward was on the verge of tears himself. He remembered how much Big Ben cared for them. He remembered how he would make them stew every night. He didn't have any of his thugs or cooks do it. He did it himself, taking time out of his busy day to do it. He remembered that rage induced day of tears and pain when Ben helped him walk again with his new leg. He remembers Adam making them hot cocoa when they stayed late at the bar or when Luke helped teach them to shoot. "I understand," Ben whimpered before a brief silence blanketed the room. "'ow is Isabella?"

Edward looked up and smiled; a fragile fall leaf. "She's helpin' take care of one of the new ones," he said.

Ben chuckled and wiped his tears. "She always was a kind young girl," he said.

"Do you remember me?" Alexander finally spoke up.

Ben looked over and chuckled his classic jolly laugh. "Is that you, Alexander?" Ben asked with a smile.

Alexander nodded.

"'e's grown so big since last time we saw 'im," Ben exclaimed as he looked to Luke who also smiled. "I 'member when you was just a lil pup."

Hugo stood up and walked over to Ben, who looked curiously at him. "Is that 'ugo?" Ben asked with a bewildered look.

Hugo nodded and put his hand out to shake Big Ben's. Afterward Ben turned back to Edward whose eyes were stained red from tears. "What did ya need the money for?" Ben asked as he wiped the last of his tears.

"Medicine," Edward replied.

"For 'o?" Ben asked, falling back in his chair and stroking his beard.

"Jacob. We found him 'bout two years after we left you and went deeper into the tunnels," Edward said.

"What's the poor kid got?" Ben asked.

"Don't know. He's been throwin' up and he has a hard time breathin'. He also is startin' to cough up blood and some grey stuff," Edward explained.

"Hm, Sounds like 'e got a bit of black lunge and somethin' else," Ben said.

"Some sort of throat illness," Luke suggested.

"That's what I was thinkin'. I need this medicine," Edward said with an urgent voice, so urgent Ben thought the boy would drop dead today without the medicine.

Ben sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. There ain't no cure for black lunge. The boy's goin' ta die," he said.

Edward froze; his anger built in his heart, ready to be pumped into his veins and throughout his body. It told him to kill Ben. It told him that Ben was lying, that Jacob was not going to die. But. . . But it changed into another feeling, as dark as the feeling he'd feel in the nasty rain. It consumed his soul, turning it to sewage water. The dark emotion swayed lifelessly like a grey ocean on a gloomy day; his tears swelled from his swampy heart.

They wanted out but he couldn't let them. Still, those drops of water broke his dam and released in a flood onto his cheeks. He dropped his head and cried softly. It blinded him, but he could still feel the empathetic eyes gaze on him. Ben stood in front of him. A bitter frown held onto his face. "I'm sorry, Edward. I really am, but the kid ain't gunna make it," he whispered in a hushed voice, dripping with sorrow.

"He still has time," Edward cried, now letting it all pour out of him.

Ben was about to say something, but he paused, taking a moment to think of his next words. His smile grew ever so slightly and even more empathetic. "I'm sure 'e does," he said.

He put his arms out for Edward and he gladly accepted, jumping into Ben's arms. He felt Ben's large arms wrap around him and hold him tight. He would have stayed there forever, but he couldn't. He then felt two more pairs of arms wrap around him and Ben. He looked over his shoulder and saw Alexander and Hugo with teary eyes. "What's wrong?" Edward asked, turning to face the two.

"Nothin', just a bit emotional," Alexander sobbed, his voice as shaky as his tears.

Hugo just held his tears which streamed like a solemn river. Edward held them close. He listened to their breaths slowly calm from the storm in their hearts. He felt their tears slowly soak his layers of clothes. "Sometimes you need those days," Edward whispered to them.

"It hurts," Alexander whimpered as he tried calming down.

"It 'urts because ya really do care," Ben said softly, his somewhat deep and raspy voice soothing to the soul.

Edward waited a moment longer before both boys stopped crying and they held themselves together. Edward then looked at Ben and smiled with a redness circling his eyes. "It was good seein' you again," he said to start their reluctant goodbye.

"Come by anytime," Ben said with his hands resting on his belly and a saddened smile on his once cheerful face.

Edward turned to leave before pausing at the door. "Maybe you could come see the kids again. It'd be nice for some of them ta see you. And you could see Thomas and Charles again."

"Oh, I don't know. Me an' Charles weren't on good terms ever since the accident. An' Thomas was mad at me for it," Ben mumbled nervously.

"Oh, I can get Thomas ta reconsider after a night or two," Edward chuckled with a playful smile.

Ben smiled. Then a frown took its place. "Is Thomas still 'urtin' ya?" he asked with a worry that deepened each passing second.

Edward's stomach fell into dark waters. "How do you know 'bout that?"

"That was the last time I saw ya, bloodied an' beaten. . . 'as it 'appened again?" Ben asked.

"It was one time, Ben."

"I know an' I know 'e hated 'imself when it 'appened, but Thomas is a broken person. It's 'ard ta fix broken people."

"It's not all he is."

"I know, but it's what they made part of 'im."

"We will get through it."

Ben's frown sprouted into a saddened smile and he nodded. "I'm sure y'alI will," he said with watery eyes.

Edward left the room with Alexander and Hugo behind him. As they reached the door to the bar, a holler echoed in their ears. "I think I'll take you up on ya offer for supper! Just send one of y'all's lil ones ta fetch me!"

"How 'bout tonight for supper," Edward said turning with glee to face Ben

Ben smiled. "Sounds good ta me. I'll be waitin' for one of your lil ones ta come get me."

"See you later Luke," called Edward as he left.

"See ya later," he called.

They walked down the dirty hallway, again, sounds of pleasure echoing through it, and past Adam who waved kindly at them. They moved through the streets where the poor laid begging for a coin and the lost laid waiting to die on the foul smelling streets. A real depressing sight. It didn't help that the trio were already emotional. Seeing the worst of humans only snapped more of their heartstrings, but they moved on. Hugo couldn't help but catch sight of a little kid trying to wake their father from an endless sleep. The kid cried and pulled at the man's clothes, begging his father to wake, but he didn't.

Hugo forced himself to look away from the painful sight, feeling his own tears swell in his eyes. "Miss your dad?" Alexander asked softly.

Hugo turned cold. "Don't we all," he muttered.

The rest of the walk was silent between the three. The only noises were the chatter from people as they moved past and the sounds of boots against cobblestone. Edward was thankful for the noise, it kept the looming silence away.