City Of Smoke

Chapter 1

I've been to London before but that was when I was a child with my father before he left. It's changed so much since when I was here. Bloody clever these inventions that now have become part of London's everyday life. I leapt off the train just before it stopped in the station. I was now on the platform. I didn't have much money but I did have a few pick pocketing skills and some basic fighting skills. I patted my knife and revolver. My only possessions except for the clothes I wear. Some black trousers and a long grey over coat with a hood.
I spent the last half an hour pick pocketing but then I saw a beautiful cane sword. It belonged to a young man with dark hair. He wore a top hat and along his belt were various other weapons but the cane sword was my main objective. A man in uniform yelled that the train would be leaving in five minutes. Time to form a plan.

One minute left to go. I am close behind the man now, he stopped and admired the view from the second storey platform. Suddenly he lifted his arm in the air, a rope shot up and attached itself to the rails above, as his feet left the ground. I pounced and cut the cane sword off his belt with my knife, I twisted midair and landed on my feet before doing a roll on the train. I looked up and saw the man completely shocked. I gave him a bow as the train began to move away.
As soon as I saw the Thames. I leapt off the train and onto the bridge. I scanned the area for the boat. Then I spotted it, a boat that had the union Jack and along the side was a patch of grey with a dagger on it. I dived into the murky water and swam towards the boat. As I pulled myself aboard, a gun was aimed at my head
"State your business!" The gun holder snapped. He had blond hair and pale blue eyes, he was quite attractive. I faced him
"My name is Tessa Grey" I stated calmly, he lowered his gun
"Forgive me, miss, I didn't know" he apologised. I gave him a smile
"No need to worry, Where can I find Samuel?" I asked
"Miss Grey" a voice boomed. A tall man came towards me, he was in his early fifties "An honour to finally meet you Miss Grey" he beamed. I gave him a smile
"Call me Tessa, Samuel" I replied "By the sounds of the will, you and my father were close friends" I explained, Samuel lowered his head
"M...Tessa, your father was a great man, unlike most gang leaders he showed compassion and justice" Samuel commented
"Wait what" I gasped. Samuel nodded
"Your father was a gang leader, Don't worry if you need advice or anything I'm here" he offered. I gawked at him, was he thinking that I would just accept
"I know this is a bit of a shock Tessa but your father wanted you to run the gang if he ever died, he even kept you secret until the day he died when it was announced that you would become the leader of 'the Ghosts'" Samuel reasoned. I analysed him. He seemed trustworthy, his eyes sparkled waiting for a response. His face has a scar across his cheek, there are more scars on his knuckles.
"Tell me everything, I need to know" I answered simply. Samuel gave a subtle nod before leading me to the lower deck. In the centre of the room was a table with a map pinned down by knives. There were markers on different areas of the map. Samuel and Tommy stood one side of the table. I stood the other side waiting anxiously for one of them to speak.
Tommy pointed to an area filled with grey markers
"The grey markers mark our territory, we don't have much but it's enough to keep us running, the reds are the Bleeders, nasty bastards right now London is their play ground they steal from the poor and kill mercilessly, right now their leader is Jack Dawson, evil prick " Tommy said with disgust
"And the blue?" I asked
"The blue are the Bastilles, they've been around for a few months but already have more territory than us" Tommy explained, he sounded impressed "their leader is London born but country raised Raymond Forté" Tommy added. I nodded
"Is that all?" I asked, Samuel shook his head as he handed me a small note book
"The book is filled with lists of allies and enemies and other vices to do with running the gang" Samuel assured me as he placed it on the table and pushed it towards me. I took it cautiously, it was leather back and black. I rubbed the cover with my thumb. Samuel coughed, I looked up
"Now where the hell did you get that cane sword from?" Samuel asked me. I gave a small smile
"The cane sword shop?" I joked, Tommy let out a small chuckle. Samuel glared at him, suddenly cheering was heard outside on the upper deck
"I better get going" Tommy explained before rushing up the steps, I glanced over at Samuel. As if he read my mind he smirked and said
"I'll tell you if you tell me where you got the cane sword from" he negotiated
"I stole it" I answered. Samuel gave me a grin
"Just a little fighting competition going on, currently Tommy is the champion" Samuel explained before walking up the steps. I followed him and watched as the men and women cheered at the two competitors in the ring. Tommy managed to flip his opponent onto the ground and drop and elbow onto his stomach. He let out a cry of pain before rolling onto his side, Tommy helped him up.
The men and women began to notice me. I stared back and then they realised who I was.

"Tommy show Tessa to her room" Samuel instructed. Tommy gave me a smile before leading me to my room, his face covered in sweat and blood, his blond hair was now manic and wet. It was father's old room and it was amazing. A four poster bed with red sheets, a desk, a room separator and a chest. Tommy smiled at my reaction
"You get yourself settled down Tessa, we'll call if you're needed and if you need something don't hesitate to ask" Tommy assured me. I nodded
"Thank you Tommy" I thanked him. I took my coat and trousers off and leapt to bed in my under garments. I lot a candle beside my bed and began to read father's notebook. Soon my eye lids became heavy and I slowly fell asleep.