Chapter 1 - A new beginning
You sat idly brushing your hair, getting out all the tangles and knots that occurred when you slept. Your mother fussed about in your wardrobe, trying to pick out a wonderful outfit. You sighed and spun around on your stool to face her.
She had a look of accomplishment as she pulled out an emerald green dress and presented it to you, "This one, Y/N. Your lover will love this." She beamed and handed it to the maid so she could get you into it.
"I'm sure he will." You added as the maid put you into your corset, pulling the strings a little too tightly. You didn't let the pain show on your face but you found it hard to breathe. The dress was soon pulled onto your body with more tightening of ribbons around your hips. The maid urged you to sit back down on your stool so she could finish your hair.
"Y/N! You look wonderful. Harold is a lucky man, isn't he?" You mother stood behind you, placing her hands on your shoulders and staring with a smile into the mirror at the pair of you.
You couldn't help but feel trapped. Harold was the man your mother set you up with. You didn't have the heart to tell him you weren't interested and you were sure you'd get an earful from your mother if you denied him. This wasn't the life you wanted. Rich, snobby. Everything done for you. You yearned for excitement. This life was boring. You were grateful, nonetheless, but it wasn't for you.
You pulled on some boots and your mother shoved a parasol in your hands just as a carriage pulled up outside. You stood with a struggle and headed down the steps to greet Harold. He shoved flowers into your hands as soon as the door was open. You mumbled a thank-you and handed the flowers to the maid to place in a vase.
You said a quick goodbye to your mother and headed out to the carriage. Harold helped you inside then went to whisper something to the driver. He then joined you in the carriage and you were off.
"How are you, my darling, on this fine day?" Harold questioned. His smile seemed sinister but you brushed it off.
"I am intrigued to know where we'll be heading to." You responded with a brief smile.
"I'm positive you shall enjoy it." Harold laughed then peered out of the window.
Something almost felt off. You had a bad feeling in your stomach. The carriage came to a stop outside a factory. You face held a frown. Harold grabbed your wrist and dragged you out of the carriage and into the factory.
"Harold?! What is going on here?" You demanded as the man continued pulling you up to the roof. You felt bad for the children that had to work here. You tripped on the stairs but it didn't stop the man pulling as you struggled to get back to your feet.
Out of the corner of your eye, you saw a man in a long coat speaking to the children with another man in red collapsed on the ground. You hadn't a clue what was happening. Explosive crates littered the ground. You finally made it to the roof, Harold push you to the floor of the roof with great force.
"It's nothing personal, my love, you're just worth quite a few pennies." Harold said then took a gun out and pointed it right at you so you wouldn't move.
"What is going on? Pennies? What ever do you mean?" Fear filled your body, your eyes fixated on the gun.
"I'm going to sell you off. Black market deals. Then I'm going to have your poor little mother pay me ransom but she'll never see you again." He laughed loudly, "Organs are worth a lot these days."
You somehow managed to get to your feet. Harold began walking towards you angrily. He raised his hand with the gun, intending to hit you. You squeezed your eyes shut but the blow never came. You opened your eyes slowly just as Harolds body dropped to the ground. A man stood there. The one you spotted before. He had a smirk on his face as he pulled his hood down.
"Easy now, love." He said, "You might get some blood on your pretty dress." He mocked.
"Who are you?!" You asked, looking up to meet his eyes. He was handsome. Part of you hated to admit that to yourself.
"Jacob Frye. Who might you be?" He stepped back from the body and you walked around it, "You seem rather unphased by the fact I've just murdered someone in front of you." He added.
"Y/N." You muttered, glancing down at the body, "It is not the first time I have witnessed such things." You admitted, "How do you murder so easily? Do you not feel ashamed." You had heard rumours about the Frye twins that had come to town causing havoc to everything but you didn't think you'd ever be acquainted. You scanned his face, taking note of his charming features.
"Oh, my apologies, miss. You're very welcome for saving your life!" He said sarcastically, "I already killed 8 others inside the factory." He shrugged.
"8 people?!" You exclaimed.
"Ah, right. I forget I shouldn't blurt out such things to rich snobs I've just met." He responded with his eyes rolling. Your mouth opened slightly, in complete shock, "Close your gob, love. I might get the wrong idea. You're very attractive. Shame I'd rather avoid people who do not wish to be dirtied."
***
"People who do not wish to be dirtied..." You muttered in a mocking tone as you pulled on some trousers, a blouse and a jacket, "I'll show him..." You pulled some boots up your legs and hid away your hair under a hat.
Luckily, your mother was out so you didn't have to explain the drastic change of outfit and lack of Harold. You didn't have the foggiest idea how you were to explain that Harold wouldn't be visiting again. You skipped down the stairs. You had never been able to do so previously due to the lack of oxygen and huge gown trailing behind you.
You exited the house and felt the breeze dance across your face. You felt free, unrestricted. You knew exactly where you were headed. Whitechapel. You had heard many times that the Frye twins were usually there. You lived in Westminster so you had quite the distance to travel. You decided taking a carriage would be your best bet.
You eventually found yourself in Whitechapel and asked around as to where you'd find the notorious man. You found yourself outside a fighting ring.
You entered the building cautiously. People were cheering over a fight that was going on. You approached the ring and saw a woman. She was besting everyone, it was rather impressive. She didn't even break a sweat.
"Fancy seeing you here, miss." Jacobs voice sounded from behind you, "A place like this doesn't suit you, love." He placed his hand on your lower back, "Perhaps I should take you home, hmm?"
"No, Mr. Frye. I am here to fight. I will show you I am not just a rich snob." You folded your arms.
"Oh, really?" He smirked, clearly teasing you, "C'mon, I'll even let you drive the carriage back."
"I wish to be dirtied!" You blurted out, causing the crowd to stop and stare at you, including the woman in the ring.
She leaped over the barrier and approached you and Jacob, removing cloth wrapped around her knuckles as she did so. She smirked, clearly amused by the situation.
"What have you done now, Jacob? Messing with more women, no doubt."
"Evie," Jacob said, hurt by her words, "I don't mess around with women. Only a few times and that was back in Crawley." He corrected, "I was just taking Miss Y/N home."
"Why not stay? I've run out of competitors." Evie smiled at you.
"Oh, she can't-"
"I'd be happy to." You interrupted Jacobs words but he seemed amused at how eager you were.
He held his hands up in defeat when you glared in his direction. You made your way to the ring and removed the same amount of clothing Evie did. Jacob pushed his way to the front of the crowd and leaned on the barriers to watch.
Evie didn't make the first move so it was up to you. You stepped forward and without a moments notice, Evie grabbed your arm and spun you then pinned you to the ground.
You heard Jacobs laughter. He hopped over the barrier and helped you back onto your feet, "That was one of the most pathetic things I've ever seen," He laughed loudly, collected your things and escorted you outside.
"No need to rub it in." You frowned and rubbed the back of your head.
"You're more interesting than you let on." Jacob smiled as he looked you up and down, "Tell you what... how about I train you? Give you some fighting tips. Then you can come back here and take me on yourself."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I guess I'll have to make up some other excuse to see you."