I Woke Up to Silence. The house was as quiet as a mouse, the sky outside dark as the twilight of the morning was still hours away, The world Outside Silent, Even the triplets where fast sleep and quiet.

I got up hearing my spine cracking and popping out of place as I sat up Seeing Eliza Fast sleep, so I got the covers tucking them in around her so she was nice and warm. I went across to the triplets' room seeing all three of them fast asleep in their crib I wrapped them up tightly and gave them each a little kiss I checked on Markus's head and he was burning up so I picked him up carefully without waking him putting him in the little basket Eliza uses for groceries tucking him in with towels and blankets just so if he gets any worse Astrix and Kiki won't get sick too.

I made Eliza some tea and got my jacket heading out into the dark town, I've been out of work for a month or two now, I felt awful having to rely on Eliza, the kitchen was empty at home, We couldn't even afford to pay for Luci's Milk for the children, we bought Markus some medicine but It didn't seem to be working, the landlord was coming looking for us, Banging on the door and windows, I haven't had anything to eat for days So I stuck through the dark streets out to the docks and the dark foggy streets the orange lanterns glowing as though the thick sea air as I arrived at the market...

the stalls dimly lit so you could barely see what they were selling the people on the stalls hidden in shadow but watched anyone closely till I reached the stall I was looking for

"Can I help you?" He asked

"This necklace, How much would you give me for it?" I asked taking one of my mother's necklaces' from my pocket I didn't want to sell it or anything of my mothers but I had no choice not if we want to feed the children I'm sure she'd understand.

"Hummm" He pondered taking the necklace from my hand looking at it closely "Sisters?"

"Mothers" I reply

"How long has she had it?"

"She had it as long as I can remember," I answer

"she has given you permission? I hardly doubt a Lonely lady would hand this to her son to sell"

"she's Not with us anymore"

"I see..." He said, "How old are you?"

"Old enough"

"I'll give you... A few Shillings I suppose"

"You can't give me a pound at least? Their real pearls you know"

"Three Shillings, Take it or leave it," he said

"okay" I nodded so he put the necklace under his stall and handed me the money

"Anything else?" he asked and I nodded taking the rest of my mother's jewellery out my pocket I wanted to cry almost I hated myself for having to sell it all but what choice do I have, "Lovely" He smiled having a look at a few of the pieces "Some are worth more than others, some of its worthless... ohh thats nice," He says taking out a blue and silver ring

"No!" I said "Not that"

"Why not?"

"I can't sell it... She Made me promise"

"What did you promise out of curiosity?" he asked as he looked the ring over

"Its a family heirloom, for as far back as anyone remembers... Its been the engagement ring for my whole family"

"Best keep that then" He laughed handing it back "Shame... It's worth six pounds on its own"

"Six?" I asked in shock and he nodded "I- I can't,"

"Your loss" He shrugs "I'll give you four for the lot"

"Deal" I sighed he took it all away and gave me the money so I hid the money and the ring away going down the street as the stalls disappeared into the darkness and people got more desperate

"Darling..." A voice called from my side I glanced and a woman stood there leaning out from an old moth-eaten caravan with a rusty pair of scissors the metal chipped and broken "I heard you're looking for money?" I nodded a little afraid of her "There's a lot a young thing like you could do for me" she smirked

"Uhh Sorry I can't"

"Alright, If you change your mind sweetie I'll be here"

I kept walking as the mist grew thicker the sounds of water under the half-broken wooden planks until a Man jumped out at me he was dirty and dishevelled with strange tools in his pockets

"Hello there boy, what's a nice thing like you doing around here?"

"Just going for a walk" I answered

"You have nice teeth" he smirked "I'll pay you Five shillings a tooth"

"Okay" I nodded he lead me to the little office in a shed with a broken barbers chair he belted down my hands and feet sharpening one of his tools

"Shall I take the lot?"

"No!" I argued "Just uhh just the back four"

"Excellent" He smirked pushing my head back, I just shut my eyes and tried to relax as I felt his dirty tools around my mouth

Crack! loudly erupted from my jaw and I screamed as the pain shot through me My eyes welling up with tears I tried to fight against the restraints but I had little choice in it I tried to block out the horrible searing pain and taste of blood till he let me out everything hurt my mouth feeling bloody and empty I knew he had taken more than four but I couldn't do much about that now as he handed me my money so I wandered out to the pier again continuing to walk even in my pain till someone else approached me a woman with her hair falling out and her clothes covered in dirt

"Awww you're a sweet thing, Such Beautiful Hair" she smiled petting my hair "I'll give you five pounds for just a little of it" I didn't know how to answer so I just nodded she pulled my arm into her little caravan as her and an older woman I assume her mother came sitting me down getting a harsh brush and some scissors, she began to pull on my hair pulling and sniping over and over just pulling and snipping so much my head was raw each pull and tug painfully like they were trying to rip my hair right out of my head. till it was over and they gave me my money when I came out I saw the sun is to rise over the water all the sellers starting to pack away as the mist clears, so I began my slow and sombre walk through the empty town as the sun rose my feet struggling to move, my mouth bleeding and aching, my head almost bleeding in places too, my feet sometimes buckling or tripping on the cobblestones, smelling the beautiful scents of breakfast cooking starting to come out the houses everywhere making my stomach rumble and gurgle like it was trying to eat itself as I turned the corner to go down the alley and I saw Eliza stood at the front door looking worried she turned and saw me her face reading of relife for that brief second before her tears welled and her face turned to fear and worry.

"Alaki... What have you done?" she asked as she ran over I couldn't answer her I just started crying holding her as tight as I could "Ohh Alaki, come on get inside," she says pulling me inside doing me a cup of tea "Where did you go Last night?"

"The Market," I said it coming out a little slurred

"Ohh Alaki, why did you go down there?"

"We needed the money," I told her "I couldn't think of anything else," I said "We need food, we need rent, we need money for Makus' medicine... I know we have your pay but Eliza but I had to help"

"Your such a sweet thing" she smiled hugging me "Remind me tomorrow to fix your hair, whoever cut it needs glasses" she smiled petting my hair making me laugh a little

"She was very old she probably couldn't see" I laughed "Oww" I whined as my jaw hurt again

"What happened to your mouth?" she asks trying to look

"Please don't Eliza... it hurts" I whined shutting my mouth

"You Didn't sell your teeth did you?" she asks

"Not all of them" I answered

"How many?"

"Four... But I think he took five" I answered

"Ohh Alaki..." she sighed "You know you didn't have to do that"

"I wanted to help"

"Don't run off there again Alaki... Please, for me?"

"Alright Eliza" I smiled holding her close "I Promise"