A north wind blew through the dark, empty, winding alleys of North London as the Sunday Gang threw oil and flaming rags into a rival gang’s hangout. The Sunday Gang, known for robbing churches, thus gaining their name, now turned to larson. Another gang, whose hideout now leapt up in flames, had murdered one of their own. Jack, the leader of the Sunday Gang, was a young, strong man of twenty. His face hid behind a thick black beard which corresponded with his bushy unkempt hair. Two dark eyes shot piercing stares at those Jack looked upon and a stark nose split them descending on a scowled mouth. As the fire spread to nearby buildings, the Scotland Yard could be heard in their carriages as they approached on the cobblestone road. The Gang split, and Jack ran swiftly with the Yard close behind. He dodged in and out of alleys jumping over heaps of trash and hiding in deep shadows. Ducking into an abandoned storefront, he waited until his pursuers passed and then disappeared into the hazy night. 

He woke with dismal light shining dimly through the unwashed store window. Smoke blurred the air, and he could hear voices in the distance. Rising from his hiding place, he walked toward the crowd. As he approached he could see that the fire had burned far more then he thought possible. Fire wagons lined the streets, some empty, some still waiting for their service to be needed. Many charred blocks lay before the growing crowd, and Jack turned to walk away. Just then, a man walking up spoke to him.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“Don’t know, I just got here,” Jack answered. His reply dripped with guilt and he moved away from the curious man before he could spit out another question. Tragedy and crime had followed Jack his whole life. He had never known his father, and the murder of his mother passed out of his thoughts years ago. Alleyways became home when he was fifteen, and crime became an occupation merely to survive. The Sunday Gang became the only family he knew.

Walking briskly hoping no one recognized him, he walked through the crowd and into the empty back streets. As he walked through a deserted road, a familiar voice called out in a low tone,

“Hey Jack.” He turned to face the speaker, and seeing a fellow gang member standing in a dark alley, he looked around making sure no one had followed him. Jack walked toward his friend.