The lost one

Ora sat on a pile of creates in the worst part of town in London. Across the street, a man yelled his thoughts into a crowd of people who had come to listen to him and agree. They were talking about the work conditions for the people who lived in this area. whitechapel was a sad place where some of the worst people lived but there were many suffering here too. Herself included.

Ora couldn't work like most of the people here though. The work they did may have been dangerous but at least they were higher on the food chain than she was. She had to take what she needed and hope she wouldn't get caught. When he started making examples he pointed out many with injuries including her even though she wasn't even apart of his rally. Ora glared at the man and stood up. "Mind ya own business! I didn't get half blind workin for no one! ya stupid bastard!" She called to him as she jumped down from the crates and began walking away down the street muttering to herself when she heard the man yell back. "What did ya say!" She heard him call to her before she heard him running after her. Looking back she saw the man running at her which caused her to run.

A young man had been watching the scene from the safety of the shadows both for safety, as well as to help his splitting headache. He didn't seem like he belonged there as his clothes and behaviour seemed to suggest he was a wealthy man. His tinted spectacles were another suggestion that there was something different with him.

He watched the man use the young woman as an example, and he couldn't help but chuckle at her reply. She certainly seemed to be an interesting character. The young man snapped back to reality upon seeing the grizzled old man chasing the woman, and clenched his fists. He knew full well what a man like that was capable of, and a bruised ego certainly wasn't going to help the situation. In less than a moment, the young man gave chase. He followed the two, stumbling every now and again, but he closed the distance rather quickly for a man in his current condition. The young man quickly grabbed the man, using the momentum to toss him into an alley, and was on top of him in the blink of an eye.
"So, the young lady goes against you, refusing to be a puppet, and your first instinct is deal grievous bodily harm?! Even animals are better than filth like you" the young man hissed angrily before hitting the man square in the nose.

Ora skidded to a stop to look back. She couldn't help but laugh as she saw the young basically toss the older man into the ally. She didn't know who this man was or why he had even bothered to help her but she was thankful to him. The older man cried out in pain as he was struck in the knose and went to get up. He gave Ora a dirty look. "I see you again bitch and i'll kill ya." He said before walking off. "Ya gotta catch me first!" She called back with a breathless laugh.

Closing her eyes she leaned against the wall as she felt her breaths getting shallower. It was her Asthma acting up and if she couldn't get out of the cold winter air it would only get worse. She clutched her hand to her chest and began gasping and trying to breathe as she slid down the wall.

The young man watched with a smile as the older man disappeared, and he felt a mixture of pride and happiness. Once he could no longer see the man, Edward turned to face the young woman, dipping his head slightly before looking at her. She didn't seem to be in the best condition, and most people in the area couldn't afford to see a doctor, let alone pay for medication. Edward lowered himself to her level, studying her for a moment.
"Miss, I see you are not doing too well. Would you allow me to tend to you" Edward asked gently, trying not to come off as a threat. "You need not worry about payment, miss, if that is a concern for you. I'm not one of those doctors."

Ora continued to gasp and fight for air as she looked up at him. She could hear him and understood what he was saying but wasn't sure if she could trust him. She was sure of one thing however if she didn't do something this could kill her and she had no intention of dying this early in her life. Looking up at him she gave him a simple nod as it was really the only answer she could give him. She couldn't talk because she could hardly breathe and if this man could help her she would let him. Reaching out she gripped his shoulder as she tried to stand back up but found it difficult. She hopped and preyed this man was kind enough to save her without asking for something she couldn't give.

Edward draped the woman's arm over his shoulders, and wrapped an arm around her waist to support her lower back. He quickly lead her to his office a few blocks away, unlocked the door, and led her inside to a gurney. He helped her take a seat before he searched various bottles lining a shelf. Edward quickly poured a liquid into modified bell jar placed over a burner, and held an odd looking mask over the woman's nose and mouth whilst he operated a small air pump. The pump helped move the medicated steam up to the young woman's face, and it would only be a moment or two before the medication kicked in.

There were documents and drawings scattered around the office. Various medical books and bottles lined the shelves, and a large locked cabinet sat behind the mahogany desk.
"Are you feeling any better, Miss" Edward asked curiously as he lifted the mask slightly.

Ora had noticed this doctors office awhile back but had never gone inside. She had figured she would have gotten the same treatment any other doctor would give. The whole money or no help thing had gotten old for her. Once she was inside and on the gurney she watched him grab what he needed off the shelves and begin working. She didn't know what the mask was for but soon after the medician he had made began pumping she could breathe again. Closing her eyes she relaxed some as she took deep breaths.

Looking up at him when he spoke she nodded. "Y-yes. Thank you." She said as he lifted the mask from her face. Looking around she could see the papers and drawings laying about. She then looked back up at the man who had probably saved her life. She shouldn't have been out in the cold winter air. She knew this but it wasn't like she had anywhere else to go.

Edward watch the young woman, and played close attention to her breathing. He was glad she was doing better, but he knew it was a problem she would never get rid of.
"You're quite welcome, miss" Edward said with a small smile. He cleared away his equipment, and set some things aside to be washed. "Forgive me for asking, miss, but what were you doing out in the cold with your asthma? Do you not have a home to go to?" Edward hoped that she would not be angry with him for asking such questions, but he was genuinely concerned that she had nowhere to go.

"You can call me Ora." She said a little tired of him calling her miss all the time. She gave him a soft smile. "I'm afraid I don't, unless you mean the small shelter I built a few alleys away." She said still smiling a bit. After a moment she got to her feet. "Well, I have to be going. It's getting to be evening and if I want a meal I have to go now. The restaurants will be tossing out food around this time." Ora said with a soft chuckle. "Thank you again for your help. I'll try to pay you back." She said before walking towards the door.

Edward stood there for a moment, deep in thought. This young woman lived on the streets, and her meals were the scraps that the restaurants tossed out?! That was no way for a person to live, and he couldn't allow her to live like that with her health issues.
"Ora, wait! I cannot, in good faith, allow you to return to a life on the streets" Edward said with a sigh. He looked around the office at it's current state, and let out a sigh. "As you can see, I am in need of an assistant. I will provide food, and you are welcome to live here. All I ask is that you help around the office."

Ora seemed curious. "You're offering me a job?" She asked. She had been looking for work for some time but had refused to take up her mother's profession. Taking a moment to think about it she nodded. "I don't know how I can even think about passing such an offer up." She said giving him another smile. "I need to go get what few things I have where I've been sleeping... I'll be right back." She said with a smile before leaving his office.

This had to be her luckiest day ever. This man had done so much in such a small amount of time and she couldn't help but feel happy. Something she hadn't felt in such a long time. Rounding the corner she picked up what she wanted. All the items she owned in the world were stored in a small bag which hung over her shoulder as she began making her way back to his office.

Edward went to his small apartment upstairs, and gathered some spare blankets and a soft pillow which he carried downstairs, preparing a bed for Ora. He headed to the kitchen, and prepared a simple meal while he waited for Ora to return. He found it amazing that people with such afflictions could survive on the streets, so Ora must have had some fight in her. Edward added some spice to the curry, tasting it before adding some more spice.

It didn't take Ora long to get her things. She was going to kind of miss this old shelter but if things worked out she would have somewhere warm to sleep. Leaving the Alley she made her way back to the doctor's office where she would now be staying. She made it there just as it started snowing. Now she was really glad she had accepted his offer of letting her stay there. "I'm back." She called letting him know it was her.

Edward was almost finished with the time Ora returned. He set the lid on the pot, and turned down the heat before making his way to Ora.
"Ahh, wonderful, you're back" Edward said with a smile. He led Ora upstairs to the apartment. Again, there were papers everywhere, books lying on reasonably flat surfaces. "So your room is that one over there" Edward said as he pointed to the door on the right at the end of a short hall. "My room is next to yours, the end of the hall. The study is strictly off limits, that's the only rule. Just let me know where you've put the papers, and if you've put them in any specific order." Edward thought for a moment, and smiled. "Other than that, you're free to come and go as you please, just let me know."

Ora nodded smiling. "I understand." She said before taking her bag to her new room which she honestly liked. Placing her bag on her new bed she looked out the window which had a view of the street below. The snow was really coming down now which was nice now that she didn't have to sleep outside. The food smelt good and made her stomach growl. Walking back out of her room she closed the door behind her and went back out to where the doctor was. "Is there anything I can do to help with the food?" She asked with a small smile.

"It's quite alright, Ora. Now, allow me to introduce myself. I am Edward Tiberius Steinhauer, a doctor, as you know" Edward said with a smile as he dipped into a bow. He made his way to the kitchen, and dished up some curry and rice for the both of them. "I've a friend from Bangladesh whose wife prepares curry pastes for me. It makes life a bit easier." Edward set the plates on the table, and sat down to eat. He was definitely hungry, and he was sure that she was too.

Ora moved to sit down at the table and looked down at her plate. She had never had, curry before but she assumed it was good since so many people seemed to enjoy it. Picking up a spoon she took a bite and smiled. "This is very good." She told him. She did her best not to be rude and stuff her face. She hadn't eaten an actual meal in almost two years. She was used to eating out of garbage cans and taking leftover food from restaurants and not shoveling the food into her mouth was hard.

Edward ate his food in peace, not really paying any attention to Ora. He mopped up the curry sauce with some bread, and carefully wiped his mouth with his napkin. He wondered how long she had been on the streets, but it would be rude to ask her such a question. Instead, Edward quickly finished his meal, and began washing the dishes.
"Tell me, Ora, can you read and write" Edward asked casually as he scrubbed a pot.

Ora finished her food and brought her plate to be washed. Sitting it in the sink she looked up when he asked his question. "Uh no, I can't." She said feeling a little embarrassed about that fact. "M-my family never had the means to teach me those things." She admitted with a sad smile as she walked back to the table and took a seat. She hadn't thought about her family in such a long time and mentioning them had brought back memories of them.

"Ah, I see. I will arrange for some lessons for you with Madam Rowan. It will make your job here easier, and it will help you find future employment should you seek it." Edward finished washing the dishes, and set them aside to dry before making his way over to the couch where he collapsed onto it, enjoying how comfortable it was. He checked his pocket watch, and let out a contented sigh as he closed his eyes. He wasn't sleeping, he was just relaxing his eyes for a bit as they had started jumping and twitching.

Ora nodded with a smile. "Thank you so much Mr. Steinhauer." She told him before looking out one of the windows. "I'll be going to sleep now. I'll start picking up as soon as I wake up." She said leaving him on the couch to rest. He had seemed quite tired and she figured he was a busy man being a doctor and all. Going into her room she sat down on her bed and looked out at the now snow-covered street. She was very glad not to be inside a warm room and not sleeping in her small shelter built out of crates and old blankets. Taking her old worn boots off she crawled into bed and pulled the blankets over herself before drifting off to sleep.

About an hour later, Edward rose to his feet, and made his way to the study. He did a quick sketch to try explain that he would be out for a while, and that he would be at the nearest Chinese restaurant. He slipped the papers under Ora's door, grabbed his scarf, and left for the nearest Chinese restaurant.

As soon as he arrived, one of the ladies led him downstairs to the opium den where he would remain for some time. Edward collapsed onto a pile of plush pillows, and lit up a pipe, inhaling the smoke as he closed his eyes. One of the ladies kept a close eye on him to ensure his safety. It was not long after that he finally fell asleep, and the lady set the pipe aside and covered him with a blanket.

Ora slept through the night and woke early the next morning like she always did. You had to get up early when you lived on the streets like she had. Washing her face she changed into the only spare set of clothes she had before going for her bedroom door. Looking down at the floor she found the note he had left though she wasn't sure he when he had written it. It wasn't like she could really read it so she put it on the small table beside her bed and left her room.

She stacked the papers in the apartment in two piles. One pile was for documents and the other pile was for the drawings. Once she was sure she had picked up the whole of the apartment she went down to his doctor's office and did the same, piling the documents in one pile and the drawings in another.

Edward returned around lunchtime the next day, stumbling into the house, tripping over his own feet. He plopped down on the couch, and kicked off his shoes, letting out a sigh of relief as he did so. He set a large bamboo container on the table, and lifted the lid revealing a number of steamed pork buns. Edward took one out, and ate it slowly, battling a bit.
"Good morning, Ora" Edward said with a small yawn, having no concept of time at that point.

Ora was looking through one of the books which had been laying on the floor when he came in. She couldn't read the words but she liked the pictures. She knew why he was acting the way he was but she wasn't going to pass any judgments on him. She had seen men and women coming from the opium den by the Chinese restaurant down the street. "Have a good time out Mr. Steinhauer?" She asked with a knowing smile. She preferred a different way of getting high but to each there own. "What are those?" She asked having seen people carrying those bamboo cases but never really seeing what was inside.