The Guardian

Disclaimer: Well after three and a half years of hiatus, I decided it was time to finish this story. After all, it's always been one of my favorites. I obviously don't own any of the characters (that's Disney's domain) except for Sprite and Blake Williams, and the plot is all my own. I hope you enjoy this story and reviews are always appreciated! (I had 95 reviews for this story at last count; let's see if we can't top that hmm?)

-Libby :)

The Guardian

Chapter 1: Blake's Death

Elizabeth Williams paced nervously outside the door to her father's room. "How much longer is he going to be in there?" She muttered to herself before pivoting abruptly when the doctor's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do now. He's asking for you." Elizabeth turned to the door before the doctor spoke again. "Best to make his final arrangements and keep him as comfortable as possible," The doctor said gently. She nodded, wiping the tears out of her dark emerald eyes.

"Thank you for everything doctor." Elizabeth said. The doctor nodded and walked out of the room. Elizabeth walked slowly to her father's room; she knocked lightly at the door before Blake Williams called out,

"'s open," Elizabeth heard a loud cough from behind the door as she turned the knob. The sight that greeted her made her wince in pain. Her father lay frail and weak on his large bed. The wrinkles and lines on his face seemed to have deepened since the last hours she spent with him. In the past few weeks, his body had withered away to mere skin and bones.

"Papa, the doctor, well, the doctor he said..." She looked down at her pristine folded hands. She hated lying and had never been very good at it. "The doctor said you were going to get better." Blake smiled at his daughter's valiant effort to make him feel better.

"'s okay Elizabeth, I understand. I know I'm not gettin' better. Fact is I don't think I have much time left."

"No!" Elizabeth yelled out. "No, you can't leave me!" She rushed over and knelt next to his bed, instantly abandoning her attempt to be more adult-like. "Please Papa, hang on," she begged, "We'll get another doctor. Everything will be fine. You just need to hang on." Elizabeth grasped her father's hand tightly in her own, as if in an effort to keep him with her longer and not let him pass on.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth. I'm nearing the end." Elizabeth let out a loud sob, and her father squeezed her warm hand. As she looked at him, he spoke his final words. "Elizabeth, this is very important, look at me. There's a young man you need ta find. His name's Shawn Meyers, he's a newsboy. Are you listening? Shawn Meyers. You must find him and give him this letter. Alright? He's your guardian. You need ta find him. He'll take care o' you, understand?" She nodded. Blake Williams squeezed his daughter's hand a final time. "Remember, Shawn Meyers. I love you Elizabeth. Take care o' yourself, and him, he needs you. Goodbye Sweetheart. I love you." With that, Blake sank down onto his bed and left that world for another.

"No! Papa no! Come back!" Elizabeth cried. She leaned over his bed for several minutes before her face hardened and she walked out of the room, jaded at the tender age of 16. In a zombie-like state, she called the doctor back to take away her father's body. Elizabeth then began to pack as many of her prized possessions as she could fit into her small hand bag, before she lay down on her bed and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

The next morning came all too soon for the tall blonde, but she knew she had to get up. So, with much effort and a heavy heart, Elizabeth pulled herself out of bed, dressed and ate a minor breakfast. Elizabeth sat idle after she had eaten. Uncertain, and still in mourning, she decided she should find this Shawn person as soon as possible before something happened to her.

Well, she thought, here goes nothing. With that, she turned away from her now alien front door, bag in hand, and started off down the street. "Let's see, if I was a newsboy, where would I be?" Elizabeth asked herself. She walked around for hours looking futily for a sign of some sort showing her where to go. Finally, an idea struck. Why not ask a newsboy where to go? It was a genius idea, a brilliant idea, and would quite possibly have found her Shawn, except she didn't see any newsboys up selling their papers yet. No problem, I'll just go ask a store owner. I'm sure he'll know where I can look. She thought, a small smile present on her face.

"Excuse me sir!" Elizabeth called out to a man standing in front of a restaurant.

"Yes Miss, what can I do foah you?" Elizabeth thought for a moment about how to ask.

"Well, sir, I was wondering if you could tell me where I might be able to find a newsboy." The man chuckled, and looked at her oddly before asking,

"Are you lookin' foah a Manhattan Newsie, oah Brooklyn, oah Queens, Hahlem?" Elizabeth's expression quickly turned to one of dismay. Surely she would never find Shawn if there were this many places for him to be. Another idea struck. She could ask the other newsboys if they knew of him. Perfect, she thought.

"Um, Manhattan, where would I find them?" The owner laughed.

"Well, Miss, right ovah yondah I'd wagah, at the Newsboys' Lodging House." Elizabeth turned bright red. She hadn't seen the large sign hanging over an open building.

"Thank you sir!" Elizabeth called over her shoulder as she walked briskly over to the building. Elizabeth straightened her long white skirt and adjusted her vest and hat before walking up the dirty awaiting stairs.

Don't worry I'll update more later this week. The story is already finished, but please review! I LIVE for constructive criticism!! -L.