Yes! here it is! The sequel to The Prize!

The sound of a voice shouting from high above him distracted Jack Kelly from his walk home.

"Hey! Cowboy! You coming up soon?"

He looked up and met the eyes of a young girl leaning out of the window. She smiled down and threw him a wave.

"Well?" she called over the noise of the Manhattan street.

Holding up one finger, indicating for her to give him a moment, he walked away. He sauntered toward the door and reached for the handle coolly. It opened before his fingertips even got close.

"Hey, Jack!" Queenie exclaimed, smiling at the boy.

Internally sighing, he smiled patronizingly back at her.

"What did I tell ya 'bout goin' out the window like dat?"

Crossing the threshold, he ignored her sighing.

"It's been three weeks-" she whined.

He nodded as he pulled off his hat and his jacked.

"I know, Queenie. But wese gotta keep you outta sight until Ise can tell Spot-"

Queenie gave him a sharp look.

"You are not going to tell Spot that I'm here."

Jack sighed and plopped down on the front stairwell step.

"Fine."

Smiling in relief, she walked over and sat by him.

"Thanks, Cowboy that-"

He cut her off.

"Youse're gonna tell him."

She turned to him and just laughed.

"You know that is not happening, Jack."

A sad smile crept over Jack's lips.

"Yeah. Ise know, Queenie."

Patting her on the shoulder sympathetically, he stood and moved to walk up the stairs. But, when he reached the first landing, he turned and looked back at her.

"Queenie?"

She locked eyes with him.

"Yes?"

After a long beat, he shrugged.

"Hese gonna find youse been here eventually. Youse know dat."

Queenie nodded.

"Yes. But I hope I'm far from New York when he finds out."


Ghost threw his fist against Spot's door for the third time that evening.

"Spot!" he screamed, kicking the door with his dirtied boot, leaving a streak of mud across the wood.

Frustration coursed through the boy as he waited for a response from his leader. Three weeks had passed since The Night.

The boys partied downstairs, letting their victory fuel their party. Boys drank, sang, joked, gambled, and enjoyed their win over Queens. Until the sound of a loud crash ruined the joyous celebration. Instantly, the entire room went silent. Another smash broke the stillness, and all heads turned toward Ghost. The newsie looked back blankly, shocked speechless.

"God dammit!" Spot's voice shouted.

Something loud ricocheted off of a wall. Ghost sighed and stood.

"I'll be right back."

Jumping two steps at a time, the boy flew upstairs. Turning the corner, he threw the door to Queenie's bedroom open.

"Get out," Spot shouted, picking up his cane and raising it toward his second in command.

Throwing his hands up and wrenching the cane out of Spot's grasp, Ghost threw his leader a shocked look.

"What happened?"

But his leader was in hysterics. Furiously, he slammed the door behind Ghost and began going through the room, trying to destroy everything that reminded him of the girl. Dripping the walking stick, the lieutenant grabbed his leader by the wrists and held him still. He asked again.

"What happened?"

Spot locked his jaw and looked away. Ghost slapped him unabashedly.

"Spot."

Looking back at his subordinate, he furiously blinked tears back.

"She's gone."


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