Chapter One

Summery: When Jack goes missing it sends the rest of the Newsie world in to complete and utter chaos. Those who were seen as sweet and innocent are now cold-blooded murders, the strong break, and the weak triumph. A tale of: fear, strength, love and tragedy.

AN: Hey all, yes I know I have returned with yet another new story hopefully this one I will finish. I plan on it at least; I have BIG plans for this story with big surprise waiting in almost every chapter. So to my avid readers and to those just stopping by to see what this story has… I hope you like it and I PROMISE I will finish this one.

Disclaimer: I do not own Newsies, Disney has that pleasure. I do not own Knots; she has the pleasure of owning herself. I do however own Trinket and any other characters that may pop up.

And It All Begins

Jack blinked a few times trying to get his vision to focus. Everything around him was blurry and all he could make out was a long and winding staircase that seemed to lead to nowhere. His head was pounding with pain, and the rest of his body felt like he had fall twenty stories and shattered every bone. A soft trickle of blood was streaming down the side of his face; he reached up and wiped it away, feeling a deep gash on his cheek. He winced slightly from the stinging sensation. He could hardly move, but it didn't matter he had to try and at least get out of where ever he was. Taking no notice of the pool of blood he had been laying in, Jack tried to stand. His legs wobbled and he collapsed back to the ground.

God damn it, Jack thought to himself. I have to get out of here, wherever here is. Why cant' I remember what happened to me…Suddenly a voice rang out in his head, echoing in his hears. That voice he had tried for years to forget.

" I told you I would get even. I told you I'd make you pay Cowboy. I'm going to make you wish you had of died tonight…"

Jack's face went whiter then it had already been. He had to get out of there; he had to get back to Manhattan. He had to warn her, to save her. He called out for help, but no sound came only more pain. It hurt to breath and his breath was becoming shallower. NO! This can't happed I have to save her… Jack thought as everything around him went black. Jack's head hit the pavement, eyes closed, breath weak and losing blood fast.

Knots woke with a start, she was soaked in sweat and her eyes were wide. Her heart was racing and she was shaking slightly. " Jack..." She whispered softly into the silence of the empty bunkroom. She looked around her slowly, a soft trickle of light had snuck threw the closed curtains and had lit up most of the room. Knots closed her soft blue eye for a moment, trying to calm her self down. It didn't matter what she did she couldn't escape it. The thought that Jack was laying dead in an alley way somewhere haunted her dreams and gnawed at her core while she was awake. He had been missing for almost four days and it was driving Knots to the edge of insanity. Taking a deep breath she opened her eyes and pulled the curtain back. Already the people of Manhattan were out an about, young children playing about in the street, the elderly men making there way to work as the woman headed to market and there was the odd pair of young lovers strolling down the side walk. Knots could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, but she wouldn't cry, she couldn't cry. She had to be strong; Jack would want her to be strong. Just then there was a knock at the door and a young red head made her way quietly into the room. She walked over and sat down next to Knots on the bed.

" Hey Knots…" She said softly. " How are you holding up?"

Knots didn't take her eyes away from the window as she spoke. " I'm doing my best Trink, but it's hard. All I can think about is him laying dead in an alley somewhere." Her voice was heavy with sadness and despair.

Trinket bit her lip lightly and sighed a little. " Don't think that Knots. Come on don't give up faith. You know Jack's a fighter and he can take good care of himself. I'm sure whatever situation he's in that he will come out of it no worse for wear. We'll find him soon. Spot's got all of 'Hattan, Brooklyn, Queens and most of the Bronx looking for him. Don't worry, we're going to find him."

Knots turned and smiled softly at her. She had always been there for her and always did what she could to make her feel better. She was always trying to find the silver lining to every grey cloud, using most of her time trying to fix everyone else problems and forgetting about her own. But that was just the kind of person Trinket was. Always there for everyone else but never there for herself.

" Thanks Trink. Your right, I'm just getting myself worked up."

" That a girl. But hun, I have to go check in with Spot and see if he as any new news. I will be back in an hour or so. Just get yourself something to eat and relax, try and calm down. Race has offered to stay here and make sure your okay. So if you need anything just let him know okay. Don't worry, its going to be okay."

Knots nodded a little and gave her a hug. " I know. Thank you."

Trinket smiled softly at her. " I'll be back soon."

Knots watched her walk out of the bunkroom and then turned back to the window. She watched as Trinket hurried off down the street towards the Brooklyn Bridge. Knots sighed a little and when she was sure that Trinket was out of sight, she buried her face in her pillow and let the tears flow out.

Trinket hurried along the streets of Manhattan, she didn't like going anywhere by herself anymore. To her the streets that had been her home for so long were now one of the most dangerous places on earth. She wasn't allowed to cross the bridge or to leave Manhattan, Spot figured she was safer there. But in Trinket's mind she was safer where ever Spot was staying. She didn't argue though, that would only make matters worse. Spot had become more emotional and touchy since Jack had vanished. It seemed that the two of them argued now more then ever, even if they only saw each other twice a day. Trinket was to check in with Spot once in the morning and once in the evening, so that he could make sure she was okay and that both her and Knots could been kept up to date on how Jack's search was coming. She slowed her pace as she rounded the last corner and the bridge came into view. A small smile crept across her face as she got closer and could clearly see Spot leaning against the railing of the bridge, squinting into the rising sun and puffing away on a cigarette. He glanced over at her and smirked.

" Mornin' Trink. How are ya doll?" His voice was soft and muffled by the cigarette in his mouth.

" I'm living." She smiled softly at him." But Knots can't take much more of this, have you heard anything yet?"

The look in his eyes told her the answer before he had even spoken. " I'm sorry… I haven't heard anything about where he is now. But… I heard where he was last seen. Some dame saw him in an alley near Central Park getting soaked by a guy with black hair. They didn't get a good look at his face or nothin' cause they were too busy hurryin' away. But they think he had bright blue eyes and a scar runnin' down the left side of his face."

Trinket's eyes widened and he jaw drop, but she tried to hide the worry in her voice as she spoke. " Spot… you don't think …"

He nodded a little. " Ya I do think it's him Trink, and if we're right we gotta keep a close eye on Knots. If he's back he'll want to take everything away from Jack, and that means taking her from him. This could start getting really messy and I want to be extra careful, so I asked Boxer and a few of the Brooklyn boys to keep a watch over the 'Hattan Lodging house."

Trinket sighed a little. " Spot I can take care of myself, plus Race and all the fella's are there. But if you think it will help then okay." She didn't want to start the day of fighting.

Spot smiled at her. " That a girl. But there's one more thing… I don't want you wandering around in the streets. I want ya stayin' inside unless one of the boys is with ya… So, Boxer's going to be making the check ins from now on …" He looked away as he said the last part, knowing the argument that would come after.

" You have to be kidding me. I have been running threw the streets for the last four days he could have come after me then but now that you think you know who it is I suddenly cant! Plus I've gone from seeing you whenever I want, two only twice a day to God only know when I'll see you now!"

" Trinket calm down. Come on don't freak out. I promise I'll stop by when ever I can to make sure your okay. This wont last long, it's all going to be over soon. I swear it."

Trinket could feel the tears welling in her eyes. " I can't believe this! It can't be happening! I almost lost you once when you trying to be the hero! I swear to God if something happens to you…if I loose you…" She was choking on her words as the tears slowly started to fall.

" Come on don't say things like that baby. You're not going to loose me, you know nothing can keep me down. I'm not trying to be the hero, but Jack needs me, this is something I have to do. He's the closest thing I got to a brother and I don't want to loose him. You and I both know he would do the same for me." Spot spoke softly and he pulled her in close to him. " Please don't cry Trinket… Everything is going to be okay. I promise."

She nodded slowly as she wiped away the tears that had fallen, her eyes glancing up to his. He smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. " I love you Spot. No matter what happens just remember that okay. I love you." Her voice was soft and shaky. He hugged her closer and she buried her face in his chest. Spot wanted so badly to say it back but the words just wouldn't come out. He did love her, he knew he loved her, but he just couldn't say it.

" I know…" He said softly, kicking him self mentally for the lame reply. He pulled back a little and smiled at her, he didn't say a word, just simply leaned down and kissed her lips softly. He wished so badly that they could stay in that moment forever and just ignore all the trouble around them. Both of them knew that things were going to get a lot worse before they could get better. However neither of them had any idea just how difficult the time to come were going to be.

An: Well there you have it. The first chapter is up. I know there is a certain Jack obsessie out there who is happy to have the chapter up but rather upset about the story line ( hehe). I hope you all enjoyed it. The next chappy will be up as soon as I can it typed out. Just a head up… this story isn't as lovey dovey and light hearted as my other… its got a much, much darker side.

Lots of Love

R&R Trinket