I run. I run faster than I have ever ran in my life. I'm not going back, no I can't go back. I can feel the goons behind me closing the gap between us. The next thing I know I'm pulled down behind a wagon and face to face with a boy who looks to be about two maybe three years older than me. He puts his fingers to his lips to tell me to be quiet before he looks over the wagon ever so slightly then breathes a sigh of relief. He starts saying something to me but I have no clue what it is. I point to my ear and begin to shake my head no. Realization washes over the boy as he puts it together. I'm deaf. He points to himself and overly enunciates JACK.
"Jack?" I say back to him. Luckily I read lips pretty well but it's still hard if the person talks too fast which this is New York, everyone speaks fast. He smiles and nods and then asks if I speak? I explain I didn't lose my hearing until my dad hit me too hard in the head one day when I was twelve and I haven't been able to hear ever since, but I can read lips if you speak slowly. After that he kicked me out of the house and I've been on my own for the past four years doing various small jobs to earn a little money and stealing when I couldn't find work. I'm the best pick pocket in New York. I smile proud of how well I've done for myself being deaf, a girl, and living on the streets.
"Why was Snyder after you?" He knows Snyder too.
"My dad used to work for him before he retired. My dad would pass me around to the other guards for them to do whatever they wanted with me and ever since I was kicked out Snyder's been after me to bring me back around."
"Well you are with Jack Kelly now and me and my boys ain't gonna let anything happen to you anymore." Wait this is the famous Jack Kelly that made all the papes a few years ago. He organized the strike on the papes. He must have noticed my eyes widening and realization hitting me. He laughs and gets off the ground and lends a hand to help me up.
"You gotta name?" Hmm no one has asked me that in a long time. Do I have a name? It been so long since I've heard it I don't remember what it is. I shrug my shoulders with an 'I don't know' expression. Jack gives that you poor thing look. I hate that look everyone gives that look when they find out I can't hear. I don't want his pity. I push him off the sidewalk.
"Don't give me that look Kelly I don't need a name and I can handle myself thank you very much." I huff. Stupid boy thinking I'm some kid. He laughs and puts his hands up for a truce.
"Alright alright, but I'm telling you the boys will come up with a name for you eventually." The boys? Is he really taking me to meet the newsboys from the papes? That's so exciting! I'm meeting famous people.