Chapter 1
~ Midnight, New York Refuge~
A cool clear night in the streets of New York, almost silent, except for the hollering of a few drunk bums and horse hooves pounding on the streets. Suddenly, police whistles, shouting men and sirens, broke the peace.
"Where's she at? How did she get out?" Bellowed a large white man with thin white hair dressed in a gray suit, as he waved around his fists angrily.
"I don't know Warden Snyder, Sir. But we did a bunk check, she's the only one missing and none of the other girls know where she's at", replied a tall thin officer.
"Of course they say they don't know what happened to her. What? Did you think they were going to paint a picture telling you where she went?" Snyder replied angrily. The officer only hung his head, not knowing how to answer.
"Don't worry sir we'll find her", he replied quickly thinking of something to break the silence between them.
"Well, you had better Christopher. Not a man will rest until Annelexis O'Conner is back in this refuge serving the time she deserves", commanded Snyder as his face turned red and his features strained. Nodding quickly the officer ran off towards the gate blowing his whistle.
~A few blocks away~
Rapid footsteps and labored breathing could be heard coming down an alley, stopping just inside a doorway as the person tried to catch their breath. The figure of a teenage boy dressed in a dirty old, once white shirt and black faded, torn slack held up by ragged suspenders stepped out of the shadows laughing in between gasps of air. Leaning against the wall he wiped the sweat from his brow and removed his cap, as he lent his head back it was obvious that "he" was actually a "she"! Licking her lips she shook her head slightly with a smirk.
"Oh boy. Dat was fun. Maybe I should do it again sometim'... Nah". She said sarcastically in a Brooklyn accent as she laughed to herself. "Well, I guess I bettah get movin' 'fore dey com' lookin' fo' me". Pushing off the wall with a sigh she placed her cap back on her head, took a deep breath and started down the alley again.
Upon reaching the street she heard the fast approaching sound of police whistles behind her.
"Dammit, De Bulls! Dey's on me trail", looking around quickly she ran to the closest door and tried the knob only to find it locked. She then pulled back into the shadows trying to hide. The police came running out of the alley, closely followed by Snyder.
"Spread out and find her! I don't care if it takes you all night! We will find her!", Yelled Snyder as he stepped into the alley, looking around with a critical eye.
Holding her breath, the girl wished she could melt through the wall and get away. Just then the door she was leaning against opened causing her to fall backwards into a young man of about 17 with chin length auburn hair. Surprised, the boy caught her and then glanced up to see who was yelling. Upon seeing Snyder he pulled her inside, closed the door and locked it.
"Damn. I tought he'd be gon' by now. What'd 'e do? Go get e'ery Bull in New Yawk an' com' back ta wait fo' me?", the boy thought out loud. Looking up at the boy, Annelexis as Snyder called her stood watching him.
"Na, dey ain' fo' you. He's afta' me", Alex replied as she adjusted her cap.
"Fo' you? Why?", He asked curiously looking her up and down cautiously.
"'Cause I brok' out o' da refuge an' Snyds got 'is eye on me", She replied sassily as she stole a glance out the window, finding that Snyder and the Bulls had moved on.
"Well dat makes two o' us. Me names Kelly, Jack Kelly. What's yours?", He asked as he sat down on the stairs, still watching her.
Hesitating a bit she looked him over before answering. "Alex", she replied spitting in her hand and offering it to Jack. Following her lead he spit in his hand and shook hers firmly.
"Alex, huh? You'se got a las' name?", Jack questioned as he stood, pushing his hair from his eyes.
"Shore I gots a las' name. But dat ain' impor'in. What is, is dat Snyds gone an' dat means I'se gonna be leavin' too", she replied as she started to head for the door.
"'ey, 'old up a minute", Jack called as moved towards her. "You'se gots a place ta stay?"
"Yeah I'se gots a place o'er in Brooklyn. What's it to ya?", she replied defensively still moving towards the door.
"Brooklyn?", Jack asked shaking her head. "It's too late ta be wanderin' roun' Brooklyn. Why don' you'se com' wit me. Ya can stay at da lodge hous' 'ere tonight".
Turning around to face him with an aggitated look she replied, "What? You'se think I can' take care o' meself?"
Backing up a bit He held up his hands defensivly. "Nah, I didn' mean notin' like, dat. I was jus' tryin' tah be nice. Dat's all."
Sighing lightly, she opened the door and then looked to Jack thinking. "Why you wanna help me?", she asked staring at the night sky.
"Cause I know what it's like tah have Snyder aftah ya and nowhere tah go" he replied watching her.
She quickly turned back to him annoyed. "I already told ya I'se got a place tah stay. What, you don' believe me o' sometin'?"
"I nevah said I didn't believe ya. It's jus', I can tell when someone ain't tellin' da complete truth. So com' on, I'm 'eaded o'er dere now. You'se can com' wit me, de guys 'il love ya. You'll fit righ' in", He assured putting his arm around her shoulder.
Looking up at him for second, she thought about slugging him but decided not to, smirking to herself she though ~ Who am I tah look a gift horse in dah mouth? Yeah I'se fit righ' in. Shore, 'e woul'n say dat if 'e knew I'se a goil~. "Awight, shore, why not. Ain' got notin' ta lose".
"'K le's go", Jack replied, leading her out the door and down the street.
~New York Newsboys' Lodge~
"'ere it is, de New Yawk newsies Lodge, me temporary hom'", Jack explained with a smile. "De doors proba'ly locked, but Kloppman 'ill be waitin' up fo' me. 'e'll let us in". Jack walked up the steps leading to the door and knocked.
"Wait o' minute, did you'se say Kloppman?", Alex asked taking a step back.
"Yeah, he's da keep o' dis 'ere lodge", He replied turning back to the door, knocking again.
~I can't go in dere. Klopp 'ill recognize me an' den me covahs gonna be blown~ Alex thought to herself, but before she could decide to leave the door opens. An old wrinkled white haired man with wire frame specs stepped out looking out at Jack and Alex.
"I was beginin' ta wonda' if you'se was comin' o' not Jack. Who'se ya friend?", He asked stepping out onto the stoop, in an effort to get a better look at the new comer. Alex casually looked down at her shoes as she pulled her cap down covering part of her face.
"Oh, dat's Alex. Snyders aftah 'im so I tol' 'im he could bunk 'ere tonight, 'fore headin' ovah ta Brooklyn in da mornin'", Jack explained as he headed inside. "Com' on Alex, I'll show ya where you'se can sleep tonight".
Kloppman squinted against the dark trying to get a better look at Alex's face. But finding it to no avail, he shrugged and went inside after Jack. Letting out a sigh of relief Alex headed up after the two and closed the door behind her.
"Well, now dat you'se 'ere I can go ta bed. See you'se guys in da mornin'. O an' don' forget tah sign in", Kloppman called as he headed into his small room to crash on the old squeaky bed.
"He's a nice guy, dat Kloppman. Watches out fo' us newsies", Jack commented as he walked over to the desk and signed both their names. He then started up the stairs. "'ey you'se commin' o' you'se gonna sleep on da stairs?", He asked joking. With a nod Alex followed Jack up the flight of stairs and into the dark bunkroom. "You'se can sleep 'ere", Jack whispered pointing to the top bunk of a bed next to them. "I'll take da bottom, See you'se in da mornin'" He called as he settled on the bed and fell asleep.
After gazing around the room and listening to the many forms of snoring for a bit, Alex finally relaxed, laid her head against the pillow and fell into a well deserved slumber.
A cool clear night in the streets of New York, almost silent, except for the hollering of a few drunk bums and horse hooves pounding on the streets. Suddenly, police whistles, shouting men and sirens, broke the peace.
"Where's she at? How did she get out?" Bellowed a large white man with thin white hair dressed in a gray suit, as he waved around his fists angrily.
"I don't know Warden Snyder, Sir. But we did a bunk check, she's the only one missing and none of the other girls know where she's at", replied a tall thin officer.
"Of course they say they don't know what happened to her. What? Did you think they were going to paint a picture telling you where she went?" Snyder replied angrily. The officer only hung his head, not knowing how to answer.
"Don't worry sir we'll find her", he replied quickly thinking of something to break the silence between them.
"Well, you had better Christopher. Not a man will rest until Annelexis O'Conner is back in this refuge serving the time she deserves", commanded Snyder as his face turned red and his features strained. Nodding quickly the officer ran off towards the gate blowing his whistle.
~A few blocks away~
Rapid footsteps and labored breathing could be heard coming down an alley, stopping just inside a doorway as the person tried to catch their breath. The figure of a teenage boy dressed in a dirty old, once white shirt and black faded, torn slack held up by ragged suspenders stepped out of the shadows laughing in between gasps of air. Leaning against the wall he wiped the sweat from his brow and removed his cap, as he lent his head back it was obvious that "he" was actually a "she"! Licking her lips she shook her head slightly with a smirk.
"Oh boy. Dat was fun. Maybe I should do it again sometim'... Nah". She said sarcastically in a Brooklyn accent as she laughed to herself. "Well, I guess I bettah get movin' 'fore dey com' lookin' fo' me". Pushing off the wall with a sigh she placed her cap back on her head, took a deep breath and started down the alley again.
Upon reaching the street she heard the fast approaching sound of police whistles behind her.
"Dammit, De Bulls! Dey's on me trail", looking around quickly she ran to the closest door and tried the knob only to find it locked. She then pulled back into the shadows trying to hide. The police came running out of the alley, closely followed by Snyder.
"Spread out and find her! I don't care if it takes you all night! We will find her!", Yelled Snyder as he stepped into the alley, looking around with a critical eye.
Holding her breath, the girl wished she could melt through the wall and get away. Just then the door she was leaning against opened causing her to fall backwards into a young man of about 17 with chin length auburn hair. Surprised, the boy caught her and then glanced up to see who was yelling. Upon seeing Snyder he pulled her inside, closed the door and locked it.
"Damn. I tought he'd be gon' by now. What'd 'e do? Go get e'ery Bull in New Yawk an' com' back ta wait fo' me?", the boy thought out loud. Looking up at the boy, Annelexis as Snyder called her stood watching him.
"Na, dey ain' fo' you. He's afta' me", Alex replied as she adjusted her cap.
"Fo' you? Why?", He asked curiously looking her up and down cautiously.
"'Cause I brok' out o' da refuge an' Snyds got 'is eye on me", She replied sassily as she stole a glance out the window, finding that Snyder and the Bulls had moved on.
"Well dat makes two o' us. Me names Kelly, Jack Kelly. What's yours?", He asked as he sat down on the stairs, still watching her.
Hesitating a bit she looked him over before answering. "Alex", she replied spitting in her hand and offering it to Jack. Following her lead he spit in his hand and shook hers firmly.
"Alex, huh? You'se got a las' name?", Jack questioned as he stood, pushing his hair from his eyes.
"Shore I gots a las' name. But dat ain' impor'in. What is, is dat Snyds gone an' dat means I'se gonna be leavin' too", she replied as she started to head for the door.
"'ey, 'old up a minute", Jack called as moved towards her. "You'se gots a place ta stay?"
"Yeah I'se gots a place o'er in Brooklyn. What's it to ya?", she replied defensively still moving towards the door.
"Brooklyn?", Jack asked shaking her head. "It's too late ta be wanderin' roun' Brooklyn. Why don' you'se com' wit me. Ya can stay at da lodge hous' 'ere tonight".
Turning around to face him with an aggitated look she replied, "What? You'se think I can' take care o' meself?"
Backing up a bit He held up his hands defensivly. "Nah, I didn' mean notin' like, dat. I was jus' tryin' tah be nice. Dat's all."
Sighing lightly, she opened the door and then looked to Jack thinking. "Why you wanna help me?", she asked staring at the night sky.
"Cause I know what it's like tah have Snyder aftah ya and nowhere tah go" he replied watching her.
She quickly turned back to him annoyed. "I already told ya I'se got a place tah stay. What, you don' believe me o' sometin'?"
"I nevah said I didn't believe ya. It's jus', I can tell when someone ain't tellin' da complete truth. So com' on, I'm 'eaded o'er dere now. You'se can com' wit me, de guys 'il love ya. You'll fit righ' in", He assured putting his arm around her shoulder.
Looking up at him for second, she thought about slugging him but decided not to, smirking to herself she though ~ Who am I tah look a gift horse in dah mouth? Yeah I'se fit righ' in. Shore, 'e woul'n say dat if 'e knew I'se a goil~. "Awight, shore, why not. Ain' got notin' ta lose".
"'K le's go", Jack replied, leading her out the door and down the street.
~New York Newsboys' Lodge~
"'ere it is, de New Yawk newsies Lodge, me temporary hom'", Jack explained with a smile. "De doors proba'ly locked, but Kloppman 'ill be waitin' up fo' me. 'e'll let us in". Jack walked up the steps leading to the door and knocked.
"Wait o' minute, did you'se say Kloppman?", Alex asked taking a step back.
"Yeah, he's da keep o' dis 'ere lodge", He replied turning back to the door, knocking again.
~I can't go in dere. Klopp 'ill recognize me an' den me covahs gonna be blown~ Alex thought to herself, but before she could decide to leave the door opens. An old wrinkled white haired man with wire frame specs stepped out looking out at Jack and Alex.
"I was beginin' ta wonda' if you'se was comin' o' not Jack. Who'se ya friend?", He asked stepping out onto the stoop, in an effort to get a better look at the new comer. Alex casually looked down at her shoes as she pulled her cap down covering part of her face.
"Oh, dat's Alex. Snyders aftah 'im so I tol' 'im he could bunk 'ere tonight, 'fore headin' ovah ta Brooklyn in da mornin'", Jack explained as he headed inside. "Com' on Alex, I'll show ya where you'se can sleep tonight".
Kloppman squinted against the dark trying to get a better look at Alex's face. But finding it to no avail, he shrugged and went inside after Jack. Letting out a sigh of relief Alex headed up after the two and closed the door behind her.
"Well, now dat you'se 'ere I can go ta bed. See you'se guys in da mornin'. O an' don' forget tah sign in", Kloppman called as he headed into his small room to crash on the old squeaky bed.
"He's a nice guy, dat Kloppman. Watches out fo' us newsies", Jack commented as he walked over to the desk and signed both their names. He then started up the stairs. "'ey you'se commin' o' you'se gonna sleep on da stairs?", He asked joking. With a nod Alex followed Jack up the flight of stairs and into the dark bunkroom. "You'se can sleep 'ere", Jack whispered pointing to the top bunk of a bed next to them. "I'll take da bottom, See you'se in da mornin'" He called as he settled on the bed and fell asleep.
After gazing around the room and listening to the many forms of snoring for a bit, Alex finally relaxed, laid her head against the pillow and fell into a well deserved slumber.
