Disclaimer: This is to say that this story about Newsies has character that I don't own in it like Spot, Jack, Blink, Race, and so on. They are from the movie and last time I checked wasn't Walt Disney. But some of the characters I did makeup. Ha take that!

Note: Before you read this you should know that this whole chapter is somewhat like an introduction. Yes I know that makes it look like there are two introductions but without this first "chapter" you'll be lost. We wouldn't want that now would we.

Introduction:

The Refuge was an over crowed "prison" for kids thought to be juvenile delinquencies. It wasn't the smell of the place that would make people cringe at being there even though it had the smell of children long over due the need of a bath. In truth it was feeling of loneliness and insecurity. Once you steeped through the gate that enclosed this "hell on Earth" as some put it, the only thing to look forward to would be getting out.

For at this moment these very thoughts were going through a little brown haired girl's head aged 8.

Chapter 1 1891:

"Let me go! I didn't do anything wrong!"

Despite the little girls fierce efforts to free her self, the stern faced man continued to lead her to what she was certain would be her end.

Completely ignoring her protest, the man went up to the large wooden door where he knocked three times.

"Yes?" Came a voice within the building. As the door opened a man of average height steeped out. "What are you-", Catching sight of the struggling girl the man was holding the scowl on his face changed into an evil grin. "Ah. Another young child in need of being showed the error in her way I presume?"

"Yes Mr. Snyder. Sir."

"Well bring her in. Wouldn't want her catching a cold now would we?"

Once she was practically dragged through the door the little girl stopped the struggling and now was in a kind of a daze. She got the feeling that the Mr. Snyder wasn't the least bit interested in her well-being.

Accepting her fate she looked around at the place that would be her home for the next six or so months. It wasn't much, even when compared to the slums she had seen since her arrival to NYC. The once white paint on the walls was now yellowed with age and pealing. The floor was so covered with filth that any self-respecting maid would have fainted just at the sight of it. And the smell, well one would be lucky not to have a nose.

Not wanting to look at any more of her surroundings she once again paid attention to the two men's conversation.

"Well I's best be a goin' now."

"Yes you should."

As door closed behind the man that had brought her to the refuge she could have sworn she heard Mr. Snyder hiss, "Dam immigrant."

Returning his attention to the little girl Snyder said, "Well, well, well. What do we have here? Another thief."

It wasn't a question but the girl replied, "I'm not a thief! I just-"

She never did get to finish her sentence because at that moment the man slapped her across the face confirming her thoughts that this was not a nice man. Grabbing her small chin the man yanked her closer so that her large green eyes would meet his brown ones.

"Never, and I mean never are you to talk back to me or one of your betters. This time you were given a warring but next time… well you'll see what will happen. If you dare."

Roughly letting go of the chin he grabbed her by the arm and lead her through the building. He was talking to her and she knew that if he stopped and looked at her he would know at once that she wasn't paying the least bit of attention. She just couldn't get his face out of her mind. Those yellow beer stained teeth, the redness of his face and the blood vein popping out on his neck when he was angry. Spraying her with spit when he talked. She, like so many others would have nightmares about this man and would shiver just at hearing his name.

After walking up two staircases and down a hall Snyder opened up a door where the voices of boys could be heard. Opening it up the small girl, who's arm was still being griped rather painfully by the man, saw an over crowded room filled with boys. If possible it was even more dirty than the halls she had walked through to get here.

"The girls room is full. You stay here." With a last painful squeeze the little girl was shoved into the room. It was so silent as the boys looked at her startled that you could hear Snyder lock the door behind him.

A large boy with brown hair and eye was the one to break the silence, "Well, well. What do we have hear." Staring at him the girl was reminded of a monster she had once seen in a picture book.

"Shut your trap Hammer! Go bully someone else." The voice belonged to a boy with sandy hair. She guessed he was two or so years older. "Da names Francis Sulliven."

As he came towards her another boy smaller then the others also came up to her pushing away any one not quick enough to know he was coming. Looking at him she could tell that he spent most of his days outside because of his brown sun streaked hair.

When he came close enough that she could look into his eyes it was her turn to be startled for they were the most unusual shade of blue she had ever seen. "I's Spot Collon. What do yous call your self?"

Looking around the room then back down at the floor she replied in a quiet voice, "Elizabeth,", pausing to look up she finished, "Elizabeth Jacobson."

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To Caroline: I tried to make it clear how old Spot & Jack are. Jack is 10 and Spot is um…9. Don't worry the rest of the story takes place when they are older (after the strike).

Tada! How did you like it? What? I can't hear or read your mind so click on that review button. You know you want to. I know you do. So do your self a favor and spare your self the guilt that comes with not reviewing.