A Never Ending Fight
Chapter 1 - "I can take care of myself"
Thirteen year old, Elizabeth dreamed sweetly in the small but comfortable Newsboy's Lodging House. For 6 cents a night, it was home. Her sleep was interrupted but the loud shout of Mr. Kloppman. As long as it wasn't her name, it didn't matter. She paid no attention to it and went back to dreaming. With all the noise and commotion of the boys, she was used to it and she could sleep through anything.
"Boots!" Kloppman yelled. Boots poked his head up quickly, but sleepily. The twelve year old black boy threw his head back down on the pillow and gave out a groan. There were other moans and groans of the other boys in the room. Kloppman went from sleeping boy to sleeping boy. He scolded Skittery, Jack, Racetrack, and Kid Blink. He walked over to Elizabeth and shook her from her sleep.
"Elizabeth! Get up!" Kloppman yelled in her ear. She slowly opened her eyes and glared at him. He continued to spit words out at her. She kept looking at him as though she was listening to what he was saying. But, actually she was waiting for him to walk away so she could go back to sleep. She nodded and closed her eyes. Kloppman rolled his eyes and shook his head. He reached for the covers and pulled them off. All at once the three angry teenagers (whom were Snitch, Liz and Itey) groaned. Liz reached for the covers and shivered as the cold air reached her small warm body. She reached again in hopes that Kloppman would return the covers. Her hopes failed as Kloppman pulled the whole cover off.
"All right Kloppman! You win! I'm up!" Liz shrieked as she moved closer to Snitch, who was still fast asleep. When Kloppman finally returned the covers, Itey, who was on the opposite end of the bed, immediately pulled them towards himself. His head was almost completely covered. All Liz could see was his curly black hair. She looked up towards the ceiling as if she expected some kind of answer of how she got stuck with these boys. But, unfortunately no answer came.
"All right fella's. We's gotta get up." She said as she looked at Snitch, still asleep. She poked his back and he still didn't move. She turned and looked at Itey, who was also asleep. She pulled the covers away and watched him flail his arms trying to find them. With his eyes still closed, he felt around the small bed. Liz heard Racetrack talking to Kid Blink, who slept directly above him. When Racetrack got up she knew it was time for everyone to get up. He was usually always the last one to get up, and the last one to get to Newspaper Row. Itey was still looking for the covers when Liz again said "Fella's, we's gotta get up now!" With that she hit Snitch in the head.
He jumped up and said "Wha'? Wha' happened? Huh?"
"Youse got's tah get up, Snitch!" Liz screamed in his ear. She then reached over and picked up her glasses from the small table that was full of different things. On the table were old newspapers that weren't sold, glass marbles, a pack of playing cards, cups, handkerchiefs, and other junk that the boys left. She looked at Snitch again who was still sleeping. "Snitch!" She screamed even louder in his ear.
"All right! I ain't deaf!" Snitch screamed back, as he gave her a dirty look.
"Well, you'se is now." Itey said as he used his elbows to sit up. "Ace, why don't ya do us a favah? Why's don't ya go out an' sell papes for us, while we's stays here and sleeps?" Itey laughed with Snitch. Liz laughed with the two 15 year olds.
"Yeah, yeah, how 'bout no!" Liz said as she smiled. She playfully punched Snitch in the shoulder and went to jump out of bed. "I'se got's tah get ready."
"Oh no you don't!" Itey said as he and Snitch laughed. They both put their hands on her forehead and pushed her backwards down on the bed. Then they both jumped off and raced to the wash room. Liz yelled and sat up. She put her fingers through her long black hair.
"Wha'd ya say, Ace?" Mush said as he pushed away the boys near her bunk and made his way towards her. "Dey do it again?" Mush asked as he walked around and faced her. 'Mush' Myers was the first person Elizabeth met when she moved to America from China. She met him on the street and he introduced her to selling newspapers and to the other newsies. The brown, curly haired, fourteen year old boy rested his arm on the side of her bed. Liz rolled her eyes and smiled. That was her way of saying yes, without actually saying it. Mush knew how to read Liz better than any one else in the Lodging House. It was probably because he knew her longer than anyone else. She met him when she was 6 years old and they've been friends ever since. Elizabeth was a person who wasn't easy to read. She was always impassive and she always hid her feelings. Mush helped her out of her top bunk. He lifted her small light body out of the high bed. He again rested his arm on her bed. She, on the other hand, wasn't tall enough to have her head touch the top bunk. She was the same height as Tumbler, who was 7 years old. She walked and talked with Mush to the wash room.
"Who you gonna sell with tahday, Ace?" Mush asked in hopes that she would sell with him.
"I'm gonna sell with who I always sell with." Liz said.
"C'mon! Why's can't ya sell wit' me tahday? Jis' tahday." Mush begged. His big, brown, puppy dog eyes made her feel guilty, but she still didn't give in. She patted him on the arm and nodded. She turned away and went to get ready. "Damn it!" Mush said under his breath as he too walked away to get ready. As the boys were in the wash room getting ready, Jack, Boots, Racetrack, and Kid Blink were talking.
"You'se shoulda seen it! Dis big chap comes up tah me an' says 'ya see dat hoise in lane forah? Dat dere hoise is a winnah!' I'se tellin' you fella's dat da hoise he was tawkin' 'bout is gonna be a winnah. Jis' like da gent told me." Anthony "Racetrack" Higgins said as he made a fist and slapped his other hand. The dark haired 18 year old got his nickname because he like hanging out at the Sheepshead Racetrack. He was also infamous of getting "hot tips" and losing bets with the other newsies.
"You'se shorah dat he's gonna win?" Kid Blink said as he made a skeptical face. Kid Blink was a tall blonde haired kid with a patch over his one eye.
"When's he eva shorah, Blink?" Jack said as he grinned and punched Kid Blink in the shoulder. Jack Kelly was a taller newsie, he was 18 and he had brown hair and piercing brown eyes.
"No! I'se real shorah dis time! I know he's gonna win! Dis ain't like las' time, I ain't lyin' tah ya! I ain't!" Racetrack said as he tried to convince them with a few hand gestures.
"What do ya want, Race?" Jack asked, trying to get right to the point.
"Well, fella's, I wants tah make a bet wit' ya." Racetrack said trying to act like he was positive about the tip.
"Racetrack! We ain't got money tah throw away jis' like dat!" Boots said as he walked toward the short Italian boy.
"Boots, it's a shorah thing!" Racetrack said in his defense.
"Wit' you, nothin's a shorah thing!" Boots said back.
"But fella's." Racetrack said.
"No!" The three boys yelled in unison.
"But, fella's, I'se." Racetrack started to say. But, before he could finish his sentence, the three boys walked away making conversation with one another. Racetrack sighed as a small hand touched his shoulder. He looked to see Liz behind him. She smiled at him and told him it was time to go or he'll be late. Racetrack got up and walked down the stairs.
"Race, I know how's you loves tah gamble, but if you'se keeps on like dis, you'se gonna get ya self in big trouble." Liz warned trying to be gentle to him.
"I know dat, Ace. Its jis' dat..I love da tracks! I'se gotta go tah da tracks and da thing folks do at da tracks is gamble. It's kinda like a bad habit, ya know?"
"I know, but still be careful, Race."
"I will. Hey, listen. I'se got a hot tip on da forahth."
"Racetrack!" Liz said as she walked away. She walked through the other newsies in line waiting to get their papes. She pushed through the crowd of boys young and old talking and waiting. She tugged on Specs' white shirt. He knew exactly what she wanted. He bent down on one knee and helped her climb on his shoulders. He stood up slowly, reassuring her that he wouldn't drop her. She scanned the crowd Snitch. She spotted him and said 'okay' to Specs. He put her back on the ground.
"Hey, thanks." She said as she headed in the direction that she saw Snitch. She again pushed through the crowd of talking boys. As she elbowed her way to Snitch, she suddenly fell to the ground. Snitch turned from Itey and saw Oscar and Morris Delancey laughing. He looked to the ground and saw Liz lying there, blood running down her busted lip. He ran over to Oscar and was almost towering over him. Snitch stood in front of the two brothers, quiet and calm. They both had their last laugh as Snitch's fist punched Oscar in the eye. Oscar fell to the ground. Morris ran over to punch Snitch back. Snitch blocked his punch and put his arm around Morris' head as he punched him continuously. Liz was still confused about what hit her, but when Oscar came crawling over to her and grabbed her collar she suddenly came to life. She grabbed his wrists and held them as tightly as she could. Her small fingers couldn't reach the whole way around, but she gripped tighter. She jerked his wrists trying to force them off of her neck. She heard the newsies yelling "fight, fight!" She wondered if she was the one they were yelling at. Her thoughts ended as Oscar started punching her. She used her small hands to try to block him, but it was no use. Oscar was directly on top of her, hitting her and punching her harder each time. She tried to stop him, but couldn't. She tried her hardest to push him off of her. She scratched his face, pulled his hair, and pushed him as hard as she could. Never once did she hit him, never once did she punch him back. But why? She didn't want anyone to know that she didn't fight back because she thought it was wrong. She hated fighting. She hated hurting people. Also, she didn't fight back because she knew that Jesus would never fight back. She didn't want anyone to know that Jesus was the reason that she didn't fight back. The boys would think she's a coward if she used that answer. She took it, just like he did. She saw the anger and hatred in his eyes. His blue eyes were stone cold. This was the first time she saw his eyes as they really were. He hated her and she knew it. She grabbed his fist as he was about to punch her, she held it in mid air and kept it from her. It was like the world stopped for a moment. They locked eyes for a second. His eyes were still dark and cold. While her eyes were light and compassionate. She tried to plea with him as she looked into his face. He wouldn't step down, he never would. His mission in life, it seemed, was to make her life miserable. She looked away from him and looked at Snitch and Morris fighting. Blow after blow Snitch would regain consciousness and hit Morris back. They continued to punch each other. Suddenly, Oscar grabbed her neck and started to strangle her. She turned her head and looked at him as he spoke a few words under his breath. She glanced at his mad, anger stricken face. He gripped her neck tighter as she again grabbed his wrists. Struggling for breath she gripped them tighter and tighter. He smiled and laughed with amusement seeing her struggle. That was the highlight of his life. He loved seeing her struggle and fail. Her face turned bright red and veins popped out of her forehead. Her hands started to shake and she opened her mouth trying desperately to get air. But none came. Suddenly, Jack pulled the back of Oscar's shirt and pulled him up.
"You bastard!" He screamed as he punched Oscar in the stomach. Oscar fell to the ground and Jack again picked him up and pushed him away. Jack looked toward Liz, who was coughing for breath. She had turned around and was facing the ground. He grabbed her around the waist and helped her up. "You okay?" He asked, observing her wounds. She just nodded her head and continued coughing.
Kid Blink ran over to Snitch and Morris, who were still fighting. "Hey break it up, break it up!" Blink said as he got between the boys. He turned toward Morris and pushed him. "Get outta heah!" He screamed as he pushed him a second time. Snitch looked at Blink, who gave him a dirty look. "That's enough, Snitch! Stop!" Blink said to Snitch, who wanted to beat the crap out of Morris again.
Snitch turned and walked to Liz. "Ya okay, Ace?" Snitch asked as he looked her over thoroughly. She used the back of her hand to wipe the blood off her face. He saw the blood on her shirt and on her face. "Dat fucker!" He said under his breath. She just stared at him and tried to smile, trying to thank him for sticking up for her.
"Liz?" Itey said as he looked at her.
"What?" She replied as she jumped around to face him. She glanced at the faces of the newsies gathered all around. They were all standing in a circle staring, stunned. Jack pushed some newsies away and went to the front of the line. Mr. Wisel walked out and made a weird face at the boys standing around. "Mr. Weasel!" Jack said as he laughed under his breath.
"What's wit' dem?" Mr. Wisel asked as he pointed to the large crowd of boys who were now talking to one another.
"Oh, dere was jis' a fight. You needs tah tell yourah boys tah pick on someone dere own size. Dey're cowards, dey always pick fights wit' Liz." Jack said as he grabbed a paper and looked through it. Mr. Wisel just rolled his eyes, he was very aware of Oscar's fixation with picking on Liz.
"What are ya gonna get tahday, Cowboy?" Mr. Wisel asked impatiently.
"Hold ya hoises, Weasel. Damn, no good headlines tahday." Jack said as he slammed the paper down on the stand. "Da usual." He said as he looked at Morris who was giving him a dirty look.
"A hundred papes for Cowboy!" Mr. Wisel said as Morris gave Jack the papers.
"Thanks Weasel!" Jack said as he smiled and walked away with is papers.
"Heya, Mr. Weasel!" Racetrack said as he lit up a match to light his cigar. "I wants, uhh, 50 papes." He said as he grabbed his papes and walked down towards Jack. "Damn it! We's supposed tah make a livin' usin' dis headline?" Racetrack said to Jack as he pointed to the headline.
"Make it up, Race." Jack said, not even acknowledging Racetracks presence.
"Hello, Liz!" Mr. Wisel said with enthusiasm.
"Heya Ace." Morris said smiling a fake smile.
Liz looked at Morris uncomfortably and replied "hi" softly. Snitch was behind her and walked up towards her, staring at Morris. Morris looked at him and backed off of Liz.
"How many Ace?" Mr. Wisel asked.
"Thirty papes, please." She said as she took a breath. She got her papers and waited for Snitch to get his.
"How many, Stitch?" Morris said as he laughed.
"It's Snitch, dumb ass." Snitch said as he glared at Morris.
"Oh 'cuse me, Stitch." Morris smiled.
"All right, all right. How many Snitch?" Mr. Wisel asked.
"Fifty papes, Weasel." Snitch replied as he got his papes and never took eyes off of Morris as he walked away. Liz grabbed his arm and guided him away from Mr. Wisel and Morris.
"You get too caught up in all dis, Snitch. You'se gotta let it go." Liz said.
"Let it go? Whaddya mean let it go? When dey push you 'round and single you out like dat, I'm supposed tah let it go?" Snitch said as he looked at Liz.
"Well.I.its jis'.you let it bother you too much."
"Oh, I do?"
"Yeah, I mean. I can take care of myself, Snitch."
Snitch looked at her, confused.
"I don't understand you." Snitch said as his eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"Oscar was beatin' da shit outta ya. You jis' stand dere and not fight back. Why?" He asked.
"I dunno. I don't fight 'cuz, dat jis' makes him even madder at me. I mean, dat punk's crazy. I can't fight him, Snitch. I jis' can't."
"You could at leas' try. Ya jis' can't give up, jis like dat."
"Look, I don't wanna talk 'bout dis anymore, aright. Let's git sellin' so's maybe we can get tah da lodgin' house early or sumthin'." She said as she walked with Snitch to Sherman Street.
They walked along the dark alleyways of New York. They talked just like they always did. Best friends. They were always best friends. Snitch and Liz. They just fit together. Everyone knew they were just friends. Maybe some thought they were more than just friends, but they never were. Sometimes it seemed that way, because they always were together. It seemed like every waking moment they were together. They slept in the same bed and they spend every minute of the day together. It was just their way. They loved each other in a way that all friends do. Snitch was like Liz's brother. Although, she never met her family and she never knew what a family was, Snitch was her family. He was everything she needed. He was there to protect her, to comfort her and to love her. Liz was all Snitch had as well. But, he knew his family. He chose to leave. Liz didn't have a choice, she was thrown out on the street. From the first time she met Snitch they just clicked. It wasn't like love at first sight or anything, because they aren't in love. They're just friends. Just friends, friends who do everything together, go everywhere together and just do things that friends do. Nothing more, nothing less.
They sold their papes together everyday, and split their profits. They weren't the best at selling papers, but they both got by. Snitch taught Liz to sell to the best of his ability. He wasn't a phony newsie who exaggerated headlines and made up headlines. He wasn't a 'yellow'. He was truthful and fair. That was probably why he doesn't do that well when the headlines are bad. Liz is the same way, she doesn't say things that aren't true.
"Extra, extra, fire in Immigration building, lives at stake!" Snitch yelled as he held up his last paper.
Elizabeth was at the opposite side of the street shouting the same headline. An old man walked passed her and looked at her. He turned away and stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and walked up to her. He held a nickel in his hand. She took it and put it in her pocket. The man said "God bless you, child." He quickly walked away.
"No, sir, wait!" Liz yelled as he followed the man. She finally caught up to him and said
"Don't you want a pape?"
"No, hunny, I just want you to get a meal tonight." The man said as he put his hand on her shoulder. He closed his eyes and said a prayer "God have mercy on this young child." With that he turned to walk away again.
"No, sir, no! Wait! Please!" She yelled. He again turned around. She handed him a paper. "Sir, please. Just take it. Please!" She begged. He took the paper and nodded.
"Thank you, sir. Thank you." The man turned around and continued on his way. Snitch walked up to Liz and rested his arm on her shoulder.
"What was dat all about?" He asked as he watched the man turn the corner.
"God just sent me an angel, Snitch." Liz said as a smile came across her cold dirty face. Snitch smiled at her and said "C'mon. Let's go tah Tibby's an' get sumthin' tah eat, huh?" He put his arm around her and started to walk away.
As they walked down the dark candlelit streets, Liz was deep in thought. She thought about the fight that morning with Oscar and Morris. She couldn't quite figure it out. She thought that everything in life happened for a reason and she searched for that reason. She searched every corner of her brain for the real reason, but she found nothing. "Why are they doing this to me?" She thought. "What is the real reason why they hate me? Do I threaten them in someway? Does my very presence offend them? What did I ever do to them? What did I ever do to anyone?" Her thoughts continued to come. One after another, quicker each time. Her once happy spirit was now turning into a cold angry spirit. She thought about Oscar and she focused on his eyes. The picture was in her head. His eyes were confusing. They were dark, cold and full of rage. She observed and studied his eyes in her head trying to figure him out. His blue eyes were stone cold and fiery. They were blazing and fierce. They made him look ferocious, like a tiger. They were hard eyes. A chill suddenly went down her spine and she shivered. Just thinking of him scared her, but she couldn't get him off her mind. He was killing her inside. He was driving her insane. It was like he had magical powers and cursed her. He was like an insane tiger, clawing, thrashing, and tearing up her mind. She couldn't stop in either. She had to sit and watch as he sabotaged her mind and wait until she was killed by this monster. Either Oscar would kill her or her sickness would. It was just a matter of time before she'd let go of that ledge she was holding on to and fall straight into the dark, gloomy, watery caves of her grave. It was a nightmare that was rarely relived.
"Liz?" She jumped as Snitch broke the silence. He was looking at her very confused. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Really." She said as she looked down the street and saw Tibby's.
"Just lately, ya seemed kinda outta it." Snitch said still confused.
"Nah, I'm fine. Look, why don't ya go ahead tah Tibby's wit'out me. I got's some uddah stuff tah do." She said.
"Alright, go ahead." Snitch said as he patted her back. "Ya gonna be long?"
"Probably not. Jis' as long as I have tah."
"Ya want me tah get ya somethin'?"
"No, don't worry about it. I ain't dat hungry anyway."
"As usual." Snitch said to himself. "I'll see ya around lata'."
"Okay. Bye." Liz said.
Snitch put his hands in his pockets as he shrugged and turned around. He walked toward Tibby's. Liz continued to watch him as he opened the door and walked in. She put her head down and looked at the ground. She put her hands in her pockets and kicked around a rock, before she too walked off.
Thirteen year old, Elizabeth dreamed sweetly in the small but comfortable Newsboy's Lodging House. For 6 cents a night, it was home. Her sleep was interrupted but the loud shout of Mr. Kloppman. As long as it wasn't her name, it didn't matter. She paid no attention to it and went back to dreaming. With all the noise and commotion of the boys, she was used to it and she could sleep through anything.
"Boots!" Kloppman yelled. Boots poked his head up quickly, but sleepily. The twelve year old black boy threw his head back down on the pillow and gave out a groan. There were other moans and groans of the other boys in the room. Kloppman went from sleeping boy to sleeping boy. He scolded Skittery, Jack, Racetrack, and Kid Blink. He walked over to Elizabeth and shook her from her sleep.
"Elizabeth! Get up!" Kloppman yelled in her ear. She slowly opened her eyes and glared at him. He continued to spit words out at her. She kept looking at him as though she was listening to what he was saying. But, actually she was waiting for him to walk away so she could go back to sleep. She nodded and closed her eyes. Kloppman rolled his eyes and shook his head. He reached for the covers and pulled them off. All at once the three angry teenagers (whom were Snitch, Liz and Itey) groaned. Liz reached for the covers and shivered as the cold air reached her small warm body. She reached again in hopes that Kloppman would return the covers. Her hopes failed as Kloppman pulled the whole cover off.
"All right Kloppman! You win! I'm up!" Liz shrieked as she moved closer to Snitch, who was still fast asleep. When Kloppman finally returned the covers, Itey, who was on the opposite end of the bed, immediately pulled them towards himself. His head was almost completely covered. All Liz could see was his curly black hair. She looked up towards the ceiling as if she expected some kind of answer of how she got stuck with these boys. But, unfortunately no answer came.
"All right fella's. We's gotta get up." She said as she looked at Snitch, still asleep. She poked his back and he still didn't move. She turned and looked at Itey, who was also asleep. She pulled the covers away and watched him flail his arms trying to find them. With his eyes still closed, he felt around the small bed. Liz heard Racetrack talking to Kid Blink, who slept directly above him. When Racetrack got up she knew it was time for everyone to get up. He was usually always the last one to get up, and the last one to get to Newspaper Row. Itey was still looking for the covers when Liz again said "Fella's, we's gotta get up now!" With that she hit Snitch in the head.
He jumped up and said "Wha'? Wha' happened? Huh?"
"Youse got's tah get up, Snitch!" Liz screamed in his ear. She then reached over and picked up her glasses from the small table that was full of different things. On the table were old newspapers that weren't sold, glass marbles, a pack of playing cards, cups, handkerchiefs, and other junk that the boys left. She looked at Snitch again who was still sleeping. "Snitch!" She screamed even louder in his ear.
"All right! I ain't deaf!" Snitch screamed back, as he gave her a dirty look.
"Well, you'se is now." Itey said as he used his elbows to sit up. "Ace, why don't ya do us a favah? Why's don't ya go out an' sell papes for us, while we's stays here and sleeps?" Itey laughed with Snitch. Liz laughed with the two 15 year olds.
"Yeah, yeah, how 'bout no!" Liz said as she smiled. She playfully punched Snitch in the shoulder and went to jump out of bed. "I'se got's tah get ready."
"Oh no you don't!" Itey said as he and Snitch laughed. They both put their hands on her forehead and pushed her backwards down on the bed. Then they both jumped off and raced to the wash room. Liz yelled and sat up. She put her fingers through her long black hair.
"Wha'd ya say, Ace?" Mush said as he pushed away the boys near her bunk and made his way towards her. "Dey do it again?" Mush asked as he walked around and faced her. 'Mush' Myers was the first person Elizabeth met when she moved to America from China. She met him on the street and he introduced her to selling newspapers and to the other newsies. The brown, curly haired, fourteen year old boy rested his arm on the side of her bed. Liz rolled her eyes and smiled. That was her way of saying yes, without actually saying it. Mush knew how to read Liz better than any one else in the Lodging House. It was probably because he knew her longer than anyone else. She met him when she was 6 years old and they've been friends ever since. Elizabeth was a person who wasn't easy to read. She was always impassive and she always hid her feelings. Mush helped her out of her top bunk. He lifted her small light body out of the high bed. He again rested his arm on her bed. She, on the other hand, wasn't tall enough to have her head touch the top bunk. She was the same height as Tumbler, who was 7 years old. She walked and talked with Mush to the wash room.
"Who you gonna sell with tahday, Ace?" Mush asked in hopes that she would sell with him.
"I'm gonna sell with who I always sell with." Liz said.
"C'mon! Why's can't ya sell wit' me tahday? Jis' tahday." Mush begged. His big, brown, puppy dog eyes made her feel guilty, but she still didn't give in. She patted him on the arm and nodded. She turned away and went to get ready. "Damn it!" Mush said under his breath as he too walked away to get ready. As the boys were in the wash room getting ready, Jack, Boots, Racetrack, and Kid Blink were talking.
"You'se shoulda seen it! Dis big chap comes up tah me an' says 'ya see dat hoise in lane forah? Dat dere hoise is a winnah!' I'se tellin' you fella's dat da hoise he was tawkin' 'bout is gonna be a winnah. Jis' like da gent told me." Anthony "Racetrack" Higgins said as he made a fist and slapped his other hand. The dark haired 18 year old got his nickname because he like hanging out at the Sheepshead Racetrack. He was also infamous of getting "hot tips" and losing bets with the other newsies.
"You'se shorah dat he's gonna win?" Kid Blink said as he made a skeptical face. Kid Blink was a tall blonde haired kid with a patch over his one eye.
"When's he eva shorah, Blink?" Jack said as he grinned and punched Kid Blink in the shoulder. Jack Kelly was a taller newsie, he was 18 and he had brown hair and piercing brown eyes.
"No! I'se real shorah dis time! I know he's gonna win! Dis ain't like las' time, I ain't lyin' tah ya! I ain't!" Racetrack said as he tried to convince them with a few hand gestures.
"What do ya want, Race?" Jack asked, trying to get right to the point.
"Well, fella's, I wants tah make a bet wit' ya." Racetrack said trying to act like he was positive about the tip.
"Racetrack! We ain't got money tah throw away jis' like dat!" Boots said as he walked toward the short Italian boy.
"Boots, it's a shorah thing!" Racetrack said in his defense.
"Wit' you, nothin's a shorah thing!" Boots said back.
"But fella's." Racetrack said.
"No!" The three boys yelled in unison.
"But, fella's, I'se." Racetrack started to say. But, before he could finish his sentence, the three boys walked away making conversation with one another. Racetrack sighed as a small hand touched his shoulder. He looked to see Liz behind him. She smiled at him and told him it was time to go or he'll be late. Racetrack got up and walked down the stairs.
"Race, I know how's you loves tah gamble, but if you'se keeps on like dis, you'se gonna get ya self in big trouble." Liz warned trying to be gentle to him.
"I know dat, Ace. Its jis' dat..I love da tracks! I'se gotta go tah da tracks and da thing folks do at da tracks is gamble. It's kinda like a bad habit, ya know?"
"I know, but still be careful, Race."
"I will. Hey, listen. I'se got a hot tip on da forahth."
"Racetrack!" Liz said as she walked away. She walked through the other newsies in line waiting to get their papes. She pushed through the crowd of boys young and old talking and waiting. She tugged on Specs' white shirt. He knew exactly what she wanted. He bent down on one knee and helped her climb on his shoulders. He stood up slowly, reassuring her that he wouldn't drop her. She scanned the crowd Snitch. She spotted him and said 'okay' to Specs. He put her back on the ground.
"Hey, thanks." She said as she headed in the direction that she saw Snitch. She again pushed through the crowd of talking boys. As she elbowed her way to Snitch, she suddenly fell to the ground. Snitch turned from Itey and saw Oscar and Morris Delancey laughing. He looked to the ground and saw Liz lying there, blood running down her busted lip. He ran over to Oscar and was almost towering over him. Snitch stood in front of the two brothers, quiet and calm. They both had their last laugh as Snitch's fist punched Oscar in the eye. Oscar fell to the ground. Morris ran over to punch Snitch back. Snitch blocked his punch and put his arm around Morris' head as he punched him continuously. Liz was still confused about what hit her, but when Oscar came crawling over to her and grabbed her collar she suddenly came to life. She grabbed his wrists and held them as tightly as she could. Her small fingers couldn't reach the whole way around, but she gripped tighter. She jerked his wrists trying to force them off of her neck. She heard the newsies yelling "fight, fight!" She wondered if she was the one they were yelling at. Her thoughts ended as Oscar started punching her. She used her small hands to try to block him, but it was no use. Oscar was directly on top of her, hitting her and punching her harder each time. She tried to stop him, but couldn't. She tried her hardest to push him off of her. She scratched his face, pulled his hair, and pushed him as hard as she could. Never once did she hit him, never once did she punch him back. But why? She didn't want anyone to know that she didn't fight back because she thought it was wrong. She hated fighting. She hated hurting people. Also, she didn't fight back because she knew that Jesus would never fight back. She didn't want anyone to know that Jesus was the reason that she didn't fight back. The boys would think she's a coward if she used that answer. She took it, just like he did. She saw the anger and hatred in his eyes. His blue eyes were stone cold. This was the first time she saw his eyes as they really were. He hated her and she knew it. She grabbed his fist as he was about to punch her, she held it in mid air and kept it from her. It was like the world stopped for a moment. They locked eyes for a second. His eyes were still dark and cold. While her eyes were light and compassionate. She tried to plea with him as she looked into his face. He wouldn't step down, he never would. His mission in life, it seemed, was to make her life miserable. She looked away from him and looked at Snitch and Morris fighting. Blow after blow Snitch would regain consciousness and hit Morris back. They continued to punch each other. Suddenly, Oscar grabbed her neck and started to strangle her. She turned her head and looked at him as he spoke a few words under his breath. She glanced at his mad, anger stricken face. He gripped her neck tighter as she again grabbed his wrists. Struggling for breath she gripped them tighter and tighter. He smiled and laughed with amusement seeing her struggle. That was the highlight of his life. He loved seeing her struggle and fail. Her face turned bright red and veins popped out of her forehead. Her hands started to shake and she opened her mouth trying desperately to get air. But none came. Suddenly, Jack pulled the back of Oscar's shirt and pulled him up.
"You bastard!" He screamed as he punched Oscar in the stomach. Oscar fell to the ground and Jack again picked him up and pushed him away. Jack looked toward Liz, who was coughing for breath. She had turned around and was facing the ground. He grabbed her around the waist and helped her up. "You okay?" He asked, observing her wounds. She just nodded her head and continued coughing.
Kid Blink ran over to Snitch and Morris, who were still fighting. "Hey break it up, break it up!" Blink said as he got between the boys. He turned toward Morris and pushed him. "Get outta heah!" He screamed as he pushed him a second time. Snitch looked at Blink, who gave him a dirty look. "That's enough, Snitch! Stop!" Blink said to Snitch, who wanted to beat the crap out of Morris again.
Snitch turned and walked to Liz. "Ya okay, Ace?" Snitch asked as he looked her over thoroughly. She used the back of her hand to wipe the blood off her face. He saw the blood on her shirt and on her face. "Dat fucker!" He said under his breath. She just stared at him and tried to smile, trying to thank him for sticking up for her.
"Liz?" Itey said as he looked at her.
"What?" She replied as she jumped around to face him. She glanced at the faces of the newsies gathered all around. They were all standing in a circle staring, stunned. Jack pushed some newsies away and went to the front of the line. Mr. Wisel walked out and made a weird face at the boys standing around. "Mr. Weasel!" Jack said as he laughed under his breath.
"What's wit' dem?" Mr. Wisel asked as he pointed to the large crowd of boys who were now talking to one another.
"Oh, dere was jis' a fight. You needs tah tell yourah boys tah pick on someone dere own size. Dey're cowards, dey always pick fights wit' Liz." Jack said as he grabbed a paper and looked through it. Mr. Wisel just rolled his eyes, he was very aware of Oscar's fixation with picking on Liz.
"What are ya gonna get tahday, Cowboy?" Mr. Wisel asked impatiently.
"Hold ya hoises, Weasel. Damn, no good headlines tahday." Jack said as he slammed the paper down on the stand. "Da usual." He said as he looked at Morris who was giving him a dirty look.
"A hundred papes for Cowboy!" Mr. Wisel said as Morris gave Jack the papers.
"Thanks Weasel!" Jack said as he smiled and walked away with is papers.
"Heya, Mr. Weasel!" Racetrack said as he lit up a match to light his cigar. "I wants, uhh, 50 papes." He said as he grabbed his papes and walked down towards Jack. "Damn it! We's supposed tah make a livin' usin' dis headline?" Racetrack said to Jack as he pointed to the headline.
"Make it up, Race." Jack said, not even acknowledging Racetracks presence.
"Hello, Liz!" Mr. Wisel said with enthusiasm.
"Heya Ace." Morris said smiling a fake smile.
Liz looked at Morris uncomfortably and replied "hi" softly. Snitch was behind her and walked up towards her, staring at Morris. Morris looked at him and backed off of Liz.
"How many Ace?" Mr. Wisel asked.
"Thirty papes, please." She said as she took a breath. She got her papers and waited for Snitch to get his.
"How many, Stitch?" Morris said as he laughed.
"It's Snitch, dumb ass." Snitch said as he glared at Morris.
"Oh 'cuse me, Stitch." Morris smiled.
"All right, all right. How many Snitch?" Mr. Wisel asked.
"Fifty papes, Weasel." Snitch replied as he got his papes and never took eyes off of Morris as he walked away. Liz grabbed his arm and guided him away from Mr. Wisel and Morris.
"You get too caught up in all dis, Snitch. You'se gotta let it go." Liz said.
"Let it go? Whaddya mean let it go? When dey push you 'round and single you out like dat, I'm supposed tah let it go?" Snitch said as he looked at Liz.
"Well.I.its jis'.you let it bother you too much."
"Oh, I do?"
"Yeah, I mean. I can take care of myself, Snitch."
Snitch looked at her, confused.
"I don't understand you." Snitch said as his eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"Oscar was beatin' da shit outta ya. You jis' stand dere and not fight back. Why?" He asked.
"I dunno. I don't fight 'cuz, dat jis' makes him even madder at me. I mean, dat punk's crazy. I can't fight him, Snitch. I jis' can't."
"You could at leas' try. Ya jis' can't give up, jis like dat."
"Look, I don't wanna talk 'bout dis anymore, aright. Let's git sellin' so's maybe we can get tah da lodgin' house early or sumthin'." She said as she walked with Snitch to Sherman Street.
They walked along the dark alleyways of New York. They talked just like they always did. Best friends. They were always best friends. Snitch and Liz. They just fit together. Everyone knew they were just friends. Maybe some thought they were more than just friends, but they never were. Sometimes it seemed that way, because they always were together. It seemed like every waking moment they were together. They slept in the same bed and they spend every minute of the day together. It was just their way. They loved each other in a way that all friends do. Snitch was like Liz's brother. Although, she never met her family and she never knew what a family was, Snitch was her family. He was everything she needed. He was there to protect her, to comfort her and to love her. Liz was all Snitch had as well. But, he knew his family. He chose to leave. Liz didn't have a choice, she was thrown out on the street. From the first time she met Snitch they just clicked. It wasn't like love at first sight or anything, because they aren't in love. They're just friends. Just friends, friends who do everything together, go everywhere together and just do things that friends do. Nothing more, nothing less.
They sold their papes together everyday, and split their profits. They weren't the best at selling papers, but they both got by. Snitch taught Liz to sell to the best of his ability. He wasn't a phony newsie who exaggerated headlines and made up headlines. He wasn't a 'yellow'. He was truthful and fair. That was probably why he doesn't do that well when the headlines are bad. Liz is the same way, she doesn't say things that aren't true.
"Extra, extra, fire in Immigration building, lives at stake!" Snitch yelled as he held up his last paper.
Elizabeth was at the opposite side of the street shouting the same headline. An old man walked passed her and looked at her. He turned away and stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and walked up to her. He held a nickel in his hand. She took it and put it in her pocket. The man said "God bless you, child." He quickly walked away.
"No, sir, wait!" Liz yelled as he followed the man. She finally caught up to him and said
"Don't you want a pape?"
"No, hunny, I just want you to get a meal tonight." The man said as he put his hand on her shoulder. He closed his eyes and said a prayer "God have mercy on this young child." With that he turned to walk away again.
"No, sir, no! Wait! Please!" She yelled. He again turned around. She handed him a paper. "Sir, please. Just take it. Please!" She begged. He took the paper and nodded.
"Thank you, sir. Thank you." The man turned around and continued on his way. Snitch walked up to Liz and rested his arm on her shoulder.
"What was dat all about?" He asked as he watched the man turn the corner.
"God just sent me an angel, Snitch." Liz said as a smile came across her cold dirty face. Snitch smiled at her and said "C'mon. Let's go tah Tibby's an' get sumthin' tah eat, huh?" He put his arm around her and started to walk away.
As they walked down the dark candlelit streets, Liz was deep in thought. She thought about the fight that morning with Oscar and Morris. She couldn't quite figure it out. She thought that everything in life happened for a reason and she searched for that reason. She searched every corner of her brain for the real reason, but she found nothing. "Why are they doing this to me?" She thought. "What is the real reason why they hate me? Do I threaten them in someway? Does my very presence offend them? What did I ever do to them? What did I ever do to anyone?" Her thoughts continued to come. One after another, quicker each time. Her once happy spirit was now turning into a cold angry spirit. She thought about Oscar and she focused on his eyes. The picture was in her head. His eyes were confusing. They were dark, cold and full of rage. She observed and studied his eyes in her head trying to figure him out. His blue eyes were stone cold and fiery. They were blazing and fierce. They made him look ferocious, like a tiger. They were hard eyes. A chill suddenly went down her spine and she shivered. Just thinking of him scared her, but she couldn't get him off her mind. He was killing her inside. He was driving her insane. It was like he had magical powers and cursed her. He was like an insane tiger, clawing, thrashing, and tearing up her mind. She couldn't stop in either. She had to sit and watch as he sabotaged her mind and wait until she was killed by this monster. Either Oscar would kill her or her sickness would. It was just a matter of time before she'd let go of that ledge she was holding on to and fall straight into the dark, gloomy, watery caves of her grave. It was a nightmare that was rarely relived.
"Liz?" She jumped as Snitch broke the silence. He was looking at her very confused. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Really." She said as she looked down the street and saw Tibby's.
"Just lately, ya seemed kinda outta it." Snitch said still confused.
"Nah, I'm fine. Look, why don't ya go ahead tah Tibby's wit'out me. I got's some uddah stuff tah do." She said.
"Alright, go ahead." Snitch said as he patted her back. "Ya gonna be long?"
"Probably not. Jis' as long as I have tah."
"Ya want me tah get ya somethin'?"
"No, don't worry about it. I ain't dat hungry anyway."
"As usual." Snitch said to himself. "I'll see ya around lata'."
"Okay. Bye." Liz said.
Snitch put his hands in his pockets as he shrugged and turned around. He walked toward Tibby's. Liz continued to watch him as he opened the door and walked in. She put her head down and looked at the ground. She put her hands in her pockets and kicked around a rock, before she too walked off.