The rainy, New York streets glowed under the incandescent light from the moon. The small girl wandered on, tired and famished. She stopped in front of a building, she couldn't go on anymore. On the front was a sign that read, "Newsboys Lodging House." She shrugged, she wasn't a boy and she didn't sell newspapers, but it would have to do for now.
She slowly walked up the steps and around the corner to her left. She stopped suddenly when she saw a man sitting at a counter, quietly flipping through papers. He sighed deeply. She took a step back to retreat, but just as she did the wood floor creaked from under her.
The man looked up suddenly alert. The girl squeezed herself into a small corner, hiding in the shadows.
The man stood up from his stools, "Anybody there?" His vice was raspy, but it suited his attributes well.
She tucked her body closer into the small corner. He stepped around the door, he was getting closer.
"Hellooooo," he said.
She shut her eyes tightly, and prayed to god she wouldn't be found.
"Well what have we here," too late.
She looked up at the man, frightened.
He was old, with a brown hat, gray tufts sticking out of the sides. His face was calm and gently, reassuring to the young girl. His soothing eyes sat hidden behind eyeglasses.
"I won't hurt you," he said gently.
She just looked at him, still unsure of whether she should trust him.
"C'mon, get up and tell me your story."
She slowly took her arms down from her knees, and stood up.
"Ahh, you're a cute little thing, tell me, tell me, what brought you here?" he asked.
He put his hand on her back and led her to a chair next to his, behind the counter.
He motioned for her to sit, she did.
"Now, tell me why you're here," he said again.
"I-I…." she started but couldn't finish.
"Yes…?" he asked.
"My parents died in a strike two days ago, and…and…" she sobbed quietly letting a tear roll down her cheek.
He rubbed her shoulder reassuringly.
"Now that they died, I have to stay with my Aunt, and I don't like her very much, so I ran away," she sniffled then wiped her face.
"You ran away, and came here?" he asked.
"I tried to last as long as I could without sleep or food, and this is how far it brought me," she explained.
"You know this is a Lodging house for Newsies, don't ya?"
She nodded her head, yes.
"Alright, you can stay, but tomorrow you're gonna sell papes with the boys, they'll show you the ropes," he said.
She nodded again.
"Here, come with me, I'll show you where you can sleep."
They walked a flight of stairs and soon found themselves in a room filled with sleeping boys.
"There are no empty beds left, so you're gonna have to share with one of the boys, here ya go, sleep here," he pointed his lantern towards a bed.
She walked timidly over, and hopped into bed with her, her head lined up with his. She fell asleep quickly.