1885

A figure flew down the street a small boy trailing behind. They stopped outside a worn down, tattered building with a sign above the door "News Boy Lodging house."

"Now, Darling I love you soooo much but I can't look after you, ya understand that right. I'll be back next month"

"Yes ma, I understand."

"Your mammas good boy, now don't let anyone hurt ya because of ya eye, here, wear this patch to stop people cringing from the sight of it."

"Yes ma." He slipped the patch over his left eye

"I love you."

"I love ya too." With that the figure banged on the door and disappeared into the night leaving her three year old son on the doorstep. The door opened and a middle aged man stood there.

"Hello young man, how can I help you?"

"Ma says I have to stay here for a month then she will be back for me." The boy said proudly

"Really? Would you like to come inside then?" The boy followed the man inside. "Sit down young man." The boy sat on an old ragged sofa. The man walked over to the stairs. "NIGHT GET YA ASS DOWN 'ERE"

"I'SE COMIN' KLOPPY." A boy shouted down the stairs, he soon appeared followed by some other boys. The boy appeared to be around seventeen. "So what do we have 'ere den Kloppy?"

"'is ma left him on the step a minute ago."

"She is comin' back for me." The small boy squeaked

"sure." the older boy muttered

"Wat's ya name kid?"

"Lewis sir."

"Well I'm Kloppman, this is Night, and you do what he says."

"I'm Cowboy." A boy the same age as Lewis said ran forward closely missing Nights legs.

"Er nice to meet ya." Lewis mumbled

"Cowboy, show him ya bed, you'll be sharing."

"Yes Kloppy." Lewis followed Cowboy up the stairs.

1889

Blink was lounging on the old beat up sofa in front of the desk when a skinny boy stumbled through the door covered in blood. "KLOPPMAN." Blink shouted jumping up and running to the boy. Kloppman came running out the office and helped the boy to the sofa.

"Blink go get some warm water and a clean cloth." Blink ran into the kitchen and came back with a bowl of water with a ripped shirt floating in it.

"Really sir, I'm fine. I just fell down some steps." the boy muttered

"Well just stay still and we will see wont we." Kloppy gently wiped all the blood way and showed a cut running from his nostril to the corner of his chin.

"This is not something you get from falling down stairs young feller. Looks more like a knife cut" the boy slowly nodded

"Pa was drunk but he's in jail now and now ma's buried I have no where at go." he mumbled

"You can stay here young sir. You will have to share with Blink though."

"What Patchy here, great." he muttered

"Thanks, and what are ya called." Blink said sarcastically

"Alex Cartwright."

"Nice to meet you, I'll show you our bed later."

"There your cut is all clean. Go with Blink and meet the other boys."

"Yes sir." he muttered as he followed Blink up the stairs. They reached the top and turned into a huge room filled with bunk beds. Maybe this is not a good idea Alex thought a room full of boys, not my idea of fun.

"OY Night! Got a new boy here." Blink shouted across the room. A boy around 17 lifted himself off a bed and loped over.

"I'm Night, I'm the leader and you do exactly wat I say. Got it?"

"Yes sir." Alex muttered

"Wat's ya name kid?" Night said

"Alex sir."

"Nice to meet you Alex and quit callin me sir, got it?"

"Yes." Night loped back over to his bed.

"Don't worry bout him, he's real nice once you get to know him."

"I'll take your word for it." Alex mumbled. He was dragged over to one of the bunks.

"This is my bed and now yours." he said proudly. "Ok, dump your stuff under the bed then I'll show you round." Alex did as he said then followed him across the room. Later that night Alex sat on the bed and watched her new friends as they went about their business. I'm going to miss them when I have to leave in five years, I can't stay here forever. Eventually my body will change and I'll be found out.