A/N: I changed this chapter a little. I basically just added the date, because in later chapters I got sick of saying "two years later" or "four years later" or whatever, so… yeah. Anyway, I didn't change much else. Hope you enjoy. And remember, this is background information… the fun and excitement is yet to come. (smiles)
New York: 1891
"Hurry up, Kale!" shouted her brother over the sound of the heavy rain.
"I'm hurryin'" called back the seven year old girl, increasing her pace. She wasn't used to running about so much, and her skirt was getting heavier and heavier as it absorbed the raindrops. Ahead of her, she saw her brother stop. She ran the few feet that separated them, and stopped beside him, panting. A tiny dog yipped and jumped at her feet, trying to lick her face.
Her brother looked down at her, his eyes twinkling with suppressed humor, "You aren't exactly cut out for this, are ya, Kale?"
"Well," she replied quickly, looking up at him, "you aren't wearing a skirt that weighs seventy pounds!"
At this, he outright laughed, throwing his head back. She bent down after a moment and tried ringing out her skirt. It was no use.
"Come on, Kale. I better get you home. Ma's gonna kill me for getting you soaked clear through like this."
She looked up at him, smiling. "Well you don't look so dry yourself, Kyle," she noted, taking in his dripping brown hair and what used to be gray pants. They were now clearly black.
"I'm sure I don't, but you look like a little drowned sewer rat with your hair all falling out and dripping like that, not to mention your clothes!" He threw his arm around her shoulders. "Come on, I promised mom we'd be back by six," he pulled out his pocket watch and shielded it from the rain, "and it's almost six thirty!" He began to walk again, Kale following close behind.
"Come on, Spot!" she yelled back to the little dog, but there was no need to, he was right behind her.
A/N: Okay, I know that right now you're thinking "Spot? Oh, how original." I know, I know. But it will all make sense in due time, I promise. Even though this doesn't really have anything to do with the newsies yet, I hope you enjoyed it. Review, review, review! And, as always, I send my love!
