Chapter 1

Tricks was cold, and for the first time she could remember, scared. The factory she worked at for the past three years fired her two days ago and she had nowhere to go. After two days on the street, she needed to come up with a more permanent plan. One that involved food...and not getting rained on.

But where could she go?

All of her friends worked and lodged at the factory. Maybe they could sneak her a few scraps of bread but that was about it. Even that was risky. There was the Catholic orphanage. If she got really desperate she could go there.

Or the refuge. She laughed to herself. One of the most important lessons her brother taught her was never, ever go to the refuge. Avoid the refuge at all costs. Going to the refuge was admitting defeat.

Her brother. Could she go to Jack? Would he care at all or just ship her off to another factory like he had three years ago? Tricks couldn't risk it. Living on the street was better than the long hours and dust filled air of the another factory floor.

There was always her best friend, Mush. Mush would do anything to help her...but if Jack found out...Tricks refused to put Mush in that spot. Not only would she put Mush at risk of incurring her brother's wrath, but Jack would just end up sending Tricks away again.

There must be some option Tricks overlooked. A light mist fell from the sky, but Tricks was practically soaked to the bone from downpour earlier that day.

A noise at the top of the alley caused her to stiffen. Two voices were approaching; Tricked peeked over the stairwell she was hiding in to see who was in the alley. If the police found her, she'd be sent to the refuge.

The vague outline of two men approached. One paused and stopped to light a cigarette; as the flame danced, Tricks caught a brief glance of their faces. She was twelve the last time she saw them, but there was no mistaking the Delancey brothers.

Tricks slunk back into the shadows of the stairwell. She was smart; she knew trouble when she saw it and when not to get involved. The Delanceys passed by her without a second glance. When they were a safe distance away, Tricks let out a sigh.

And then she sneezed.

"Great!" she thought, grabbing the small sack that held all of her possessions. She would have to make a run for it.

The Delanceys turned around, a sly grin on each boy's face. Tricks heard their footsteps moving closer and jumped up; she needed to run before they got too close, but her legs were frozen in place and wouldn't move. She couldn't understand it, this never happened to her. Normally, Tricks was fearless.

It was Morris's cat call that forced her feet to cooperate. She took a few strides, but the Delanceys were quicker than she. Oscar's hand clamped down on her arm and pulled Tricks towards him.

"What's a pretty girl like you doin' out on the streets tonight?" he sneered, leaning close enough that she could smell the stench of cheap liquor on his breath.

"You betta let me go if you don't want to make that ugly mug of yours even uglier!" Tricks replied, struggling to wrench her arm from Oscar's grip. His fingers clamped down tighter, the fingernails digging into her skin.

"Looks like we got a feisty one here, Oscar." Morris said from behind her. His warm breath on her neck sent chills up her spine.

"Yeah, that's how we likes 'em. Eh, Morris?"

Struck by a sudden burst of inspiration, Tricks bit down as hard as possible on Oscar's arm. The sharp copper taste of blood filled her mouth.

"Ow!" he exclaimed, letting go of her. "You're in for it now, girly!"

Tricks threw a hard right hook and sped off down the alley, but was knocked back by a punch to the face delivered by Morris. Dazed and dizzy, she continued running, knowing it was her only chance to escape. As she darted in and out of alleys and behind buildings, she thought of where to go.

There was only one place where someone would possibly help her: The Lodging House.

As her feet pounded against the familiar road, Tricks could still hear Oscar and Morris behind her, but knew she was gaining distance with each passing second. Though she felt safer, Tricks pushed herself to run faster; the Delanceys knew just as many shortcuts as she did and could jump out at her at any time.

Reaching the fire escape at the Newsboys Lodging House, Tricks sprinted up it, taking two or three stairs at a time. She reached top floor window out of breath, her chest heaving. The yells and laughter of the Newsies filtered through the window. Taking a deep breath, she ducked through the window and into the large bunk room, hoping that someone would recognize her.

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