ESCAPE FROM WAR
Written by Sneaks (Isobelle Charlotte) and Bubblegum. After Chapter Five,
written by Sneaks and Stretch.
Writers' notes:
Please understand that the characters based from "Newsies" around this story, (Escape From War) do not belong to us, and that they are soul property of (Disney and a trademark of (Disney. We also do not own certain characters of the story, in which case we give full credit to the girls who have loaned us their characters. With creative rights, it is to be understood that when given permission to use characters, we use them the way we see fit, regardless of the views of the owners. Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely Yours,
Isobelle Charlotte (Sneaks) and Bubblegum and Stretch
Writers and authors of Escape From War
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Chapter I:
The Start of A New Beginning.
"The threat of war is getting to serious," Luna thought to herself as she sat down at her computer. " I know the other girls must feel this way too." She sat there thinking, staring at her e-mail screen, her eyes concentrating on the send button. "If I do this, then I'm giving everyone an opportunity." She glanced around looking at her e-mail she had just finish writing. The news in the background blaring.
" All Americans must be prepared for the war that we are now facing," President Bush's voice was coming through her thoughts. " I do repeat, this is very serious, with the bombing of the Brooklyn Bridge of New York, the Bay Bridge in California, and dozen of other US monuments and structures." Luna stared at her computer screen.
" Just send it before communications goes out," she told herself, leading the mouse and the cursor to the send button. " You have the key to save them." With one swift downward motion on the clicker of the mouse, the e- mail was sent. She sat there, staring at her computer, the little notice box reading: Message Sent, flashed upon the screen. She turned her head back to face the television, her tear stricken face highlighted by the glow of the TV. She knew that not all of them would get the e-mail in time, but she knew that she would be able to at least save a few..
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Sneaks looked at her e-mail, thinking it was going to be the last time. The threat of war, and TMI so close to her house, she figured any day now that Iraq would be bombing it, eliminating her and the whole state of Pennsylvania and God knows what other states into nothingness. She looked over her inbox, a strange title catching her eye. SAVE YOURSELF FROM WAR: HERES HOW. It was a post from Luna. Not really knowing what she was going to find, she clicked on it, and began to read, just like other listies that where still alive and able to check their e-mail, were doing. Sneaks read it, not believing her eyes.
" I have found a way to escape from this whole mess, alive, and never have to worry about being killed. It may be hard for some, but it's the only way that we can survive," Sneaks read looking at the screen in disbelief. " Keep reading, and I will tell you how..."
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Dozens of other NML members checked their e-mail that day. Bubblegum sat there, looking at the screen, trying to make sense of the e-mail that Luna had sent out.
" The only bad thing about this," the e-mail read, " Is that only NML members will get to escaped. No family members, no friends.just NML members." Bubblegum looked around at the picture of her family on the computer desk.
" No mom, no dad.nothing," she said to herself staring at the picture. It was the only way that she could escape from this war alive, and she was going to have to leave her family behind. " It'll just be like Newsies," she told herself. " Not having a family, having to leave them behind to make my own future," She looked around one more time, and finally hit the print button. She pulled the freshly dried ink instructions off the printer and headed off to her room, just like dozen of other NML members were doing across the country. She knew what she was about to do was going to change her life forever, but to her, it was better than dying in a stupid war, and she knew that somehow her parents would feel better knowing that she was going to be okay.
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Sneaks read over the e-mail again, carefully copying down the instructions. She had luckily been able to print off her character's profile papers right before the school had been closed down. She ran up the stairs to her bedroom where she shut the door. She held the instructions in her hand, her profiles in the other. She looked on her bed, her small kitten asleep in a ball on her quilt.
" I wish you could come too," she leaned down and kissed her kitten. He woke up, gazing at her with his yellow eyes, almost as if trying to beg her to take him with her. Sneaks rubbed her hand over his head and stood back up. She folded her hands on her hips and thought about the e-mail she had read. She sighed and took out a piece of paper and began to write, with Good Charlotte's "The Day That I Died," playing in the background.
" Mom," Sneaks wrote. " I'm sorry that I'm leaving you behind. Tell Bucky that I love him, and please take care of yourself. If you make it through the war, maybe someday I'll see you again. I wish I could take you with me, but where I'm going, it's not a place for you. I hope you can make some sense out of this letter. Please don't cry mom, it's hard enough that I'm signing my death letter to you, and asking you to take care of yourself without me. Some day I'll see you again, mom. I have hope of that. Even though I can't tell you where I'm going, or how I'm getting there, I just want you to know that this is the day that I died, and the day that I'll be reborn again. I love you so much. Love, your baby girl."
Sneaks wiped a tear off her face and carefully put the letter in an envelope and laid it on her bed next to her kitten. She looked around one last time, knowing that this was going to be the last time that she would see her room. The last time that she would be able to enjoy the comfort of her self-painted walls, of the garden scene she had painted just ten months ago, before the war had picked up. She knew where she was going she wouldn't be alone, and that thought eased her mind slightly. She picked up her Newsies movie, and carefully took the pages in which her character was written in and placed it around the cassette. She then placed it in her VCR. She looked around one last time, and picked up her cat to ease her mind. Standing before the TV she pushed play, and waited...
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Bubblegum placed the tape in her VCR, her character profile wrapped tightly around the movie. She hit play and waited. She waited for a moment while the TV fuzz was snowing on the screen, then suddenly a light from the VCR poured out and before she knew what had happened she was standing in an alleyway, looking out into the streets of New York City, in 1899. She glanced down at her clothing, which had been transferred into the same outfit she had described in her character profile. She had on the same old pair of dirty khaki pants with a blue-checkered shirt. The only thing that was missing was the pair of pink suspenders, which Sarah Jacobs was supposed have given her. A dark blue newsie hat sat on top of her brown curly hair. She looked around, not seeing any one else in the alley, so she sat down and waited, praying that more NML members would soon join her, easing her anxiety. A few minutes later she was blinded by another bright light, and she fell to the ground, with another girl falling on top of her.
"Excuse me," the girl said getting up to stare at Bubblegum.
" Here," Bubblegum said, handing the girl a gray newsie cap that had fallen on the ground from the force of the fall. She turned to face a reddish- brown hair girl with bright blue eyes and a freckle just to the left on her chin. The girl smiled and stared at Bubblegum in her brown pants and white blouse, fiddling with her brown suspenders.
" D'anks," she said in a New York accent that seemed to surprise her slightly. "Wow, just picked dat up," she smiled still staring at Bubblegum, who's green eyes stared at the girl, waiting for an introduction. "Oh yes, me names Windy," the girl smiled.
" Windy? It's me, Bubblegum," she pointed to herself.
" Wow, what a small woild," Windy said in her newly acquired accent. She hugged Bubblegum and looked around. "So, we's made it," she smiled, glancing around. " Any sign of any one else?" she asked.
" Nah, not yet. I's been waiting faoh a little, until ya came an' knocked me ta da ground," Bubblegum answered, brushing off some mud on her knees. "I's say 'dough dat we's should stand ovah dare, 'cause ya hit me here." she motioned to the other corner of the alley. The two moved just as another light struck, and another girl fell to the ground with a thud.
"Ouch," the girl moaned grabbing her side as she tried to stand up. "Shit dat hoit. Dey don't tell ya dat's gonna happen," she said dusting off her olive green button up shirt, with half the buttons unbuttoned, her brown undershirt showing through, which was tucked in her oversized brown pants and tan suspenders. She fixed her black cap over her brown hair.
" Punky," the two girls smiled at each other and stepped over to their NML friend.
" Gee, how'd ya guess?" she grinned at them. Suddenly another girl fell behind them. They turned to see brownish-reddish-violet colored eyes staring at them. The new member had on a pair of black cut-offs and a dark gray faded button-up shirt with black suspenders. She glanced around for her hat and found it, placing the black hat on her head of auburn hair.
" Hades," Punky smiled at her. " NAKED MUSH!" they both suddenly screamed together, laughing and turning to face two confused girls.
" Just an inside joke," Hades blushed, suddenly shaking her head and looking around. " So, dat's how many through here?" she asked.
" Four," Bubblegum replied, staring at Hades' one-of-a-kind eyes.
" Den one more will be coming dis way, den we's got ta find da others," she notified them. They took a seat, waiting for the fifth member to fall from the sky. They sat there quietly talking about how it had happened to them, the bright light they had seen in their rooms or living rooms and suddenly falling to the cobblestone alleyway of an 1899 New York City. Suddenly the last bright light hit and a thud followed. They looked to see a girl sprawled out on the alleyway, just staring at the cobblestone ground.
" It worked?" she half-laughed, then turned her head to glance at the girls. "Hi-ya," she smiled sitting up and brushing her brown-golden hair back. She sat up and looked at the girls, her hands folding over her knees. She had on a pair of oversized black pants. Her white blouse hung open, exposing a dark blue undershirt.
"Hi," the other girls replied, waiting for her to give a name. The girl glanced around and noticed a small gray kitten next to her.
" Spiky?" she asked looking at the kitten as it rubbed up on her. The kitten meowed and looked up at the girl. "I's thought dat we's couldn't take pets wit us?" she asked the girls.
" Dat's what the e-mail said," Hades nodded.
" Den how's come me cat is here wit me?" the girl asked. She glanced around noticing that the girls were staring at her strangely. "Oh, me names Sneaks." She turned back to her kitten and picked him up. " Dis ain't right," she said looking at him. " If I's known dis I's would'a been holding Maggie too," she smiled. " Maggie's me dog," she said looking at the girls. They stared at her strangely.
" Sneaks?" Bubblegum questioned.
" Yup," Sneaks smiled at her.
" Bubblegum."
" Bubblegum? What a small woild," she shook her head, smiling as the two girls shook hands.
" Dis is Windy, Punky and Hades," Bubblegum introduced.
" Hi-ya! Dis is a small woild," she smiled shaking the girl's hands.
" Well, I's guess we's could go an' look foah, some of da utters," Hades said standing up. " We's can look 'round da city too," she winked. "Maybe find our boys." They headed off into the city, looking around for any sign of other girls. Sneaks picked up her kitten and placed him in her shirt, as he fell asleep.
" When we's find Luna, we's gotta ask her 'bout dat," Hades pointed at the kitten in Sneaks' shirt.
" Yeah," Sneaks said looking down. They headed around the city for what seemed like hours, without a trace of the newsies or the other NML members. They stumbled into another alleyway and found five girls sitting around talking to each other. They looked up cautiously at that them.
" NML?" Hades asked looking at the group. Suddenly a wave of signs broke up and the one girls stood up. She had dark brown jaw length hair and green eyes. She was wearing a black short sleeve button down blouse and gray pinstriped pants.
" We's thought dat we's wasn't gonna find anyone else," the girl said to them. " Da name's Bolt," she extended her hand.
" Bolt!" Sneaks yelled running up and hugging the girl. Bolt looked at her. " I's figured betta den hugging da computer screen. It's me, Sneaks."
" Sneaks!" Bolt smiled hugging Sneaks tighter. " Dis is Cards, Floaty, Bon- Bon, and Doll-Face." Bolt introduced them.
" Hey!" They all greeted each other, remembering the long day and nights that they had spent talking to each other about Newsies, Rping with each other and talking about the war.
" Me turn ta play God!" Punky shouted out of nowhere. " I's think dat we's should go and see who else we's can find." She suggested. They headed out of the alleyway and started to look around for signs of other NML members.
" Sneaks!" a deep voice rang out from behind the group. They all turned slowly to see a tall boy, with dark brown hair, and gray eyes staring at them. "I's thought I's told ya ta stay in Brooklyn!" the boy shouted at Sneaks. She had turned pale realizing what had happened, and who the boy was yelling at her.
" Who are you?" Punky stood up to the boy.
" Who am I?" he questioned her, hovering over her.
" Graft, stop it," Sneaks pushed the boy back. He backed off slightly and looked at Sneaks. She turned to the girls and mouth who he was. " Me brudda," she mouthed, getting a lot of confused looks for the group of girls. Bolt leaned in to Sneaks as she whispered what she guessed had happened. " I put me character list in, 'is must have been wit it an' I's nev'a noticed," she said standing straight up and smiling at Graft.
" Let's go," Graft demanded staring at her with his intense gray eyes.
" Can I's just spend da night wit me new friends?" Sneaks pleaded, trying to look as sweetly as she could to her brother.
" Fine," he sighed, her trick working. " But I'll come an' get ya tomorrow. Ya staying at da lodging house?" he asked. She nodded. He hugged her and headed off back to Brooklyn.
" How did dat happen?" Bubblegum asked looking at Sneaks.
" I's must have left 'is character profile wit mine in da VCR," she explained, watching Graft as he walked off.
" Look, we's hafta find every one else befoah it gets dark," Hades said looking around.
" Dis way," Punky walked off. They passed the Horace Greenley statue and found five girls sitting on it looking around.
" NML?" Bolt asked looking at them.
" What is dat?" the one girl asked.
" Nuttin," Bolt said as the girls headed off in another direction.
" Pretzel," they heard a voice in another alleyway.
" Hey, we's had a Pretzel on da NML," Floaty said looking at the group.
" Let's check it out," Doll suggested as Punky walked in the alleyway.
" NML?" she called out.
" Whose dare?" a girl with short brown hair and freckles asked. She was wearing tan pants a white undershirt with a light green button-down shirt and the top three buttons unbuttoned. She held her green suspenders in her hand and her tan newsie hat was turned sideways slightly. When she talked a scar on her lip would stretch.
" Punky," Punky answered looking at the girl.
" Thought ya wouldn't show," Pretzel smiled as she shook hands with Punky. " Gin, go see if Minty's feeling betta," Pretzel commanded a little 5'5 girl with amber hair stood up and walked deeper into the alley.
" I's Rave," a girl smiled looking around. She had brown hair with a hint of red. She wore khaki pants and a white button down shirt and khaki color newsie cap. She had a black velvety fabric necklace around her neck with a silver teardrop at the end. She wiped her nose and showed that she was wearing a burgundy bracelet on her hand.
" An' me names Dreamer, Dream foah short," a blond curly hared girl introduced. She had on a black pair of pants and a pink undershirt. Gin and another girl, Minty appeared from the back of the alleyway.
" She okay?" Floaty asked glancing at the little 5'3 girl with a brown skirt and dirty white blouse. She was the first of them to be wearing girl clothing.
" I's fine," Minty said staring at the group with her turquoise eyes. She gave a weak grin, "I's feeling lil betta, Pretz," she reinsured. Pretzel nodded and looked at the group.
" We's should look foah more," she informed looking up at the sky. "I's guess it'll be getting dark out soon." The girls gathered their hats and started out around the street once again. They saw a group of five walking their way and they stopped, looking at each other.
" Luna?" Sneaks asked looking at the pale skinned, black hair girl what was standing in front of the four other girls looking as tough as they came.
" Yeah," she said staring at her. "How ya know dat?"
" I's written 'bout ya befoah, ya look yer description ya gave me," Sneaks smiled.
" So you's da goil I's been beta-ing?" a stocky little girl came up to Sneaks.
" Lute?" Sneaks questioned, the girl shaking her head in response, the two spit shaking.
" I's Blizzard, Blizz faoh short," a girl said smiling. " An' dis is Bailey," she said nudging the curly brown girl with brown boots, brown pants, brown matching newsie hat and a pale blue shirt.
" An' I's Aura," another girl in a blue skirt and white blouse smiled.
" Aura!" Punky shouted greeting the girl.
" Look, we's can have warm an' fuzzy time later. We's got ta find da utter goils dat are out dare," Luna said glancing around the group. They nodded and headed in a different direction, towards the World Distribution Center. They found a small group their and stopped to check on them. They found Chord, Dodge, Nevada, Atlantic, Jay-Bug, Lyf, Snaps, Pinch, and Snoozer.
" Where's we gonna stay?" Bubblegum questioned suddenly as the city sky started to turn a deep violet color.
" Da lodging house," Luna answered, still showing no signs of slowing down.
" Da boy's lodging house?" Bon-Bon asked, blushing slightly.
" No. Medda had a newsgoil lodging house started up," Luna smiled. " D'anks ta a little help from me," she boasted.
" Like Sneaks added 'erself a brudda?" Floaty asked.
" What?" Luna nearly shouted, turning around to look at Sneaks.
" I's didn't mean ta, da character profile foah me newsie brudda was mixed in wit me profile." Sneaks tried to explain, the kitten moving inside of her shirt.
" What is dat?" Luna poked at the bubble in her shirt that was moving. Suddenly a little kitten head poked up at out of her shirt.
" I's wanted ta ask ya, how me cat came wit me," Sneaks blushed seeing Luna's face flush with anger.
" Didn't ya read da e-mail correctly?" she shouted, a few by-standers to look their way. " Now look what ya doing," Luna hit Sneaks on the back of the head. "Let's go," she ordered as the rest of the group followed closely behind Luna. Sneaks stood there for a moment, watching them march off.
" Don't worry 'bout dat," Bubblegum tried to comfort Sneaks. She stared hard into Sneaks face, as if waiting for her to burst into tears.
" I's fine," Sneaks replied with a little too much attitude. " I's didn't mean ta snap," she apologized seeing Bubblegum's hurt expression.
" We's betta catch up," Bubblegum noticed the group of twenty-seven way ahead of them.
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When they got to the Lodging House they were in awe. It looked almost exactly like the boy's lodging house; only the walls were a drab pinkish color. Luna was the first to walk in and sign the guest book. A tall bony lady stood at the desk, her gray hair falling out of the lose bun that rested on the top of her head. She watched everyone through cataract eyes, carefully trying to count all of girls. Luna carefully crafted her signature on the tattered old book and handed the pen off to Pretzel who signed her name down and passed the pen on to the next girl.
" Foist night's free," the old lady informed them as Luna dug into her pockets trying to find some pennies. Luna smiled and waited for the rest of the girls to finish signing their names. "Dis way," the woman called after all the girls had signed the book, heading up the creaky stairs. "Me names Ms. Giblin, Gibby foah short, if ya wish," she sighed as she finally hit the landing and strolled into a large bunkroom. "Dis is it, where ya's sleep an' wash up," she motioned with a bony finger at the room.
Like downstairs, it too had the same drab pinkish color covering the walls. Thirty or so brass bunk beds lined the walls, with a few nightstands in- between the beds. White sheets sat on the bed with a few gray and dark blue blankets. The washroom had tall toilet stalls on the right side of the room. A long counter stuck out from the center of the room, with a large water pump at the end and a huge basin under it. A row of trough-like pipes sat on another wooden counter on the left wall, leading to a small whole in the wall for drainage, with water pumps above them. Mirrors hung from the wooden beams, and towels hung from racks on the walls at the toilet stales.
"It's like we's in da newsboys lodging house," Cards smiled at Bolt.
" We's have a few rules here," Gibby notified the group. " Foist, no boys. Second, ya get up when I's call, an' ya pay me when you's get back from sellin' dat night. An' thiod, I's don't want ta hafta be picking up afta you's all da time, so mind yer stuff." The girls nodded and started to pick out their beds.
" I's got dis one," Minty said crashing on a bottom bunk. She looked around and smiled, placing her hands behind her head. "Dis really true?" she asked looking over at Gin. "I's mean, are we's really here?"
" Yeah, we's really here," Gin grinned plopping down on the bed next to her.
" I's got a top bunk," Sneaks smiled as she jumped up on top of a bunk bed. "I's da king of da woild up here," she laughed.
" Sure ya are," Bolt laughed throwing a pillow at her from her top bunk next to her on her right.
" You's an' da rest of us," Bubblegum laughed jumping up on the top bunk to the left of Sneaks. Sneaks carefully took out her kitten that was still in her shirt and set him down her bunk. He gazed around, his yellow eyes glowing. He meowed slightly before turning in a circle and lying down on her pillow.
" I's hope ya like cats," Sneaks whispered to the girls. The old lady looked over at the kitten.
" What is dis?" she asked crossing the room in rapid speed for an old lady.
" Me kitten," Sneaks smiled sweetly.
" I's don't like cats, but I's ain't got no rules against it. Just keep it outa trouble, ya hear?" Gibby scoured at her. Sneaks nodded and gently brushed the kitten's fur.
" When do we's get ta find a boys?" Hades smirked glancing around. "I's can't wait ta see dat Mush," she giggled looking at Punky.
" Yeah, see 'im naked!" Punky laughed chasing Hades around the room.
" Stop it! Pipe down!" Luna yelled as the two stopped dead in their tracks and turned to Luna. "Look, you's got ta remember, if we's run in ta dem, ya can't act like ya know who dey are," she explained. "Dey's nevah seen ya befoah, an' ya can't be running up ta dem going: 'hiya Mush, let's go ta Irving Hall ta night.' Dat ain't gonna work, ya hear? You's got ta get dem ta notice ya foist." The girls gazed around at each other for a few minutes. They understood what Luna meant. That they couldn't act like they knew who the newsies were. "Now, it's getting late, an' we's not used ta getting up early ta sell papes, so I say dat ya pick yer bed out if ya haven't yet, an' get ta sleep!" Luna said picking the bed closest to the doorway.
" Luna?" Doll asked as everyone was starting to get settled down. "Is dis all of us dat's coming?"
" I's don't think so, I's think dat we's got a few more, but I's ain't sure," Luna replied. "We's just didn't have enough time ta look foah dem all."
"So, some might be sleeping out side?" Doll asked innocently.
" Dey be sleeping outside like real street rats, which is what we's are now," Luna answered rolling over to face the door.
" I's say dat we pray foah dem," Bailey suggested. She got a few groans, but quickly Windy was next to her.
" I's agree. A little prayer ain't evah hoit nobody," Windy said bowing her head next to Bailey. A few other girls started to bow down with them, some getting off their top bunk.
"Nah, Spike. Stay dare," Sneaks commanded the small kitten that started to get up as she hopped off. It looked at her and sat back down as she walked over to the small group of girls that were praying. Luna glanced over at the small prayer club that had formed. She signed heavily knowing that at least the girls on the streets had a better chance than they had before they had come back to 1899, but she still couldn't help but worry about them. She fell asleep wondering how the girls that they didn't find where making it out on the streets.
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It was cold out the streets; there was no doubt about it. Their first night in New York City, and already it was starting to scar them slightly.
" Illusion," a girl called out.
" What is it Klutz?" Illusion stood up, walking over to the 5'4 skinny girl who was lying next to a crate. "Don't tell me ya fell," Illusion sighed shaking her head.
" Nah," Klutz said offensively. "I's just.I's just wondered where everyone is. Shouldn't dey have been here by now?"
" I's don't know," Illusion sighed looking around. She brushed her black curly hair back with her hands, looking around at the other girls.
" It's cold out," Lavender pointed out from her spot near a barrel. She pushed her glasses up her nose and glanced around. "I's think dat Reverie is sick," she noticed looking over to a small girl who was getting sick.
" Reverie, are you okay?" Illusion asked, bending down and trying to get her to look at her.
" I's ain't feeling too good," Reverie said as she turned and threw up again. "It's cold out here," she said gazing around, her eyes huge. "I's, I's don't think dat ya should be around me," she said pushing Illusion away as she got sick again. Illusion frowned and glanced around the small group.
"Anyone happen ta have something foah her, ta keep 'er warm?" Illusion asked. She got a few no's and she sighed. She turned back to Reverie, who was growing paler and paler. "Goils, let's go," Illusion commanded, pulling some of the girl's attention away from the dying Reverie. They all got up, and headed out of the alley, to find a new place to stay.
" Reverie?" Strider called, gazing back at the sick girl.
" Go on," Reverie called out, as Klutz slowly pulled her away. They walked for what seemed like ages. They saw little boys lying out in front of buildings and other street rats crawling around the city alleyways, some looking for food in old crates and barrels. They found themselves another empty alleyway and settled themselves down.
"I's cold," Tiki said looking at Illusion through hazy eyes. She was turning pale fast, and when Illusion felt her face, it was boiling.
" Yer boiling up," Illusion exclaimed, pulling her hand away from Tiki's forehead. "Here," she said handing her a thing brown jacket. She looked around. " Good thing I's put down in me profile I's got me a brown dress jacket," Illusion smiled.
" Dis ain't good, is it?" Klutz asked. " I's mean, where is everyone?"
" Probably got smart, found a Lodging House an' is waiting foah us," Illusion said looking around. She adjusted the yellow-checkered shirt she was wearing.
" Well, I's wish we's could go an' find one," Lavender sighed, sitting down next to Klutz.
" I's know," Illusion tried to comfort her.
" Den why don't we?" Strider asked, leaning against a wall of a building.
" 'Cause, we's can't," Illusion replied. " I's just don't want ta go looking foah anything right now, wit Tiki getting sick, an' everything." She tried to explain.
" Well, I's say dat we go an' look anyway," a girl with dark brown eyes, dark brown complexion like Boots, and shoulder length black hair.
" Moxie, we's ain't going, dat's da end of it," Illusion put her foot down on the subject. Moxie huffed and sat down next to Mix.
" Don't worry Moxie, I's think dat we's should go too," Mix comforted her. " Da streets aren't dat safe, we's all know dat."
" Legs, go check on Tiki ovah dare," Illusion instructed. Legs sighed and walked over to the girl that was lying down with Illusion's brown jacket over her.
" Tiki," Legs tried to nudge the sleeping girl, but she didn't budge. " Tiki," Legs called again. Her face turned pale, and she turned back to Illusion. "She ain't moving," Legs half-cried moving away from Tiki's body.
" Not a nutter one," Illusion muttered, walking over to Tiki's body. She bent down and frowned. "Great," she sighed. She looked around. "We's need ta find a nutter alley."
" Why's can't we do something?" Lavender asked. "I's hate da fact dat we's leaving 'em in alleys."
" It's typical, Lave, don't worry 'bout it." Klutz tried to comfort her by picking her up off the ground.
" Is anyone else feeling sick?" Illusion asked. No one said a word and Illusion smiled. "Good, den dat means we's won't have ta leave da next alley." They walked away, Illusion leaving Tiki with her jacket.
" Why's can't we just go look foah a lodging house?" Moxie asked. "It ain't gonna hoit."
" Look, I's say we's wait till tomorrow," Illusion said.
" But what 'bout da rest of us, who says you's da boss?" Mix questioned.
" 'Cause I's da one dat found ya.."
" So?" Lavender asked.
" Look, do what ya want, I's gonna stay here," Illusion frowned, folding her hands over her chest. The girls looked around at each other.
" Well, den I's leaving," Moxie informed, Mix following her out of the alley.
" Wait," Lavender called, with Klutz glancing at her and then at Illusion.
" We's ain't waiting long," Mix called back.
" Why's don't ya come too?" Lavender asked Klutz. Klutz looked at Tiki and then thought about Reverie.
" I's coming," Klutz said, leaving Illusion there with a few girls. The four took off down the street, looking for a place to stay.
" Hi-ya," They heard a voice for the shadows.
" Shoo fly!" Moxie called as the man stepped out and smiled at them.
" Sure, sure," the man laughed walking away.
" Come on," Moxie dragged them away, trying to get them away from the man that was still lingering near by. By time they had gotten half way down the street, the man was gone, and they slowed their pace down a bit.
" I's getting tired," Lavender yawned looking at Klutz.
" Why don't we's just find a place ta sleep now, an' look foah it in da morning?" Klutz asked Moxie.
"Yeah, I's guess we's could do dat," Moxie motioned to an alleyway. They walked in, seeing other sleeping kids and decided that they would be safe there, in a group. They lied down together and finally fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Get up! Get up!" Gibby's raspy voice called the next morning. Girls fell out of their beds, forgetting that they were back in 1899, and had to get up early to sell papers.
" But, ma, five more minutes," Jay-Bug called half-asleep.
" Ain't five more minutes ta spare," Gibby called, poking the little girl up. She yawned and looked around, scared at first.
" What?" she half screamed, then remembering the events of the day before smiled and got up.
" Get up! Get up!" Gibby yelled again, poking at Snoozer who just kept on sleeping.
" Snoozah, if ya don't get up, I's gonna soak ya," Luna threatened as the sleepy-eyed girl sat up, looking around.
" I's up," she sighed, throwing back curls of brown hair out of her face. She could tell her hair was a mess, so she threw it up in under her hat, which she had turned to the side.
" Get da lead outa yer pants ladies," Gibby called, as Sneaks rolled out of bed and fell to the floor with a thud.
" Well dat sucked," Sneaks sighed looking up at her bed from the floor.
" Haha, dat was great Sneaks! Evah so graceful." Bubblegum laughed as she swung off her bead and headed for the washroom. Several girls were already in there, washing up and relieving themselves.
" Dis watah is cold," Bon-Bon shivered from the large tin basin that sat at the end of the counter as Doll pumped the water on her as she washed up.
" Da only thing dat's missing is da shaving cream ta throw," Floaty laughed staring at Bolt.
"I's don't know about ya, but I's don't need ta shave me face." Bolt smiled.
" I's need something ta stuff in me boots," Dodge looked around.
" Here," Rave said tossing her some old newspapers that were on the floor.
" D'anks." Dodge smiled as she stuffed them in her boots and put them on.
" I's need a towel," Atlantic called with soaps still on her face.
" Ya look like Race," Chord laughed. "Is dis where I's say 'foah a buck I might?'" she laughed tossing Atlantic a towel, hitting her in the face.
" I's swear, if one of ya messes up an' says hi ta one of da fellas like ya old chums, I's gonna soak ya a good one," Luna said coming out of a stale.
" Whoa, we's ain't gonna mess up," Punky sniffed, taking a towel and blowing her nose in it.
" Dat's sick," Hades laughed walking over, buttoning her shirt up.
" Where's we gonna get money ta sell papes?" Cards asked glancing over at Luna.
" I's got enough foah ya all ta buy twenty each," Luna said glancing around at each of them.
"But get da lead outa yer pants, an' lets go!" The girls quickly got dressed and finished washing up and headed down the stairs as Gibby made a head count with her bony index finger, making sure that all the girls were out of bed and heading out to the Distribution Center.
"So, where we's going?" Bailey asked, trying to make sure they knew how to get to the Distribution Center.
" Dis way," Luna called, heading down the street to the left.
" Sneaks," the same deep voice from the day before called out.
" Graft?" Sneaks blushed turning around as all the girls stared at him, eyeing him up like a piece of meat.
" Where's ya going? Ya selling papes ta-day or what?" he asked staring at them oddly.
" Yeah," Sneaks replied, adjusting her red suspenders she had on.
" Well, da distribution center is dis way," he said pointing with his thumb in the opposite direction that the girls were going in.
" We's knew dat," Luna replied cockily, walking over to Graft. "We's felt like a scenic rout ta day."
"Well, ya betta hurry, da bell rang a few minutes ago," Graft replied, staring coldly at Luna.
" Graft," Sneaks blushed. "Why's don't ya lead," He smiled and turned on his heel back the way he had come. The girls followed, looking at Luna.
When they got to the distribution center, none of the newsies were there. Some of the girls sighed and moaned and got up, taking money from Luna and buying their twenty papes. Graft got up first, buying fifty and giving Sneaks money.
" Get thioty," he commanded as she smiled at Weasel, placing the money down on the counter, asking for thirty papes.
" Thirty papes," Weasel called out as Morris threw papers down on the counter. Sneaks picked them up, scanning that he had given her thirty. "Next," Weasel called as Lute got up and ordered twenty papes.
" We's gonna sell in Brooklyn ta day?" Graft asked.
" I's wanted ta sell wit me friends ta day," Sneaks smiled at him.
" Fine, fine. Meet me here at five," Graft smiled at her. Sneaks nodded as Graft walked off.
" So, dat's yer brudda," Luna asked looking at Sneaks.
" Yeah," Sneaks blushed, trying to look away from her gaze.
" Spot's right hand man," she smiled. "Well, dat'll get me ta Brooklyn." She patted Sneaks on the back and headed off down the street, following Graft from a good distance.
" Dese headlines suck," Windy frowned looking over the paper. " Look at dis, 'Man caught stealing bread' on page two?" she laughed.
" Dey are bad," Dream was reading over the paper. " I's gonna go ta Central Park, anyone care ta join me?"
" I will," Blizzard smiled as a few more girls headed over to Dream.
" Ya shouldn't all sell ta-gether," Bolt told them. "I'd stick ta two or three selling partners, if dat."
" I's goin' all ovah," Bubblegum smiled. "I's wanna see if I can find me Blink."
" I's wanna find Dutchy," Punky smiled. "Dat's why, I's going dis way," she called heading off in her own direction.
" I's coming wit ya," Hades smiled running up to her friend.
" Dollface, ya coming?" Punky asked.
" I's gonna sell wit Bon-Bon an' Floaty," Doll called to them. They nodded and headed off alone.
" Chord, ya coming?" Cards called as she started to walk off.
" I's gonna go dis way," Gin called as Minty followed.
" I's might as well go wit ya," Minty replied. Snaps and Snoozer went in another direction, with Lyf and Jay-bug following behind them.
" Look out foah utter NML members," Pretzel said looking at them, heading off in her own direction, with Pinch and Nevada going another.
"Windy?" Bubblegum asked. "Ya wanna sell wit me?"
" Sure," Windy smiled as the two headed off.
" I'll sell wit ya, Sneaks, if ya want," Dodge offered.
" Sure, we's two pickpockets, why not?" Sneaks smiled at her new friend. She had on matching red suspenders, and a dirty white shirt, which she had tucked into her black pants. They walked around, trying to sell papers. That's when and idea struck. They would split up, one selling papers, the other walking around pick-pocketing people. It worked for awhile, but they decided with the way cops were starting to show up on the streets, to just stick to hawking the headlines.
" Ya wonder 'bout da utter goils dat we's didn't find?" Dodge asked Sneaks as they headed down a busy street.
" Yeah," Sneaks sighed glancing down. Dodge nodded.
" I's miss me mudda, too," Dodge added, sighing and staring off into the crowd.
Written by Sneaks (Isobelle Charlotte) and Bubblegum. After Chapter Five,
written by Sneaks and Stretch.
Writers' notes:
Please understand that the characters based from "Newsies" around this story, (Escape From War) do not belong to us, and that they are soul property of (Disney and a trademark of (Disney. We also do not own certain characters of the story, in which case we give full credit to the girls who have loaned us their characters. With creative rights, it is to be understood that when given permission to use characters, we use them the way we see fit, regardless of the views of the owners. Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely Yours,
Isobelle Charlotte (Sneaks) and Bubblegum and Stretch
Writers and authors of Escape From War
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter I:
The Start of A New Beginning.
"The threat of war is getting to serious," Luna thought to herself as she sat down at her computer. " I know the other girls must feel this way too." She sat there thinking, staring at her e-mail screen, her eyes concentrating on the send button. "If I do this, then I'm giving everyone an opportunity." She glanced around looking at her e-mail she had just finish writing. The news in the background blaring.
" All Americans must be prepared for the war that we are now facing," President Bush's voice was coming through her thoughts. " I do repeat, this is very serious, with the bombing of the Brooklyn Bridge of New York, the Bay Bridge in California, and dozen of other US monuments and structures." Luna stared at her computer screen.
" Just send it before communications goes out," she told herself, leading the mouse and the cursor to the send button. " You have the key to save them." With one swift downward motion on the clicker of the mouse, the e- mail was sent. She sat there, staring at her computer, the little notice box reading: Message Sent, flashed upon the screen. She turned her head back to face the television, her tear stricken face highlighted by the glow of the TV. She knew that not all of them would get the e-mail in time, but she knew that she would be able to at least save a few..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sneaks looked at her e-mail, thinking it was going to be the last time. The threat of war, and TMI so close to her house, she figured any day now that Iraq would be bombing it, eliminating her and the whole state of Pennsylvania and God knows what other states into nothingness. She looked over her inbox, a strange title catching her eye. SAVE YOURSELF FROM WAR: HERES HOW. It was a post from Luna. Not really knowing what she was going to find, she clicked on it, and began to read, just like other listies that where still alive and able to check their e-mail, were doing. Sneaks read it, not believing her eyes.
" I have found a way to escape from this whole mess, alive, and never have to worry about being killed. It may be hard for some, but it's the only way that we can survive," Sneaks read looking at the screen in disbelief. " Keep reading, and I will tell you how..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dozens of other NML members checked their e-mail that day. Bubblegum sat there, looking at the screen, trying to make sense of the e-mail that Luna had sent out.
" The only bad thing about this," the e-mail read, " Is that only NML members will get to escaped. No family members, no friends.just NML members." Bubblegum looked around at the picture of her family on the computer desk.
" No mom, no dad.nothing," she said to herself staring at the picture. It was the only way that she could escape from this war alive, and she was going to have to leave her family behind. " It'll just be like Newsies," she told herself. " Not having a family, having to leave them behind to make my own future," She looked around one more time, and finally hit the print button. She pulled the freshly dried ink instructions off the printer and headed off to her room, just like dozen of other NML members were doing across the country. She knew what she was about to do was going to change her life forever, but to her, it was better than dying in a stupid war, and she knew that somehow her parents would feel better knowing that she was going to be okay.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sneaks read over the e-mail again, carefully copying down the instructions. She had luckily been able to print off her character's profile papers right before the school had been closed down. She ran up the stairs to her bedroom where she shut the door. She held the instructions in her hand, her profiles in the other. She looked on her bed, her small kitten asleep in a ball on her quilt.
" I wish you could come too," she leaned down and kissed her kitten. He woke up, gazing at her with his yellow eyes, almost as if trying to beg her to take him with her. Sneaks rubbed her hand over his head and stood back up. She folded her hands on her hips and thought about the e-mail she had read. She sighed and took out a piece of paper and began to write, with Good Charlotte's "The Day That I Died," playing in the background.
" Mom," Sneaks wrote. " I'm sorry that I'm leaving you behind. Tell Bucky that I love him, and please take care of yourself. If you make it through the war, maybe someday I'll see you again. I wish I could take you with me, but where I'm going, it's not a place for you. I hope you can make some sense out of this letter. Please don't cry mom, it's hard enough that I'm signing my death letter to you, and asking you to take care of yourself without me. Some day I'll see you again, mom. I have hope of that. Even though I can't tell you where I'm going, or how I'm getting there, I just want you to know that this is the day that I died, and the day that I'll be reborn again. I love you so much. Love, your baby girl."
Sneaks wiped a tear off her face and carefully put the letter in an envelope and laid it on her bed next to her kitten. She looked around one last time, knowing that this was going to be the last time that she would see her room. The last time that she would be able to enjoy the comfort of her self-painted walls, of the garden scene she had painted just ten months ago, before the war had picked up. She knew where she was going she wouldn't be alone, and that thought eased her mind slightly. She picked up her Newsies movie, and carefully took the pages in which her character was written in and placed it around the cassette. She then placed it in her VCR. She looked around one last time, and picked up her cat to ease her mind. Standing before the TV she pushed play, and waited...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bubblegum placed the tape in her VCR, her character profile wrapped tightly around the movie. She hit play and waited. She waited for a moment while the TV fuzz was snowing on the screen, then suddenly a light from the VCR poured out and before she knew what had happened she was standing in an alleyway, looking out into the streets of New York City, in 1899. She glanced down at her clothing, which had been transferred into the same outfit she had described in her character profile. She had on the same old pair of dirty khaki pants with a blue-checkered shirt. The only thing that was missing was the pair of pink suspenders, which Sarah Jacobs was supposed have given her. A dark blue newsie hat sat on top of her brown curly hair. She looked around, not seeing any one else in the alley, so she sat down and waited, praying that more NML members would soon join her, easing her anxiety. A few minutes later she was blinded by another bright light, and she fell to the ground, with another girl falling on top of her.
"Excuse me," the girl said getting up to stare at Bubblegum.
" Here," Bubblegum said, handing the girl a gray newsie cap that had fallen on the ground from the force of the fall. She turned to face a reddish- brown hair girl with bright blue eyes and a freckle just to the left on her chin. The girl smiled and stared at Bubblegum in her brown pants and white blouse, fiddling with her brown suspenders.
" D'anks," she said in a New York accent that seemed to surprise her slightly. "Wow, just picked dat up," she smiled still staring at Bubblegum, who's green eyes stared at the girl, waiting for an introduction. "Oh yes, me names Windy," the girl smiled.
" Windy? It's me, Bubblegum," she pointed to herself.
" Wow, what a small woild," Windy said in her newly acquired accent. She hugged Bubblegum and looked around. "So, we's made it," she smiled, glancing around. " Any sign of any one else?" she asked.
" Nah, not yet. I's been waiting faoh a little, until ya came an' knocked me ta da ground," Bubblegum answered, brushing off some mud on her knees. "I's say 'dough dat we's should stand ovah dare, 'cause ya hit me here." she motioned to the other corner of the alley. The two moved just as another light struck, and another girl fell to the ground with a thud.
"Ouch," the girl moaned grabbing her side as she tried to stand up. "Shit dat hoit. Dey don't tell ya dat's gonna happen," she said dusting off her olive green button up shirt, with half the buttons unbuttoned, her brown undershirt showing through, which was tucked in her oversized brown pants and tan suspenders. She fixed her black cap over her brown hair.
" Punky," the two girls smiled at each other and stepped over to their NML friend.
" Gee, how'd ya guess?" she grinned at them. Suddenly another girl fell behind them. They turned to see brownish-reddish-violet colored eyes staring at them. The new member had on a pair of black cut-offs and a dark gray faded button-up shirt with black suspenders. She glanced around for her hat and found it, placing the black hat on her head of auburn hair.
" Hades," Punky smiled at her. " NAKED MUSH!" they both suddenly screamed together, laughing and turning to face two confused girls.
" Just an inside joke," Hades blushed, suddenly shaking her head and looking around. " So, dat's how many through here?" she asked.
" Four," Bubblegum replied, staring at Hades' one-of-a-kind eyes.
" Den one more will be coming dis way, den we's got ta find da others," she notified them. They took a seat, waiting for the fifth member to fall from the sky. They sat there quietly talking about how it had happened to them, the bright light they had seen in their rooms or living rooms and suddenly falling to the cobblestone alleyway of an 1899 New York City. Suddenly the last bright light hit and a thud followed. They looked to see a girl sprawled out on the alleyway, just staring at the cobblestone ground.
" It worked?" she half-laughed, then turned her head to glance at the girls. "Hi-ya," she smiled sitting up and brushing her brown-golden hair back. She sat up and looked at the girls, her hands folding over her knees. She had on a pair of oversized black pants. Her white blouse hung open, exposing a dark blue undershirt.
"Hi," the other girls replied, waiting for her to give a name. The girl glanced around and noticed a small gray kitten next to her.
" Spiky?" she asked looking at the kitten as it rubbed up on her. The kitten meowed and looked up at the girl. "I's thought dat we's couldn't take pets wit us?" she asked the girls.
" Dat's what the e-mail said," Hades nodded.
" Den how's come me cat is here wit me?" the girl asked. She glanced around noticing that the girls were staring at her strangely. "Oh, me names Sneaks." She turned back to her kitten and picked him up. " Dis ain't right," she said looking at him. " If I's known dis I's would'a been holding Maggie too," she smiled. " Maggie's me dog," she said looking at the girls. They stared at her strangely.
" Sneaks?" Bubblegum questioned.
" Yup," Sneaks smiled at her.
" Bubblegum."
" Bubblegum? What a small woild," she shook her head, smiling as the two girls shook hands.
" Dis is Windy, Punky and Hades," Bubblegum introduced.
" Hi-ya! Dis is a small woild," she smiled shaking the girl's hands.
" Well, I's guess we's could go an' look foah, some of da utters," Hades said standing up. " We's can look 'round da city too," she winked. "Maybe find our boys." They headed off into the city, looking around for any sign of other girls. Sneaks picked up her kitten and placed him in her shirt, as he fell asleep.
" When we's find Luna, we's gotta ask her 'bout dat," Hades pointed at the kitten in Sneaks' shirt.
" Yeah," Sneaks said looking down. They headed around the city for what seemed like hours, without a trace of the newsies or the other NML members. They stumbled into another alleyway and found five girls sitting around talking to each other. They looked up cautiously at that them.
" NML?" Hades asked looking at the group. Suddenly a wave of signs broke up and the one girls stood up. She had dark brown jaw length hair and green eyes. She was wearing a black short sleeve button down blouse and gray pinstriped pants.
" We's thought dat we's wasn't gonna find anyone else," the girl said to them. " Da name's Bolt," she extended her hand.
" Bolt!" Sneaks yelled running up and hugging the girl. Bolt looked at her. " I's figured betta den hugging da computer screen. It's me, Sneaks."
" Sneaks!" Bolt smiled hugging Sneaks tighter. " Dis is Cards, Floaty, Bon- Bon, and Doll-Face." Bolt introduced them.
" Hey!" They all greeted each other, remembering the long day and nights that they had spent talking to each other about Newsies, Rping with each other and talking about the war.
" Me turn ta play God!" Punky shouted out of nowhere. " I's think dat we's should go and see who else we's can find." She suggested. They headed out of the alleyway and started to look around for signs of other NML members.
" Sneaks!" a deep voice rang out from behind the group. They all turned slowly to see a tall boy, with dark brown hair, and gray eyes staring at them. "I's thought I's told ya ta stay in Brooklyn!" the boy shouted at Sneaks. She had turned pale realizing what had happened, and who the boy was yelling at her.
" Who are you?" Punky stood up to the boy.
" Who am I?" he questioned her, hovering over her.
" Graft, stop it," Sneaks pushed the boy back. He backed off slightly and looked at Sneaks. She turned to the girls and mouth who he was. " Me brudda," she mouthed, getting a lot of confused looks for the group of girls. Bolt leaned in to Sneaks as she whispered what she guessed had happened. " I put me character list in, 'is must have been wit it an' I's nev'a noticed," she said standing straight up and smiling at Graft.
" Let's go," Graft demanded staring at her with his intense gray eyes.
" Can I's just spend da night wit me new friends?" Sneaks pleaded, trying to look as sweetly as she could to her brother.
" Fine," he sighed, her trick working. " But I'll come an' get ya tomorrow. Ya staying at da lodging house?" he asked. She nodded. He hugged her and headed off back to Brooklyn.
" How did dat happen?" Bubblegum asked looking at Sneaks.
" I's must have left 'is character profile wit mine in da VCR," she explained, watching Graft as he walked off.
" Look, we's hafta find every one else befoah it gets dark," Hades said looking around.
" Dis way," Punky walked off. They passed the Horace Greenley statue and found five girls sitting on it looking around.
" NML?" Bolt asked looking at them.
" What is dat?" the one girl asked.
" Nuttin," Bolt said as the girls headed off in another direction.
" Pretzel," they heard a voice in another alleyway.
" Hey, we's had a Pretzel on da NML," Floaty said looking at the group.
" Let's check it out," Doll suggested as Punky walked in the alleyway.
" NML?" she called out.
" Whose dare?" a girl with short brown hair and freckles asked. She was wearing tan pants a white undershirt with a light green button-down shirt and the top three buttons unbuttoned. She held her green suspenders in her hand and her tan newsie hat was turned sideways slightly. When she talked a scar on her lip would stretch.
" Punky," Punky answered looking at the girl.
" Thought ya wouldn't show," Pretzel smiled as she shook hands with Punky. " Gin, go see if Minty's feeling betta," Pretzel commanded a little 5'5 girl with amber hair stood up and walked deeper into the alley.
" I's Rave," a girl smiled looking around. She had brown hair with a hint of red. She wore khaki pants and a white button down shirt and khaki color newsie cap. She had a black velvety fabric necklace around her neck with a silver teardrop at the end. She wiped her nose and showed that she was wearing a burgundy bracelet on her hand.
" An' me names Dreamer, Dream foah short," a blond curly hared girl introduced. She had on a black pair of pants and a pink undershirt. Gin and another girl, Minty appeared from the back of the alleyway.
" She okay?" Floaty asked glancing at the little 5'3 girl with a brown skirt and dirty white blouse. She was the first of them to be wearing girl clothing.
" I's fine," Minty said staring at the group with her turquoise eyes. She gave a weak grin, "I's feeling lil betta, Pretz," she reinsured. Pretzel nodded and looked at the group.
" We's should look foah more," she informed looking up at the sky. "I's guess it'll be getting dark out soon." The girls gathered their hats and started out around the street once again. They saw a group of five walking their way and they stopped, looking at each other.
" Luna?" Sneaks asked looking at the pale skinned, black hair girl what was standing in front of the four other girls looking as tough as they came.
" Yeah," she said staring at her. "How ya know dat?"
" I's written 'bout ya befoah, ya look yer description ya gave me," Sneaks smiled.
" So you's da goil I's been beta-ing?" a stocky little girl came up to Sneaks.
" Lute?" Sneaks questioned, the girl shaking her head in response, the two spit shaking.
" I's Blizzard, Blizz faoh short," a girl said smiling. " An' dis is Bailey," she said nudging the curly brown girl with brown boots, brown pants, brown matching newsie hat and a pale blue shirt.
" An' I's Aura," another girl in a blue skirt and white blouse smiled.
" Aura!" Punky shouted greeting the girl.
" Look, we's can have warm an' fuzzy time later. We's got ta find da utter goils dat are out dare," Luna said glancing around the group. They nodded and headed in a different direction, towards the World Distribution Center. They found a small group their and stopped to check on them. They found Chord, Dodge, Nevada, Atlantic, Jay-Bug, Lyf, Snaps, Pinch, and Snoozer.
" Where's we gonna stay?" Bubblegum questioned suddenly as the city sky started to turn a deep violet color.
" Da lodging house," Luna answered, still showing no signs of slowing down.
" Da boy's lodging house?" Bon-Bon asked, blushing slightly.
" No. Medda had a newsgoil lodging house started up," Luna smiled. " D'anks ta a little help from me," she boasted.
" Like Sneaks added 'erself a brudda?" Floaty asked.
" What?" Luna nearly shouted, turning around to look at Sneaks.
" I's didn't mean ta, da character profile foah me newsie brudda was mixed in wit me profile." Sneaks tried to explain, the kitten moving inside of her shirt.
" What is dat?" Luna poked at the bubble in her shirt that was moving. Suddenly a little kitten head poked up at out of her shirt.
" I's wanted ta ask ya, how me cat came wit me," Sneaks blushed seeing Luna's face flush with anger.
" Didn't ya read da e-mail correctly?" she shouted, a few by-standers to look their way. " Now look what ya doing," Luna hit Sneaks on the back of the head. "Let's go," she ordered as the rest of the group followed closely behind Luna. Sneaks stood there for a moment, watching them march off.
" Don't worry 'bout dat," Bubblegum tried to comfort Sneaks. She stared hard into Sneaks face, as if waiting for her to burst into tears.
" I's fine," Sneaks replied with a little too much attitude. " I's didn't mean ta snap," she apologized seeing Bubblegum's hurt expression.
" We's betta catch up," Bubblegum noticed the group of twenty-seven way ahead of them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When they got to the Lodging House they were in awe. It looked almost exactly like the boy's lodging house; only the walls were a drab pinkish color. Luna was the first to walk in and sign the guest book. A tall bony lady stood at the desk, her gray hair falling out of the lose bun that rested on the top of her head. She watched everyone through cataract eyes, carefully trying to count all of girls. Luna carefully crafted her signature on the tattered old book and handed the pen off to Pretzel who signed her name down and passed the pen on to the next girl.
" Foist night's free," the old lady informed them as Luna dug into her pockets trying to find some pennies. Luna smiled and waited for the rest of the girls to finish signing their names. "Dis way," the woman called after all the girls had signed the book, heading up the creaky stairs. "Me names Ms. Giblin, Gibby foah short, if ya wish," she sighed as she finally hit the landing and strolled into a large bunkroom. "Dis is it, where ya's sleep an' wash up," she motioned with a bony finger at the room.
Like downstairs, it too had the same drab pinkish color covering the walls. Thirty or so brass bunk beds lined the walls, with a few nightstands in- between the beds. White sheets sat on the bed with a few gray and dark blue blankets. The washroom had tall toilet stalls on the right side of the room. A long counter stuck out from the center of the room, with a large water pump at the end and a huge basin under it. A row of trough-like pipes sat on another wooden counter on the left wall, leading to a small whole in the wall for drainage, with water pumps above them. Mirrors hung from the wooden beams, and towels hung from racks on the walls at the toilet stales.
"It's like we's in da newsboys lodging house," Cards smiled at Bolt.
" We's have a few rules here," Gibby notified the group. " Foist, no boys. Second, ya get up when I's call, an' ya pay me when you's get back from sellin' dat night. An' thiod, I's don't want ta hafta be picking up afta you's all da time, so mind yer stuff." The girls nodded and started to pick out their beds.
" I's got dis one," Minty said crashing on a bottom bunk. She looked around and smiled, placing her hands behind her head. "Dis really true?" she asked looking over at Gin. "I's mean, are we's really here?"
" Yeah, we's really here," Gin grinned plopping down on the bed next to her.
" I's got a top bunk," Sneaks smiled as she jumped up on top of a bunk bed. "I's da king of da woild up here," she laughed.
" Sure ya are," Bolt laughed throwing a pillow at her from her top bunk next to her on her right.
" You's an' da rest of us," Bubblegum laughed jumping up on the top bunk to the left of Sneaks. Sneaks carefully took out her kitten that was still in her shirt and set him down her bunk. He gazed around, his yellow eyes glowing. He meowed slightly before turning in a circle and lying down on her pillow.
" I's hope ya like cats," Sneaks whispered to the girls. The old lady looked over at the kitten.
" What is dis?" she asked crossing the room in rapid speed for an old lady.
" Me kitten," Sneaks smiled sweetly.
" I's don't like cats, but I's ain't got no rules against it. Just keep it outa trouble, ya hear?" Gibby scoured at her. Sneaks nodded and gently brushed the kitten's fur.
" When do we's get ta find a boys?" Hades smirked glancing around. "I's can't wait ta see dat Mush," she giggled looking at Punky.
" Yeah, see 'im naked!" Punky laughed chasing Hades around the room.
" Stop it! Pipe down!" Luna yelled as the two stopped dead in their tracks and turned to Luna. "Look, you's got ta remember, if we's run in ta dem, ya can't act like ya know who dey are," she explained. "Dey's nevah seen ya befoah, an' ya can't be running up ta dem going: 'hiya Mush, let's go ta Irving Hall ta night.' Dat ain't gonna work, ya hear? You's got ta get dem ta notice ya foist." The girls gazed around at each other for a few minutes. They understood what Luna meant. That they couldn't act like they knew who the newsies were. "Now, it's getting late, an' we's not used ta getting up early ta sell papes, so I say dat ya pick yer bed out if ya haven't yet, an' get ta sleep!" Luna said picking the bed closest to the doorway.
" Luna?" Doll asked as everyone was starting to get settled down. "Is dis all of us dat's coming?"
" I's don't think so, I's think dat we's got a few more, but I's ain't sure," Luna replied. "We's just didn't have enough time ta look foah dem all."
"So, some might be sleeping out side?" Doll asked innocently.
" Dey be sleeping outside like real street rats, which is what we's are now," Luna answered rolling over to face the door.
" I's say dat we pray foah dem," Bailey suggested. She got a few groans, but quickly Windy was next to her.
" I's agree. A little prayer ain't evah hoit nobody," Windy said bowing her head next to Bailey. A few other girls started to bow down with them, some getting off their top bunk.
"Nah, Spike. Stay dare," Sneaks commanded the small kitten that started to get up as she hopped off. It looked at her and sat back down as she walked over to the small group of girls that were praying. Luna glanced over at the small prayer club that had formed. She signed heavily knowing that at least the girls on the streets had a better chance than they had before they had come back to 1899, but she still couldn't help but worry about them. She fell asleep wondering how the girls that they didn't find where making it out on the streets.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was cold out the streets; there was no doubt about it. Their first night in New York City, and already it was starting to scar them slightly.
" Illusion," a girl called out.
" What is it Klutz?" Illusion stood up, walking over to the 5'4 skinny girl who was lying next to a crate. "Don't tell me ya fell," Illusion sighed shaking her head.
" Nah," Klutz said offensively. "I's just.I's just wondered where everyone is. Shouldn't dey have been here by now?"
" I's don't know," Illusion sighed looking around. She brushed her black curly hair back with her hands, looking around at the other girls.
" It's cold out," Lavender pointed out from her spot near a barrel. She pushed her glasses up her nose and glanced around. "I's think dat Reverie is sick," she noticed looking over to a small girl who was getting sick.
" Reverie, are you okay?" Illusion asked, bending down and trying to get her to look at her.
" I's ain't feeling too good," Reverie said as she turned and threw up again. "It's cold out here," she said gazing around, her eyes huge. "I's, I's don't think dat ya should be around me," she said pushing Illusion away as she got sick again. Illusion frowned and glanced around the small group.
"Anyone happen ta have something foah her, ta keep 'er warm?" Illusion asked. She got a few no's and she sighed. She turned back to Reverie, who was growing paler and paler. "Goils, let's go," Illusion commanded, pulling some of the girl's attention away from the dying Reverie. They all got up, and headed out of the alley, to find a new place to stay.
" Reverie?" Strider called, gazing back at the sick girl.
" Go on," Reverie called out, as Klutz slowly pulled her away. They walked for what seemed like ages. They saw little boys lying out in front of buildings and other street rats crawling around the city alleyways, some looking for food in old crates and barrels. They found themselves another empty alleyway and settled themselves down.
"I's cold," Tiki said looking at Illusion through hazy eyes. She was turning pale fast, and when Illusion felt her face, it was boiling.
" Yer boiling up," Illusion exclaimed, pulling her hand away from Tiki's forehead. "Here," she said handing her a thing brown jacket. She looked around. " Good thing I's put down in me profile I's got me a brown dress jacket," Illusion smiled.
" Dis ain't good, is it?" Klutz asked. " I's mean, where is everyone?"
" Probably got smart, found a Lodging House an' is waiting foah us," Illusion said looking around. She adjusted the yellow-checkered shirt she was wearing.
" Well, I's wish we's could go an' find one," Lavender sighed, sitting down next to Klutz.
" I's know," Illusion tried to comfort her.
" Den why don't we?" Strider asked, leaning against a wall of a building.
" 'Cause, we's can't," Illusion replied. " I's just don't want ta go looking foah anything right now, wit Tiki getting sick, an' everything." She tried to explain.
" Well, I's say dat we go an' look anyway," a girl with dark brown eyes, dark brown complexion like Boots, and shoulder length black hair.
" Moxie, we's ain't going, dat's da end of it," Illusion put her foot down on the subject. Moxie huffed and sat down next to Mix.
" Don't worry Moxie, I's think dat we's should go too," Mix comforted her. " Da streets aren't dat safe, we's all know dat."
" Legs, go check on Tiki ovah dare," Illusion instructed. Legs sighed and walked over to the girl that was lying down with Illusion's brown jacket over her.
" Tiki," Legs tried to nudge the sleeping girl, but she didn't budge. " Tiki," Legs called again. Her face turned pale, and she turned back to Illusion. "She ain't moving," Legs half-cried moving away from Tiki's body.
" Not a nutter one," Illusion muttered, walking over to Tiki's body. She bent down and frowned. "Great," she sighed. She looked around. "We's need ta find a nutter alley."
" Why's can't we do something?" Lavender asked. "I's hate da fact dat we's leaving 'em in alleys."
" It's typical, Lave, don't worry 'bout it." Klutz tried to comfort her by picking her up off the ground.
" Is anyone else feeling sick?" Illusion asked. No one said a word and Illusion smiled. "Good, den dat means we's won't have ta leave da next alley." They walked away, Illusion leaving Tiki with her jacket.
" Why's can't we just go look foah a lodging house?" Moxie asked. "It ain't gonna hoit."
" Look, I's say we's wait till tomorrow," Illusion said.
" But what 'bout da rest of us, who says you's da boss?" Mix questioned.
" 'Cause I's da one dat found ya.."
" So?" Lavender asked.
" Look, do what ya want, I's gonna stay here," Illusion frowned, folding her hands over her chest. The girls looked around at each other.
" Well, den I's leaving," Moxie informed, Mix following her out of the alley.
" Wait," Lavender called, with Klutz glancing at her and then at Illusion.
" We's ain't waiting long," Mix called back.
" Why's don't ya come too?" Lavender asked Klutz. Klutz looked at Tiki and then thought about Reverie.
" I's coming," Klutz said, leaving Illusion there with a few girls. The four took off down the street, looking for a place to stay.
" Hi-ya," They heard a voice for the shadows.
" Shoo fly!" Moxie called as the man stepped out and smiled at them.
" Sure, sure," the man laughed walking away.
" Come on," Moxie dragged them away, trying to get them away from the man that was still lingering near by. By time they had gotten half way down the street, the man was gone, and they slowed their pace down a bit.
" I's getting tired," Lavender yawned looking at Klutz.
" Why don't we's just find a place ta sleep now, an' look foah it in da morning?" Klutz asked Moxie.
"Yeah, I's guess we's could do dat," Moxie motioned to an alleyway. They walked in, seeing other sleeping kids and decided that they would be safe there, in a group. They lied down together and finally fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Get up! Get up!" Gibby's raspy voice called the next morning. Girls fell out of their beds, forgetting that they were back in 1899, and had to get up early to sell papers.
" But, ma, five more minutes," Jay-Bug called half-asleep.
" Ain't five more minutes ta spare," Gibby called, poking the little girl up. She yawned and looked around, scared at first.
" What?" she half screamed, then remembering the events of the day before smiled and got up.
" Get up! Get up!" Gibby yelled again, poking at Snoozer who just kept on sleeping.
" Snoozah, if ya don't get up, I's gonna soak ya," Luna threatened as the sleepy-eyed girl sat up, looking around.
" I's up," she sighed, throwing back curls of brown hair out of her face. She could tell her hair was a mess, so she threw it up in under her hat, which she had turned to the side.
" Get da lead outa yer pants ladies," Gibby called, as Sneaks rolled out of bed and fell to the floor with a thud.
" Well dat sucked," Sneaks sighed looking up at her bed from the floor.
" Haha, dat was great Sneaks! Evah so graceful." Bubblegum laughed as she swung off her bead and headed for the washroom. Several girls were already in there, washing up and relieving themselves.
" Dis watah is cold," Bon-Bon shivered from the large tin basin that sat at the end of the counter as Doll pumped the water on her as she washed up.
" Da only thing dat's missing is da shaving cream ta throw," Floaty laughed staring at Bolt.
"I's don't know about ya, but I's don't need ta shave me face." Bolt smiled.
" I's need something ta stuff in me boots," Dodge looked around.
" Here," Rave said tossing her some old newspapers that were on the floor.
" D'anks." Dodge smiled as she stuffed them in her boots and put them on.
" I's need a towel," Atlantic called with soaps still on her face.
" Ya look like Race," Chord laughed. "Is dis where I's say 'foah a buck I might?'" she laughed tossing Atlantic a towel, hitting her in the face.
" I's swear, if one of ya messes up an' says hi ta one of da fellas like ya old chums, I's gonna soak ya a good one," Luna said coming out of a stale.
" Whoa, we's ain't gonna mess up," Punky sniffed, taking a towel and blowing her nose in it.
" Dat's sick," Hades laughed walking over, buttoning her shirt up.
" Where's we gonna get money ta sell papes?" Cards asked glancing over at Luna.
" I's got enough foah ya all ta buy twenty each," Luna said glancing around at each of them.
"But get da lead outa yer pants, an' lets go!" The girls quickly got dressed and finished washing up and headed down the stairs as Gibby made a head count with her bony index finger, making sure that all the girls were out of bed and heading out to the Distribution Center.
"So, where we's going?" Bailey asked, trying to make sure they knew how to get to the Distribution Center.
" Dis way," Luna called, heading down the street to the left.
" Sneaks," the same deep voice from the day before called out.
" Graft?" Sneaks blushed turning around as all the girls stared at him, eyeing him up like a piece of meat.
" Where's ya going? Ya selling papes ta-day or what?" he asked staring at them oddly.
" Yeah," Sneaks replied, adjusting her red suspenders she had on.
" Well, da distribution center is dis way," he said pointing with his thumb in the opposite direction that the girls were going in.
" We's knew dat," Luna replied cockily, walking over to Graft. "We's felt like a scenic rout ta day."
"Well, ya betta hurry, da bell rang a few minutes ago," Graft replied, staring coldly at Luna.
" Graft," Sneaks blushed. "Why's don't ya lead," He smiled and turned on his heel back the way he had come. The girls followed, looking at Luna.
When they got to the distribution center, none of the newsies were there. Some of the girls sighed and moaned and got up, taking money from Luna and buying their twenty papes. Graft got up first, buying fifty and giving Sneaks money.
" Get thioty," he commanded as she smiled at Weasel, placing the money down on the counter, asking for thirty papes.
" Thirty papes," Weasel called out as Morris threw papers down on the counter. Sneaks picked them up, scanning that he had given her thirty. "Next," Weasel called as Lute got up and ordered twenty papes.
" We's gonna sell in Brooklyn ta day?" Graft asked.
" I's wanted ta sell wit me friends ta day," Sneaks smiled at him.
" Fine, fine. Meet me here at five," Graft smiled at her. Sneaks nodded as Graft walked off.
" So, dat's yer brudda," Luna asked looking at Sneaks.
" Yeah," Sneaks blushed, trying to look away from her gaze.
" Spot's right hand man," she smiled. "Well, dat'll get me ta Brooklyn." She patted Sneaks on the back and headed off down the street, following Graft from a good distance.
" Dese headlines suck," Windy frowned looking over the paper. " Look at dis, 'Man caught stealing bread' on page two?" she laughed.
" Dey are bad," Dream was reading over the paper. " I's gonna go ta Central Park, anyone care ta join me?"
" I will," Blizzard smiled as a few more girls headed over to Dream.
" Ya shouldn't all sell ta-gether," Bolt told them. "I'd stick ta two or three selling partners, if dat."
" I's goin' all ovah," Bubblegum smiled. "I's wanna see if I can find me Blink."
" I's wanna find Dutchy," Punky smiled. "Dat's why, I's going dis way," she called heading off in her own direction.
" I's coming wit ya," Hades smiled running up to her friend.
" Dollface, ya coming?" Punky asked.
" I's gonna sell wit Bon-Bon an' Floaty," Doll called to them. They nodded and headed off alone.
" Chord, ya coming?" Cards called as she started to walk off.
" I's gonna go dis way," Gin called as Minty followed.
" I's might as well go wit ya," Minty replied. Snaps and Snoozer went in another direction, with Lyf and Jay-bug following behind them.
" Look out foah utter NML members," Pretzel said looking at them, heading off in her own direction, with Pinch and Nevada going another.
"Windy?" Bubblegum asked. "Ya wanna sell wit me?"
" Sure," Windy smiled as the two headed off.
" I'll sell wit ya, Sneaks, if ya want," Dodge offered.
" Sure, we's two pickpockets, why not?" Sneaks smiled at her new friend. She had on matching red suspenders, and a dirty white shirt, which she had tucked into her black pants. They walked around, trying to sell papers. That's when and idea struck. They would split up, one selling papers, the other walking around pick-pocketing people. It worked for awhile, but they decided with the way cops were starting to show up on the streets, to just stick to hawking the headlines.
" Ya wonder 'bout da utter goils dat we's didn't find?" Dodge asked Sneaks as they headed down a busy street.
" Yeah," Sneaks sighed glancing down. Dodge nodded.
" I's miss me mudda, too," Dodge added, sighing and staring off into the crowd.