(A/N): This is my first fanfic. Please comment or review, let me know what you think.
This story came into my head and I decided to write it. This will be a chapter story, so I will hopefully update weekly.
Enjoy!
David Jacobs had been selling newspapers for almost a month now. He knew his way around the streets of Manhattan pretty well. Not as well as Jack and some of the older boys, but better than he did before he met the newsies.
Most days his little brother Les sold with him, but sometimes Les would tag along with one of the other newsies. When that happened, like today, Davey would tend to sell in the rougher parts of Manhattan that the younger boys stayed away from.
There was a reason the younger kids, and even some of the older ones, didn't sell here. There were guys who beat up kids just for the fun of it. Especially if they were alone.
"What're you doin' way out here all by yourself?"
David hadn't heard anyone walk up. He spun around to find himself face to face with, not one, but three guys; all bigger than him.
"You ain't gonna find anyone wantin' to buy a pape 'round here," the obvious leader of the three taunted.
David knew by now not to show fear. He had been with the Newsies long enough to know that it only provokes people like this.
"Look, I don't want any trouble," David started.
"Well, you found it anyway," came the reply, as the three men started towards David.
"W-we can work s-something out," David tried, taking a step backwards, his confident front falling away. He quickly found himself bumping into the alley wall.
"Runnin' your mouth'll get you nowhere." With that, David felt a fist connect with his stomach. He doubled over, clutching at his stomach and gasping for air. Suddenly, the blows started coming from all directions, one after the other. He was kicked, punched and shoved until he was sure he would pass out. When his attackers finally lost interest, they
threw him to the ground and ran off, laughing.
David could feel the blood dripping from a cut in his cheek. He struggled to control his ragged breathing, knowing he took some damage to his ribs. He knew no one would start looking for him for at least a few hours, and who knew how long it would take for them to find him? So David did the only thing he could think to do. He felt around for the wall behind him, pulled his feet somewhat underneath him, and shakily pushed himself up.
Using the wall to support himself, David took a few shaky steps toward the opening of the alley. Once he could see the main road, he tried to determine which way to turn to get back to the lodging house. Turning right, and fighting the pounding in his head, ribs, and lungs, David began to make slow progress towards help.
Jack was pacing anxiously. "Would ya calm down? It ain't that late and Les ain't worried, I'm sure he's fine," Race tried to reassure him. But Jack knew it wasn't like Davey to be late, he liked to get Les home for dinner and before it got too dark. Davey was still pretty new to selling, he didn't know the neighborhoods to steer clear of. The protector in Jack knew that something wasn't right."Crutchie, you're in charge, keep an eye on the boys. Race, Specs, Henry, Albert, Finch, you'se guys come with me. We gotta go look for Davey, I know something ain't right." Though race was sure Jack was overreacting, he knew better than to argue with the newsboy's leader; especially when he was worried about one of his boys.
Once outside, Jack started giving directions on where to search. "Albert, Finch, you two Check near the harbor, Specs and Henry, head towards Central park and Race and I"
"Davey"! Jack turned to see what Specs was shouting about. Down near the end of the building, leaning heavily against the wall, was Davey. In a matter of seconds, Specs and Race were on either side of Davey, who looked ready to fall over."Oh my gosh, Davey! Race, Specs, get 'im on the couch, Albert, Finch, try to keep Les upstairs. Don't freak him out, just keep him busy. He don't need to see this." Jack started giving directions, the leader part of him taking over.
The boys took off to do as they were told. Albert and Finch ran upstairs and found Les playing cards with Romeo. "Deal us in?" Albert asked as they joined the younger boys on the floor. Les was happy to have two more players and didn't question why they suddenly wanted to join.
Henry opened the front door of the lodging house as Specs and Race approached with Davey. He let the four boys enter and then followed them in. Henry ran to clear Tommy boy, Mush, and Ike off the couch while the other boys laid Davey down. Crutchie watched from across the room, giving Jack a look of concern and question. Jack just looked at him, mouthed the word "later", and turned his attention back to Davey. "mmm hurts... to... breath" Davey mumbled. "Shhhh. I know" Jack told him. "Just breathe, you can tell me what happened later." And with that, Davey's eyes fluttered and closed as he fell into a restless sleep.
Thank you for reading! Again, please leave a comment and let me know what you guys think!
Til' next time!
Katelyn