By the time I got out the sky was already black. My clothes were still damp. At least it was warmer then it was this morning. I didn't mind working in a factory during Spring as much as I did Summer where some kids would literally lose conciseness or Winter where you begin to shake uncontrollably. Fall was okay too.
"See you tomorrow Spot." Game said as we left.
"Yeah game I'll see you."
I knew where I was going . Manhattan Newsboys Boarding House where Faith lived I was desperate to talk to someone, anyone. I remembered how easy it was talking to Faith. I told her things I never told anybody else.
As I walked I started to think of Brooklyn and everything that had happened. I thought of West. He was my best friend once. But that was a long time ago. Then I thought of Sound. He was so young... so small. He was seven. He didn't deserve to leave this world the way he did. I remember his little body covered with scarlet. He looked deformed and slashed. My stomach churned at the thought of it. He was a good kid. I remember one day he came up to me and said, "Spot where did you get that cane from?"
I looked at him and smiled.
"This has been passed down generation to generation of Brooklyn leaders. Maybe one day it'll be yours."
His face lit up. He looked up to me. He always wanted to know what the older kids were doing. I didn't mind it when he tagged along with us. He always wanted to learn something new. But now he's gone.
I walked until finely there the boarding house was and there Faith was. She was out on the fire escape looking up at the dark sky. I just stood there watching her for a while. Then suddenly she saw me.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She asked.
"I needed somebody to talk to." I explained.
"If Jack see's me here he'll kill me and you! I'm already in enough shit right now."
"Remember how we used talk? It was so easy I'm just asking for a minute."
She rubbed her eyes.
"That was a two years ago Spot..."
"I know I shouldn't be here. Please I need someone... I need you." I pleaded.
She stared down at me for a moment.
"Faith please." I begged.
"Maybe if you didn't do what you did then maybe things would be different."
"You really believe them? You really think I killed Sound?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore." She mumbled. "Spot I'm tired. Since Sound dies the world has gone insane. I don't need this right now... I really just don't need this right now."
I looked at the ground.
"I can't believe you of all people would say that..."
I felt so hurt, so alone. She had been my hope. But that was just smashed to bits too.
"After Steel I thought things would go back to normal. I just don't want to get sucked up in that again. Try to understand."
After that I didn't feel hurt any more just angry. Steel and West were the same both traitors. I felt my blood boil under my skin. Only thing was I had beaten Steel. West had won here.
"So West put that crap in your head too huh? You think I'm a murder to now-"
"I never said that!"
"Don't give me that!"
Faith climbed down the fire escape so that we were on the same ground level.
"Spot calm down okay? If Jack hears us then we're both screwed."
She put her hand on my shoulder to calm me down. I just shrugged it off. I didn't want it.
"I didn't kill anybody!" I said.
"I'm sorry-"
"No your not!" I shouted. "Nether is anyone else..."
My head was starting to hurt. It felt like it was throbbing.
"Are you okay Spot? You don't look so good."
"I'm fine." I lied.
My head hurt and I was starting to have a bad case of vertigo.
"Spot I'm sorry, really I am."
"I think I just shouldn't have come..."
There was a pause between us.
"Faith is everything okay out there?" We heard. "I heard screaming!"
We turned to the window to see Jack. In an instant Jack and my eyes locked. Jack had banned me from going near the boarding house or any of his newsies. And there I was breaking both rules.
"What the hell are you doing here? Get away from here now! Murderer!" He screamed.
I bolted as fast as I could.
"Spot wait! Wait!" Faith called.
I kept running faster and faster. I ran through the crowded streets until couldn't breath. I stopped and sat down I was hacking and sweating. I managed to find the little alley I called home. I leaned against the wall. pounding it with my fist.
"I'm not a killer! I'm not a killer!" I repeated over and over.
I hit my fist so hard it started to bleed. I sat on the floor slumped against the wall watching my hand bleed. Maybe I'll bleed to death I thought. I closed my eyes when I heard, "Spot it that you?". Faith stood there looking at me.
"You shouldn't even be here!" I barked.
She shrugged and sat next to me.
"What did you do to your hand?" She asked as she picked up my bleeding hand.
I grimaced in pain.
"I don't know it just happened." I said.
"It looks bad. This thing could get infected."
"How did you even get here?" I asked trying to change the subject.
"I just followed you. I ran before Jack could come anywhere near me."
"Why'd you do it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I haven't talked to you in two years why did you come to me now?"
She stopped and looked at me for a few seconds.
"I don't know. Why did you come to talk to me?"
"I don't know..." I smiled.
A person hadn't made me smile in a long time.
"Come on where do you live? I'll take you home and we can wash that hand of yours." she asked.
"You're already here."
"Your a street boy now?" She looked surprised. "Never thought I'd see this day."
"Take what you can." I shrugged.
"What are you doing for a living now anyway?"
"I'm a factory boy."
"How is it?"
"It's a miserable way of living." I mumbled.
She sighed and I can feel the sting of pity when I look in her eyes.
"Are you doing okay? You can tell me the truth." She asked.
"Does all of this look okay to you?"
She looks down not wanting to answer.
"Faith where are you?" A voice called in the distance.
"I should go now." Faith asked.
"You won't tell them where I am, will you?"
"Don't worry it's our secret."
For some reason I know she won't tell even before she says anything.
"Thanks Faith."
I see pity in her eyes again. It still stings horribly.
"Spot... Be careful."
I nodded, "I will be."
With that she smiled and walked out of the ally. I look at the cut on my hand. It did look pretty bad maybe I should wash it so that I can work. You know what I'm not going to. I was tired and it won't be that bad will it be? I close my eyes and slowly drift of to sleep.
