Disclaimer: I don't own the Newsies.

A/N: I didn't get any reviews :( and usually I don't put up a new chapter until I do but I thought id give this one more chance for some reviews…if I don't get any..this story will sadly be trashed. This is a long chapter so that you get more into the story…although if I get reviews it might take me awhile to get another one up…cause im waiting to see if I should continue..pleasee let me know.

New York, 1942

The next day went by fairly slowly for Maddie, the whole time she helped out her grandparents around the house. But all she wanted to do was to read more of the diary. The only thing that seemed to take her mind off of it was when she went to run an errand with her grandmother. She hurried down the crowded streets following the weaving path her grandmother took. Maddie tried to imagine the mystery girl sleeping in something like this, especially since it was growing colder outside. Maddie debated asking her grandmother about the book she found, but decided to wait until she read more of it.

That night Maddie got ready for bed and waited patiently for the house lights to dim. This was when she quietly read the diary she couldn't seem to put down.

Brooklyn, February 1897

I awoke in what seemed to be a dream, and I wished it was. Last night what I thought would just be some flurries turned out to be a mild snow storm. It wouldn't have mattered if I was inside but now on the streets I can fully appreciate the house and roof I once had over my head. Sighing I picked myself up out of the snow and tried to gather my little possessions together, hiding them in the alleyway.

I had just moved on from the Bronx, it was a big change but needed. I couldn't live around my old house and neighbor hood without feeling hurt. Now I needed to find a job, something that would help me get off these unforgiving streets.

Brooklyn was a tough place, but then again the Bronx was no walk in the park either. I figured I could get along fine here, or so I hoped. It was early still as I saw very little people outside and the sun was barley making its way over the buildings. But this was what time I needed to be up. I had seen kids both young and old selling newspapers yesterday and decided I should give it a try. I had spent my day following a few of the younger kids around, listening to them selling papers to the crowds of people, it didn't seem that hard.

I now walked towards the distribution center wearing pants I had borrowed from some rooftop, I had skirts but I soon abandoned them realizing the streets weren't gentile towards girls. I was much quicker running in pants than I was in the long and heavy skirts, and even though I didn't have a hat covering my long hair, I still felt more at ease. The walk was rather short as I soon saw a loud group waiting outside the building.

I took my place at the end of the line and hoped I wouldn't be bothered. All I wanted to do was earn some money and hopefully get a place to stay. I had to admit I was still nervous about being around this many guys but it was what I had to do. The line started moving and so far I was getting around unnoticed, probably thanks to my height.

As I reached the front I pulled out the only money I had and slid it forward. The old man glanced at me and then quickly counted the money. "20 papes" he yelled into the back. I hoped that wouldn't be a lot for me to sell, since I was putting all my money into one thing.

I was soon passed a large pile of papers, I picked them up I was stunned by the weight of them. Moving them under my arm I made my way toward the gate and into the city streets. But before I could make it to the street I saw two shadows step in front of me. I gazed up, meeting the eyes of two boys. One looked very tall and muscular while the other seemed to be the opposite of him. Both boys glanced at me as they blocked my exit.

"Ya new heah kid?" the skinner one asked, as he casually played with his cane.

I nodded slowly and gave a small "Yeah" in response. His eyes continued to stare as I felt my body wanting to shrink away.

After what seemed like minutes he finally nodded and allowed me to pass. I didn't give him a second glance as I ran off into the streets ready to start working.

It took me longer than I had expected to sell all of my papers but by noon time I was done, and I figured it would take awhile to get used to it. The money in my pocket was worth the effort. I happily found a small restaurant for lunch, finally able to eat a descent meal.

As the afternoon wore on I decided it would be good if I could sell some of the afternoon edition, just to get some more money under my belt. I followed the same routine as this morning, finding my place in the back of the line and waiting. This time I wasn't bothered by anyone as I filed back into the streets with the rest of the newsies.

That night I ended up back in the streets, I hadn't found the lodging house I thought most of the boys stayed at. Maybe tomorrow would bring better luck.

------

It had been about three days since I had taken up the newsies job, and today was another cold morning. I blew into my hands trying desperately to keep them warm, but to no avail. I once again found myself near the back of the long line outside the distribution center. The bell rang ahead of me, signaling the office was now open.

The usually lively newsies seemed to be drained from the weather. Their bodies were covered in a few thin layers of clothes, not enough to protect themselves from the icy wind. I sighed and realized I was now one of them. The line slowly moved along and I found myself in front of the small window.

"30" I mumbled through the hole, as I produced enough change for it. I picked up the stack and was still a little thrown off at the weight of the papers. Today seemed to be heavier, maybe it was the extra 10 papers, or maybe it was from them being cold, either way I frowned and moved on.

I thought the cold would hinder my selling, but I had found a group of people filling into a near by office building. No other newsies seemed to be around and it was a prime location with the office buildings near by. The business men seemed to feel sorry for my frail figure and I sold all 30 a little before noon.

I smiled at the thought of being done early, I was about to get some lunch when I saw one of the newsies that had talked to me the other day. He was the tall and muscular one, and from the way he walked, he walked with an air around him. I slowly followed him from a distance, hoping I could find the lodging house in doing so.

After a few twists and turns down different alley ways I could hear the slow crashing of water against the docks. I looked around and saw the kid go into a run down building. The appearance of the building made me do a double take, I wasn't sure if this was a place I could walk into but I soon noticed a sign hanging above the door. The wind was blowing it back and forth but I could make out the word "Lodging" across it. Figuring this was indeed the newsies lodging house I cautiously walked across the street towards it.

I slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside. Instantly I heard voices' coming from the floor above, apparently the cold was keeping most newsies inside instead of selling for the afternoon. The kid I had followed was still downstairs and he had now noticed I was standing in the doorway.

"What do ya want kid?" he inched forward as he acknowledged me. His voice was raised more than I had expected. I stared back at him and spoke carefully, "I need a place to stay". As soon as I had said it I found the floor to be very fascinating. I was unsure if you could just ask for a place, but it did say lodging outside, didn't it?

"Spot!" I heard the kid once again yell, this time it wasn't at me but towards the stairs. I was confused at what that meant but waited, and watched the stairs.

I heard a door slam shut followed by the echoing sounds of footsteps on the wooden floor. Soon the other newsie I had talked to appeared at the top of the stairs, the cane still hanging by his side.

"What is it Bull?" he leaned against the railing, waiting for the kid, Bull to answer.

"This runt needs a place to stay" he said motioning towards me.

The Spot kid looked me over quickly, "Alright, welcome to the Brooklyn newsies Runt. Its 5 cents a night, bunkrooms up here to the right" and with that he turned and retreated out of sight. The matter seemed to be settled as I turned to Bull he flashed me a smirk.

"Come on Runt, I'll show ya the bunkroom." I frowned, why were they calling me that?

"My names not Runt" I said following him up the stairs.

"Well it is now sweetheart, if ya gonna be a newsie ya need a nickname" I sighed and walked into the bunkroom with him. The others glanced up at me and then went back to what they were doing. Bull introduced me as a new newsie, Runt. I received a few 'heys' from some of them and then that was it. The returned to what they were previously doing. I sighed, I was now a newsie, and at least I had a job and place to stay.

New York, 1942

Maddie was in love with this journal, she felt as if she was there with the girl. Who was now called Runt; she shook her head in confusion. The names they called each other weren't quite the nick names she was used to, like Maddie for Madeline. To her that was a nickname, not Spot, Bull and Runt. Personally she felt kind of bad for the girl to be called Runt but I guess that's how the newsies were. She was about to read more when she felt her eyelids falling heavily. Tomorrow she would have to finish some more of the journal; she hoped it would be filled with stories from the past of New York.

To continue or Trash…its up to you