DISCLAIMER: I do not own Newsies.

Away From the Hunter

Ch. 4

-A Family-

-ANNABELLE'S POV-

I heard an ear piercing scream. It took me a moment to realize that it was my scream. Hunter turned around, wondering what I was screaming about, and a look of horror and fear registered on his face.

"Ma! Pa!" He took off running towards the house, but not before telling me to run to the neighbors and get help.

I did as I was told and ran. I told the neighbors to get help and ran back to the house.

The house came crashing down, right before Hunter could go inside to help. If he was even a second earlier, he would have died too, along with everyone else.

I was so scared; I had no idea what to do. By then, the police had finally showed up, and they were escorting a frantic, screaming and crying Hunter away from the scene.

I ran up to him and hugged my brother, my only family member left. Together, we cried, mourning the loss of our parents, and out other aunts and uncles.

A police officer came up to me and said that I could either go live at an orphanage, or stay with my brother. I chose my brother.

He smiled at me. "Don't worry, Anna. I'll take good care of you. I'll always protect you. I promise."

"Ann! Annabelle! You awake? Please! Ann! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes and saw that a bunch of concerned newsies were surrounding me.

They looked relieved when I opened my eyes.

I tried getting up, but my head was killing me and I still felt dizzy.

"Woah! Calm down there! Don't want ya hurtin' yourself, kiddo." Jack looked at me, concerned.

I braced myself for the inevitable question: Are you okay?

I hated being asked that. It's a pretty obvious question. If I was okay would I have been unconscious a few minutes before now? I don't think so.

"Are you okay? Ya just fell to the ground in Tibby's earlier, and we freaked out and brought ya back here." Mush was the first one to ask that. And he wouldn't be the last, I knew that.

That was when I noticed that we weren't in Tibby's anymore. I was in the bottom bunk of a bunk bed, in a room, with a bunch of newsies. I looked around and I noticed that other bunk beds were in the room also. Then I became aware of all the eyes I could feel on me. The newsies. They were everywhere! I saw Mouse walking towards the bed with wide eyes. Jack was sitting on the edge of the bed, and Blink and Mush were standing around the bed looking anxious. So were a few other newsies I didn't know. But Race was off in the corner doing who know what. Not looking even the least bit concerned.

"The goil's awake, leave her alone." Race said with a cigar in his mouth walking over.

The nameless newsies trudged away, going back to doing whatever it was newsies do in their free time, while Blink, Jack, Mouse, Mush, and Race stayed put.

"Are ya okay, Ann?" Mouse said with worry in his voice.

"What happened back there, Ann?" Blink was looking worried too.

Jeez, I just fainted, it's not like I died or anything.

And anyway, why is he the one asking the questions? I don't even know where I am!

"I don't think you should be asking questions right now, I can barely think straight. But first of all, where am I?" I was feeling faint again, and I needed to know before I black out again.

Jack smiled and stood up. His arms proudly outstretched as if he was showing me his most prized possession.

"This," He looked around. "Is the Newsboys Lodging House! Home to the workin' boys of Manhattan. Where ya agreed to stay, 'member?"

Oh, now I remember everything.

"Now ya know where you are. What happened back there? I was really worried about you-" Blink started, but then caught his mistake and backtracked. "I mean, we. We were really worried about you." He was blushing a deep red, it was really cute.

He was worried about me?

I started smiling, then abruptly stopped.

Of course he is worried, every other newsie is worried. I need to stop getting my hopes up. Blink doesn't like me, do I even like him? Yeah, I guess. I mean, I'm attracted by him for his good looks, but I don't even know what he's really like, his personality, It's more like I'm infatuated by him. Oh, he's staring at me. Oh yeah, he asked me a question. Duh. Now I must look like an idiot.

"Oh, it was nothing really, I just-"

"Nothin'? In the middle of our conversation ya collapse on the ground! That's nothing' to ya?" Oh, now Race shows his concern.

"Jeez Race. Calm down, let the lady talk for once!" Jack motioned for me to continue.

"As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted," I stare pointedly at Race. "I sometimes just faint randomly when I'm really stressed. But only sometimes. I usually gain consciousness after about thirty minutes to an hour. Unless I'm really tired, then I just sleep. How long was I out this time?"

"Oh, for about half an hour." A voice I didn't recognize spoke up.

I turned towards the voice and saw an old man wearing a bowler hat standing in the doorway.

"I'm Mr. Kloppman, but most of the boys just call me Kloppman. I run the lodging house." I felt a little uncomfortable, like I was intruding in on his lodging house.

He must have noticed my discomfort, because he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Oh, hi. My name's Annabelle. I usually go by Ann or Anna." I smiled at him.

"Well, Jack told me about your situation, and we can't just let a lady like yourself out on the streets to fend for herself. You're free to use the room next door, it has its own washroom, don't worry."

I smiled and nodded my head. I couldn't think of any words to say. These people were so nice to me. And they barely know me. I have to find a way to repay them. They've been so hospitable.

"Jack had also told me about you needing to find a job? Well, I could use a little help around the lodging house, you know, cleaning, cooking, and keeping after these rowdy boys." There were a few protests and boys yelling: "Hey! We're not rowdy!" Kloppman continued with a roll of his eyes. "If you would like that job, it'll pay for your stay here or you can look for other work, I hear there is an opening at a book store." He smiled warmly at me.

The former seemed like a much better choice. I mean, I've been cooking and cleaning all my life. And looking after 5 little boys? That didn't seem so hard. The older ones sure know how to behave, right?

"I think I'll just stick around here, cleaning and cooking, and of course looking after the boys." I looked around the room, there must have been at least 20 newsboys there. They were all smiling mischievously. Somehow, I knew they were not going to make my job any easier.

"Boys! Get off each other now!" I yell at a cheekily grinning Mush and Snitch as they stood up.

After my fainting spell, I was introduced to all the boys. I knew a lot of their names now since they tend to get into trouble and act like they're all 5 year olds. (The older ones decided that they were more mature than 5 year olds, so I told them they were 7 year olds, and then the actual 7 year olds got offended.) Now, only a day after, I had started my job as Kloppman's assistant. I cook, clean, and help him take care of the boys. I seriously regret accepting this job. I mean, of course I knew the kids would misbehave, but I didn't expect the 'kids' to be the older ones, when in fact, they're the ones causing the most trouble. I bet a book store wouldn't be this rowdy.

I was interrupted from my thoughts when a tennis ball whizzed by my face, barely missing it by half an inch.

I glared at the culprit, none other than Race, who since I have been here, has not made my stay an easier.

When I looked at him, he shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "Oops!"

I let out a frustrated groan and gave up. Stalking up to my room, ignoring all the boys that were on the stairs causing more havoc.

It was just around 6 and the boys had just come home from selling the afternoon edition, and all ready, I had to sweep up two broken dishes, break up one fight, and have had to tell too many boys to stop yelling.

It's not even supper yet! Speaking of supper, I should probably get to cooking that, or it'll get really chaotic. Hungry boys don't like to behave.

Before I could get up from the bed, someone knocked on the door.

Kid Blink opened my door and peeked in.

"Can I come in?"

Against my better judgment, I nodded. "Sure."

He walked in slowly and sat down next to me.

He looked at me, and I couldn't help but notice his beautiful blue eyes. Or eye, since the other was always covered by an eye patch.

I smiled wryly at him before collapsing back onto the bed.

"So… How was you're first day?" He asked a little cautiously.

I looked at him like he was crazy. "Are you really gonna ask me that question? When Kloppman said you boys were rowdy, I didn't think he meant this rowdy."

"They the guys can get a little bit unruly..."

I looked at him skeptically. "A little? Really? Just in the past ten minutes, I've had to clean up two messes, tell you guys to stop yelling, AND dodge a tennis ball thrown at my head 'accidentally' by none other than our very own Racetrack Higgins. And let me tell you, that boy has an arm, he can throw and has perfect aim from across the room, missing my head by half an inch." He nodded understandingly. "Oh don't you act so innocent Blink! You were involved with both of those messes and I had t yell at you three times before you shut up!" I smacked him playfully and he smiled guiltily.

"So yes, Blink, to answer your question, I had a wonderful day." I said, sarcasm just oozing out from every word.

Actually, to tell you the truth, I had fun today. I mean, sure, when they're not being rambunctious, they're pretty good guys and are really fun to be around.

"Well, if it makes ya feel any bettah, I told the guys to tone down their rowdiness and behave.

"Oh my- Thank the Lord! So they'll be quiet and not annoying?"

Blink stares blankly at me, and he rubbed his neck. "Uh. Actually Ann, I just told them to be less rowdy, doesn't mean that they'll actually listen to me." As if to prove his point, I hear a crash downstairs followed by someone yelling, "Now look what you did! Ann's gonna kill us!"

I sighed and stood up, "Well, that's my calling." I chuckle. "Thanks for coming up here to talk to me. I needed that, thanks."

"No problem, oh, and Ann?"

I look at him expectantly, "Hmm?"

"Sorry!" He grinned impishly and ran down the staircase leaving me confused.

Then it all made sense when I heard a panicked Skittery yell, "Blink! Get off me!"

Leave it to the guy that comforts me to cause more trouble.

But, I really like my life right now, I'm happy, and I haven't been able to say that for a long time.

I finally have a family again. A family of people just as messed up as me.

A/N: Yee! Fourth chapter up!

Thanks for all the reviews, guys! I appreciate all the comments and feedback(:

Anywhoo. The plot should pick up soon, so if it's boring right now, it should get better(:

Oh, and if there are any mistakes, someone just tell me!

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