Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Brooklyn

The next morning, Skip said goodbye to the Manhattan newsies. Kid Blink, Mush, and Racetrack wanted to walk with them, but Jack said he'd only take Crutchy. Skip didn't understand why her brother had insisted on coming since his crutch slowed them all down. She had managed to squeeze her aching feet into a pair of boy's shoes she had gotten from Boots, who was the closest newsie to her foot size.

They left for the bridge when the rest of the boys went to get their papes. Jack had a job at a factory with Sarah's father now so he rarely ever carried the 'banner' anymore. The newsies still looked up to him though and he had yet to pick a successor. No one blamed him though. Who wouldn't want to stay the king of Manhattan for as long as possible?

The walk across the bridge was silent for the most part. Skip was still angry about being passed around this way but she had no where else to go. In a way it was probably the best idea. She'd never dared to cross into Manhattan to run her game. If you rolled someone there you'd be soaked before you could make off with your cash. So no one there knew her, or what she did, or would expect her to hide there. Perfect. If only the toughest newsie didn't reign their.

When they stepped foot onto Brooklyn turf, Jack turned in the direction of the docks. Skip raised a confused eyebrow and slowed down to even out with her older brother.

"Why we goin ta da wata?" she whispered curiously.

"Ah, well ya see, Spot likes ta kick back and relax at the docks, surrounded by big buffed up newsies. Makes him seem even more intimidatin."

"You've met him?"

"I'm not that unlucky," Crutchy muttered, hobbling on ahead faster. Skip felt like a sweat was breaking out on her head despite the chilly breeze. She was definitely nervous.

The streets were crowded and on almost every corner, a newsies was hocking the day's headlines. A few would stop and spit shake with Jack when he passed while others would glare. Skip noticed that most of them were older and more muscled then most newsies she had met in the other places she had worked. Definitely intimidating.

When they finally reached the docks, Skip was surprised to see boys swimming in the water even though their breath made puffs of steam before their faces. The docks were cluttered with large stacks of crates at the end of the pier they were standing in front of, the largest stack looked over the entirety of the docks. If she squinted, Skip could see the outline of a boy sitting in the top crate.

"What're you doin hea, Sullivan?" a skinny newsie said from his spot in a card game to their right. Jack ignored him and started walking towards the end of the pier. Crutchy hobbled after him without question while Skip lingered on the shore. She considered just turning on her heal and booking it right then and there. But where would she go?

Sighing in defeat, the brown eyed girl shuffled after her brother and stuck close by his side as they passed the Brooklyn newsies. She had her cap from the night before pulled down low on her head so she was guessing most of them didn't realize she was a girl yet. All her hair was shoved up into the cap as a precaution.

"Well, look what the tide dragged in," came an arrogant, cocky voice.

Skip's head snapped up just in time to see a dark blur drop to the dock in front of them. When the boy straightened up, he stood level with Jack. He wore an old, white flannel shirt with red suspenders holding up his dark brown pants. A brown newsboy cap not unlike her own covered all his hair. A black cane stuck out of one of his belt loops and a devilish smirk was plastered on his face. This was eighteen year old Spot Conlon, in the flesh.

"Heya, Spot," Jack smiled, spitting into his hand. Spot did the same and they shook. Spot nodded to Crutchy before leaning against a nearby crate and folding his arms over his chest.

"So, Jacky-o," he drawled, "what can I do for you this day?" Skip kept her head lowered to the ground trying to get in control of her nerves. So what if he was the king of Brooklyn right?

"Listen, Spot," Jack started, pulling up a crate, "I gotta ask a fava."

"What kind of fava?" Spot asked, eyes narrowing. Jack motioned to Skip to step forward. She moved forward slowly and he motioned to her hat. With a reluctant huff she pulled the cap from her head letting her hair fall into her face.

"We need ya to hide Skip hea for a lil while," Jack said clapping Skip on the shoulder. Spot eyed her doubtfully before turning to Crutchy.

"And why're you hea?" he asked, standing from the crate.

"Uh…she's my sista," the thin, young man stammered. Spot nodded and turned his stony eyes to Skip.

"Who're you hidin from anyway?" he said, starting to walk back towards the shore. The three Manhattaners followed him quickly, Skip falling into step beside him. As they passed by againt, the Brooklyn newsies looked up, noticing that their was a girl present.

"Some newsies from da Bronx," she stammered, "I tried ta roll em in a game of poka but they got wise and I aint got da money ta-" she stopped as Spot pulled out his cane and pushed it against her chest.

"Kelly, how're you gonna bring a hustla hea to hide afta all I done for you, huh?" Spot snapped. He kept his voice low but the tone was enough to make Skip go rigid.

"Skip won't hustle no more, Spot," Jack insisted, "she won't even be Skip no more."

"What?!" Skip cut in. this was the first she was hearing about 'not being Skip'.

"Well ya can't hide da right way if ya got the same name," Jack said like it was obvious. They were nearly to the shore now and Skip narrowed her eyes at him.

"I've neva even been ta Brooklyn. Who's gonna know me by name hea?"

"Jack's right," Spot cut in, "and I won't have you gettin my boys in trouble just cause you wont change your name."

"But-"

"Nothin." Spot ended the conversation just as they reached the start of the dock. Jack and Crutchy moved to stand across from Skip and Spot, preparing for the trek back to Manhattan.

"Well then who the hell am I?" Skip all but shouted. This whole ordeal was proving to be very stressful on her and she didn't know what she'd do if she couldn't even have a name anymore.

The boys all tilted theirs heads as if in thought when suddenly Crutchy laughed and snapped his fingers. "How bout Leech?" he said, ignoring his sister's stunned face, instead turning to Spot.

"Leech," the boy smirked in what could almost be described as interest.

"Yeah!" Crutchy exclaimed, punching Skip playfully on the shoulder, "Cause she sucks the life right outta ya!"

This'll be the last time I update today/night! Hope everyone's liking the story so far and thanks to anyone who's reviewed! Keep it up please!

Thanks for reading!
~monie