Chapter 6

The Deal

Runner ran nonstop back to the Bronx and he arrived at around dawn. He was tired and still shaken up about what had happened in Brooklyn, although he was lucky to say the least. Most people who go into Brooklyn's warehouse don't come out he same-or so he had herd. He arrived in Bronx lodging house, sweaty and tired. He looked around and didn't see anyone up, probably sleeping-getting rest for carrying the banner in a few hours. Runner figured no one would be up, and selling was in 2 hours from now, so he didn't even bother going to his bunk, instead he collapsed on eh nearest worn out sofa in the common room and in a snap fell asleep. But as soon as he was asleep, he was awakened. His eyes snapped open and he shot up from his sleeping position to see Luciano, Gavino and West all in front of him.

"What's da matter wif cho?" Gavino said smacking the side of Runner's head.

"When exactly were you planning to tell us what happened?" Luciano said.

"Hey, cut the kid a break. He's been all the way ta Brooklyn and back, e's probably tired as hell-" Wes stated.

It was almost time for Luciano's plans to come into order and he became rather impatient.

"So did Brooklyn buy the story?" Luciano asked grinned eagerly.

"They shoah as hell did," Runner answered. "Gave me dis note he wrote, told me ta give it you you'se." he said reaching into his pocket and retrieving the note. Luciano snatched it out of his hands and read it, his grin becoming even larger. "He wants ta meet tomorrow, border of the bridge."

It was all solid now. Soon the Bronx and Brooklyn would come together. Only Brooklyn thinks they were just going to have a silly little council meeting. That's when Luciano would bring out the "big guns" so to say, and wipe out Brooklyn once and for all. But no one knew of the secret plan Brooklyn had, one that would impact everybody's plans.

"Gavino, West. Get ready. In two days, the real war for power begins."

* * * * *

What these boys didn't know, is that only a few yards away from them on the stairs, I was standing. I had heard Luciano get up and was curious if Runner had come back. So I lit a candle and snuck out of my room and down the stairs being careful to stay in the shadows. I heard my brother ask if Brooklyn bought the story-whatever that meant- and herd Runners reply. I knew something was going to happen, and soon.

"Alright. West, tomorrow night, you'se is goin ta Brooklyn before da rest of us. I want you ta keep an eye on things."

"Alright boss."

The next day went by in a flash for Bell. Mostly due to the fact I was scheming a pan of my own. I had decided I could no longer wait to find out what was going on with Brooklyn. My brother and friends could be in danger and I was just sitting back watching. But not anymore. West was going to spy in Brooklyn today, and I was going to follow him. In secret that is. All day Luciano had somewhat ignored me. Of course all the boys went selling and it was my day off from the library, so I had all day and the whole lodging house to myself. I started my sneaking into the boys room and going through West's dresser to hopefully find some of his old cloths that might it. I found a blue button down shirt and brown pants along with my brothers old hat. By the time dinner was over, I lied to Luciano and told him my stomach didn't settle just right and that I was going to retreat to my room for the rest of the night. That is when my plan took place. I stripped of my gown and slipped on the blue shirt and pants, tying a newspaper cord around my waist for a makeshift belt.

I carefully tucked my hair under Luciano's old hat and climbed out onto the fire escape and waited for West to come out.
maybe twenty minutes later the sun was retreating behind the city's skyline and I heard voices outside. Before I knew it, I was climbing down the ladder of the fire escape and running after West, trying to keep my distance, but making sure I did not loose him.

I must say, I give my upmost respect to birds. How they manage to sneak around all day shocks me because within and hour, I had a feeling West knew someone was following him.

I had been following him out of the Bronx and we were coming closer and closer to Brooklyn. West stayed in the shadows, the dark alleys becoming a maze for me to follow him in. Plus the matter that it was dark didn't help my case.

We came to a rather dark alley way and I did not see the crates at the opening and I ran my foot into one of them causing a hollow sound to erupt along with my own groan of pain. West turned around sharply, fists raised, eyes narrowed.

"Alrights! I'se knows someone's dere! Now you'se betta come out before I'se come looking foar you'se!"

I knew I had no chance. If I didn't show myself he would come looking and I was sure he would find me, so reluctantly I emerged from the shadows, my hands raised in surrender.

"Okay, now who'se are you'se, and who sent ya ta follow me."

"You know who I am, and no one sent me. "I said raising my chin.

"Bell! What da hell are you'se doin here!" West said rushing towards me. "If your brother knew you were here he woud kill you, den he would kill me!

"West, please understand! I needed to know what was happening and no one was telling me, so I decided to find out by myself."

"So you snuck out and followed me?"

I nodded my head.

"Jeeze Bell, you'se put me in a tough spot. I'se is too close ta turn back now so I'se cant take ya home, and I'se sure as hell ain't letting ya walk back yourself-"

"Then let me come with you. Please."

"I'se don't know Bell."

"Pleeeease."

"Fine, yeah, okay. Just don't say a word, don't make a sound, stay close ta me and pray your brother doesn't kill us when we get back."

I curtly nodded my head and we began our trek once more towards Brooklyn.

We walked a little ways in silence, enjoying each other's company in a comfortable silence. I was almost glad he had discovered me so I would not have to walk alone in the dark. I felt protected and safe with him by my side. We finally got to the Brooklyn Bridge and West warned me that Spot had spied everywhere and that we had to be more than careful. We stepped onto the bridge and almost immediately I felt uneasy.

The streetlife of Brooklyn wasn't much. It was quiet on the streets, and even quieter on the docks. However, most people were smart enough to stay inside, where it was safe. Nobody wanted to get mugged or-

"Well, well, well" sang a scratchy voice said interrupting my thoughts, "Look what we'se got now boys. A couple newsies lookin foar trouble." I suddenly saw a figure illuminated the moonlight emerge from behind a stack of crates. Then suddenly there were three, then five.

"Bell, go" West insisted, keeping his voice barely above a whisper. "Run, go to 'Hattan if you must but get out of ere! Go now!"

I could faintly hear the trace of fear in his voice. Five against two are not good odds especially if you're in Brooklyn at midnight and these boys were strong, tuff, rough looking boys who were not to be messed with. Not to mention I have never gotten into a street fight before.

"No, West, I am not going to leave you!"

These boys were quick to gang up around us.

"Well if it ain't West of da Bronx. "A newsie said. Apparently West knew more people than I had known. The boys were staling closer to us and in a flash I felt two hands go around both of my arms holding me back, I looked over and the same had been done to West. Before I knew it we were being led down to the end of the dock and my heart was quickening its pace. Honestly, I had never been this scared in a very, long time. Not since my parents died and Luciano was there to protect me.

Don't tell you're a girl, suddenly popped in my head. I knew of Brooklyn's reputation with girls, although each borough had t's fill in that category. Even my own brother was known to have a fling or two, but no one's was better (or in this case worse) than Brooklyn's. If they discovered I was a girl, I would be in deep trouble.

As we made our way further down the docks I saw some of the Brooklyn newsies were lounging around outside playing poker, moonlight swims, or telling stories.

We walked down slowly, the boys showing off their "prizes", us in other words.

I finally looked up when the two newsies holding me jerked to a stop beside a giant pile of crates and boxes assembled in a tower like sculpture.

"Heya Spot! We caught some trespassers, an guess who it is? West from da Bronx!'" A newsie yelled at the large pile.

What I was dreading was finally here. I had heard the name Spot, the very name that made me shiver and bite my lip

The King himself, Spot, leaped down from his 'throne' and glared at us, his ice blue eyes staring at us. . I audibly gasped at the sight before me. I had never seen him this up close before and never this intimidating. For a moment I caught myself starring into his eyes, but I dropped eye contact when I remembered this is pretty much a life or death situation. I hated myself for thinking this, but Spot was not bad looking. For a street rat we was decent, his jaw was defined, yet his chin was soft and his shirt was unbuttoned down to his naval and the sleeves rolled up exposing a well defined chest and toned biceps, and his hair; soft short curls that seemed to wisp in fall in all the right places framed his face in a way that quite literally took my breath away.

I was disgusted at myself for even looking at him and I made a note to slap myself later.

Luckily, Spot didn't acknowledge me. Luciano always took precautions to make sure the other boroughs didn't know about me. I mean, he kept me inside for most of my life and when he finally let me out to the library, someone had to walk me there and back. I had never sold a paper n my life, so that plan to keep me unknown and safe had worked, until tonight that is.

Spot smirked."Heya West". This was all a game to him. He was enjoying seeing people squirm under his steely gaze.

West grimaced, "Heya Spot"

"How are ya doin down in da Bronx?"

"Neva' bettah, Spot"

Spot smirked, amused at West's sarcasm.

He turned to me, "Who's this, Race? I ain't never seen him before-or should I say her."

I gasped, "How did you-"

"Please, dollface, I'se know a goil when I'se see one, if you'se know what I'se mean" And there's the reputation thing again.

I blushed when I realized what he was implying. My long red hair tumbled down and hung around my face. I stared at the ground, ashamed that my secret was out.

"Wow Luciano must be desperate for newsies if he's letting girls join his borough." Spot said aloud causing his boys to laugh.

"Now" Spot continued, "We needs to figure out what to do with youse, but first I'se wanna see this doll's face" He said, reaching for my face.

"No!" West yelled as he tried to break free from his captors. His antics only caused him to get a soaking.

"No stop! Leave him alone!" I shouted. I struggled and thrashed against my captors hold's but only one thing became free, and that was my long dark curly hair.

"Wait a minute boys." Spot said holding up his hand to stop West's soaking. A sudden smirk spread across his face. He looked at me, a sly look on his face told me he was scheming something. West looked up from his spot on the ground, blood coming from his lip and nose. His eyes widened as he realized my identity was shown.

"I'se know's who you'se are." He said just abouve a whisper. He pushed himself away fro mthe crates and paced around his group of newsies. "Boy's da plans ave changed. I'se want something more outa dis deal." He stopped pacing in front of me. "I'se want her."

"What, NO!" West yelled earning himself another few punches. They punched him in the face and pinned his arms back, almost to the point of breaking.

"No stop hurting him!" I yelled. I could not bear to see him getting beaten like this. "Let him go!" I laughed, finally they had their fill. "Take me, I'll go!" I could not believe what had just came out of my mouth.

"What?" Spot rumbled confusedly.

She cringed away before repeating, "Take me. I will stay in Brooklyn."

His brow furrowed as her words sank in. I guess he was not expecting me to willingly comply.

Indignantly she snapped in a surprisingly bold voice, "If I do- you must promise to let him go."

Pasing for a dramatic effect Spot brought his hand up to his chin as is he was deep in thought. Thinking it over for a moment he replied, "I'se promise. But dere's no turnin back goalie."

Taking another deep breath she said, "You have my word. I will stay in Brooklyn with you."

"No!" West shouted "Don't do dis! Please, I'se is beggin you'se, don't do dis!"

I don't know why West was begging me not to go to Brooklyn. Weather it was because he didn't want me in Brooklyn with Spot, or he didn't want to have to deal with telling my brother his little sister in in the hands of the "enemy", I don't know.

I remained silent as I gazed back up at Spot. He heart was beating faster than ever bofore and it had just hit me then how much of a life or death moment this was. If I stayed in Brooklyn, West could go bak tell my brother, and get me out. Although I don't know how much bloodshed that would cost. But I couldn't let them hurt West anymore.

His eyes roamed my body, top to bottom as he leaned down and got close to me as he observed me. Then his gaze met my own again and I swore I though his eyes widened a bit. Why, I don't know. I thought I heard him mumble something but I could not be sure.

"You have a deal." I said as strongly and fearless as I could.

"No!" came West's cries again.

"Good. You will certainly be of far more use to me than him. More use than I originally thought."

His last statement left me puzzled, but that was the least of my worries now.

I nodded sadly and he watched me for a moment before snapping his fingers telling the other boys to release West. We started to run to each other, hoping to have a final embrace, but someone was holding me back. Spot lurched between us and delivered one final blow to West's face.

I blinked fast, tears gathering behind my eyes as I glimpsed at West who had fallen to the ground. " No, stop!" I cried struggling against the boy who held me "Can I not at least say goodbye?" I begged.

Spot turned towards me his brows furrowed in disgust. "What makes you think you deserve one," he growled.

"Go, West!" I said, I didn't want to see my best friend get hurt at the hands of this monster any longer.

He just stared at me, confusion and worry echoing in his eyes.

"Now!" I screamed.

He took a tentative step forward but the boy holding me tightened his grip as a warning causing me to wince. Not wanting me to get hurt, West turned to leave but not before telling me he would come for me. He turned and limped down the docks back to the Bronx.

"Oh an West." Spot shouted. "Tell Luciano dere's not bother tryin ta win anymore." West raised his hand displayed with a very crude gesture before once again walking.

The moon was illuminating his silhouette, growing smaller in the distance as it ran to safety and I stood there watching, at the entrance to hell and the reality of what had just happened hit me with full force. The tears I'd been blinking back in the strangers presence fell with unstoppable fury, and I finally realized that I was in deep. I just didn't know how deep yet.

A/N Hey guys! So two uploads in two days, I think that's a record! So this story is beginning to take shape. I did however take inspiration fro the Once Upon A Time episode with Bell, more than the Disney cartoon, but they both follow the game lines. So I hope you guys liked this chapter. Please review follow and favorite. It would mean the world!