Chapter seven is up! Finally! My appologies for the wait (as usual). This chapter has a little bit more action in it (sort of). The scene was kind of hard to write, but I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you to all who reviewed, and to those who have picked up the story!
Artemis, Pirate, Cat, Sparrow, and other Brooklynites (besides Spot) are mine. Jack, Spot, and co. are not mine.
Enjoy!
Chapter 7 – Fancy Meetings
"I'm bein' serious heah," Pirate tried to convince me as we sold papers together the next day. "If you took dat Warden Schneider and Spot and put dem together, you would get the ruler of the universe. All mean and glarin' at ya." I laughed, trying hard not to get distracted by Pirates crazy antics. This was the third time he had made up a crazy story just as I was starting to get more customers than him.
"What have you got against Spot, anyway?" I asked, still giggling. "I mean, the Warden? Sure. But Spot?" I thought about it for a minute. Pirate was quiet, selling two papes. "Actually, I can see why you'd hate Spot. He can be a jerk. And that personality switch of his that he does? Euch." I wrinkled my nose. A well-dressed girl who passed me gave me a look. As she walked away I stuck my tongue out at her. Pirate laughed at me.
"Keep that kind of thing up and you'll never do well here in Brooklyn. You'll have ta move back ta 'Hattan," Pirate said easily, giving me one of his trademark smiles. I just shook my head at him. "Of course, then you wouldn't have to deal with Jackal, either." Pirate shot me a look, glancing at my forehead. I rolled my eyes. I had passed Jackal that morning, and it had looked like he might have come over to say something nasty again. Except that Pirate had come up and walked next to me, with Cat and Colt on the other side and Sparks trailing behind us with Pilot. I hadn't seen Spot, and was kind of glad for the reprieve. Jackal probably would have fled in terror if Spot had also been there. Ha.
"Well, I'm sure that Cowboy would be absolutely ecstatic at having me back in Manhattan," I drawled. Pirate frowned.
"What's dat word mean?"
"'Ecstatic'? Um, really happy or pleased. Excited." Pirate snorted.
"Fancy mouth, dere Arty," he laughed. I glared at him.
"Don't call me Arty. Jackal called me that, and I would like to punch him in the face for it."
Pirate laughed. "Aw, you couldn't hoit me. Besides, when I say it, it's a compliment." He grabbed me around the shoulders in a hug. I had learned very quickly that Pirate can be very huggy. It's cute, but sometimes it gets on my nerves. But, I decided to let it go. Pirate was funny.
"Hey, hey, hey," I protested mildly. "Artemis does not appreciated being grabbed like a kitten off the street." I flailed my arms about. As he let go a young gentleman came over to check that I was okay. He bought a pape and tipped me a quarter.
"See? I'm good luck foah ya." Pirate grinned at me again. It was kind of nice how he smiled at me, instead of smirking. "Whatcha thinkin' 'bout?"
"Spot." Seeing Pirate's smile disappear and frown start to take place, I backtracked quickly. "I mean, it's nice that you actually smile at me. Spot just smirks." I wrinkled my nose again. Apparently that was good enough, because Pirate smiled again. Not as much, but he smiled. There was a story here, and I would like to know it.
"So youse know that dere's a party over in Manhattan tonight, right?" Pirate asked as we went back to selling. I shook my head, yelling out my latest phony headline. "Well, dere is. Medda's hosting us again. Be nice ta get outta da heat foah a bit. An' Medda's always got root beer or somethin'."
"Any other boroughs gonna be there?" Pirate was through with his papers, waiting for me patiently by leaning against a lamppost.
"Maybe Coney Island or Harlems. Da Bronx don't usually come unless it's for somethin' big, and Queens don't like us so much." I tried to remember which burrow Medda had said brings booze with them. Whenever there's alcohol, there's a fight. And where there's a fight…well, I think you can guess.
"What time are we going over there?" I asked Pirate, done selling for the morning. I was proud of myself. Barely my first week here in Brooklyn and I had already sold my papes faster than the first day. Pirate and I fell into step easily, heading to Ray's to relax and eat in a more leisurely manner.
"Probably after everyone's done sellin'. Well, after Colt 'n' the rest of the runners are done."
"Runners?" I frowned. Did I know that term? Was I supposed to?
"Yeah. Colt, Blade, Cat, sometimes Sparrow, and a coupla other newsies here double as messengers, sort of. They go an' check things out foah Spot. Rememba da other day when Spot told Colt ta meet him later?" I smirked at him.
"Pirate, that was the day before yesterday."
"Poah Arty, wounding me again with yoah harsh woids." Pirate put a hand comically over his heart before continuing, "Well, Colt's da best runner here in Brooklyn. Him and Blade usually work together cuz Colt's real good at runnin' an' Blade's real good at fightin'. They go anywhere, even Queens and da Bronx. Sparrow usually just goes ta 'Hattan or Coney Island or Midtown. And Cat goes where she pleases. Sometimes ta Bronx since she knows some o' da newsies dere. She'll go to Harlem a lot." By now we were about two blocks from Ray's. I looked down an alley that we passed and stopped. You could see right through to the other street.
That couldn't be him…could it? But then, if that was him, who was standing next to him? Unless….I started to break into a cold sweat, unhappy about where my thoughts were taking me.
"Hey, Arty? Artemis? Artemis!"
"Woah, what?"
Pirate waved a hand in my face. "You alright? I know da summer's harsh, but you get used to it, sorta." Staring (up) only at Pirate, I ignored the alley. At least Pirate didn't think it was that weird that I had stopped then.
"Fine, fine," I said. "Can we just go in so I can get some water?" Pirate gave me another one of his gallant wide smiles. He bowed comically again.
"After you, me lady."
Almost no one was there yet, so we just sat down and started talking about anything that we felt like ranting about. I sat facing the door, and would comment on people walking by for Pirate's benefit. When Sparks and Cat came in we started ordering our food. Newsies have bottomless stomachs, and ordering can take a while when the restaurant gets crowded. It was funny when Blade came in with Colt. Sparks was sitting next to me, and Cat had pulled up a chair and table. So while Colt had an easy choice of where to sit, Blade was at a loss. Grinning, I pointed out Sparrow who had just walked in the door. Colt grabbed another seat and sat at the end of the table with Cat, while the other two sat next to each other.
"So, Colt," Sparks started. "Know who's commin' ta Medda's tonight?" Colt looked up.
"Dunno. Headin' over later. Wanna come?" Sparks shook her head.
"Nah, you run too fast. Any Queens?" Sparks grinned evilly at the thought. Pilot walked by just then and over heard. He looked at Sparks.
"Sparks, we know that you love ta pick on 'em, an' we know youse can win. But if they come, lay off foah a bit, will ya? Spot's got somethin' going on with 'em right now." Then he just tipped his hat and walked over to another table. The big guy he sat next to I recognized as one of the ones Sparrow had told me not to fight with: Badger. Looking at Sparks, I saw the tips of her ears were pink.
I nudged her.
She nudged me back, a little harder. I grinned.
I didn't see Jackal all during lunch. On one had I was pleased. On the other, I was worried. Very, very worried.
In my experience with bullies, if you beat them, then they get really mad at you. And if you don't see them soon, then they're planning something, and that's not good. But maybe I was thinking too much again.
Spot walked in and I jumped, remembering what he had told me yesterday.
"Hey, um, does Spot ever, ah, humiliate any of his newsies? Say, publicly?" I asked the table. Cat just stared at me. Blade laughed.
"'Course he does, Arty," he chuckled. "What kinda King of Brooklyn would he be if he didn't remind us who's in charge once in a while?"
"You forget dat most of us don't have our heads stuck up our bums," Colt drawled. "Unlike a few certain newsies who insist on da reminda."
"Does he have anything special planned for Jackal?" I asked. Pirate watched me. I raised an eyebrow at him, but he just shrugged.
"It's possible," Sparrow spoke up. "Jackal's been pushing Spot to the edge a lot recently. Not that you'd really be able to tell, Spot being the icey guy he is." Everyone nodded. I shrugged.
Heading out of the restaurant, I decided that I might as well skip the afternoon papes. They never sold as well as the morning, anyway.
Besides, I had an alley to investigate.
Walking along towards where I had seen some rather familiar figures, I checked the placement of my knives. I didn't think it would come to a fight, but it was always better to be prepared. Left arm, right arm, back, necklace, left leg…check, check, check. I had left one back at the lodging house. Ah, well. I could feel my lunch digesting. Lovely. That meant I was nervous. Breathe, Artemis, keep breathing.
I hoped my heart would last through this, at least.
Turning down the path, I peered out to the other street. I saw a clothing store that looked like it might be a good place to start. If they were still here, they would have made their way down to the end by now.
Bingo. I walked in, careful to keep at least two rows between me and the two men I was now "following." Well, more like the one older man and the boy with him. I say boy because he looked to be about my age, probably three or so years younger, maybe fifteen at the oldest. Still, he was tall, as tall as the man he stood next to.
My father.
A man I had hoped to never see again, and, after ten years of living with someone else, I was beginning to think maybe I wouldn't see him again. I mean, I ran away when I was seven. Around here, most people assumed their kid was gone for good if they didn't find them after a week or two. At least, when they're that little.
Figuring it was time to make a tactical retreat, I headed for the door. The girl at the counter wished me a nice day. I turned around to smile at her, and saw him looking at me.
Don't show fear, don't show fear. He probably doesn't even remember he has a daughter any more. I'm dead to him. Dead. Gone. You're a newsie now, and you're wearing your cap. Walk out.
I walked briskly for the corner, figuring I'd walk another block or two before looping back around to the docks.
"'Scuze me, miss?" a voice spoke up behind me. I turned around to see the boy standing behind me. He held up a coin. "You dropped this. Being a newsie and all, I figured you wouldn't want to lose even a little bit."
"Oh," was my bright response. I was a block away from the shop. I put my hand in my pocket: my coin bag was still there, completely shut. I was pretty sure that nothing had dropped out. And how'd he know I was a girl? Most of my hair was tucked up under my hat again, and my clothes were on the looser side. Even some of the newsies had mistaken me for a boy sometimes.
"Here," he said, holding the coin out. Not to be rude – and I could always use a little extra – I took the coin.
"Would you mind coming to meet my father?"
My head snapped up. Did he just say…?
"Uh…who?" The boy jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
"He's just back there. He's interested in meeting you."
"Why does he want to meet me? I'm just a newsie," I asked, backing up a step. Something here was not right.
"Well, see, he said that you…remind him of someone. Someone he knew once," the boy answered.
"I'm sorry, but he couldn't possibly know me. I'm an orphan." I backed up a few more steps, intending to leave. He stepped forward in response to my retreat.
"Oh, but you see, you look just like his late wife. Or, your eyes do anyway, and your face a little. Your eyes are just a little brighter green." The boy cocked his head sideways at me. Don't say I look like Mom…I already know that. I could see that he really didn't look that young, probably fifteen at the youngest.
"That's very sweet of him, really, but I don't know anyone here in Brooklyn," I stammered out quickly. I backed up even more now, preparing to turn and run. This had gone much too far. I needed to get out.
"Artemis."
I froze. Excuse me?
"Ah ha. See, I knew it was you," he smiled triumphantly. "Well, Father knew, but he sent me after you. Thought we forgot?"
"Wh-what?"
He shook his head. "Did you really think that coming back to Brooklyn was a good idea? Even as a newsie. Although, we really live more in Queens, but still." He shrugged and stepped forward. I started retreating even faster now. "Well, he wants to see you now. Best not to keep him waiting. Let's go." He reached out, as if to take my by the shoulder or by the arm.
That snapped me out of it. Seeing him reach for me, I turned and bolted through the crowd, unaware of who I shoved into what. My mind was a blank, filled with only the fear of being caught, and one thought: RUN.
Behind me he was calling out my name.
"Artemis! You can't run forever! Artemis!"
I dashed down an alley, turned out into another street, and headed for the next one. I headed for the Brooklyn Bridge, hell bent on getting to Manhattan. I could see the docks. Behind me, my pursuer kept calling out, racing after me.
Please, please, please, just leave me alone! Just go back to pretending I'm dead, that I don't exist anymore. I don't want to see you!!!
My heart started pounding out of rhythm. I could feel it in my chest, pounding too hard, too fast. I had to stop, needed to keep running, and I was almost there. If I went down here, they'd take me back and I'd never get out.
Please, please, please, just a little bit further.
"Artemis?"
Spot POV
Spot headed for the docks where he would keep his "court" for the afternoon. He didn't always go there immediately after Ray's, but he had some deals to work out with a few boroughs. Any newsies that wanted to talk to Spot knew they could find him down by the docks in the afternoon.
Walking towards the river, Spot listened to the noise of Brooklyn, letting it spill into his ears without paying too much attention. Someone yelled somewhere, but that was normal. Brooklyn was tougher than most of the other boroughs, Spot took pride in being the King of Brooklyn. At eighteen, he held control over a notoriously famous group of newsies.
Twirling his gold-topped cane in one hand, he cut through an alley that would lead him faster to the docks. Stepping out, he almost crashed into a smaller figure that came flying down the street.
"Artemis?"
Artemis's head popped up, her eyes wide and frightened. Behind her, a youth of a few years younger came running from out of another alley. Artemis shot a frantic look over her shoulder at the boy pursuing her, and then back up at Spot. Her eyes clearly read Get out of my way or help me hide!
Spot's first reaction to her as one of his newsies was: What trouble have you brought to Brooklyn? Brooklyn might be infamous for its fights, but they were always for a reason. Well, usually. He couldn't speak for all of his newsies on that.
Spot's first reaction to Artemis as a girl was: What help do you need? Hearing her harsh breathing, it took Spot half a second to react, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her back into the alley he had just come out of, his cane already holstered.
Artemis had teased Spot about having a map of Brooklyn drawn out in his head, but it was pretty close to the truth. When you grew up there, you learned it fast. Especially the alley ways, and no one knew them better than Spot. It was one of the reasons he was King. Spot loved this particular set of alleys because they all connected.
Spot took several turns, listening both to the rate at which Artemis was breathing, and for any signs of pursuit. He knew that the boy had seen them go into the alley. The question was: would he be able to follow? And Spot knew the answer was "no." Spying crates stacked in a nearby turn, Spot quickly ducked behind them and shoved Artemis against the wall. They were completely hidden by the crates. Waiting for the boy to run past, Spot looked at the way he was standing. He was leaning with his hands against the wall, on either side of Artemis's head. Artemis, however, was completely oblivious to the close quarters, gasping with her hand against her throat. Spot turned his head back towards the alley, listening.
When Spot was sure the coast was clear, he looked back down at Artemis. She was slumped against the wall, her head down and eyes shut. With her cap on, Spot didn't have a clear view of her face. Slightly miffed that she wasn't paying attention to him – although Spot couldn't exactly blame her, as she had been running hell bent down the street for probably a while – Spot shoved off the wall and walked over to a nearby crate and sat down.
"Hey," Spot started, trying to get her attention. Problems in Brooklyn always had to be sorted out quickly. When Artemis only sank down to the crate next to her, Spot tried again. "Artemis. Look at me." Artemis appeared to be in her own little world. Hearing someone passing by, Spot stood up to check the alley. He didn't get very far when he felt a tug on his shirt.
"Don't look," Artemis said in a faint voice. "Don't look, they'll find me." She wasn't looking up at Spot, but rather straight ahead at the wall of crates they hid behind. Artemis had grabbed the edge of his shirt. Her other hand was clenched around two necklaces. Spot carefully turned around and knelt in front of her.
"Who was chasing you?" Spot asked, looking at her. Up close, Spot could see that her eyes weren't all the same green. They were mostly a darker green with lighter flecks in them. These eyes flicked back and forth quickly. Spot snapped his fingers in front of her face. Artemis jerked, now staring him in the eyes. "Who was dat?" Artemis shook her head and looked down. Spot rolled his eyes. This tactic again? Well, no one ever won a staring contest with him.
"Artemis, I can't have people in Brooklyn chasin' after one of my newsies," Spot said. Artemis shook her head again.
"It's not Brooklyn," she muttered. "They're from Queens." In the back of his mind, Spot swore at Queens again. Even when they weren't directly fighting with Brooklyn, it seemed that they made problems in other ways. That was just Spot's luck.
Artemis took in a breath, as if to steady herself. Spot waited for her to start, settling himself on a crate. He was good at dealing with girls, and part of that was that Spot was good at waiting.
"They're just…confused. Sort of."
"An' how exactly are dey 'sort of' confused?" Spot stared straight at her. Artemis looked up at Spot.
"I ran away when I was small. They should have thought I was dead." This time Artemis didn't break her gaze. "I forgot that man never lets anything go. Especially since I have this." Artemis held up the small silver locket around her neck. With that she lapsed back into silence. Spot stood up and checked the alley.
"Well," Spot started. "You had betta get dis figured out. I won't have Queens making more trouble den they normally do." Artemis looked up at him.
"Where are we?" She turned her head back and forth. Spot jerked his head for her to follow. He noticed she put a hand over her chest before standing. Spot stalked off, silently planning how to deal with Queens today. Good thing they wouldn't be going to the party, at least that much he knew from Colt.
Damn Queens.
"Yoah stayin' at the docks 'til the party," Spot said suddenly.
"What?" Spot pivoted, and Artemis stopped at beat behind him, narrowly avoiding a crash.
"You," Spot pointed. "Are stayin' at da docks for today. I don't need Queens acting up around Brooklyn." Artemis glared up at Spot. If the situation wasn't as serious, Spot would have found it comical.
"You can't just decide this for me!" Artemis snapped. "That boy is probably still looking for me!" Her voice quivered ever so slightly at the end. Spot just crossed his arms and stared at her. Good thing they were still in the alley.
"If someone's lookin' foah you, den the docks are da safest place. No one messes around on my turf."
"You are so arrogant."
"An' yoah still shaking," Spot said calmly. Artemis flinched, but held her gaze. Spot had to admit, she had guts. "C'mon." Artemis sighed. Spot took out his cane and twirled it again.
At the docks, a few newsies from other boroughs were waiting around the stack of crates that served as Spot's "throne." Behind them stood the miniature tower Spot had claimed. A few of them gave confused looks at the girl newsie following him, but for the most part ignored her. Spot motioned for her to sit on the dock with Cat. Then he walked over to hold his court.
The rest of the afternoon was routine. Spot listened to a few complaints of his own newsies, got news from two other boroughs, and was still in a rivalry with Queens. A few times when Spot acted bored he would glance over to were Cat and Artemis sat. At first Artemis had just sat there as Cat brushed out her hair. One thing Cat was very good at was calming others down. After a while Spot saw Artemis taking out multiple knives and placing them in a pile next to her. Then she started throwing them into a post. Spot was thankful that he had extremely good control over his expression, because at one point Pirate walked over and almost got hit. Pirate's expression was priceless.
Artemis POV
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
My knives hit the wood square every time I threw. Cat sat behind me, brushing out my short hair. I had never figured her to be the type to carry a comb around, but then again she was called Cat.
"Don't miss, Artemis," Pirate joked. I glared at him. Thunk.
"You almost walk into the path of one of my knives, and you're telling me not to miss?" I raised an eyebrow at him. Pirate just grinned and pulled my knives out for me. At the end of the dock I could see the platform where Spot was still sitting, talking to a few newsies. He looked bored and calm at the same time.
Well, I guess when you're Spot Conlon saving girls from kidnapping is just another thing you do. Hmph.
Okay, that wasn't exactly fair. I was grateful that Spot had saved me, and that he hadn't asked too many questions about it. It just…bugged me, the way I couldn't seem to take care of myself like I had wanted to here in Brooklyn. Bah.
"Hey guys," Colt came up, slightly winded. "Spot almost done?"
"I think so," Cat murmured behind me. "And I'm almost done with Artemis's hair." I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Not my fault. It's one of the reason's I keep my hair short." I shrugged. Colt rolled his eyes.
"Great, cuz we should get going." The newsies that had been talking to Spot walked past us. I took my knives and strapped them on again. After what had happened earlier, I was still a little bit jumpy.
I'm not entirely sure that I breathed until we were across the Bridge and in Meda's theater. Manhattan was already there, and noisy. It was kind of weird, hearing someone yell "Brooklyn's here!" and walking in as a Brooklynite when just a little while ago I had been with Manhattan. Either way, I had to find Cowboy to talk about this bet of ours. And the best way to find Jack would be to find Racetrack, Kid Blink, another Manhattaner, or follow Spot. Spot was closest.
I waited while Spot and Jack spit shook (ew). Once I knew that Jack had seen me, I jerked my head towards Meda's bar. Jack managed to detangle himself after a while and walked over. Meda poured us both a root beer and went back to talking to Kid Blink.
"So," Jack started. "Artemis, how are youse enjoyin' Brooklyn?" I snorted.
"Great. I've already gotten into two fights." Jack laughed. "Actually, I wanted to talk about the bet." Jack raised his eyebrows.
"You aren't thinkin' about backin' out, are you?"
"Oh, no. I'm mean, I'm pretty sure I'm going to win. This is Spot we're talking about." Jack just rolled his eyes.
"Yoah so pessimistic, Artemis."
"And you're nuts. You bet that I could make Spot fall for me. Psht. No, I was wondering if we could extend the bet. Say, instead of one month, I get the whole summer. Nothing's going on, at least not now." Jack thought about it.
"Okay…but we still keep da wager."
"Deal." We spit shook again. I was going to have a heart attack today, honestly. First crazy people chasing me, and now the nasty germs…..
"By da way, what's up with dese fights of yours?" Jack asked.
I shrugged. "Gave Jackal a black eye and got in some trouble with some old 'acquaintances' from Queens."
"Spot told me he pulled ya out of it today." I shrugged.
"Yeah."
"Just as a heads up," Jack whispered, "Spot doesn't care so much for da 'damsel-in-distress' types. Dat's why he's getting so bored with his latest goil."
"Oh, like I care, Cowboy!" Jack laughed at me. "What, am I actively supposed to flirt with him or something?"
"You could," Jack said as he stood up to leave. "But you probably won't really need to. Yoah more interestin' den most of da goils in Brooklyn anyhow." Gee, thanks Cowboy.
For the rest of the party I just hung out at the bar. No need to go getting in trouble with anyone tonight. When it was time to go I said goodbye to Meda and found Sparrow. Pirate walked next to me the whole way back, making jokes for most of the time. It didn't seem to bother him that I was quiet for the most part. I was too tired to talk for the most part.
Back at the lodging house, Spot pulled me aside for a minute.
"Yoah gonna fix the mess you've got with Queens, right?" He was staring at me again with his serious face on, but my brain was shot from the day. I didn't bother to look away.
"I can't promise you anything, Spot." He just stood there with his arms crossed. I sighed. "Look, it's…complicated, alright?"
"You said you ran away."
"Yes," I murmured, thinking about it. I frowned at the wall. "That's why I can't promise anything. If they come around again, I'll leave." Spot nodded. I looked back up at him. He was still watching me, but in a different way. I glared at him.
"I'm not going to keel over and faint or anything," I snapped. Spot gave me one of his trademark smirks.
"Didn't think so," Spot said as he turned. "Yoah stronger than dat." He walked up the stairs and over to the boys' room.
Yoah stronger than dat. Now what in the heck does that mean?!
So, who enjoyed the little "Spot POV" I threw in here? :D
Switchblade Conlon: I know, I take forever to update. Sorry!
XxxEFreakxxX : Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the story so far. I try to update as quickly as possible, but I know I suck at it. :\
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cybale: I'm so glad you enjoy this story! . Unfortunately, my update schedule is rather unorganized.
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love,
~saya
