Chapter 9 Danger
"First off the goil ya know as "Claire" is gone, an' second there is no way I'm goin' back with you'es," Feister snapped, she started getting really mad. The next thing that happened was a blur. Mush grabbed Feister's hand and started running to who knows where. But the Delanceys caught them and dragged them to a near by alley and started soaking the both of them.
Well, Mush ended up getting most of the blows, but that didn't mean Feister got off easy. She got a few punches and got knock to the ground. Not even thinking twice Feister got up and went to help Mush. But Oscar pushed her to the ground and then she felt someone grab her left forearm that hurt like no tomorrow. She let out a small scream as she tried to pull away, but the grip became tighter and she felt something slightly snap, which made her cry out in pain.
"Let me go!" she yelled; trying to wiggle her way out, she stamped her feet, push, pulled and did everything she could to get out of the strangers grip. But nothing worked. Feister started getting frustrated and it didn't help that she could hear the soaking that was going on behind her. Her eyes were closed because every time she looked back she could see Oscar soaking Mush while Morris held him in place, and she didn't like it. Which meant she did have a pretty good feeling on who it was.
"C'mon Claire, we're leaving," Feister heard Will say while trying to pull her away from the alley.
"No!" she yelled. "I's ain't goin' with ya!" with that being said she stamped on Will's foot which made him cry out in pain and let go of her arm. Without even thinking twice Feister ran over to the other side of the alley and said, "Leave 'im alone!"
"Looks like yer little girlfriend wants ta play," Morris said into Mush's ear.
"Don't touch 'er!" Mush exclaimed while trying to get out of Morris' grip. But it was no use. Just then Oscar punched Feister in the gut and not knowing what came over him, Mush was somehow able to get out of Morris' grip and then gave Oscar a brand new shiner.
"You ok?" Mush asked quickly as he helped Feister up. Who only nodded. "C'mon, let's get outta here." with that they started to run out of the alley but just as they were almost out Mush felt someone pull him back. When Feister noticed that Mush wasn't behind her anymore. So, when she turned around and saw that Will had a tight grip on him, she then went over and tried to get Mush back, but the Delanceys stopped her. And before any more damage was done they heard a voice say, "Mush?! Feister!? Where are ya?"
"BLINK!" they both yelled. With in seconds Kid Blink came running around the corner and into the alley where it was all going down. Will had Mush in his grasp and Feister was in Morris' grasp. Thinking fast he ran up to Morris and punched him square in the jaw, which made him drop Feister and then shoved Oscar to the ground.
"You'es ok?" Blink asked as he helped Feister off the ground. Not giving an answer she started to run over to Mush who said, "Feisty, get outta here."
"Not without you'es I's ain't," she replied. Just then the Delanceys got up and stood right in front of Feister.
"Get out of my way," she spat.
"Blink, get 'er outta here!" Mush yelled. He knew very well that if Feister didn't get out this would end badly for all three of them.
"I said I's ain't leaving without ya," Feister replied. But before she could say anything Kid Blink started to pull her away. "Blink let me go!" she said as she struggled to get out of the older boy's grip. There was no way that she was going to leave without Mush. Not in a million years.
"Don't worry," Morris said evilly. "We's gonna take good care of yer little boyfriend here."
"One wrong move an' my fist is gonna meet yer face!" Feister grunted. She had broken free of Blink's grip and was about to start wiping the smiles off of the Delanceys and then go take care of her "brother"
"Feister, for once in yer life just listen ta me." Mush knew it would be no use in trying to get out. The only thing that it would do was make things worse. Feister is stubborn, and he knew that it would be hard to get her to leave. But it wouldn't hurt to try. "Get outta here while ya still can. Don't worry bout me, I'll be fine."
"Yeah Feister," Oscar sneered. "Listen ta yer little boyfriend here. He'll be just fine where he's goin', right Morris."
"That's right," Morris agreed. "He'll be just fine in the Refuge."
Feister's eyes widened at the name of that nightmare of a place. "NO! she yelled before raising her fists and was about to go at it. But before she could Blink grabbed her by the waist and said, "Feisty, fightin' ain't gonna do no good an' we's all gonna end up in the Refuge." Now, Kid Blink didn't want to leave either. In fact he was trying to stop himself from letting go of Feister and start soaking the Delanceys and Will along with her.
After all, Mush is his best friend too and he didn't want to leave him behind. But he knew that if they did fight back it wouldn't do any good and they would all end up in the nightmare. Plus Feister's a girl, and who knows what a place like the Refuge would do to her. And it doesn't help the fact that Mush is very protective of her (more than all the boys combined in fact) and if anything bad happened to her in that nightmare of a place then well...it wouldn't end good for all three of them
"Feisty, I'll be fine, I promise," Mush said softly. He could tell Feister was starting to wear out, and it would be only a few moments till Blink was able to get her to safety. But until then Mush put on a brave face for Feister. "An' when has I's ever broken a promise?" he asked while remembering that night on the fire escape. Feister seemed to remember too because Mush swore he saw her eyes start to water up.
After a few moments Feister started to wear out enough that Kid Blink was able to pull her away. She tried to get out of his grip, but it was no use. A few hot tears started to stream down her face because she couldn't hold it back any longer. Mush was heartbroken to see Feister break down like that. Her eyes were full of fear, her face was covered in bruises, dirt and hot tears stained her face as she struggled to get out of Blink's grip. He kept a brave face as Blink took her out of the alley while she struggled, but it was no use.
Time seemed to slow down in the last few moments Mush saw Feister. She had a look on her face that he's never seen before and he just wanted to go up and hug her, and tell her everything will be alright. But he knew that couldn't happen. And the last thing he heard her say was, "Mush." it wasn't a yell, or a scream, it was more of a broken whisper. As soon as Kid Blink and Feister were out of sight and ear shot everything went black...…
Feister tried to pull away from Blink and go back for Mush, but he wouldn't let her. "Blink, we hafta go back, we just gotta, we...we."
"Feisty, calm down, Mush will be fine." but Blink knew that there was barely any truth in that. The Refuge is a living nightmare and the last time Jack was in that place he barely made it out alive. But then again Snyder the Spider has it more out for Jack than any other street kid in the whole city. But once Spider finds out that not only is Mush one of Jack Kelly's Newsies, but also the best friend of Manhattan's girl, well...it wouldn't be good.
Feister started to cry even more; hot tears spilled down her cheeks faster than a waterfall as Blink led her back to The Lodging House. She was still struggling to go back, but it was no use since she was tired. They were just a few blocks away from Duane Street when they bumped into Finch and Buttons.
"Woah, what happen ta you'es?" Buttons asked as he took in the sight of Feister, who looked shook up and was covered in bruises, had a small gash on her right temple and her left forearm looks swollen as tears spill down her face.
"It's my fault, it's all my fault, if it wasn't for me this wouldn't have happened," she replied shakely as more tears fell down. Finch and Buttons glanced at each other, the only thing they knew was that it must've been really bad if Feister was crying. And she never cried. Not even that time she broke her ankle when she was seven.
Blink sighed and said, "Long story short the Delanceys an' Will jumped 'er an' Mush, an' well…" Finch and Buttons let out a long "Oh" because they then realized what had happened. "I'll get 'er back ta the Lodge an' clean 'er up, you'es find Cowboy an' tell 'im what's goin' on." Blink said. Finch and Buttons nodded before running off, and Blink continued to bring Feister back to the Lodge.
Once they got back at the Lodge Kid Blink sat Feister down on Romeo's bed then went to get the first aid kit. The whole walk back to the Lodge Feister was in tears, she kept blaming herself for what happened, and Blink has never seen her cry that much before. Heck he didn't even think that Feister could cry. She had always been strong since day one and nothing seemed to phase her. Even if she was upset she always hid it very well, but this time it seemed like she took a hard hit that broke her into a million pieces.
Blink walked back over to where she sat and started cleaning her wounds. She flinched at the sudden contact of the wash cloth a few times, but she didn't say anything. She was quiet, too quiet. It was a little scare since Feister is the oppostie of quiet.. After awhile Feister was all cleaned up, her wrist was wrapped.
"He'll be fine," Blink whispered, making Feister look up. Her eyes which usually had a fire burning brightly was now empty. She didn't say anything, but she did latch onto him and started crying into his chest. Just then Jack and pretty much all the boys came running into the bunk room. They all surrounded the small bed and started asking questions. But it only made the small and sad girl tear up even more. Blink left his spot on the bed and dragged Jack over to the far end of the room then proceeded to explain everything.
At first Jack had no idea what to think or say, he didn't think Will would go that far to get Feister...Claire back. But he did and now Feister was a complete mess. When Jack and Blink glanced back at Feister, Race was hugging her, saying that it would be ok, and Specs was on the other side, rubbing her back.
Jack walked back over to Race, he had a "I need to talk to you in private" look on his face. Getting the memo Race whispered something to Feister. After a small nod Race handed the small crying girl to Specs before heading over to the far side of the room with Jack.
"I'm gonna check it out, see how he's doin'," Jack said quietly. "You'es in charge; no one an' I mean no one is leaving this room till mornin'. Make sure that the boys get ta bed in a few, an' keep an eye on Feisty, poor goil has been through so much, an' now 'er best friend is in that nightmare."
"Don't worry, I's got it under control," Race reassured. Jack nodded before climbing out the window, onto the fire escape and went off to the Refuge.
Author's note
So, that just happened, and I bet you all hate me for doing that. Trust me, I hate myself too. What did you think? Anyways thanks for reading. I'll see you all again on Monday.
AGN Fun Fact #8 Chapter 10 Moving On was written last minute while I was posting the story
