Return of Santa Fe
Ch. 9 Brooklyn Back-Up
The next morning, Kloppman entered the room quietly and saw that Aidan hadn't slept at all that night. She greeted him with a forced smile and told him that Jack's fever had improved tremendously. Kloppman woke the boys up as quietly as he could, but it really didn't matter. At that point, Jack could probably have slept through most anything. Aidan was fairly sure the train to Santa Fe could have rolled right on through the building and he would not even stir.
"Hey, how you doin'," Bumlets asked, putting his hand on Aidan's shoulder. "You sleep at all?"
"Not really," she replied with a tired smile.
"Youse gotta get some rest, Aidan. Ain't gonna do you no good to get sick yerself," Racetrack told her, putting on his cap.
"We'll watch over Jack," Crutchy volunteered.
Aidan smiled. "Thanks, but it's ok. You guys go carry the banner. Tell David that Jack's gettin' better, k?"
"Sure thing," nodded Itey. "You want us to bring you anything?"
"No, I'm fine thanks," Aidan told them. "Go on, don't wanna be late. Jack'd be disappointed in you boys otherwise. Hey, and stay in groups if you can. These guys might know who we are and they might go after any newsie so be careful out there!"
"Yes Ma'am," they chorused. As the newsies got ready, the usual bustling chatter was kept to a minimum. It was not just their attempt to keep from waking Jack, but a heavy cloud hung over their heads. The newsies were never usually this quiet unless they had been shushed during one of Medda's performances.
Aidan leaned back against her chair and sighed. A part of her wanted to sleep, exhausted, but fear was coursing through her now and she was afraid for her friends more than anything else. She squeezed Jack's hands. She wouldn't want to sleep anyway; not with what threatened to haunt her. As grateful as she was to have friends now, to have such a big family, she was also afraid that meant there would be more people he could hurt.
When David awoke, he understood completely why Jack had not wanted to get up the previous morning. Although not sick, his body ached terribly. Ugh I've never been this sore in my entire life! I didn't even feel this bad last night… but now… I don't think I can even get out of bed…. His entire body felt like lead and even just breathing was uncomfortable. He really hoped that the goons they fought felt a lot worse.
"Come on, get up! Get uuuup," Les pulled at his older brother's arm. "We gotta go!"
David was sorely tempted to push his brother away, but he gathered what willpower he could muster and forced himself to sit up. His head didn't think that was such a good idea. "Ugggggh."
"Here," Sarah put a cup of some warm liquid in his hands. "This is supposed to help."
"What is it?" he looked suspiciously at his sister.
Sarah shrugged. "Aidan said you might need it." And boy, you definitely need something, she thought. Her brother looked down right terrible.
David barely recalled Aidan handing his sister something last night before they left. He sniffed at the liquid and wrinkled his nose. He licked his lips and looked at his sister who stared at him, just as curious as he was. He put the cup to his lips and took a sip and choked. "Ugh it's so bitter."
"Stop being a baby and drink it already. You're going to be late."
Sighing, David drank the rest of the liquid. And when his legs finally felt like they would hold his weight, he got ready for the day. By the time he rushed out of the door, Les in the lead, prodding him on, he did feel a little better. But he could not completely shake how tired and sore he was.
When David and Les met up with the newsies, the boys relayed Aidan's message. He only bought about fifty papes and sold them as quickly as he could, banding together with Skittery and Jake. They dropped Les off at home when they finished and David made his brother promise not to run off anywhere. He was frustrated, but promised to stay put. They considered keeping Jack's condition a secret from Les, but figured he'd find out anyway. He was sworn to secrecy, however, to make sure that neither his parents nor Medda caught wind of the situation. And who better to keep the Cowboy's secret than his biggest fan?
After insisting he would be fine by himself, David then rushed to Denton's, hoping to find the reporter at home. David knocked and held his breath. Moments later, Denton opened the door with a warm smile, but before he could say anything, David walked right in. "We need your help," was all David said. His countenance was enough to tell Denton that something was seriously wrong and he promptly closed the door.
"What is it?" asked the reporter motioning for David to sit down. He did not miss the healing cut on David's lip.
"A few days ago, Jack and I, and some other newsies got into a fight with some guys who were beating up on these two people. We stopped them and the husband and wife got out of there. Well, these guys weren't too happy with that so they attacked us yesterday…" Denton wondered why David paused. "Jack got hurt real bad."
Denton raised a brow. The infamous Jack Kelly injured in a fight? This definitely did not sound good.
"Yeah I know. I guess he was sick at the time but didn't tell anyone. But it gets worse… one of them knows Jack and Aidan. I mean knows them. He knew Jack's real name."
This is definitely getting interesting, thought Bryan.
"And I swear he woulda killed Jack if he had the chance. And he very nearly tried killing Aidan if she wasn't in better shape." David noticed Denton about to ask a question. "She's ok, well, for the most part I guess."
"And you?" Denton gestured to his lip.
"Dr. Aidan said I'd live," David grinned.
After chuckled, Bryan Denton sat back in his chair and slowly licked his lips, worry now creased in his brow. "So I'm guessing we need to figure out who these people are and what they want… Why they're willing to kill…" He watched David nod. "Well I can't do much unless you give me more information on this gang."
David told Denton about the tattoos. Denton's expression changed. "You know them?"
"Know of them. They're called the Iron Knuckles. I've never worked on anything related to them, but from the little I've heard, they've often been hired to do a lot of shady dealings for the big boys."
"You think they were doing something for someone powerful and we stopped 'em?"
"It's possible," he mused. "Either way, I'll see what I can find. Where's Jack now?"
"He's laid up at the lodging house. Aidan's with him. He's getting better so I'm not too worried, but if these guys strike... Jack's in no state to be fighting again."
"Right. I'll get on it right away. I'll come by the lodging house tomorrow night." Denton let out a breath. He had seen war for himself, out in the field, but the things these boys got into, well, it was never short of exciting. "David, be careful."
"You too, Denton. Thanks for helping."
"Anytime." They exchanged goodbyes and Denton shook his head. Why was he not surprised that the Newsies just happened to get on the hit list of one of the most dangerous gangs in New York? Though the Iron Knuckles were not entirely well known, in the underground they were pretty tough. They were the errand boys of corrupt, wealthy men, using their brutality to get what they wanted, what they were paid to do. He quickly buttoned his coat, grabbed his things and went to investigate the matter further. His other articles and his quiet afternoon would have to wait.
Meanwhile, David rushed to the Newsie Lodging House and found Aidan still sitting with Jack. "Have you moved at all?" he asked her in disbelief.
"Oh of course not. I'm not human - I don't need to go the bathroom," Aidan replied and David gave her a look. "You meet up with Denton?"
"Yeah. Said we're going up with some really big guys."
"No kiddin'."
"He's gonna look into it and said he'll probably have something by tomorrow night. How's it going?"
"Jack's getting better. It takes a lot more than a fever and a beating like that to get 'im down."
"Yeah, I believe it. Hey listen, Sarah'll be here in an hour or so and I'm sure some of the boys will be too. When they get here they can watch over Jack and we can go to Brooklyn."
"Ok. Sounds like a plan."
"Hey, Aidan, go change, you've still got blood all over your shirt." Aidan looked down at her shirt and sighed.
"Yes sir," she muttered. The girl quickly changed into a clean blue shirt, not bothering with a vest this time. She soaked her bloodied shirt but would not be surprised if it was a lost cause.
"Go get some fresh air while you're at it," David told her.
"What?"
"I know you - you can't stay cooped up for too long. You need some fresh air, Aidan, and some heights- some place really, really high." The young woman couldn't believe it but not only was she smiling at David's attempt to cheer her up, but she was also listening to his orders. She took a step outside and looked around. She didn't see any suspicious characters and wondered if they would attack the other newsboys or if they were more intent on getting Jack and her. She sat there and smelled all of New York. She had missed this smell of summer out on the streets. There may be those who would not be so fond of it, wrinkling their noses, but it was home. And she never thought she would be here smelling it all again. Before she went back inside she heard someone calling her name from below.
"Hey Aidan, are you doing ok?" Sarah asked, looking up. "I brought some snacks. I figured you probably haven't eaten all day."
"Thanks Sarah." Aidan climbed back inside and Sarah ran up the stairs.
Aidan took the small loaf of bread Sarah offered and ate it, chewing and swallowing more out of habit than want or need. "Hey, Sarah, try not to go around by yourself too much. These guys saw David and they might find out that he has a family..."
Sarah nodded, slightly concerned, but she didn't show it. Instead she gave Aidan a good once over to make sure her injuries were getting better. It was only then that she noticed the black and blue ring around Aidan's neck. The blond girl brushed it off saying it didn't even hurt anymore. Sarah was pretty sure that wasn't true.
"Sarah, Aidan and I need to go to Brooklyn and have a talk with Spot. Can you stay here and watch Jack?" David asked.
"Of course." As if she would be anywhere but by Jack's side, and Sarah's countenance told her brother as much.
"Who's going ta Brooklyn?" someone asked outside the door.
"We need to go talk to Spot and see if he can find anything about these guys," David said.
"You think you can find your way by now, Davey?" joked Racetrack.
David gave him a look. "Any volunteers to accompany us then?" It wasn't that they needed a guide so much as they needed to make sure they weren't too outnumbered.
"I'll go," said Boots.
"Me too," nodded Mush who just appeared.
"Count me in," said Swifty.
Soon a small crowd of Newsies filed in. "The rest of you guys stay here and keep Sarah company," said David. "Just in case, check outside every now and then, cause they might try something... especially if they know we brought Jack here."
"Should we bring 'im somewhere safer like Medda's?" asked Snoddy.
"It might be safer, but we don't wanna give Medda any trouble."
"Does she even know?" asked Pie Eater.
"Maybe we oughta let her know," suggested Dutchy. "I mean don't you got a show tonight, Aidan?"
"Oh for the love of-" Aidan muttered, slapping her forehead, "I totally forgot. Dutchy, you and Racetrack and some others tell her what's going on. Don't tell her that Jack's laid up or she'll worry too much. Just tell her that something's come up and I can't make it..."
"She'll know something's wrong," David said.
"Yeah she will," nodded Aidan. She'll know more than you think, she thought. Medda knew Jack and Aidan better than the others were aware of. She had known them since they were children, known about their troubled lives. She would definitely worry. But it was better that she didn't know the details. Aidan could only imagine Medda's reaction if she ever discovered who they were up against. The woman may very well try to ship her back out to Santa Fe herself.
"Let's move it guys," David said, "while it's still light out."
"Scared of da dark, Davey?" Mush teased.
"Yeah, when some creeps like the Iron Knuckles are out to get us."
They laughed. "Don't worry Davey, we'll protect ya," said Specs. "We'll soak anyone who's dumb enough ta get in our way."
"Yeah," chorused the newsies. David sighed and Aidan shook her head with a smile. They were slightly worried the newsies didn't quite understand how serious the situation was, but at the same time, they were glad for it. They've all lived such rough lives that this didn't really seem like it was anything other than another bump in the road full of potholes. Hell, their lives weren't even well enough to be paved with cobblestone.
"Did she say when she might be back?" Medda asked the boys who brought her the message.
"No idea," shrugged Racetrack. "Don't worry dough, Medda."
Medda sighed. "I wish I couldn't, but I can't help myself, Race. Those two will give me a heart attack one day." The newsies laughed, not knowing that Medda wasn't entirely joking. She asked them to stay for the show as she walked to the stage. She hoped that the newsies were right and things would be ok, but she couldn't help but have a heavy feeling in her chest. The newsies were pretty good about covering things up, but they were incredibly vague about a lot of things. I don't like this at all. Something bad's brewing, she thought. But her worried countenance was replaced by a bright smile as she took her place onstage.
Aidan was silent throughout the entire walk to Brooklyn while the other boys joked around, trying to make light of the situation. David wanted to try and cheer Aidan up but was afraid whatever he said or do would make her feel worse. When they reached the docks, a few Brooklyn boys were still swimming. They all eyed the Manhattan Newsies with tough glares. David, though less intimidated than before, was still uncomfortable there. And he realized he hadn't quite thought of an angle to use with Spot.
"Hey dere Davey," someone greeted.
"Lookee 'ere it's Aidan," shouted someone else.
"Looks like she's gonna need some makeup to fix dat face," someone snickered.
"Hey, where's Kelly?"
"Yeah, where's da Cowboy? Or is he too beat ta visit?" Mush was about to make a move on the Brooklyn Newsie, but David held him back. This was not a time to pick a fight with the guys they needed help from. They walked on by without saying a word. But Aidan, without even looking at the boys who were taunting them, walked by and shoved two of the closest ones hard, forcing them off the dock and into the water. There was a surprised yelp followed by a large splash. Mush and Boots smiled at her as they laughed, but her expression didn't change. And their laughter died. She looked up and saw Spot who was watching them from his perch above. Green met blue and Spot pursed his lips thoughtfully, cane twirling in his hand.
Spot Conlon jumped down to greet them and he shook hands with Aidan and David. "So, I 'ere Jacky-boy is out of commission," he said. "You guys really know how ta pick your fights. You ain't lookin' so hot eidah." He looked at David and Aidan's visible bruises. Although she tried to hide it, he could see the bruises around her neck. Seeing that, he gripped his cane tighter.
"Hey it wasn't our fault," Mush started to argue, but Aidan signaled for them him to let it go. It didn't matter who started what. It was more important now that they finish it.
Spot grinned. "So I take it now dat Jacky-boy's out, Aidan and Davey here are runnin' da show. Ain't dat cute." The Brooklyn boys laughed. "So whaddaya want 'ere, huh? Sympathy? I'll send Jacky-boy some flowers." More laughter followed.
Aidan narrowed her eyes. She was tired, worried, and now she was angry. Spot's smug face was too much for her. She knew that under it the Brooklyn newsie had to have been at least a little concerned, but he had to put up a front, they all did. That was the only way to survive… but now was not the time for that. And before anyone knew what happened, her fist connected with Spot's cheek and he was forced to fall back a few steps. "What da hell was dat for?" demanded the young man, more than a little angry. Nobody hits Spot Conlon.
"That was for Jack!" she shouted as one kid made a move to get Aidan, not tolerating the idea that someone had just struck their leader. But, Aidan gracefully stepped aside and delivered a strong left hook that sent the boy to the ground. "Anyone else want some of this?" She held her fists up.
"Hey, hey," David tried to calm her, but it was pretty obvious she was on fire and it was best to let this one die out on its own lest he got burned. He was angry himself, but few ever went up against Spot himself. Even Jack refused to fight Spot unless he had to.
Spot glared at Aidan, whose gaze did not waiver, whatsoever. She looked around at the boys who held their slingshots and other weapons ready to fight her. The Manhattan Newsies looked apprehensively at David who was staring at Aidan, unsure of what she may do. He did not want any more injured friends. Although he wasn't all too worried about Aidan, he was admittedly concerned about Mush, Swifty, Boots and himself. He was not all too excited about getting into another fight that he was pretty sure he wouldn't do so well in. David wondered what Jack would have done in his place.
"You think you're so tough," Aidan shouted to the Brooklyn Newsies. "But you ain't so tough to me!" She walked up to Spot and he found himself looking eye to eye with her. Aidan quickly grabbed Spot's collar and shoved him against a thick wooden beam, their noses almost touching. "You make me sick, Spot. You and your stupid gang! Need I remind you that your friend is in trouble? Sure, you're both competitors on your own turfs, and all that. But, he's hurt and sick and he needs your help. We need your help. We don't need your arrogant, apathetic behavior! I'm so sick of you idiots acting tough when you oughta be tough to your enemies and not your friends! All you're provin' to anybody is that you're just a bunch of jerkfaced assholes. Now are you going to help or not?"
Spot looked into Aidan's green eyes and sighed. How could he say no to a pretty girl who not only kicked his ass but made sense? "Alright, yeah, I'll help Jacky-boy, but he owes me."
"No, Spot, I owe you. This is your favor to me. But, Spot, if he was really your friend, then there wouldn't be any debts." Spot said nothing. Aidan let go of his collar and backed away, though she still felt the urge to give him a matching bruise on the other cheek. David put his hand on her shoulders, in part to make sure she didn't lunge after Spot. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"I'll look into this gang and get some boys to watch over da Cowboy an' the others," said Spot, tilting his head to the side. Weapons and readied fists were lowered as the Brooklyn Newsies took their cue from their leader.
"Thanks, Spot." Aidan's face softened. She meant it.
"No, thank you." He pointed to his bruised cheek and grinned. "Jacky-boy wasn't kidding when he said not to mess wid you." He spit on his hand and offered it to Aidan who spit and shook Spot's hand firmly. They both smiled.
"Yeah, well you let me know if you need another one to match."
"I'll be sure to think 'bout dat. I can see why youse and Jacky-boy get along so well. Almost scary really." He eyed David carefully. "Now, you watch out ya hear. Dese goons you fought ain't playin' no games. Dey mean business an da more dey lose da more dey gonna mess wid youse."
"Thanks a lot Spot," said David. "You gonna come yourself?'
"I might do dat, Davey. I might just do dat. I'm gonna make sure you been tellin' your sista dat I been sayin' hi," winked Spot. David grinned. He wondered if Jack hadn't wooed his sister first, if he would have had to fight all the newsies off. "Now run along, kiddies. Never fear, Brooklyn's here." The Brooklyn boys opened up a path and let their Manhattan counterparts walk back with Aidan in the lead. Before David could get far, Spot pulled him back. "Hey, you watch over dat goil, Davey. She don't look too good," Spot said in a low voice. "An' I don't just mean dose bruises."
David nodded, his eyes on Aidan as she walked alongside Boots. "I know."
"So what'd Spot say?" Racetrack asked them when they arrived back at the Lodging house.
"He'll look into it," said David. "How's Jack doin'?" David kissed his sister's forehead.
"He woke up a few times already," said Sarah. "His fever broke completely about an hour ago." Aidan closed her eyes, relieved. "Aidan, he's really worried about you."
"Yeah well the idiot oughta be worried 'bout himself," muttered Aidan. "I'm gonna soak 'im the minute he's back to normal. Now, you and David better head home before your parents get too worried. Thanks for stayin' with him."
"We'll be back tomorrow," David said. He put a hand on Aidan's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Try to get some rest ok?"
"…yeah, sure."
"Uhuh." David sighed. He touched the large patch of black and blue by the side of her head and she winced. "Better keep icing that or Medda won't let you back on stage." She swatted his hand and he chuckled.
When the Jacobs siblings reached the street and the warm summer air greeted them, Sarah clung to her brother's arm. "David, Jack kept saying that 'he's' going to come back for her." She mentioned how Jack seemed visibly shaken, not realizing that as he slept, he relived previous encounters with Lloyd that did not always end so well. "What's going on that you're not telling me?"
"I don't know much more than you," admitted David. "Aidan said that this guy is some jerk from their past... Jack beat 'im up pretty good I guess and so when he saw Jack in the group that's why he went after him."
"But why would he go after Aidan?"
"Maybe they were together when Jack beat this guy up."
"There's something more than that... There is some real history here. Jack was really worried about Aidan. He would've jumped out of bed and gone after you guys in Brooklyn if he could've."
"I know, but you wanna try forcing it out of either of them?" David gave her a look. "I'm certainly not ready to get Aidan angry at me. I'd like to see my next birthday, thanks." Sarah grit her teeth and huffed. "Listen, we gotta wait for them to tell us, Sarah."
"I wish they would just trust us." I wish Jack would trust me. She fidgeted with the fabric on her skirt.
"I do too, but they've lived their lives trusting no one but themselves... Hey, at least Aidan's her real name."
Later that night, while most of the world slept, Jack's eyes fluttered open. When his vision adjusted to the dim light, he saw Aidan's figure sitting beside him. "Get to bed, stupid goil," he muttered to her in a hoarse voice.
"You oughta be talkin'," Aidan retorted in a hushed whisper.
"I am in bed and I been sleepin almost twenty-four hours now from what Sarah tol' me."
"Yeah well I'm not sick or beat up. So shut up."
Jack squeezed the hand that lay in his. "You ok? Dey haven't tried -"
"We're all ok. They haven't tried anything yet… But, Jack, if Lloyd is here, Shores must be here too." There was a hitch in her voice.
"I know." Jack lifted his hand so that it covered Aidan's. "That's why I'm worried 'bout you. Don't go walkin' 'round anywhere by yourself, ya hear? Who knows what dose assholes are gonna try an' do."
"I'll be ok."
"I find dat hard ta believe."
"..." Aidan looked away. "Denton and Spot are going to look into this gang we're up against."
"I'm not worried about the gang."
"I'm not worried about the gang…it's the guys who they follow. Lloyd and Shores are who I'm worried about."
"Listen, I told you dat I ain't gonna let dem touch you. Never again, so don't worry. An' next time I won't be so pathetic." Aidan lifted her collar up so that Jack would not see the bruises there. She knew he would throw a fit.
"Jack that's exactly what I'm afraid of. They're definitely out for blood this time..."
"Shh. It's ok. I promise, Aidan. I promise. And we don't know for sure that Shores is gonna be in on dis. He went ta jail remember?"
"Jack, you know just how well a jail can keep someone in."
"My old man's still in dere."
"He doesn't wanna get out. In his case, jail's a better place than being out here."
"..."
"Hey Jack…" Aidan shuffled her feet a little.
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry I shoved you out of the bed…"
Jack blinked. Then he let out a smile. "I guess I forgive ya. But, don't be surprised if you end up on the floor one of dese days."
Aidan couldn't help but return his smile as she kissed Jack's forehead, glad that this time it was cool to the touch and not burning hot as it had been before. "Go back to sleep, Cowboy."
The young man didn't argue. Before he could tell Aidan to do the same, he found his eyes closing as he slipped into another deep sleep. But just as it was earlier, this sleep was fraught with bad memories and skeletons from his closet that he had hoped to keep buried. And the monsters that lurked in the shadows of his mind were now there, only they were no longer hiding and they were no longer just shadows.
Yeah ok so as an afterthought I realized maybe the guys should have real iron knuckles as weapons in addition to the clubs, bats, and axes from the previous chapters lol. Just pretend they did, lol.