A/N: Woo baby. 2 updates in 2 days. That was quick! I wanted to upload this one, though. So exciting! You'll like it, and from here, the plot thickens. I know it's short, but since it has 2 parts, chapter 15 should be longer.

OH! And some of my special readers may have noticed their names in this chapter, or their charecter's names. I don't own them or their charecters. I'm sure they'll be surprised by their cameo, too XD Thanks Smiley for suggesting I do it.

Flashback

The Patterson house was especially silent that night. Mrs. Patterson had started knitting a blue sweater, and Mr. Patterson sat in his special chair, napping. Jenna and Charlotte sat by the window, gazing longingly outside. It was all calm. No wind moving the trees or dust on the street. Not a cloud in the sky. It was calm outside and inside. A storm was approaching, that much was certain.

"Mama, why is it so quiet?" Asked Charlotte, breaking the silence. "I wish it were always this peaceful."

Mrs. Patterson looked up from her sweater to answer her younger daughter.

"It won't be for long, love. Haven't you ever heard that there is always a calm before a storm?" She replied. Her husband grunted in his sleep. Charlotte sighed and looked back out the window.

"Kitty," She said, using her sister's nickname. "Isn't it such an awfully sad thing? That there cannot be a peaceful day without a storm ruining it?"

Her sister shrugged and got up, heading for the door.

"I suppose it is, Charly. But I ain't letting' it go to waste. I'm gunna go take a walk before the storm comes. I'll see y'all before supper, alright, Ma?" And without waiting for a response, Jenna left for the beach.

Mrs. Patterson sighed and put her knitting needles down.

"I simply cannot learn to knit. Come, Charlotte, I'll teach you a new recipe." She said, and picking up the matchbox, she lead her daughter to the kitchen.

End of Flashback

Today, the weather in Brooklyn is just how it was the night of the fire. I could tell a storm was approaching, and quickly at that. It would be here tonight at the latest.

Selling went well today, even though the headlines were rubbish. When I returned to the lodging house, I saw a letter had been dropped off. Or more like a folding piece of paper.

The front said 'Chirp' in neat handwriting, and my mood about the storm was quickly uplifted. I read my sister's perfect writing quickly, eager to know how she was doing as a newsie. Although it was dated for three days ago, I figured not much could've happened exciting in the three that it took to deliver the letter.

Dear Kitty, Manhattan is wonderful! I've met so many great girls. Sparks is really nice, and I've also met Smiley, Ember, Taps, Scuff, Snick, and Rif-Raf. They're all so great, I wish you could meet them! The boys sell with me everyday, and sometimes they'll play with me, too. I learned a lot of new games. Snoddy likes to teach me, and Tumbler, what a cute kid, he thinks we're his sisters! I love you, Chirp.

I was glad to hear from my sister and wondered why the letter took so long. Then again, Manhattan doesn't have any birds, like Brooklyn does. I dunno how Brooklyn would survive if we didn't have Bear around to report what was happening. He should be back any second now from Harlem.

Later that evening

Bear came back with no news from Harlem, but he did report that my storm prediction was right.

The clouds had moved in quickly and wind whipped at the door. I could hear heavy rain pellets dropping hard on the ceiling, and suspecting a leak, Spot and Ace started getting containers and placing them on the floor to catch the falling raindrops.

The silver bell rang non-stop from the one outside being blown away. Any visitors would have to knock at the door. I only wished that a personal storm would stay out this time.

Knock, knock.

Spot looked up at me from where he was placing water-catchers on the floor with Ace.

"Could you…?" He asked. I nodded and quickly rose to answer the door.

Bumlets and Mush stood there, soaking, their hair windswept. They were shivering, and although their eyes were red, it was impossible to tell if they were crying or if it was simply the rain.

"C-Chirp. Horrible accident, didn't mean it." Bumlets said, his shivers affecting his speech. Although Chirp was mentioned, I could tell she wasn't the victim of the accident.

"H-he's dead." Mush finished.

So much for avoiding life storms.

O.M.G. He's dead. How did he die? When did he die? Who killed him? Why? Who is 'He' anyway? Sorry...That was the mother of all cliffhangers. You hate me now, huh? Anyway, review. I crave your thoughts!