Seize the Day
By BekahNicole
Disclaimer: I sadly do not own anything associated with the Newsies franchise and/or Broadway. Disney owns that, and I in no way shape or form am trying to infringe on that. This is merely for fun. Of course, I do own some OC's in this which if you know the franchise, can quickly pick them out. I do appreciate feedback but not hateful criticism. With that being said, I encourage that you review my work with positive and helpful suggestions. Thank you, enjoy.
Chapter 14: The Battle
The rest of the day, the newsies began preparing for the fight. Boys were running around everywhere putting together possible weapons and coming up with plans. Once Brooklyn arrived, Jack and Spot left into a separate room to discuss how things were going to go down. It was decided that Brooklyn was to hide on top of the rooftops and wait for Jack's signal. Before then, Manhattan was to act as if it were just them fighting. It was the best they could come up with for the time they had.
They were aiming to achieve the element of surprise and were counting on the emergence of Brooklyn to throw off Shadow's gang and hopefully scare them enough they'll back down or let their guard down long enough for us to get the upper hand on them. As for me, I was to watch over those who couldn't fight for themselves. So I was pretty much a babysitter. But at least I won't have to leave Racetrack's side. And I wanted to watch over Gabe and Jules because they were so young and was worse than me when it came to fighting.
That day it was ominously quiet too. Nobody was in the mood to talk to anybody. I don't know if it was out of nervousness or fear but it really felt unnerving. It was as if the sudden reality that this fight had a lot riding on the outcome. If we win, Shadow and his gang will be no more, but a lot of us newsies will be hurt or killed. And if we lose, Jack Kelly will most likely be dead and Shadow will reign over Manhattan and most likely try to invade the other boroughs resulting in a lot more of us newsies dying. In my opinion this was a lose-lose situation. Either way, newsies were going to get hurt. Heaven forbid any die.
Through it all, I did my very best to put on a brave face for them. Especially in front of the younger kids. I don't think they fully know the gravity in the situation, but I feel its best that they don't. However, I think ultimately I was trying to be brave for myself. I'm not one to condone conflict. I shy away from it. I try to avoid it as best I can. I've never done well with it. But I feel it's my job as the one a lot of the younger newsies look up to (besides Jack) that I put on a brave face and act as though we'll win this fight for sure.
I went the whole day without saying as much as a "hello" to anyone. Really I don't think anyone would have wanted to hold a conversation, but it was really because my mind was so transfixed on that night I couldn't manage to come up with anything to say. I also busied myself with preparing the upstairs bunkroom for that night. Blink and Mush especially helped me with this task. They made sure we had a few baseball bats and such for protection and that we had plenty of hiding spots just in case the horrible chance that Shadow's gang were to break into the lodging house. When they said that it hit me that they were right. What if they did get past the boys and make it upstairs? What would I do? I'm nowhere near capable of fending off boys from the gang. I mean they jumped me twice! What makes anyone think I can hold them off the third time?
With this new fear in my head, I'm now dreading this fight. A better word may be petrified. I was a nervous wreck the rest of the day. The waiting was the worst. With all of the preparations done, there was nothing to do but wait. The closer it came to the all-out brawl, the more I noticed the boys getting antsy. It was becoming quieter if at all possible. Everyone kind of kept to themselves. They separated into their own little groups to just be together in each other's presence. It was as if they were saying a goodbye just in case they didn't make it. That's what scared me the most. Goodbye.
The sun was setting now and the boys' faces had turned from the nervous anxious faces from earlier to the stone cold determined faces they held now. I had ushered all of the younger newsies of Manhattan and Brooklyn in the bunkroom upstairs and was doing a head count making sure they were all there and not trying to sneak into the fight. I had just finished my head count when I heard footsteps walk into the room. I turned around to see the cold faces of Jack, Spot, and David. They motioned for me to meet them on the other side of the room.
I complied and slowly made my way over to them so they could tell me whatever they needed to. "Rose, you do understand the plan yeah?" asked David speaking first. I nodded that I did. "Okay, well if any a dem bummahs make it up heah all ya gotta do is whistle. Ya can whistle can't ya?" asked Jack this time. I rolled my eyes and gave them a demonstration of my whistling. I put two fingers into my mouth and let out a loud, air-splitting whistle. The boys cringed at being so close to the source of the loud noise. Spot grabbed my hand and pulled my fingers out of my mouth exclaiming, "Awright awright ya can whistle! Geez…" I smirked at their reaction, pleased that I had proven myself.
Spot walked towards the windows that lined the bunkroom and proceeded to pull them each open. I looked at Jack questioningly before I asked, "What's he's doin that foah?" He shrugged before replying. "So's we'll heah ya whistle if ya have ta." I nodded in understanding before looking back at Spot as he walked back to the group. My face must have shown how scared I was. I could just feel the boy's faces staring at me with what they thought a reassuring smile must be.
"Rose, don't worry about a thing. We'll take care of these guys. For you and for Race. We won't let them get past the lodging house doors so you don't have to worry about any confrontation whatsoever. Okay?" said David with a small smile. I peered into his eyes for a few moments before letting out a long, stress-filled sigh. "Okay, I trust ya guys. Just…do me a favor will ya?" They all nodded for me to go on, apparently rather eager to do whatever I needed for them. I looked at each one of them in the eyes before replying, "Don't get hurt out there. Awright?" They smiled at me before each of them gave me a small "Okay" and then proceeded to leave. "Don't you or any of da little guys leave dis room ya heah?" called Jack over his shoulder as they exited the room. "Yeah, yeah I know!" I called after him. I heard a light-hearted chuckle come from the hallway and then they were gone.
I was standing near one of the windows of the bunkroom, waiting to see the fight start. It was agonizing having to wait for this fight to break out. The sun was completely gone now leaving the moon as the only source of light. It was eerie how pitch black outside the window looked. Our boys were waiting inside the lodging house downstairs in the lobby area. It was dead quiet. I could only vaguely make out the form of who I knew to be Jack sitting alone on the porch in front of the lodge. He was acting as though we weren't expecting a thing. He had a cigarette lit and was leaning back against one of the stairs. One would assume he was relaxing rather than preparing for a deadly confrontation.
It felt like hours before I finally spotted a form casually walk towards Jack. Without having to see the person's face, I knew it had to be Shadow. The way he walked, as if he owned Manhattan already,y gave away his identity easily. The breath I was taking caught in my throat as he strolled up just underneath my window. Since it was so quiet, I could hear the two leaders word for word.
"Hey dere Kelly. I gave ya time enough for you ta decide whether or not ya gonna beat it or if dis is gonna get ugly. Ya never gave me an answer. I have to assume ya don't like me proposition. Otherwise ya jus stupid fer not takin me seriously." came the menacing voice of Shadow. Jack paid more attention to the cigarette he was smoking. Blowing a ring of smoke, he finally looked up to meet the fowl gaze of the gang leader.
With a stone-cold face, Jack slowly got up to size up his enemy. "Well Shadow, dose are both right. I ain't likin yer proposition and I don't take ya seriously." I would have clapped Jack on the back for that comment. Shadow, however, didn't take too kindly to that reply. "Ya ready ta go down dis road Kelly? It ain't gonna be pretty. Specially fer you"
Jack looked as though he was thinking over what the gang leader had said before crossing his arms across his chest in a 'come at me' attitude. "Been ready Shadow." he practically growled the words. A dangerous smile came across Shadow's face at this. He backed off a few feet before giving one loud whistle into the darkness of the night. On cue, about 30 more forms appeared out of the shadows and came into view in front of the lodge house. My heart stopped realizing just how many followers Shadow had. I knew he ran a prominent gang, but I had no idea it was this large.
Every one of Shadow's followers had some sort of weapon besides their fists. To me, that meant they mean business. This fight wasn't going to stop unless every person from the other side was down. Or dead.
I looked back down towards Jack, and noticed he grew slightly rigid, probably realizing like I had the extent of Shadow's reach. Regardless, Jack stomped his foot 3 times on the wooden floorboards. That was his signal to the Manhattaner's inside the lodge to come out to back him up. Promptly, every single able bodied Manhattaner came out and poured into the streets. Jack stood nobly front and center. He motioned with his hands for Shadow to make his move.
Without hesitation, the gang leader ran forward yelling at the top of his lungs. His followers followed suit and so commenced the fight.
The first to make contact was the center. Jack found the face of one of the gang member's face sending him hard to the ground. It continued like this for what seemed like hours. Everywhere I looked, newsies and gang members alike were pounding into each other. I cringed every time I saw a fellow newsie fall to the ground. I couldn't help but notice the sight of blood. A lot of blood. It was on everyone and was everywhere. Shadow, like the coward we knew him to be, stood in the back behind the fighting leaning against a building on the other side if the street.
That made me so mad I almost felt inclined to run down there and smack his face to the ground. However, knowing how flawed that plan was, I refrained my from letting my emotions get the best of me. I turned around to check on the younger newsies in the room with me. I noticed all of them were huddled together around Racetrack's bed. The sight broke my heart into pieces. I slowly walked over to them and gave them a reassuring smile. My brother spoke up for the group.
"Rose, what's it look like? I-I don't think any of us can take a peek..." he looked down at his feet as he said the last few words. I moved towards him and ruffled his unruly hair. "Guys, ya don't need ta see it. It's pretty scary, I'll admit. But I promise ya nuthin's gonna happen ta us, okay?" I gave him a little nudge letting him know I meant it. I received a few smiles from the rest of the group who were intently listening to the exchange.
Just then, we heard a resounding yell come from outside. It was a horrible sound. Almost as if someone was critically hurt, and was in agony. I motioned for the kids to stay put away from the window as I ran to see what happened. I hastily scanned the scene outside before my eyes came upon a horrific sight. A form I thought to be Blink was carrying a limp body on his shoulder towards the lodging house door.
"Everyone, stay heah!" I exclaimed before running to the door. I threw it open and ran down the stairs to see who it was hurt. Blink ambled in, obviously struggling with the extra weight he was carrying. Once I saw the two in the lobby, I immediately gasped. It was Mush. He had a horrible cut above his left eye that was seeping blood faster than he could wipe it away. He had multiple bruises already forming and from what I could tell, a nasty looking welt forming on the right side of his face.
I ran to the boys' aide. Blink stared at me hard before getting out, "What are ya doin down heah Rose! Get back upstairs! I got 'em!" I gave Blink a harsh glare before taking Mush's other arm. With a sigh of annoyance, he accepted the extra help. We slowly but surely made it up the stairs and into the bunkroom. We set him on a bed and I shooed Blink out so I could tend to Mush.
The children all looked at me with fear written all over their faces. Trying my best to look at Mush's cut above his eye, I ended up giving up and settled for barking orders. From what I could tell he was knocked out by the look of the still growing welt on the side of his head. "Patches, go to the washroom an get a rag and a bucket a watah! Jules, yer gonna sit heah and cover Mush's cut with the rag. All ya gotta do is wipe da blood away, okay? It's awright. It looks worse den it really is. Head wounds always bleed worse than what they are. Now come heah!"
Both of the kids obeyed and diligently went to work while the rest stayed put by Racetrack's bed. Seeing that both of the ill newsies were well looked after, I made my way back to the window. Just as I made it, I heard a loud shrill 3 toned whistle resound through the air. That's when I knew Jack was signaling Brooklyn to emerge. I inwardly cheered as I saw the Brooklynites proceed to pelt the gang members mercilessly with stones and marbles. The sound of Shadow's gang yelping in pain was a great thing to hear.
I was smiling to myself as I watched as half of Brooklyn made their way into the streets to help the Manhattaners. I saw Spot leading the way and fight to where Jack was still standing and currently beating the crap out of a gang member. I probably looked like an idiot smiling like I was. I continued to scan the streets like a hawk making sure there were no more serious injuries like Mush.
However, the worst thing possible just happened. I stupidly looked in Shadow's direction. I found him now engaged in fighting off some of the newsies. He managed to punch his adversary's lights out and looked up. He met my gaze and recognition dawned his features. 'CRAP!' I inwardly screamed. He saw me! He motioned to 3 of the closest gang members nearest him and they all looked my way. I backed away form the window like it was the plague.
I welded my eyes shut and counted to ten before I got the courage back to slowly sneak a peek and see if Shadow was doing what I thought he was. My suspicions were confirmed as I saw he and the 3 followers fighting their way towards the lodging house doors that were wide open. 'Damn Blink!' I thought frantically, cursing the newsie for forgetting to shut the doors. I turned around frantically to the young kids staring at me intently. They obviously noticed the look of distress on my face.
Their scared faces deepened as I rushed towards our weapons stash in the corner. I turned to face them wielding a wooden baseball bat. "Okay, we'se about ta have unwanted company. I want all a ya ta get behind that last bunk and hide. Some of you boys grab a bat just in case awright? Jules, you join 'em. Mush will be fine." They nodded frantically as they rushed behind the last bunk bed.
Feeling content that every one of the younger newsies had obeyed me, I quickly rushed to the window to catch the horrible glimpse of Shadow slipping into the doors downstairs. My heart almost stopped as I heard the rushed footsteps downstairs. I ran to the side of the door. When it opens I'll be well hidden behind the door as it swings open. The plan was to at least take care of one of the goons.
The steps were growing closer and closer until I heard the distinct sound of doors being thrown open down the hall. I heard the resulting sound of the upturning of furniture in each of the rooms. They finally made it down the hallway to our room. They slowly opened it, knowing fully well this was the last upstairs room in the lodge. I stayed silent as I saw the door creep open and promptly hide me behind the open door. I held my breath so not to give my hiding place away. I waited until I knew all four gang members were inside the room before silently stepping out form behind the door.
I instantly saw my targets. I crept up behind the last one taking the rear of the search party that was looking through the beds. I raised the bat silently over my head and gathered up all my courage before I threw the bat with all my might down on the back of the boy's head. A sickening thud sounded as I cracked the bat across the target, who fell limply to the ground. I ran with fervor towards the next target knowing I had lost my element of surprise. I got a good hit to the boy's side, succeeding in knocking the wind out of him. He fell to the ground grasping at his side trying his best to fill his lungs with air.
I moved onto the next boy who was now fully well aware of my presence. He caught my bat in his hand as I tried to swing it at his face. He jerked it away from my hands and threw it at the door. Fear now replaced whatever courage I thought I had. The boy grabbed my wrist and threw me roughly behind him towards the back of the bunkroom. I regained my bearings and looked up to see Shadow and another boy slowly stalking towards me. I looked to my left and right looking for anything that could aide me. My breath caught as I realized there was nothing.
Shadow was chuckling evilly as he noticed my frantic search. "Silly little goil. Dere's nuthin heah to help ya. Yer all alone again. An dis time I ain't gonna go easy on ya." I turned my head to glance at Racetrack laying unconscious in his bed towards the back of the room and then saw the group of scared children hiding 2 beds away from him. I turned my gaze back towards the goons advancing on me, knowing I had to do whatever it takes to protect my newsies. Once they were only a few steps away from me, I decided it was now or never.
I stood up and switched into my fighting stance Jack had taught me. I held up my fists in front of my face and bobbed my weight from foot to foot preparing for an attack. The two boys readily obliged and the first took a mighty swing at me. I dodged it surprisingly easily and put a jab into his side before he could think twice. I inwardly cheered at my success. He stumbled back which made room for Shadow to advance. He tried the same attack and was met with the same result. 'I can do dis! If dey keep dis up, I'll overtake dem in no time!' However, I thought too soon.
Without me prepared, the first guy was back and advanced on me with such speed I didn't have time to react. His fist connected with my stomach and I crumpled over feeling the full effects. I did my best to return a punch but got nowhere close to the target. "Patches, the signal!" I yelled just as a punch was sent to my jaw which sent me backwards. I landed on my back on an empty bunk bed. I heard the resounding whistle from Patches as he ran to one of the windows on the other side of the room from where the kids were hiding.
At least I landed on something soft and Patches got his whistle through to the guys outside. However, I was dazed now from the punch to my jaw and was mentally preparing myself for another hit, shutting my eyes tight. However, I heard a slight grunt instead. I opened my eyes and couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I saw a feeble Racetrack standing in front of the bed I was slouched over doing his best to look menacing. He looked as though he was going to pass out any moment. The one hit he got in on one of the goons seemed to have taken every ounce of energy he had. His legs were wobbling and swaying dangerously while I fought with myself to get to him in time before they buckled underneath him. I caught him just in time and let him slump into me on the ground. He was breathing heavily and giving death glares from his sagging eyes to both the goons standing over us.
The guy Racetrack managed to hit seared with anger and said, "Youse gonna pay fer dat weaklin!" He started stalking to us. I protectively got in front of the ailing newsboy and readied myself for the worst. However, the worst never came. Out of nowhere, Spot Conlon, Nick, and David bolted through the doorway and immediately went to work on the goons. The one I had knocked the air out of was just now starting to stand up but was promptly kicked in the face back to the ground by my brother. David found the other goon who was beside Shadow and went into a punching battle with the guy. Spot Conlon of course threw Shadow into the wall next to him and began beating the light out of him menacingly with his cane.
I breathed a sigh of relief as the goons fell to the ground one by one as my boys fought back. I slowly and carefully helped the poor Racetrack back to his bed. He was so weak and pale looking that I barely could believe he had punched one of the gang members. I gingerly laid him down and watched as he profusely coughed. His entire body shook as his sickness took over his body. He was drenched in sweat and stared weakly into my eyes.
"Rose.. are ya...okay?" he rasped out. He lightly touched my cheek as a tear fell. I couldn't help it. Seeing him sacrifice his well-being, even deathly ill, made me realize how much this newsboy really meant to me. When I realized he had jumped out of bed to protect me from Shadow and his boys, fear enveloped my whole body. I feared for him getting hurt beyond repair from being sick already. I can't even put into words the feelings that crossed my mind. But I will say there was a good mixture of fear, worry, and...possibly...love?
That's right! That's what those strange feelings have been. I couldn't give them a name until now. I love Racetrack. That's why when he was injured I practically went mute. That's why I didn't want to leave his side. Why I wanted to be the first face he saw when he woke up. I couldn't deal with knowing he may not make it. I
I reached my hand to his that was still holding my cheek. I smiled whole-heartedly at him. "Ya Race, I'm okay. Ya saved me again ya bum! Why'd ya do dat? Youse real sick... ya coulda made yaself worse." He gave me a weak smile before rasping out his reply. "Cuz...I don't...wanna see ya...hoyt. I-I like ya Rose...a lot." He seemed to be going over something in his mind before looking back at me. "I love ya Rose."
I must have looked like an idiot the way I was crying and smiling at him. I slowly leaned down and for the first time, gave him a soft and sincere kiss. When I came back up I looked into his eyes to see him weakly smiling at me.
"If dats how ya thank me fer savin ya...I may have ta get sick moah often." I lightly smacked his shoulder at his joke. Leave it to Racetrack to joke around when he deathly ill in his bed.
I rolled my eyes before getting up and caught the final glimpse of Spot pinning Shadow to the ground. He had a satisfied smirk on his face letting me know he won the fight. The other three of Shadow's boys were also laying on the ground unconscious in a corner with David and my brother standing over them. I rushed over to my brother and gave him the biggest hug I could. I pulled back as I realized that was the first time I'd hugged him since we were reunited. He chuckled lightly as he probably thought the same.
"I missed yer hugs Rosebud." I smiled warmly at him. I stepped out of his grasp and turned to Spot who was glaring down at Shadow. "Is da fightin finished yet?" I asked now completely fed up with this stupid war. He turned to look at me and grinned, "Not till Jackie-Boy gets ta deal with this heah trash." He spat at Shadow's face. I nodded and looked at David meaningfully who understood and went out of the room to find Jack.
A few minutes later I heard another resounding whistle and the commotion outside stopped. I took that time to breath calmly and relax. The fight was over. And so far, none of my newsie family were gone. Sure there were going to be injuries. I mean Mush was still out, sleeping on a bed. But he'll recover, and hopefully the rest of the newsboys will too. If I have any say in that matter, I'll make sure they do.
All I really cared about was that my family was safe. And this Shadow business was well on its way of being over.