Skittery was the last boy to return to the lodging house that night. Still in a bad mood, he sat down at the table to play poker with the other boys. He didn't even address Helena or Story, who were sitting on the couch.

Helena had her face in her hands. "Why can't I ever listen?"

Story glanced up from the book she and David were reading aloud. "Listen to who- oh."

"And now he hates me!"

David raised an eyebrow. "Who hates you?"

Story shut the book with a snap and shoved it into David's lap. "Girl talk. Go play some poker."

David opened his mouth to protest. He nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation and took his seat at the table.

"Now," said Story. "What is this about Skittery hating you?"

Helena looked up. "You remember how he stormed off earlier." Helena, for one, couldn't forget. After Skittery had split from their little group that morning, she decided to visit her uncle's office as the event played back over again in an endless loop. She tried typing up her notes, filing papers, and even sweeping the floors to take her mind off of things. It didn't work. "I've ruined his trust and now he won't speak to me. He doesn't even want to look at me!" It was difficult to hold back tears. Helena didn't want to cry in front of the newsies, but Skittery was one of her friends. She might even say he was her best friend.

"Calm down." Story gave Helena a hug. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"But I was interviewing the Delanceys-"

Story smiled a little. "I have to say, that wasn't a very smart move," She took Helena's hand. "But don't beat yourself up about it. You were just doin' your job. A real reporter wouldn't shy away from a potentially dangerous situation when there's an important story to tell."

Helena nodded, sniffing.

"Besides, you know he's moody." Story added.

"Yes," Helena said. "But I feel like I hurt him deeper. He just left so quickly."

Story was quiet for a moment. "...I know..."

Helena looked up at the boys' poker game. Skittery looked angsty as ever, answering any questions directed toward with one word answers as the others continued their conversations with the same energy as they always had. He took a long swig of the amber liquid in the bottle some of the older boys were passing around.

"I think he has feelings for you." Story said finally.

Helena blushed "What? No, he- he couldn't possibly- I- I mean-" she stammered.

Story laughed. "Don't be so, what's the word, naive. Of course he does."

"But he likes you!" Helena blurted, instantly regretting it. Her eyes darted back up to Skittery, who didn't notice.

"He did like me. I know he's liked me for a while now." Story said. "But ever since you came, he's been acting different."

Helena stared at her. "You knew he liked you?"

"Not at first, Chase and Spark and sometimes Spot would tease me about it. I didn't believe them for a while but I figured it out not too long ago." She said. "And I know for a fact he likes you now."

"How so?"

"The way his eyes light up when he sees you. He smiles at the mention of your name. It's not like when he had feelings for me. He's not angry all the time-"

Helena raised an eyebrow. "Except now."

"Alright, everybody listen up!" Jack smacked the poker table to get everyone's attention. "Game's over, we gotta make a plan for tomorrow night."

Story stood up. "I'm gonna help the little ones get in bed." she said to Helena "You stay here."

Helena reluctantly obeyed and pulled out her notebook and pen. She took a seat between Mush and Racetrack at the poker table, realizing with a pang that this was usually where Spark usually sat.

When everyone was seated, Jack began. "Tomorrow's the night," was all he said.

"What are we gonna do?" Mush asked. His voice sounded tired and hopeless.

"We gotta go, right?"

"Wait, Shade said there's gonna be a surprise," said Kid Blink, "What if it's a trap?"

The other boys started talking at the same time, the noise level rose quickly.

"Will yous shut it?" came a voice from upstairs. "I'm tryin' to put your kids to bed!"

Jack winced. "Sorry, Story," he turned back to the group, eyes on Blink. "That's just gonna have to be a risk we take. We gotta get the girls back no matter what."

The others spoke, much quieter this time, in agreement.

"It can't be too dangerous," Racetrack said. "I mean, I saw Shade's fliers all around the city. There's gonna be more people there than just newsies."

"Yeah," said Jack. "But I bet Shade's the type that doesn't care who he hurts, he won't let anyone in his way."

Spot spoke up. "Yeah, that's how his brother was."

Kid Blink nodded, and changed the subject. "What do we figure, this gonna be a freak show, like Coney Island?"

"That's what we expect." said Spot. "And I bet the girls are in it. With all them 'shadows' around this city Shade probably knows about Chase and Spark's talents."

Jack nodded. "And if they are, we gotta make sure one a' us gets close enough to get 'em outta there and avoid too much fightin'."

David raised an eyebrow. "Really, Jack? That isn't usually your way."

"I know, but we got more than just us to think about here. I don't want no one else hurt."

Helena looked up suddenly, remembering something. "I'm assuming there will be a magic act like at Coney Island," she started. "If they ever ask for volunteers, raise your hands. If someone can get onstage with the girls, we might have a shot of getting them out before anything bad happens."

Jack turned to Helena. "Do you know anything else we should know about magic shows?" From what Spot had told him, this seemed to a common interest between Shade and Myth: illusions.

She blew out a long breath, looking down at her notes. "I don't know much, I haven't seen that many."

"That's probably more than any a' us though."

"Right," she said. "It shouldn't be much different than what we saw on Hallowe'en. Disappearing tricks, mind reading."

"Illusionists take the audience's attention off the trick by distracting them," said David. "We have to keep an eye out for anything odd."

"Ha," Racetrack said. "Shouldn't be too hard with all a' us all there."

Something troubled Helena. "Not necessarily. Magicians can divert the audience's attention pretty easily. Everyone needs to keep their eye on the stage no matter what happens. Also, there are some dangerous tricks to be wary of."

"Such as...?"

"There are tricks involving weapons, like knife swallowing, fire throwing, and-" Helena closed her eyes. She remembered an article she had read in the newspaper back in Philadelphia just last year. It was a tragic story. "And 'The Bullet Catch'."

Mush's eyes widened. "Wh-what's 'The Bullet Catch'."

"It's a trick where the illusionist, or his assistant catches a bullet shot at them by an audience member."

"How does that even work?"

"The gun is unloaded. The catcher is supposed to be unharmed-"

"Then it shouldn't be a problem-" said Kid Blink.

Helena bit her lip. "Unless someone slips something small down the barrel." It had happened before. A famous magic show went out of business because of it. A crazed audience member slid a pebble down the barrel, killing the assistant. She was the illusionist's wife.

"Wait- wait-" said David. "We could use that to our advantage."

They all gaped at David.


It was strange being in Irving Hall without Medda. It was full of people, all from Shade and Prima's show at Coney Island and Shade's "shadows", but it felt so different, so empty. Usually, at least one of their friends were with them. Spot never missed a show and he liked to be there for rehearsals too.

Chase and Spark did a lot of waiting. They had some time to rest while Shade wasn't paying attention. If Prima noticed, she didn't say anything.

Shade said they were saving the 'best' for last, so the girls wouldn't be involved until the final few acts. Chase was going to sing a song, and then she, Prima, and Spark would do a dance that Prima choreographed.

Shade stood behind the piano and counted the tempo out loud. "One, two, three, four. One, two, three, four... Spark, you're a count behind."

Spark was doing her best but her ankle was killing her. Shade snapped his fingers and the pianist abtuptly stopped playing.

"Shade," said Prima with her hands on her hips. "She is injured."

"Which is your doing." Chase added.

"Just pick another song or put her in a different act."

"Girls," said Shade as he gripped the edge of the piano. "This show needs to go according to plan or we're gonna have some major problems. So I suggest yous deal with it or Spark's ankle won't be the only thing hurting."

Chase opened her mouth to speak.

"It's alright, Chase," said Spark. "I can do it."

"Great." said Shade.

It was almost midnight by the time they rehearsed the last act: Shade's magic act. The three girls would serve as Shade's "lovely assistants". It was a relatively mindless job. They just had to hand him what he needed for his tricks and add lots of extra flourishes for audience appeal.

A huge tank full of water was pushed onto the stage.

"Chase," Shade snapped his fingers, ordering her and the other girls around like trained puppies.

"Yes?" she tried to keep her voice as neutral as possible. Shade took both of her hands in his delicately, causing her to cringe.

"Oscar says you're a bit of an escape artist." Before Chase had time to realize it, Shade had her wrists bound tightly together, the rope cut into her skin. She gasped from the pain. "Try getting out of that." He laughed, turning back to Prima and Spark. "Remember to smile, girls." Shade said, over exaggerating his own smile. "We want to make this a performance they'll never forget."


December 31, 1899

Helena waited at the lodging house steps. The day had passed in a blur. Her uncle let her sleep in late that morning, he could tell she wasn't feeling herself. She read the paper in Central Park. By herself. In a tree. Now she understood why Spark and Mush spent so much time up in the trees. It was nice to have the privacy she wanted and still feel connected to the world. She hopped down from her perch when the sun started to go down. It was getting colder. And it was getting closer to the time.

Now she waited, tapping her foot. Of course the boys would be late. Only David had a watch, at least one that worked. And Helena couldn't blame the boys who wanted to make sure they sold all of their papers by the end of the day. But Shade was very clear in his message. They couldn't be late for this.

"Hey," said Mush as he walked up to the steps.

"Hi," Helena answered.

"Where's Denton?"

"He's out contacting some of his friends on the police force," she answered. "Some backup for tonight."

"That's good."

Helena hoped the sorrow would end tonight. Mush wasn't like this ever. If he was sad, he kept it between himself and God, sometimes his sister. But he was never this forlorn in public. It just wasn't him.

The two of them waited a little while longer for the rest of the newsies to show up. Soon, there was a small group of them sitting on the steps.

"Who are we still waiting on?" David asked, clicking open his pocket watch.

"Spot's the only one, I think," said Jack. "We can't leave without him."

"Of course not," David snapped the watch closed. "But he better get here soon, it's almost time to go."

Just as David said that, they heard someone running down the street.

"I'm... here!" Spot panted, taking a seat to rest. "Sorry I'm late."

Jack let him catch his breath before asking, "What were you doin'?"

"I was makin' sure everythin' was ok at the lodging houses, you know, just in case." Spot wanted to be prepared for whatever Shade had coming. He made Charmer, Rake, and Ruse spend the night at the girls' lodging house in case of a midnight attack. His boys would be fine if they stayed in all night.

"Good," Not all of Jack's boys would be coming. They kept the group small so they could keep track of everyone. The little ones, including Les, would not be coming. Helena and Story were the only girls allowed, and that was after a lot of begging on their parts. They couldn't just sit back and let the boys do all the work.

"Are we ready to-" Just then, the church bells chimed. It was five minutes until 7:00.

"Oh no!" said Mush. "We're runnin' late." He stood to run, but Jack caught his arm.

"You're not gonna make it from here. It's like fifteen blocks."

"How else are we gonna get there?"

Where was Helena's uncle? He said he would be back in time for the show. And Skittery, he wasn't back from selling yet. She stood up shaking her head. "We're going to have to run," she said. "It's the only way we can-" she felt something jingling in her coat pocket. Her uncle's keys. He had walked to the police station, leaving her his car. "Wait, I have an idea." She had them follow her around the corner where the car was parked.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You know how to drive this?"

"I... I've seen my uncle drive thousands of times. It can't be that hard." she attempted a reassuring smile.

Jack and the boys didn't look convinced.

"If we don't do this," said Story. "Then Chase and Spark could be in more danger than before. Let's go." she hopped into the back seat, dragging David behind her.

"It's worth a shot," he shrugged.

The others followed. Jack and Mush got into the front seat next to Helena. Spot had to sit on their laps, which he was not happy about, but he was smaller than the two of them. Kid Blink and Racetrack clamored to get in the back. Somehow Race ended up sprawled across David, Story, and Blink.

"Yous gonna have to run behind us," Jack said to the others. "We gotta get goin'."

"Everyone ready?" Helena tried to even out her voice. She honestly had no idea what she was doing.

It took a few tries to get the car going. When she did finally get the engine to turn on, they sped down the street. They were in a rush and Helena wasn't quite sure how to change the speed she was going. She took some wide turns, narrowly missing a few pedestrians and a horse cart.

"Whoa- Slow down, will ya?" said Racetrack.

Helena answered quickly. "We have to get there before we're locked out."

Helena took the last turn on to the street Irving Hall was on. She slammed on the brakes as they pulled up to the front, but she was a bit late, crashing the car into a light post in the process.

"E-everyone alright?" She glanced back. They seemed fine, a but tumbled, Story's curls were wild, but everyone seemed to be in tact.

"I thought you said you could drive!" Blink exclaimed, tumbling out of the car.

"I said I could figure it out," Helena blushed.

They rushed inside right as the ushers were closing the doors. They were let in without having to pay. Shade was definitely waiting for them.

The show had started, the lights were dim. They took the scattered empty seats in the theatre. David took Story and Helena up to the balcony to the left of the stage.

There was an empty seat in the middle of the front row. Just for Spot.


Shade had the cast spend the night at Irving Hall. Thankfully, the girls were separated from the rest, taking Medda's dressing room to sleep in. The next day was spent rehearsing, no time for rest at all. And then it was show time.

Prima handed Chase and Spark their costumes. They stared at them for a long while. Among a few flashy dance costumes and long gowns were identical black and white dresses with ruffled skirts that would barely hit their knees. The bodice laced up in the back. The corset was on the outside?! The sleeves, or rather straps, were off the shoulder.

"Chase, you're going to wear that one first." Prima said as she pointed to a white floor-length gown. She then pulled out a short (but more modest than the black and white ruffles) pastel purple dress, directing Spark to do the same. "Get dressed."

Chase and Spark obeyed, praying the night would end quickly.

Prima helped them with their makeup, heavily applying powders, kohl, and rouge. She pulled out a box from underneath the vanity. Inside were several different hair pieces the girls would be wearing during the show, including dozens of real red rose buds.

"What's that for?" asked Spark.

"They're for our hair." Prima answered. "Shade wants us to wear them at the end of the show."

Chase scoffed. "Where did he get those in the middle of winter?"

"Hothouse roses. Shade spares no expense."

"That's apparent."

There was a knock at the door.

"That's five minutes," Prima started pinning ribbons in her hair. "Yous ready?"

Chase and Spark shared a glance. They weren't sure.


A/N: So if you (somehow) hadn't noticed this story now has less chapters. I compiled some of them together so this story wouldn't end up having 45 chapters by the end (ok, really I'm up to 39 but I still have some more scenes to write and I don't want the story to be super choppy). If there are any errors like missing scenes or chapters that are out of order (or if anything doesn't make sense), let me know.