Ch.10 The Fight
I wasn't scared, really, just terribly, terribly startled. The person had so strong a hold around my waist that I could hardly breath. Cautiously he took his hand off my mouth and put his arm around my neck as if to strangle me. I think he was afraid that I would scream, but it was almost impossible to talk. I choked out a hoarse, " What do you want?" My question irritated him and he tightened his grip on my neck. With his other hand he searched the ragged pockets of my dress. " This monster is trying to rob me" I thought wildly. The only money that I had was from selling the papers. I had worked hard for two days to get that much money and nobody was going to take it from me. The man wouldn't find any money in my dress pockets. I had hidden it somewhere else. I decided that it was time for me to fight back. While my captor had a good hold on my neck and waist; he didn't have any control over my arms my feet. He was busy searching other places where money might be hidden when I brought my foot down hard on his. He was so surprised that he let go of me and began screaming obscenities. I realized that the man was drunk and that by hurting I had made him incredibly angry. The man had me trapped in the alley and I couldn't escape to the street without running into him. He roared and came at me with swinging fists. In all honesty I tried to protect myself and I'm almost positive that I punched him good at least three times. I was, however, no match for the creep so he hit and kicked me repeatedly. His fists slammed again and again into stomach and sides. I thought I would die if he didn't stop and was in danger of giving to defeat. In a flash of brilliance I went limp and no longer struggled, because if I no longer looked like a threat perhaps the man would leave. The plan worked and with one final kick to my ribs he stumbled out of the alley. I laid there for maybe thirty minutes just to make absolutely sure that he had gone before I began to stand up. I never made it that far. I uttered a small moan before clutching my hands to my side and fell back to the ground. The newsboys lodge wasn't that far away and I desperately needed my brother. I made my way hunched over with my hands on my stomach to the where he slept. I finally reached the door and banged on it as hard as I could. It wasn't really that hard because all my strength had been spent. I was terrified that no would hear me and I would die right there on the street. It prompted me to start yelling which I did until I gave in to the blackness that was closing in on me.
I woke up what must have minutes later on a hard floor. For one horrible moment I thought I was still outside in the rain, but the ground felt different, more like boards. In the dim light of the building, which I assumed to be the lodge, I could make out many boys staring down at me. Most of them had sick expressions on their faces and I figured that I was a terrible sight to look at. I noticed that there was someone in the background yelling out orders. I wanted my brother but didn't see him in the crowd of people surrounding me. I felt my head being lifted up and it was put down again on something very soft. I realized that I had my head in someone's lap, but to my surprise it didn't belong to my brother. A low voice whispered by my ear, " Its gonna be fine. You'll be all right. A doctor is coming soon ta help ya." I felt a hand stroke my hair before I passed out again. The second time I opened my eyes I was in laying in a bed covered by warm sheets. There really wasn't anything else in the room except for some instruments and machines I couldn't begin to name. The walls were so white that they hurt my eyes and I knew that I must be in a hospital. I had bandages on my face and I could feel bandages on my sides too. I felt so lonely and small in that room and wished that someone would come to see me. My wish was quickly granted for a young nurse bustled into my room at that exact moment. " Hello" I said in a hoarse voice. She smiled merrily at me and nodded. Curious, I asked, " What exactly is wrong with me?" Her smile vanished while she told me of my injuries. I had a broken rib it seems and several heavy blows to my face and stomach. I then asked her if my brother was at the hospital and was disappointed to learn that he was not. The nurse eventually left my room leaving me to stare at the ceiling. The door opened again and a most unexpected person walked in.