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Days, then weeks passed by before Blue saw Spot again. All the newsies who had known Bright Eyes went about their daily business, but it wasn't the same as in old days. Their calls were less vibrant and their eyes less sparkling and every day as they trudged back to the Lodging House, it seemed that their hearts were heavier than usual. But eventually they grew out of it as the months passed, but still an ache lingered in every heart.
One crisp fall day after she had finished selling her papes, Blue began to walk, letting her feet take her wherever they wanted. She ended up in Central Park amid the beautiful oranges and reds of fall. She sat down on a nearby bench with a sigh and closed her eyes, thinking of the things she had lost.
"Dis seat taken?" Blue opened her eyes and saw the stern face of Spot Conlon.
She sat up and shrugged.
"It's yers if ya want it Conlon." She said offhandedly.
Spot nodded and sat down, easing his legs in front of him and setting his elbows on the top of the bench. He didn't say anything for a while, simply stared into space.
"Nice ain't it?" He asked. Blue nodded.
"Yeah. I like fall. It's me favorite time o'year." She murmured.
Spot nodded.
"Yeah. Me too. How ya been doin'?" Blue looked at Spot.
He wasn't looking at her, but she could tell he was truely interested in her answer.
"Okay. It's hard. Sometimes I feel like I wanna curl up an' die." Spot turned to her sharply.
"No you don't." He said, his voice showing his disbelief.
Blue dropped her head and nodded.
"I've lost most everytin' ya know. Me mudda, me fadda, da goil who was like me sistah, an' all da boys dat was like me bruddas. Dey ain't demselves no more. Dey don't act like da boys I met long time ago. Dey's like walkin' dead. Even me own brudda. I might as well be dead." Blue muttered.
Spot turned away.
"Yeah well." He stopped.
"Well, does da infamous Spot Conlon not have feelin's? Oh but dats right, ya don't even speak Bright's name no more. She's jest a legend ain't she Conlon?" Blue spit out.
Spot turned to face her. His eyes narrowed.
"Dats right. An' I ain't 'bout ta change it jest 'cause some goil lost her 'dopted sista." Spot said, mocking her.
Blue stood up, her eyes on fire.
"Ya know, dat night at da dock, I thought dat ya might actually have feelin's. But now I know dat it was jest wishful tinkin'. Ya don't got feelin's do ya Conlon?" She sneered.
Spot jumped up and faced her.
"Oh ya don't know how many feelin's I got! I've got too many feelin's goilie!" Spot yelled.
"Yeah right! Ya neva seem ta show 'em! I don't believe ya do!" Blue yelled back.
"Wanna bet? I bet ya don't even care 'bout anyone else. Yer so wrapped up wit yer longin' fer yer family an' everytin'!" Spot said mockingly.
Like she had that day at the Queens Distribution Office, Blue's fist shot out of it's own free will. But this time, it did not hit it's unwilling subject. Instead, her fist was caught in the hand of Spot Conlon. Spot's gray eyes blazed into her blue ones and for once there was an understanding between the two of them. Both of them were lashing out, fighting against the inevitable, both of them were fighting the same fight. Blue's gaze faltered and she pushed her fist into his hand harder. Spot's hand tightened around her fist as he stared at her intensely. Finally Blue's fist released it's tension and dropped. Spot put his hand down slowly. Blue looked at him and shook her head, walking away slowly, then beginning to run down the street.
Blue was digging under her bed and throwing things into a sack when Jack found her. He stared at her in silence for a moment before speaking up.
"Whaddya doin' Blue?" He asked quietly.
Blue's head shot up and she hit her head on the bed. She swore angrily and looked up at him.
"Nothin'." She said.
"Yer doin' a whole lotta packin' fer nothin'." Jack commented.
Blue jumped up.
"Look Kelly, I cain't stay here no more. I cain't! Not wit' all dis goin' on here!"
She said angrily.
"What are ya gonna do when Bright Eyes comes back?" Jack asked quietly.
"Ta hell wit' Bright Eyes!" Blue yelled.
"She ain't neva comin' back! Neva! She made her choice an' I'm makin' mine. I'm leavin' an' I won't be back." Blue said, dropping to the floor again.
After a few moments silence, Jack spoke up again.
"Where ya gonna go?" Blue looked up.
"I dunno. Bronx? I heaid it's nice dis time of year." She said, uncaring.
She picked up the bag and slung it over her shoulder as she stood.
"Ya gonna tell Kid?" Jack asked.
"Of course not. He wouldn't let me go. You tell him what I told you 'kay? Only leave out da part 'bout Bright. He might not take too kindly ta dat. An' um, tell him it's been nice. I'll see him around." She said, walking towards the door.
"Blue." Blue turned back to Jack.
"Runnin' ain't gonna help. You'll still feel da same way 'bout Bright no matta what part of New Yawk yer in." He said quietly.
Blue's eyes faltered a moment.
"Bye Cowboy." She turned away and ran down the steps, her footsteps echoing in the old building. Jack watched her and shook his head.
Blue ran for as long as she could before she stopped in an alley to catch her breath. Jack's words kept ringing in her head and she yearned for them to leave. He was right she knew, but that didn't mean he had to haunt her. She didn't know where she was going to go. Maybe the Bronx. She didn't know if she had actually meant it. She couldn't go back to Queens. But then again. Maybe she could sneak past Archer's guys. Maybe Archer wasn't even the leader anymore. Yeah. Maybe she could sneak past and find a place to lay low. She knew exactly where she could go. Blue jumped up and began to run again, this time towards her childhood home. When she came to the Queens border, she stopped and looked around.
There were no Newsies in sight. Blue held her breath and ran across the border and into a dark alley. There she saw Newsies. There were many, some on every corner. But she didn't recognize any of them. Blue smiled. This was to her advantage. She stuffed her hair into her hat and walked out casually, past the boys. Once she passed them she began to run again. Blue ran until she came to a large building. The sign read, "Queens Boy's Hotel." This was the alternate boarding house for the Newsies. It was a little fancier, but that was because it was run by the Children's Aid Society. They had more stuff than the other place that she had stayed at had. Free meals on Sundays and teachers, lots of things.
Blue held her breath and ran inside. She walked casually to the front desk when she got inside. The boy there was sitting back in his chair, reading a paper. Blue coughed and he jumped up.
"Hey! Da name's Jumps. How kin I help ya?" Blue smiled and put down six cents.
"Look I need a bed. Kinda outta da way dough. Nothin' in da middle." Jumps nodded and took her money.
"Sure. Jest sign here." Blue signed the book and looked up at him.
"Look kid, I need some information too." Jumps nodded.
"Sure. Whaddya wanna know?" Blue leaned closer.
"I need ta find an' old pal of mine. A kid named Windy. Ya know him? He comes here sometimes." She asked.
Jumps sat back in his chair and rubbed his chair.
"Windy huh? Yeah, da name sounds familiar. Hold on. Mike! C'mere!" Jumps called another boy over to the desk.
"You know a kid named Windy doncha?" He asked. The boy laughed. "Course I know Windy. Why? Does the kid need ta find him or sometin'?"
"Yeah I do as a matta of fact. He's an old pal of mine." Blue cut in.
Mike smiled.
"Well if ya know Windy, den he ain't changed much." Mike said.
Blue smiled.
"Lemme guess? He's in Gambler's Alley?" Blue asked with a smile.
Mike grinned and smacked her on the back.
"Yeah, yer a friend of Windy's alright. Dats where he is. Same place as usual." Mike said as he walked off.
"Danks Jumps." The boy nodded.
"No problem." Blue shouldered her bag and walked out of the Lodging House.
She walked down a few sidestreets till the sound of shouting boys reached her ears. She turned another corner in time to hear a male voice shout,
"Okay shuddup! I need ta tink!" Blue grinned and ran around the corner into an alley.
The alley was filled with boys and a few girls. In the center of the cluster, she knew there were four boys, Windy, West, Jacks, and Spades. They were the four most popular players in what the kids called Gambler's Alley. Blue pushed her way through, trying to see. Before she got to the center, she heard a roar of approval as Windy held up his cards.
"Triumphant again boys! C'mon hand ova da dough! Okay! Go on home! Show's ova!" Windy yelled as he collected his money.
Blue shoved through the departing crowd and grabbed Windy's sleeve. Windy looked up from his money sharply and when he saw her his eyes widened. "Blue." Blue yanked him over towards another adjoining alley so they wouldn't be seen. Windy stared at her in amazement, the money in his pockets forgotten for a moment. Windy was the same age as Spot Conlon and now that Blue had seen Spot Conlon she knew why the boys often thought the two were twins. They could have been, had Windy's eyes not been a bright blue with flecks of gold on their surfaces.
"What da heck are ya doin' here Blue? If Archer sees ya he'll kill ya fer sure! He was here ya know." Windy whispered.
Blue paled, realizing the narrow escape she had made.
"I need a fava Windy. Ya gotta cova me fer a while. At least till I find a place of me own." Windy shook his head.
"You neva change do ya Blue? But okay. I'll cova ya. Ya find a place ta stay yet?" Windy asked, his blue eyes watching for intruders.
"Yeah. Same place yer at." Windy brightened.
"Da Hotel? Aw Blue! Ya know I've been askin' ya ta go dere fer months! It's a great place honest!" Windy said excitedly.
Blue grinned.
"Yeah. Dats why I went. I," Windy clapped his hand over her mouth suddenly.
Blue questioned him with her eyes, but he put a finger to his lips. Suddenly, Blue heard what Windy had heard.
"Heya Windy! Come out! I know yer still here! I need ta tawk ta ya!" Windy shook his head and straightened.
"It's Archer! Whaddya gonna do?" Blue whispered.
"Tawk ta him." Windy said.
"An' if he asks 'bout me?" Blue asked.
Windy grinned.
"C'mon Blue. Doncha know me well enough ta know what I'll do? I'll lie of course." Windy said as he walked out of the alley with a flourish.
"Heya Archer! Good game huh?" Windy said, spit-shaking with the Queens leader.
"Yeah it was. Why were ya behind da alley dere?" Archer asked calmly.
Windy didn't miss a beat and instead blushed.
"Well, I was jest countin' me money, dats all. I didn't want da uddas ta see how much cash I got ya know. Didn't want 'em pesterin' me tenight fer free food. Ya know?" Windy said with a smile.
Archer smiled, buying the whole thing.
"Yeah I know. Scavengers. Well I jest want ya ta know dat one of me boys spotted Blue Hansen crossin' da line." Windy put on a face of mock surprise.
"Blue? I didn't tink she was dat stupid!" He said.
"I know. I've got me boys on da look out. Jest make sure dat yer boys at da Hotel watch fer her too. Undastand?" Windy grinned and shook his head.
"Glad ta be of seivice Archer." He said, shaking his hand as Archer backed away.
"Oh an' Windy." Windy turned back around to face Archer.
"If I find out dat yer hidin' her, it'll be bad fer you." Windy scoffed and threw his hands out in the air.
"C'mon Archer! You know me! I'm loyal." Archer nodded.
"Jest checkin'." Archer finally turned and walked away.
Windy shook his head and narrowed his eyes.
"I'm loyal to me friends Archer. Yer me friend, but so is Blue. So what's it ta be? Obeyin' you and beatin' up me friend? Or disobeyin' you an' betrayin' me friend an' at da same time savin' one. Hmm. Adventure or no adventure? Adventure." Windy said with a smile decidedly.
"Windy." Windy turned with a grin to face a worried Blue.
"Windy, if he finds out he'll kill ya." Windy laughed.
"Not likely. He won't find out. Not if I have my way. C'mon Blue. Lets git us some grub." Windy said, putting his arm around the girl.
Later that evening Blue settled into the cot that Windy had moved out of the way into an abandoned attic room. She pulled the thin sheet over her body and sat still a moment, her head falling on the pillow. She wondered what the Manhattan boys were doing. She wondered what Kid Blink was doing and thinking, what he had thought when Jack had told him. She blinked back a tear. She didn't like doing this to him, but she had no choice. She wondered what she would do if Archer found out. Who would save her then?
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Windy managed to keep Blue under wraps for two weeks before the disaster happened. It seemed that there was a rat among the Lodging House when Archer burst through the door of the hotel with a bunch of his boys. Windy stood up and pushed Blue behind a chair.
"Well Archer. Nice ta see ya! Ta what do we owe dis hona?" Archer didn't say anything, but instead walked right up to Windy till the two were eye to eye.
Archer's fist flew out and caught Windy in the eye, knocking him to the ground. As Windy lay on the ground clutching his eye, Archer glared at him and spoke.
"Okay Blue. Git out from behind dat dere chair. I saw ya." Blue stood up uneasily, her eyes falling upon the fallen form of Windy.
Windy saw her, winced and winked.
"Heya Archer. Long time no see." Blue remarked casually, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.
Archer shook his head.
"Blue, I thought dat you was smarter dan dis." He said sadly.
"Yeah dat makes two of us. But ya didn't hafta go an' punch out Windy ya know." She rebuked him.
"Oh he got a fair warnin'. Didn't ya Windy?" Windy didn't comment, but merely rolled his eyes.
"So whaddya gonna do Archer? Kill me?" Blue asked.
"No, jest have one of me guys rough ya up an den we'll pitch ya out. Next time we'll kill ya." Archer said with an icy calm.
"Foist, who was da rat dat told?" Blue asked, raising her chin.
"Da same guy who's gonna rough ya up. Cape. C'mon."
When Blue heard the name, her eyes narrowed and settled on the boy who came out of the crowd of boys, his eyes twinkling with glee.
"Well, nice ta see ya Cape. Ya ain't changed. Yer still da big ovagrown moose ya always was." Blue commented.
Cape's brown eyes narrowed.
"Laugh now Blue, but I'm gonna rough ya up so bad dat ya won't be able ta walk." Cape hissed as he put up his fists.
Blue shivered and put up her own fists, praying that she could get out of this nightmare. But this nightmare wasn't about to fade away nearly so quickly. She needed to stay focused, which was hard right now with Cape staring at her leeringly.
"C'mon Cape, gimme all ya got." She hissed.
"Wit' pleasure." Cape said surprising her by flinging his fist towards her face.
This wasn't unusual, it was just like Cape, but what surprised her was the shine of brass as his hand flew towards her face, plunging her in darkness.
When Blue woke up, her head was pounding and her hand clutched stone. She opened her eyes slightly and saw the cobblestone road of New York underneath her. She also took note of the angry voices yelling around her.
"James Edward Archer. I neva woulda thought I would see da day when you would be pickin' on little goils." An angry, taunting voice called out.
"Well look Conlon, you didn't get an invitation did ya? Didn't tink so." Blue recognized Archer's voice.
She could tell that he was not happy at all.
"I go where I want Archer. You know dat. I can and I do. Da point is I didn't tink dat you was da type dat beats up on goils because dey break da rules occasionally." Blue's body stiffened as she recognized Spot's voice.
He was here? In Queens?
"Dis ain't da foist time Conlon. Dis has happened before. She ain't supposed ta be here. We told her dat she wasn't allowed back no more or we'd kick her out."
"Which was exactly what we was gonna do before YOU came!" An angry voice burst out.
Blue cringed as she recognized Cape's deep voice. She felt his thundering footsteps as he stomped over to where she guessed Spot was.
"An' who might this angry bull be?" She heard Spot ask wryly.
"Dats Cape." Archer muttered as Cape's voice burst out angrily.
"Listen Conlon! Ya might be treated like a king in Brooklyn, but dis ain't Brooklyn! Ya got no right ta intafere!" Cape said angrily.
"You questionin' Brooklyn?" Blue didn't recognize that voice at first, but then she recognized it as the shy but hard Red, Spot's companion.
Spot didn't speak for a moment or two, but when he did, his voice was low and smooth.
"Oh but I do. See da two kids dat you an' Archer so gracefully beat up are unda my protection." There was a collective murmur and silence for a moment before Archer's wary voice spoke again.
"But I heaid from da boids dat you an' Blue was enemies." He said softly.
Spot didn't speak and Blue listened attentively.
"I changed me mind. Windy's been unda me protection since we was kids." Spot said calmly.
"So Archer, if ya please, pretty please, would ya release dese kids. Widout mamin' 'em foida of course." Spot said, his voice strained, though polite.
Blue held her breath as she heard Archer speak.
"If you want her Conlon, she's all yours. We don't want no more ta do wit' her. Git goin' Windy." Archer said.
The next thing Blue heard was the satisfied voice of Spot Conlon.
"Danks Archer. Nice of ya ta comply. It's great doin' business witcha. Oh an' Cape." Spot paused.
"Ya need ta woik on yer anga, an' also yer respect fer uddas in powa." Spot said cooly as he walked towards Blue's general direction.
With firm, but gentle hands, he began to shake her. She groaned and rolled over onto her back. She finally opened her eyes and she saw Spot's face staring attentively into her own. He didn't say anything, but placed his arm around her waist and helped her to her feet. Slowly, he began to lead her away, her legs trembling so badly that she could barely walk. Blue didn't say anything for a long time. Windy cast worried glances in her direction and smiled throughout. Spot didn't look at her as he helped her along, but his face still held that firm, unyielding emotion on his face. It was the face of power.
"How'd ya know where we were?" She finally blurted out.
Spot turned to her and grinned. "Well yer brudda was worried 'bout ya. So he sent me out ta make sure you was okay. I had a hunch ya'd have da guts an' stupidity ta try Queens, so I took it on meself ta check it out. Me hunches are usually right."
Blue turned away.
"Stupid is right. I cain't believe I did dat. I got everybody hoit." She mumbled.
Spot turned towards her sharply, his gaze intent.
"Hey, I said you had guts too. Not jest stupidity. You probably was gonna ta fight to da death wit' dat moose, dat is if he hadn't cheated. Da idiot. What did dey call him?" Spot asked.
"Cape. He's been wantin' ta kill me since I came ta Queens." Spot looked at her, an amused look in his eye.
"Why pray tell?" He asked.
"I punched him." Blue mumbled.
Spot gazed at her a moment more before laughing long and hard, surprising Blue.
"It ain't dat funny!" She protested.
"Oh yeah it is. Don't worry 'bout it. You kin bunk in Brooklyn." Spot stopped as they reached the border.
"Well Windy. Ya gonna come along fer da ride? Or ya gonna stay put?" Windy grinned.
"I'm comin' Conlon. It's always more excitin' wit' you." Windy said.
Spot smiled and turned to Blue.
"I kin take ya back ta Manhattan if you want, dat is if ya don't wanna go ta Brookyn. I kin do dat." He said, somewhat gently.
"No, I ain't neva goin' back dere eva again." Blue said with frightening ferocity.
Spot nodded gently.
"Den Brooklyn it is." Before they began to move again, Blue stopped Spot.
"Conlon?" She said. Spot turned to her.
"Thanks." She said softly. Spot didn't smile, but his eyes positively glowed.
"Yer welcome."
Days, then weeks passed by before Blue saw Spot again. All the newsies who had known Bright Eyes went about their daily business, but it wasn't the same as in old days. Their calls were less vibrant and their eyes less sparkling and every day as they trudged back to the Lodging House, it seemed that their hearts were heavier than usual. But eventually they grew out of it as the months passed, but still an ache lingered in every heart.
One crisp fall day after she had finished selling her papes, Blue began to walk, letting her feet take her wherever they wanted. She ended up in Central Park amid the beautiful oranges and reds of fall. She sat down on a nearby bench with a sigh and closed her eyes, thinking of the things she had lost.
"Dis seat taken?" Blue opened her eyes and saw the stern face of Spot Conlon.
She sat up and shrugged.
"It's yers if ya want it Conlon." She said offhandedly.
Spot nodded and sat down, easing his legs in front of him and setting his elbows on the top of the bench. He didn't say anything for a while, simply stared into space.
"Nice ain't it?" He asked. Blue nodded.
"Yeah. I like fall. It's me favorite time o'year." She murmured.
Spot nodded.
"Yeah. Me too. How ya been doin'?" Blue looked at Spot.
He wasn't looking at her, but she could tell he was truely interested in her answer.
"Okay. It's hard. Sometimes I feel like I wanna curl up an' die." Spot turned to her sharply.
"No you don't." He said, his voice showing his disbelief.
Blue dropped her head and nodded.
"I've lost most everytin' ya know. Me mudda, me fadda, da goil who was like me sistah, an' all da boys dat was like me bruddas. Dey ain't demselves no more. Dey don't act like da boys I met long time ago. Dey's like walkin' dead. Even me own brudda. I might as well be dead." Blue muttered.
Spot turned away.
"Yeah well." He stopped.
"Well, does da infamous Spot Conlon not have feelin's? Oh but dats right, ya don't even speak Bright's name no more. She's jest a legend ain't she Conlon?" Blue spit out.
Spot turned to face her. His eyes narrowed.
"Dats right. An' I ain't 'bout ta change it jest 'cause some goil lost her 'dopted sista." Spot said, mocking her.
Blue stood up, her eyes on fire.
"Ya know, dat night at da dock, I thought dat ya might actually have feelin's. But now I know dat it was jest wishful tinkin'. Ya don't got feelin's do ya Conlon?" She sneered.
Spot jumped up and faced her.
"Oh ya don't know how many feelin's I got! I've got too many feelin's goilie!" Spot yelled.
"Yeah right! Ya neva seem ta show 'em! I don't believe ya do!" Blue yelled back.
"Wanna bet? I bet ya don't even care 'bout anyone else. Yer so wrapped up wit yer longin' fer yer family an' everytin'!" Spot said mockingly.
Like she had that day at the Queens Distribution Office, Blue's fist shot out of it's own free will. But this time, it did not hit it's unwilling subject. Instead, her fist was caught in the hand of Spot Conlon. Spot's gray eyes blazed into her blue ones and for once there was an understanding between the two of them. Both of them were lashing out, fighting against the inevitable, both of them were fighting the same fight. Blue's gaze faltered and she pushed her fist into his hand harder. Spot's hand tightened around her fist as he stared at her intensely. Finally Blue's fist released it's tension and dropped. Spot put his hand down slowly. Blue looked at him and shook her head, walking away slowly, then beginning to run down the street.
Blue was digging under her bed and throwing things into a sack when Jack found her. He stared at her in silence for a moment before speaking up.
"Whaddya doin' Blue?" He asked quietly.
Blue's head shot up and she hit her head on the bed. She swore angrily and looked up at him.
"Nothin'." She said.
"Yer doin' a whole lotta packin' fer nothin'." Jack commented.
Blue jumped up.
"Look Kelly, I cain't stay here no more. I cain't! Not wit' all dis goin' on here!"
She said angrily.
"What are ya gonna do when Bright Eyes comes back?" Jack asked quietly.
"Ta hell wit' Bright Eyes!" Blue yelled.
"She ain't neva comin' back! Neva! She made her choice an' I'm makin' mine. I'm leavin' an' I won't be back." Blue said, dropping to the floor again.
After a few moments silence, Jack spoke up again.
"Where ya gonna go?" Blue looked up.
"I dunno. Bronx? I heaid it's nice dis time of year." She said, uncaring.
She picked up the bag and slung it over her shoulder as she stood.
"Ya gonna tell Kid?" Jack asked.
"Of course not. He wouldn't let me go. You tell him what I told you 'kay? Only leave out da part 'bout Bright. He might not take too kindly ta dat. An' um, tell him it's been nice. I'll see him around." She said, walking towards the door.
"Blue." Blue turned back to Jack.
"Runnin' ain't gonna help. You'll still feel da same way 'bout Bright no matta what part of New Yawk yer in." He said quietly.
Blue's eyes faltered a moment.
"Bye Cowboy." She turned away and ran down the steps, her footsteps echoing in the old building. Jack watched her and shook his head.
Blue ran for as long as she could before she stopped in an alley to catch her breath. Jack's words kept ringing in her head and she yearned for them to leave. He was right she knew, but that didn't mean he had to haunt her. She didn't know where she was going to go. Maybe the Bronx. She didn't know if she had actually meant it. She couldn't go back to Queens. But then again. Maybe she could sneak past Archer's guys. Maybe Archer wasn't even the leader anymore. Yeah. Maybe she could sneak past and find a place to lay low. She knew exactly where she could go. Blue jumped up and began to run again, this time towards her childhood home. When she came to the Queens border, she stopped and looked around.
There were no Newsies in sight. Blue held her breath and ran across the border and into a dark alley. There she saw Newsies. There were many, some on every corner. But she didn't recognize any of them. Blue smiled. This was to her advantage. She stuffed her hair into her hat and walked out casually, past the boys. Once she passed them she began to run again. Blue ran until she came to a large building. The sign read, "Queens Boy's Hotel." This was the alternate boarding house for the Newsies. It was a little fancier, but that was because it was run by the Children's Aid Society. They had more stuff than the other place that she had stayed at had. Free meals on Sundays and teachers, lots of things.
Blue held her breath and ran inside. She walked casually to the front desk when she got inside. The boy there was sitting back in his chair, reading a paper. Blue coughed and he jumped up.
"Hey! Da name's Jumps. How kin I help ya?" Blue smiled and put down six cents.
"Look I need a bed. Kinda outta da way dough. Nothin' in da middle." Jumps nodded and took her money.
"Sure. Jest sign here." Blue signed the book and looked up at him.
"Look kid, I need some information too." Jumps nodded.
"Sure. Whaddya wanna know?" Blue leaned closer.
"I need ta find an' old pal of mine. A kid named Windy. Ya know him? He comes here sometimes." She asked.
Jumps sat back in his chair and rubbed his chair.
"Windy huh? Yeah, da name sounds familiar. Hold on. Mike! C'mere!" Jumps called another boy over to the desk.
"You know a kid named Windy doncha?" He asked. The boy laughed. "Course I know Windy. Why? Does the kid need ta find him or sometin'?"
"Yeah I do as a matta of fact. He's an old pal of mine." Blue cut in.
Mike smiled.
"Well if ya know Windy, den he ain't changed much." Mike said.
Blue smiled.
"Lemme guess? He's in Gambler's Alley?" Blue asked with a smile.
Mike grinned and smacked her on the back.
"Yeah, yer a friend of Windy's alright. Dats where he is. Same place as usual." Mike said as he walked off.
"Danks Jumps." The boy nodded.
"No problem." Blue shouldered her bag and walked out of the Lodging House.
She walked down a few sidestreets till the sound of shouting boys reached her ears. She turned another corner in time to hear a male voice shout,
"Okay shuddup! I need ta tink!" Blue grinned and ran around the corner into an alley.
The alley was filled with boys and a few girls. In the center of the cluster, she knew there were four boys, Windy, West, Jacks, and Spades. They were the four most popular players in what the kids called Gambler's Alley. Blue pushed her way through, trying to see. Before she got to the center, she heard a roar of approval as Windy held up his cards.
"Triumphant again boys! C'mon hand ova da dough! Okay! Go on home! Show's ova!" Windy yelled as he collected his money.
Blue shoved through the departing crowd and grabbed Windy's sleeve. Windy looked up from his money sharply and when he saw her his eyes widened. "Blue." Blue yanked him over towards another adjoining alley so they wouldn't be seen. Windy stared at her in amazement, the money in his pockets forgotten for a moment. Windy was the same age as Spot Conlon and now that Blue had seen Spot Conlon she knew why the boys often thought the two were twins. They could have been, had Windy's eyes not been a bright blue with flecks of gold on their surfaces.
"What da heck are ya doin' here Blue? If Archer sees ya he'll kill ya fer sure! He was here ya know." Windy whispered.
Blue paled, realizing the narrow escape she had made.
"I need a fava Windy. Ya gotta cova me fer a while. At least till I find a place of me own." Windy shook his head.
"You neva change do ya Blue? But okay. I'll cova ya. Ya find a place ta stay yet?" Windy asked, his blue eyes watching for intruders.
"Yeah. Same place yer at." Windy brightened.
"Da Hotel? Aw Blue! Ya know I've been askin' ya ta go dere fer months! It's a great place honest!" Windy said excitedly.
Blue grinned.
"Yeah. Dats why I went. I," Windy clapped his hand over her mouth suddenly.
Blue questioned him with her eyes, but he put a finger to his lips. Suddenly, Blue heard what Windy had heard.
"Heya Windy! Come out! I know yer still here! I need ta tawk ta ya!" Windy shook his head and straightened.
"It's Archer! Whaddya gonna do?" Blue whispered.
"Tawk ta him." Windy said.
"An' if he asks 'bout me?" Blue asked.
Windy grinned.
"C'mon Blue. Doncha know me well enough ta know what I'll do? I'll lie of course." Windy said as he walked out of the alley with a flourish.
"Heya Archer! Good game huh?" Windy said, spit-shaking with the Queens leader.
"Yeah it was. Why were ya behind da alley dere?" Archer asked calmly.
Windy didn't miss a beat and instead blushed.
"Well, I was jest countin' me money, dats all. I didn't want da uddas ta see how much cash I got ya know. Didn't want 'em pesterin' me tenight fer free food. Ya know?" Windy said with a smile.
Archer smiled, buying the whole thing.
"Yeah I know. Scavengers. Well I jest want ya ta know dat one of me boys spotted Blue Hansen crossin' da line." Windy put on a face of mock surprise.
"Blue? I didn't tink she was dat stupid!" He said.
"I know. I've got me boys on da look out. Jest make sure dat yer boys at da Hotel watch fer her too. Undastand?" Windy grinned and shook his head.
"Glad ta be of seivice Archer." He said, shaking his hand as Archer backed away.
"Oh an' Windy." Windy turned back around to face Archer.
"If I find out dat yer hidin' her, it'll be bad fer you." Windy scoffed and threw his hands out in the air.
"C'mon Archer! You know me! I'm loyal." Archer nodded.
"Jest checkin'." Archer finally turned and walked away.
Windy shook his head and narrowed his eyes.
"I'm loyal to me friends Archer. Yer me friend, but so is Blue. So what's it ta be? Obeyin' you and beatin' up me friend? Or disobeyin' you an' betrayin' me friend an' at da same time savin' one. Hmm. Adventure or no adventure? Adventure." Windy said with a smile decidedly.
"Windy." Windy turned with a grin to face a worried Blue.
"Windy, if he finds out he'll kill ya." Windy laughed.
"Not likely. He won't find out. Not if I have my way. C'mon Blue. Lets git us some grub." Windy said, putting his arm around the girl.
Later that evening Blue settled into the cot that Windy had moved out of the way into an abandoned attic room. She pulled the thin sheet over her body and sat still a moment, her head falling on the pillow. She wondered what the Manhattan boys were doing. She wondered what Kid Blink was doing and thinking, what he had thought when Jack had told him. She blinked back a tear. She didn't like doing this to him, but she had no choice. She wondered what she would do if Archer found out. Who would save her then?
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Windy managed to keep Blue under wraps for two weeks before the disaster happened. It seemed that there was a rat among the Lodging House when Archer burst through the door of the hotel with a bunch of his boys. Windy stood up and pushed Blue behind a chair.
"Well Archer. Nice ta see ya! Ta what do we owe dis hona?" Archer didn't say anything, but instead walked right up to Windy till the two were eye to eye.
Archer's fist flew out and caught Windy in the eye, knocking him to the ground. As Windy lay on the ground clutching his eye, Archer glared at him and spoke.
"Okay Blue. Git out from behind dat dere chair. I saw ya." Blue stood up uneasily, her eyes falling upon the fallen form of Windy.
Windy saw her, winced and winked.
"Heya Archer. Long time no see." Blue remarked casually, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.
Archer shook his head.
"Blue, I thought dat you was smarter dan dis." He said sadly.
"Yeah dat makes two of us. But ya didn't hafta go an' punch out Windy ya know." She rebuked him.
"Oh he got a fair warnin'. Didn't ya Windy?" Windy didn't comment, but merely rolled his eyes.
"So whaddya gonna do Archer? Kill me?" Blue asked.
"No, jest have one of me guys rough ya up an den we'll pitch ya out. Next time we'll kill ya." Archer said with an icy calm.
"Foist, who was da rat dat told?" Blue asked, raising her chin.
"Da same guy who's gonna rough ya up. Cape. C'mon."
When Blue heard the name, her eyes narrowed and settled on the boy who came out of the crowd of boys, his eyes twinkling with glee.
"Well, nice ta see ya Cape. Ya ain't changed. Yer still da big ovagrown moose ya always was." Blue commented.
Cape's brown eyes narrowed.
"Laugh now Blue, but I'm gonna rough ya up so bad dat ya won't be able ta walk." Cape hissed as he put up his fists.
Blue shivered and put up her own fists, praying that she could get out of this nightmare. But this nightmare wasn't about to fade away nearly so quickly. She needed to stay focused, which was hard right now with Cape staring at her leeringly.
"C'mon Cape, gimme all ya got." She hissed.
"Wit' pleasure." Cape said surprising her by flinging his fist towards her face.
This wasn't unusual, it was just like Cape, but what surprised her was the shine of brass as his hand flew towards her face, plunging her in darkness.
When Blue woke up, her head was pounding and her hand clutched stone. She opened her eyes slightly and saw the cobblestone road of New York underneath her. She also took note of the angry voices yelling around her.
"James Edward Archer. I neva woulda thought I would see da day when you would be pickin' on little goils." An angry, taunting voice called out.
"Well look Conlon, you didn't get an invitation did ya? Didn't tink so." Blue recognized Archer's voice.
She could tell that he was not happy at all.
"I go where I want Archer. You know dat. I can and I do. Da point is I didn't tink dat you was da type dat beats up on goils because dey break da rules occasionally." Blue's body stiffened as she recognized Spot's voice.
He was here? In Queens?
"Dis ain't da foist time Conlon. Dis has happened before. She ain't supposed ta be here. We told her dat she wasn't allowed back no more or we'd kick her out."
"Which was exactly what we was gonna do before YOU came!" An angry voice burst out.
Blue cringed as she recognized Cape's deep voice. She felt his thundering footsteps as he stomped over to where she guessed Spot was.
"An' who might this angry bull be?" She heard Spot ask wryly.
"Dats Cape." Archer muttered as Cape's voice burst out angrily.
"Listen Conlon! Ya might be treated like a king in Brooklyn, but dis ain't Brooklyn! Ya got no right ta intafere!" Cape said angrily.
"You questionin' Brooklyn?" Blue didn't recognize that voice at first, but then she recognized it as the shy but hard Red, Spot's companion.
Spot didn't speak for a moment or two, but when he did, his voice was low and smooth.
"Oh but I do. See da two kids dat you an' Archer so gracefully beat up are unda my protection." There was a collective murmur and silence for a moment before Archer's wary voice spoke again.
"But I heaid from da boids dat you an' Blue was enemies." He said softly.
Spot didn't speak and Blue listened attentively.
"I changed me mind. Windy's been unda me protection since we was kids." Spot said calmly.
"So Archer, if ya please, pretty please, would ya release dese kids. Widout mamin' 'em foida of course." Spot said, his voice strained, though polite.
Blue held her breath as she heard Archer speak.
"If you want her Conlon, she's all yours. We don't want no more ta do wit' her. Git goin' Windy." Archer said.
The next thing Blue heard was the satisfied voice of Spot Conlon.
"Danks Archer. Nice of ya ta comply. It's great doin' business witcha. Oh an' Cape." Spot paused.
"Ya need ta woik on yer anga, an' also yer respect fer uddas in powa." Spot said cooly as he walked towards Blue's general direction.
With firm, but gentle hands, he began to shake her. She groaned and rolled over onto her back. She finally opened her eyes and she saw Spot's face staring attentively into her own. He didn't say anything, but placed his arm around her waist and helped her to her feet. Slowly, he began to lead her away, her legs trembling so badly that she could barely walk. Blue didn't say anything for a long time. Windy cast worried glances in her direction and smiled throughout. Spot didn't look at her as he helped her along, but his face still held that firm, unyielding emotion on his face. It was the face of power.
"How'd ya know where we were?" She finally blurted out.
Spot turned to her and grinned. "Well yer brudda was worried 'bout ya. So he sent me out ta make sure you was okay. I had a hunch ya'd have da guts an' stupidity ta try Queens, so I took it on meself ta check it out. Me hunches are usually right."
Blue turned away.
"Stupid is right. I cain't believe I did dat. I got everybody hoit." She mumbled.
Spot turned towards her sharply, his gaze intent.
"Hey, I said you had guts too. Not jest stupidity. You probably was gonna ta fight to da death wit' dat moose, dat is if he hadn't cheated. Da idiot. What did dey call him?" Spot asked.
"Cape. He's been wantin' ta kill me since I came ta Queens." Spot looked at her, an amused look in his eye.
"Why pray tell?" He asked.
"I punched him." Blue mumbled.
Spot gazed at her a moment more before laughing long and hard, surprising Blue.
"It ain't dat funny!" She protested.
"Oh yeah it is. Don't worry 'bout it. You kin bunk in Brooklyn." Spot stopped as they reached the border.
"Well Windy. Ya gonna come along fer da ride? Or ya gonna stay put?" Windy grinned.
"I'm comin' Conlon. It's always more excitin' wit' you." Windy said.
Spot smiled and turned to Blue.
"I kin take ya back ta Manhattan if you want, dat is if ya don't wanna go ta Brookyn. I kin do dat." He said, somewhat gently.
"No, I ain't neva goin' back dere eva again." Blue said with frightening ferocity.
Spot nodded gently.
"Den Brooklyn it is." Before they began to move again, Blue stopped Spot.
"Conlon?" She said. Spot turned to her.
"Thanks." She said softly. Spot didn't smile, but his eyes positively glowed.
"Yer welcome."