It is so strange here. There is a miniature forest right in the middle of the city - Elizabeth thought to herself as they combed through the many rows of firs and pines. The prickly needles groped her arms as she passed by.
Kid Blink came stumbling down the snowy path. Les and Snipeshooter weren't too far behind as they clutched tightly to each of his hands.
"You found anythin' yet?" Blink panted.
"You found anythin' yet?" Jack echoed, from somewhere far off in the depths of the maze.
"No!" Elizabeth replied, a bit louder than normal, so that Jack and the other boys could also hear. She continued to scan the surroundings for the perfect Christmas tree.
"Here..." Blink said, grabbing the nearest tree within reach. Les and Snipes doubled over with laughter as he received a hand full of needles, besides the scraggly tree itself. Blink winced, "Let's just take this one."
Elizabeth shrugged.
"Alright," Blink smiled, chucking the evergreen over his shoulder. He assumed that they had finely come to a decision. "Head out fellas. We's got da tree," he yelled.
"Well, what about this one?" Lizzy remained, and began to circle a new tree. She studied it with deep concentration.
Blink groaned, "I thought we decided on dis one."
"I like this one," she replied, continuing to gaze upon the one infront of her. She finally turned to him, smiled, and gave a doubtful look. "Besides... that one doesn't appear to like you very much." She pointed to the many green spines that littered his coat.
"Dat one is even uglier den da one dat I picked out."
Elizabeth gave a pouty face.
"Fine... fine. Let's just get home. It's freezin' out here," Blink sighed.
"You just wait! This tree will be the most beautiful one in all of New York. Right guys?" she beamed.
"Yeah, yeah... whadeva."
They met up with all of the other guys just outside of the Christmas tree patch. They had apparently heard Blink and Lizzy's conversation.
"Hey, hey, what's da matta wid you?" Race asked. "All a dis gloom is startin' to make me unhappy."
Mush grinned, "Yeah... you know dat song... uh, how's it go? Tis da season to be jolly."
Skittery chimed in, "Fa la la la la la, la la la laaaaa....."
*********
They walked on for a few more minuets. "Does did seem to be takin' a bit longer to go back den it did to come, or is it jist me?" Mush asked, as they continued on the way back to the lodging house.
"Uh.. fellas, dat big, green street sign appears to say dat we's on Carrolton Avenue. How could we possibly be on Carrolton Avenue when dat is at least five blocks past Duane Street?" Crutchy pointed out as they rounded, yet another street corner.
"Well, dis damn snow ain't helpin'!"
The snow was once again falling and in dangerous masses. Elizabeth could barely see two feet in front of her face. The streets were swiftly being evacuated as people moved in doors to safety. The few people that remained on teh streets were rushing to get to their destinations.
"We need to get in doors," Blink suggested.
"Dese shops ain't just gunna warmly welcome a bunch of strange street rats inside," someone shouted, but there was no telling who it actually was.
"And dose strange street rats would be us, right?"
There was a clomp as whoever had spoken received a smack to the back of his head.
"God, do I need a smoke."
"Gosh, Racetrack, you made me loose my hat. Now I'll neva' find it."
The whining of the boys was starting to get to MacBeth and the whole situation with the snow was about to make her loose it. She crained her mind for what the best step to do next would be. "Hey guys..."
Everything finally became quiet. She had apparently gotten their attention. "I think that I know a place that we could go.. It's located on Carrolton. An old friend of mine works there."
She suddenly felt about three sets of gloved hands meet the small of her back and shove her to the front of the group. "Lead the way..." Jack commanded.
