The snow continued to dissipate, until it was no longer falling. Trudging the three blocks of snow was much harder than it would have seemed. The fast changing weather of the day seemed to have caught the merchants off guard because most of the fresh produce and goods had been left to ruin in the market.

The group scanned through the many rows of carts, all appearing abandoned.

"Josie! Josie!" Elizabeth called, her heart sinking deeper and deeper into her chest with every breath.

Kid Blink took a seat on one of the carts, resting his tired, blistered feet. "Please come and sit down, MacBeth," he pleaded.

She walked over to him obediently. "She has to be somewhere," MacBeth said through panted breaths. Her heavy breathing drew out a large amount of white smoke from the cold (Do you know what I mean here? Today was the first day of the year that I got to experience this.. he he.. Fall is here!).

Blink offered a hand to help her up to have a seat. "Your hands are like ice," he muttered, rubbing them between his own freezing palms.

Jack, Mush, and Racetrack paced the far side of the market up and down several times. Finally after quite a while of walking, they stopped to rest on the edge of the curb.

Mush turned as he heard the door to the shop behind them open. A tall, full figured girl sauntered out, sighing heavily.

"Er.. hello." The three worn out newsies tipped their hats.

"You three wouldn't be newsies, would you?" she asked timidly.

Mush grinned and bowed ever so slightly, while Race stepped forward and kissed the back of her hand. The girl blushed a slight crimson, retracting her hand.

"Don't mind dese two. Er.. yes, we are newsies," Jack said. He raised an eyebrow. "Your name wouldn't happen to be Josie, would it?"

Josie scratched her head. "Yes, but.. er, how did you..?"

Jack slid his arm coolly around her this shoulders. "Jist come wid me," he said, leading her across the street. Race and Mush walked closely at their heals, not wanting to miss a chance at getting introduced to this dame, nor be left behind.

****

"Josie!"

"MacBeth!"

"Oh, I am so happy that you are all right! Mrs. O'Connor said -"

"I didn't know where to go. The snow started and -"

The group of boys stood from a far, trying to interpret the fast chatter of the squealing females. Mush's head bobbed back and forth until he finally gave up. He cleared his throat loudly, "So, are ya gunna introduce us or not?"

Elizabeth smiled and carefully pushed Josie forward. "Everyone, this is Josie. Josie, these are my friends, the Manhattan newsies."