Author's note: The first few paragraphs take place over the course of a few days. My original intentions were to stop Spot and Fire after the dream. I did not want a long drawn out story, but I am going to go into a little more detail. I still do not have intentions on making this a 51-chapter story.
As the days continued the Rippers moved closer to Brooklyn. Each day Spot would see two, three or sometimes up to five more move in on his territory. The Rippers had found an abandon warehouse they were using to stay in. Spot had Spit Fire by his side all the time when she wasn't there he had his top newsie Chance and Blade with her.
The fear had risen to a new level over the next few days. Spot had gotten wind that almost all of the Rippers in New York had moved into Brooklyn. Spit Fire had become a little paranoid. Her brother Chaos was the leader of the Rippers, although he had said he would never let any one hurt her, what was stopping him from hurting her or even worse killing her.
As the day drew to an end Spot walked back to the lodging house. Spit Fire was with Chance selling. They would be back soon along with the others. As the lodging house came into view Spot could see a paper hanging from the door. He squinted to get a better look. Spot walked up to the door and saw a knife was holding up the paper. He tore the paper of the door and quickly scanned it:
Conlon,
You have three days to hand over your territory before
we come in and take it. This time we won't be so peaceful.
The Rippers
Spot had a sudden flashback of the last time they tried to take over the territory. Fire had been in Manhattan and warned Brooklyn about them. Spot pulled the knife from the door closing it and putting it into his pocket. He had decided he better call a meeting.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
The meeting of all the Brooklyn newsies the night before had gone well. They had all decided upon fighting for there territory. They weren't going to give up with out a fight. Spot was feeling a little better about all of this. Spit Fire had agreed to stay away from the fight that was to occur in two days.
Spot walked down the streets of Brooklyn with Spit Fire. They were unusually empty. He hadn't seen a single one of The Rippers in Brooklyn. He began to wonder what they were up to. He felt Fire reach for his hand. Spot turned and smiled at her, "Thank you'se fer doin' this fer me Fire." Spot said to her.
"I don't want you to have to worry about me when you have all of your territory to worry about." Fire kissed his cheek lightly.
The days seemed to drag on for every one. Spit Fire and Spot both continued to have the same dream over and over. They always started in the same place and always ended with Spot shaking her awake. Fire sat awake talking about what would happen in the next day.
"Spot please be careful." She whispered to him being careful not to wake any one in the early morning hours, "I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you."
Spot nodded, "I'se woul' die if you were evah killed, an' if death was dah only way tah ever be wid you'se again I'se woul' take it. I love yah so much." Spot gently kissed her.
The whitish morning light crept into the bunkroom and up the bedposts, the light shine in their faces. Spot got up and started waking the guys up, "C'mon you lazy bums! Time tah get up and sell."
Spot walked over to his bunk and picked up a few things off the nightstand. He quickly grabbed the pocket watch, his change…and the switchblade that had been in the door the other day.
Every one headed out of the lodging house and towards the distribution office. When they got there The Rippers were standing there waiting for them, "Damn it!" He shouted.
"I t'ought d'eys weren' supposed tah be heah till tamarra?" Blade said stopping dead in his tracks.
Chaos smirked, "We'se though' we'se bring yah a surprise." He laughed them he nodded at his guys and soon a full-fledged fight broke out.
Spot sent a right hook into the jaw of the guy he was fighting. The gut counter attacked him. Spot just happened to remember that he had the switchblade in his pocket. He pulled it out, for no reason he looked down at the knife in his hand, "No…." He whispered then heard the shot ring out he looked up through the crowd. The shout echoed through the streets. Spot literally felt his heart stop, "SPIT FIRE!" He shouted running towards her.
Spit Fire felt the bullet enter her side, a sharp piercing pain shot through her side. Fire felt her hands clasp over her side. She stumbled back into the wall behind her and slid down it. The fight raged on around her. No one seemed to notice her. Fire tried to call for help, but she couldn't find her voice. The warm sticky fluid ran down her side, soaking her shirt and running in between her fingers. The horrible pain intensified. Spit Fire looked down at her side; now covered in red. A sweep of dizziness took over. She closed her eyes tightly hoping she would open them and it would all just be a dream. The shouting and yelling seemed to be fading out into the background, until all the words and screams ran into one. Fire opened her eyes to see if any one was near for her to call to, but everything started vanishing…growing dark.
Spot pushed his way through the crowd just like in the dream. Chaos stood there his eyes fixed on the person he had shot. Spot's eyes traced the line of Chaos' fixed gaze. His eyes fell upon a fiery red head lying on the ground. His heart sunk, the tight grasp he had on the switchblade loosen and the blade fell to the ground with a clank. He ran over to her.
He took her into his arms, "Spit Fire wake up!" He begged her, "Fire…please." Spit Fire didn't move or open her eyes. Spot looked and saw she wasn't breathing. The tears pressed against the back of his eyes. Spot looked at the switchblade lying on the ground, he reached for it. It took Spot about two seconds before he decided what to do with the switchblade…
The End of Story One