New York City. Turn of the century. In a building with "Newsboys Lodging House" on the front, a confrontation between siblings ensued.

"Wren would yous hush up for a minute!" Skittery exclaimed.

"Sorry." Wren apologized, "Ise just wanted to tell you that…" Skittery gave his sister a stern look, which managed to shut her up.

"Let others talk on occasion."

"But…" Wren started, "Oh please just let me finish."

"Skittery, let up on her." Jack admonished, "We can talk in a minute." So Wren proceeded to talk and managed to finish within 5 minutes. She was then shoved to the side so the boys could talk business. 'Why do they think girls can't handle it? Or more specifically me?' Wren sighed to herself. She decided to go out on the roof and look at the sunset. Sitting there Wren counted the days to her birthday in her head. '10 days…oh no…today can't be…' With that Wren fell into a sea of memories.

~*~*~

Dublin, Ireland. 10 years previous.

"Ailie, hurry up I want to see the deck." A seven-year-old boy named Gavin commanded.

"Bu…bu…but w…what i…if I fall in?" His almost 5-year old sister blubbered.

"Oh don't be such a ninny." Gavin scoffed.

"Gavin McCallen, you be nicer to yar sister." Their mother commanded.

"Come 'er Ailie. Papa will protect you." Their father assured.

The McCallens had been having a difficult time surviving in their village in Ireland. Praise for the Americas had caught their ears. With little to keep them but starvation, they decided to discover for themselves if there was truth to the praise. They found passage on a ship to greater things.

That day had been filled with joy and anticipation. The next to come were quite different. They were only able to afford steerage. The quarters were cramped and dirty. People were shoved into every nook and cranny. The room where the McCallens slept was big enough for only one but they managed to fit 4.

The ship hit open waters and everyone in steerage was getting sick. With little sanitation and so much crowding, avoiding the illness was nearly impossible. Most people were throwing up, but some were dying. Ailie and Gavin came into their cabin after playing on the deck and found their mother on the floor. She had a high fever, which had caused her to pass out.

"Mummy? Wake up!" Ailie pleaded with her mother's unconscious form. No response. Neither child was able to lift her so they tried to make her comfortable on the floor. "Gavie, what are we going to do for mummy?" Ailie asked her brother.

"I don't know. I'll go look for Papa. You stay here." Gavin commanded. Ailie nodded, tears slipping down her little face.

Gavin raced around looking for his father. On the deck there was a big commotion. "Someone was pushed in the water!" "Get him!" "Are we going to stop for him?"

"People," an officer bellowed, "No one can survive those waters. We can't stop. Did anyone see what happened?" Several people stepped forward pointing to the railing and to the man that was tackled to the ground. "Does anyone know who the man was?" The officer asked.

Gavin wasn't really paying attention to what was said until he heard, "McCallen. I think the name was McCallen." Gavin stopped and couldn't believe what was happening. "Papa?" Gavin rushed at the man that was being taken into custody. Anger was boiling up in him. A man grabbed Gavin's collar, "Hey now what do you think your doing?" "He killed my father." Gavin answered and started struggling. "Don't worry he will be dealt with. Is your mother around?" The man asked. Gavin managed to shove away from the man, thwarted from his goal he ran back to the cabin to see how his mother was doing.

Ailie sat, clutching their mother's hand. "Mummy?" Ailie said again. Her eyes fluttered open. "Ailie? Baby, don't cry. I don't want you to be sad. Always smile, never frown." Their mother implored. Ailie made a feeble attempt at smiling. Gavin came into view. "Gavin, my boy. Be brave. Watch after your sister."

"Mother don't talk like this. You have to live. We need you." Gavin pleaded.

"Your father will take care of you. Be good." She eyes fluttered closed and the rise and fall of her chest dwindled to nothing.

Gavin crumpled to the floor, crying. They had no parents and no friends. Ailie curled up next to him, also crying. "Where is Papa?" She asked.

"Ailie, you won't leave me will you."

"No."

"Papa is gone. Dead."

"What!? No. He can't be." Ailie bawled.

The rest of the time was a blur. They arrived at Ellis Island and managed to sneak out to start a new life. They lived starving on the streets for a little while. Both of their dispositions changed, Ailie was always cheery and smiling even when she was starving. Gavin on the other hand, was sullen and quiet. He acted like the whole world was against him. They eventually met up with some other boys who were Newsies. They both took on new names as they were inducted into Newsiehood. Ailie became Wren and Gavin became Skittery.

~*~*~

Wren shook out of her reverie. It had been 10 years since this pain, but still it haunted her occasionally. The sun had already gone down and it was getting a little chilly, so she headed back inside. The boys were finishing whatever they were discussing, when she walked in. Wren walked up to Skittery and gave him a hug. Usually they didn't show physical signs of affection when others were around, so Skittery was a little surprised. "What was that for?" He asked concernedly.

"I don't know. I was just thinking about the past."

"Oh. I try so hard to forget."

"Don't forget. Just don't be sad. At least we have each other."

"Well each other and a bunch of nosy friends." Skittery said, glaring at the boys trying to listen.

"Brother and sister, forever and ever."

The End