Author's Note: *dodges rotten fruit being thrown with poifect aim* I know it's been forever since I last upated, but Specs and Blink decided not to speak to me for awhile. After poking them a little, they finally gave in and allowed me to write this. I hope it was worth the wait.

Warning: This chapter contains a bit of violence and a bit of bad language.

//*// = inner thoughts

Title: Secrets Best Left Untold

Author: Neffie



Chapter 6

From the rooftops of New York City, things don't seem quite as bad as they do on the ground below. A person could, if only for a moment, convince himself that life was perfect, and all his problems would work themselves out on their own. //If wishes were horses, even beggars would ride// Blink thought to himself as he sat on the roof of the Manhattan lodging house. His cigarette dangled loosely from his fingers as he blew yet another puff of smoke into the sky. He couldn't remember the last time he had watched a sunset so peacefully. His gaze barely stirred as he heard someone coming up the fire escape. There was no need to turn around, he knew who it was that had joined him.

"Hey Specs."

"Hey Kid."

The silence was thick and almost stifling. Neither was sure how to approach the other after their violent confrontation the night before.

"How's Brooke?" Blink asked, seemingly casual as he took another drag from his cigarette. He found himself holding his breath, awaiting the answer.

"She left dis mornin', said she had some errands to run." The brunette took a seat next to Blink. "Ya know, she doesn't know a t'ing about last night. She doesn't even know dat youse was dere. I doubt she even remembahs tellin' me everyt'ing. She wasn't even sure exactly how she got 'ere. Just da rain, dats all she remembahs."

"Yeah?" Blink asked, showing hardly any hint of emotion whatsoever. He had left early that morning, seeking the streets and hawking headlines to try and take his mind off of the events the night before.

Specs was growing irritated at Kid's seeming passiveness about the situation. "Damnit Blink, do you even cares?!"

Without a word, Blink put out his cigarette on the roof next to him. Finally he looked up at Specs.

"Ya know Specs, not everyone had a family dat loved dem. Some of us don't even know what love is! Brooke is da foist poison I've eva given a damn about besides da newsies. I've never been in love before Specs." The last was whispered.

Specs stood there, lost in thought for a moment. He couldn't believe he had been so quick to judge Blink. The past was something that few newsies cared to mention because often times there were nothing but memories of pain. Specs was filled with shame. "Listen Blink… I didn't mean dat, t'ings are just messed up right now…" He sputtered to find the right words to apologize.

Holding up a hand, Blink quieted Specs. "Hey, it's alright. Now dat we know dat Brooke's got dese problems, we gonna help her right? Things are bound to get betta from 'ere on out, right?" Doubt shimmered in Blink's blue eye. He was trying hard to sound convincing, whether for Specs' benefit or his own, he wasn't sure. Either way, he wasn't very successful.

The sun had finally set and the city was black with night. A sense of uneasiness hung over the two newsies like a fog.



At that very moment, Brooke found herself starting across the Brooklyn Bridge. She knew that it was dangerous to be alone and female in that part of the city at night. Her cousin had sent her across the river in order to place some supply orders at the warehouses on the docks. She would have been home in Manhattan hourse before, but she had allowed herself to wander, trying to clear her head. Memories, images and emotions all jumbled together, racing through her mind.

Slowly, things were starting to come into focus. The rain, Specs, laying in the bunk next to him. //Oh my God, I've told him everything// she thought to herself, her whole body tensing at the sudden realization. She felt sick, stumbling over to the railings on the side of the bridge. Holding onto the cold iron tightly, she waited for the spell to pass.

If she hadn't been so wrapped up in her thoughts, she might have heard the heavy footsteps behind her. Unfortunately, she didn't realize anyone was there until a calloused palm slapped across her mouth, stifling her screams before they even had the chance to form in her throat.

Greedy hands tore at the front of her dress. She could feel her attacker's hot breath on her neck, the stench of alcohol was nasueating. As his hands started traveling lower, Brooke bit the hand at her mouth in panic. Her assailant cried out in pain and temporarily released his hold.

"You stupid whore!" He roared as he grabbed her by the hair before she got out of reach. With a backhanded slap to the face, he knocked Brooke to the ground. He punched her a few more times to insure her cooperation till she laid still on the cold ground, only uttering the slightest of whimpers. She tried to disconnect herself from the events that were happening (a useful trick she had put into practice while living with her grandfather), as he shredded what was left of her dress from her body. He straddled her and lowered his rotten mouth to lick at her neck.

Then, she was a figure, nothing more than a silhoute against the moon swoop down upon her attacker like a hawk. "I don't take kindly to trash on MY bridge!" came a low menacing growl.

Brooke was frozen in fear and surprise as her mystery savior chased away her would-be rapist. He held out his hand to help her to her feet. When she hesitated, he leaned down for her to get a better look at him. His eyes, both beautiful and dangerous, were unmistakable.

"Spot!"



AN: REVIEW PLEASE!!!!