1 I'm so sorry that it has taken me eons to write, but time has not been
kind to me (computers either for that matter). I promise that I have the
next thre chapters weitten, all I have to do Is type them. Enjoy!
Disclaimer… yeah yeah… I own nothing… except maybe the 65 cents in my pocket… but definitely none of the newsies
2
3 Where Loyalties Lie
A week had passed with no word from Manhattan. Occasionally one of the midtown boys would come back bruised and limping, but besides that, there was no evidence that there was any kind of disturbance in the city. If the boys were talking about it, they changed the subject as soon as I drew near enough to hear.
Thankfully, Skipper was kind enough to keep Shiner in the dark about Skittery's late night visit, and Rascal somehow had all but vanished from my sight. Every few nights, he would crawl into his bunk when everyone else was supposed to be asleep, and then slip out again before anyone woke up.
One day I couldn't stand being imprisoned anymore. After selling, Skipper and I sat alone in the bunkroom. He was lying on his bed, reading a dime novel. I stared at him intently, willing him to look up at me.
"What do you want Hope?" he asked, not glancing up from the pages.
"How did you—" I started, but stopped short when Skipper looked up at me expectantly. I sighed. "What's going on Skip?"
He shook his head. "Shiner said not to tell you about it. Any of it."
"That's not fair! This is my life too." I got up and walked to the window, staring at the eerily empty streets.
Skipper put the book down and joined me, pulling me to a nearby bunk. When I was seated across from him, he began quietly. "Alright, but don't let on that you know nothing or Shiner'll have my head."
I looked him up and down for a minute. With a 175-pound frame and muscles that protruded from the edges of his shirtsleeves, there was no way that my brother could have hurt him. "I find that highly doubtful."
"None the less," Skipper continued. "Not a word of this to anyone. Got it?"
He spit into his hand and extended it to me. I mirrored him. "Got it."
"Jack and Spot's boys are fightin hard, but we'se fightin harder. Your brother's playin by his own rules now Hope, and they aint fair. Them boys are getting beat pretty badly."
The knot that had formed in my stomach began to tighten. I could think of nothing but getting back to Manhattan to check on my surrogate brothers. Quickly, I was up from the bunk and headed for the door.
Skipper grabbed my arm to stop me. When I tried to escape his grasp, he tightened his fingers. I cringed as a burst of pain shot down my arm into my fingertips.
"Sit," he commanded. I complied obediently, rubbing the spot where his hand had been. "If you think that hurt, imagine how much pain your brother would cause if he found out you were in Manhattan."
I nodded grimly before burying my head into the palms of my hands. Tears once again began to pour involuntarily down my cheeks. "I hate him."
Skipper knelt down in front of me. "Look, maybe I can get a letter across to them. I'm not makin any promises, but I'll try my best."
"Thank you Skip." I threw my arms around him quickly before buzzing around the room in search for paper and a pencil.
Hours later, I lay on my bed, still frantically writing a letter to all of the boys. Then I finally signed my name, I pulled out a fresh sheet of paper.
Dear Skitts~
I miss you. I feel like a prisoner here and my brother is a more powerful warden that Snyder ever was. I can't help but wish that I was sitting on the Manhattan rooftop with you. I'd give anything to go back in time and start this whole month over again; before any of this fighting ever started.
Shiner and his minions burst through the door, forcing me to end my letter before I wanted to.
Pease be careful. I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Hope
Reluctantly, I folded the letters and slid them into an envelope. A sad numbness washed over me as I sealed the envelope, cutting off my only contact with the Manhattan boys.
Two days later, Skip shuffled into the bunkroom and dropped something lightly onto the pillow beside my head.
Frantically I tore open the tab and pulled out a letter.
Hope –
I miss you too. Things are not the same here without you popping in every few days. The boys are wishing that you were here to spread a little of your hope.
You were right about the midtown boys. They know how to fight for sure, we're trying to hold our own, but everyone is beginning to crumble under your brother's strength.
Keep us in your heart as you are forever in mine.
Skitts
I wiped a stray tear from my cheek as my brother burst happily into the room. A gratifying smile danced on his lips as he talked to the boys around him. "Did you see the look on that boy's face when the knife sliced into his arm? I've never seen one of Jackie boy's newsies so scared in my life."
My eyes darted toward Skipper who stood quietly in the corner. Understanding my apparent fear, he nodded, signifying that he would get information to me as soon as he received it.
Shiner caught my worried glance and took a step toward me. "What's the matter Connie? Have you forgotten where your loyalties lie?"
"You bastard," I snapped angrily, my hand making unexpected contact with his cheek. "Who the hell do you think you are?"
His eyes glossed over with anger as a red handprint became obvious across his face. Before I knew what was happening, a mix of heat and pain spread through my abdomen as my brother's fist made swift strong contact. I could do nothing but fall to the ground, clutching my stomach.
"You'd better learn your role around here little girl," he spat. "No one questions me. No one you hear?"
Disclaimer… yeah yeah… I own nothing… except maybe the 65 cents in my pocket… but definitely none of the newsies
2
3 Where Loyalties Lie
A week had passed with no word from Manhattan. Occasionally one of the midtown boys would come back bruised and limping, but besides that, there was no evidence that there was any kind of disturbance in the city. If the boys were talking about it, they changed the subject as soon as I drew near enough to hear.
Thankfully, Skipper was kind enough to keep Shiner in the dark about Skittery's late night visit, and Rascal somehow had all but vanished from my sight. Every few nights, he would crawl into his bunk when everyone else was supposed to be asleep, and then slip out again before anyone woke up.
One day I couldn't stand being imprisoned anymore. After selling, Skipper and I sat alone in the bunkroom. He was lying on his bed, reading a dime novel. I stared at him intently, willing him to look up at me.
"What do you want Hope?" he asked, not glancing up from the pages.
"How did you—" I started, but stopped short when Skipper looked up at me expectantly. I sighed. "What's going on Skip?"
He shook his head. "Shiner said not to tell you about it. Any of it."
"That's not fair! This is my life too." I got up and walked to the window, staring at the eerily empty streets.
Skipper put the book down and joined me, pulling me to a nearby bunk. When I was seated across from him, he began quietly. "Alright, but don't let on that you know nothing or Shiner'll have my head."
I looked him up and down for a minute. With a 175-pound frame and muscles that protruded from the edges of his shirtsleeves, there was no way that my brother could have hurt him. "I find that highly doubtful."
"None the less," Skipper continued. "Not a word of this to anyone. Got it?"
He spit into his hand and extended it to me. I mirrored him. "Got it."
"Jack and Spot's boys are fightin hard, but we'se fightin harder. Your brother's playin by his own rules now Hope, and they aint fair. Them boys are getting beat pretty badly."
The knot that had formed in my stomach began to tighten. I could think of nothing but getting back to Manhattan to check on my surrogate brothers. Quickly, I was up from the bunk and headed for the door.
Skipper grabbed my arm to stop me. When I tried to escape his grasp, he tightened his fingers. I cringed as a burst of pain shot down my arm into my fingertips.
"Sit," he commanded. I complied obediently, rubbing the spot where his hand had been. "If you think that hurt, imagine how much pain your brother would cause if he found out you were in Manhattan."
I nodded grimly before burying my head into the palms of my hands. Tears once again began to pour involuntarily down my cheeks. "I hate him."
Skipper knelt down in front of me. "Look, maybe I can get a letter across to them. I'm not makin any promises, but I'll try my best."
"Thank you Skip." I threw my arms around him quickly before buzzing around the room in search for paper and a pencil.
Hours later, I lay on my bed, still frantically writing a letter to all of the boys. Then I finally signed my name, I pulled out a fresh sheet of paper.
Dear Skitts~
I miss you. I feel like a prisoner here and my brother is a more powerful warden that Snyder ever was. I can't help but wish that I was sitting on the Manhattan rooftop with you. I'd give anything to go back in time and start this whole month over again; before any of this fighting ever started.
Shiner and his minions burst through the door, forcing me to end my letter before I wanted to.
Pease be careful. I hope to see you soon.
Love,
Hope
Reluctantly, I folded the letters and slid them into an envelope. A sad numbness washed over me as I sealed the envelope, cutting off my only contact with the Manhattan boys.
Two days later, Skip shuffled into the bunkroom and dropped something lightly onto the pillow beside my head.
Frantically I tore open the tab and pulled out a letter.
Hope –
I miss you too. Things are not the same here without you popping in every few days. The boys are wishing that you were here to spread a little of your hope.
You were right about the midtown boys. They know how to fight for sure, we're trying to hold our own, but everyone is beginning to crumble under your brother's strength.
Keep us in your heart as you are forever in mine.
Skitts
I wiped a stray tear from my cheek as my brother burst happily into the room. A gratifying smile danced on his lips as he talked to the boys around him. "Did you see the look on that boy's face when the knife sliced into his arm? I've never seen one of Jackie boy's newsies so scared in my life."
My eyes darted toward Skipper who stood quietly in the corner. Understanding my apparent fear, he nodded, signifying that he would get information to me as soon as he received it.
Shiner caught my worried glance and took a step toward me. "What's the matter Connie? Have you forgotten where your loyalties lie?"
"You bastard," I snapped angrily, my hand making unexpected contact with his cheek. "Who the hell do you think you are?"
His eyes glossed over with anger as a red handprint became obvious across his face. Before I knew what was happening, a mix of heat and pain spread through my abdomen as my brother's fist made swift strong contact. I could do nothing but fall to the ground, clutching my stomach.
"You'd better learn your role around here little girl," he spat. "No one questions me. No one you hear?"