Chicago ~ East Hills Orphanage 1894 ~ Chapter One
A shadow crept silently across the dark room and stopped next to a bed against the far wall, under a window. The moonlight filters through the window and reflects off of the long blonde hair of a girl. She is bent over trying to awaken another girl and isn't having much luck with it. She shakes the girl roughly and mumbled cursing can be heard. The girl sits up and the moonlight shows her features; shoulder length red hair and freckles can be seen. "God Kat it's like two in the morning let me rest in peace."
The blonde known as Kat shakes her head, "No we're leaving now, if we don't go tonight we'll never see each other again. I overheard Miss Humphrey and Mr. Randolph talking, they said we both cause too much trouble and are going to be moved into a separate orphanage, TOMORROW!"
The red head's jaw dropped and Kat stood up and started gathering a bunch of stuff together. "Come on Jo, I wanna get out of here as soon as possible."
Jo grabbed the only things she owned, an extra outfit and an angel pendant necklace her mom gave her before she died. Kat had already packed her stuff in a little bag and was ready to go. They crept down the hallway and out the front door; they then went running down the road towards the train station. Kat went up to the ticket booth, "Where's the next train outta here go?"
The guy looked at the piece of paper, "New York City." Kat bought two tickets before making her way back to Jo.
"Okay we're going to New York."
"New York?"
"Yeah it's da next train outta here."
"Well I guess dat's okay den."
New York City ~ Central Train Station ~ Chapter Two
The train jerked to a stop and Kat turned to look at Jo who had long ago fallen asleep next to her. She gently woke Jo, "Joey? We're here, come on wake up." Kat shook Jo again and then Jo's head slammed into the window instantly waking her. She jumped out of her seat and put her fists up at the imaginary assailant while Kat collapsed against the back of her seat in a fit of laughter.
Jo looked down and saw she was being laughed at so she rubbed her head sheepishly, "So we're here huh?" All Kat could manage was a nod in between gasps for air. "Jeez it wasn't dat funny Kitty." "Yeah it was, now come on we'se got ta go and get food, I'm starvin." They stood up and grabbed there things and made their way off the train. Trying to work the crowds; they had long ago perfected the art of pick- pocketing. Kat was just reaching the outside when she heard the police whistle and knew that they were coming for her. She raced off into the crowd not paying attention to where she was going. By the time she stopped she realized that she had long ago left the train station behind her and with that Jo.
She tried to find her way back but ended up getting even more lost and slowly counted her earnings, twenty dollars and seventy-two cense. As she made her way into an alley someone came up behind her and hit her over the head with a stick. She looked up in time to see a middle aged police officer hovering over her with his stick in hand, then she passed out.
Jo had just finished making her way to the exit when she heard the whistle, signaling that the cops were chasing someone. She figured it was her so she took off running to the left and ended up deep in the heart of Manhattan. She stopped for minute when suddenly she was pulled into an alley and the beating of her life began. She could feel her ribs breaking but she refused to cry out and when she finally fell to the ground one of her assailants stepped on her wrist instantly breaking it. It was then that she couldn't take it anymore and she passed out from all the pain her body was experiencing.
Kat was aware of someone roughly shaking her before she even opened her eyes. She used her senses to figure out where it was coming from and without letting the person know she was awake her hand shot out knocking her assailant right in the nose. She opened her eyes and saw a dirty looking boy lean back on the heal of his shoes holding his nose and glaring at her with his chocolate brown eyes. "Who are you and where am I?"
He let go of his nose and looked at her incredulously, "You'se don't really spect me to answer dat after you'se hit me?"
"I thought you was a cop, what'd you expect me to do kiss ya?" She smirked at him and made a move towards him, causing him to back up. "Look I ain't gonna go afta you I just wanna look at ya nose. Make sure I didn't do to much damage ta a pretty face like dat." He looked at her suspiciously but let her come forward and examine his nose, when she was satisfied that he was okay and just going to end up with swelling she walked and sat down on the bed.
"You musta really made da bulls mad if dey put you'se in dis place, usually dey send da goils ta da place in Brooklyn."
"Must have," He looked at her as if asking what she did and she shrugged. "Stole some money from dose who don't need it and den I almost got away till some cop hit me wit his stupid stick."
"Ouch, no wondah you'se came at me so quick. Anyway I'se Frankie Sullivan and you'se would be?"
"Kat O'Hara, so what are you in for?"
"Well I was starvin so I'se stole some food."
"Logical explanation, must not be to good if you got caught."
"Guess you'se ain't eider."
"I don't do it unless I gotta and da only reason I'm in this joint is cuz some cop bumped inta me and da guy felt me hand in his pocket."
"Yeah well da vendor toirned at da wrong time and caught me sneakin an apple."
"Well dats why you need a partner, a distraction, and a stealer. Jo she's me best friend used ta be da distraction and I would lift the apple."
"You'se know alot about dis type of stuff, do you'se do it often?"
"I've been an orphan as long as I can member and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Dere just ain't no way around it, it's ain't always pleasant but you still gotta do it."
"Well you'se don't sound like a New Yoirker, so where's ya from?"
"Chicago and I've been here five hours and da coppers arrest me."
"Yeah it's real tough makin it here you got ta be real smart."
Kat looked offended, "What are you sayin I ain't got da brains ta make it here."
Frankie smiled sarcastically, "Nah I'se would never tell a pretty goil like yoirself suptin like dat. I'se jist sayin dat you'se new in New Yoirk and you'se don't know dese streets dat well."
"Don't talk ta me like I'm six I ain't and I don't need dis so just leave me alone and go over dere or somethin."
"Or what you'se gonna cry or suptin?"
"No but I'll punch ya and I don't think you want dat."
He raised his arms in mock defense and smirked, "Oh look at me I'se shakin, you'se don't scare me."
She stood up and approached him, "Oh I don't?" He shook his head so she punched him and they got into a huge fight. He split her lip so she turned her head to the side to spit blood out and she kicked his legs out from under him and jumped on top of him so he couldn't get up. "Do ya give?"
"Yeah I'se give," She stood up and took his hand in hers to help him up. "You'se a good fighta."
"Yeah you ain't so bad youself." They both went to sleep soon after that and the next day, Kat was moved to a cell in a different part of the building but neither forgot each other and wouldn't for a long time to come. Soon after that night Frankie busted out and rode the mayors coach right out of the refuge. Kat finished up her month for stealing and then was released. She thought about trying to find Jo but decided New York was to big and she'd find a job first and try to find her later.
New York City ~ Manhattan Lodging House ~ Chapter Three
Jo McClane was relaxing on her bed trying to count up her money when a couple of boys barged in, arguing. "I'se tellin you'se Cowboy dat hoirse woulda won if dat stupid Jockey was bettah at his job."
"Yeah Race if dat hoirse wins wit annuder jockey witin da week den I'se will give you'se two bits."
"You'se on Cowboy and you'se goin down." Jo studied the two boys quietly and remembered when they both came in together. They had joined about a week after her and had had no problem getting in because they used to be newsies there before they moved or got arrested and they were quite friendly with the leader Rippah. Rippah had been the one who found her in the alley and had carried her back to the L.H. and let her become a Newsie and taught her how to do it. She was one of the best now along with Cowboy and Rippah. Jack Kelly was Cowboy's real name but everyone called him cowboy because of his dream to go to Sante Fe. And Jo had a newsie name but she wasn't used to it yet. It was Trouble, Trouble McClane; got her name because of all the trouble she caused when she first came, always fighting and complaining and breaking things. She just couldn't get Kat out of her head but no one knew about her not even Rippah who had become like a brother to her.
"Hey Race you up for a game of pokah?"
New York City ~ 1898 ~ Chapter Four
Kat O'Hara was running around the backstage are of Medda Larkenson's place trying to find one of the props that had mysteriously disappeared an hour before the opening act. She had been working for Medda for almost four years now but she had refused to take the stage even though she could sing because she had terrible stage fright. Along the way she had met some newsies from Queens and the Bronx but so far she hadn't met any from Manhattan. One of her closest friends, Legs O'Conner was an ex-newsie and had along the way of their friendship given her a nickname, Irish Fury. Now everyone mostly called her Fury but Medda insisted on calling her Kat.
In the midst of trying to find the prop she ended up getting her legs tangled in some sort of cord on the ground and fell flat on her face. She growled and stood up and looked at what it was, rope that looked like a lasso. "Medda!! What is dis stupid rope doin here?" After living awhile in New York she had begun to get it's accent but still had a tinge of a Chicago accent too.
"What rope?"
"Dis," She said picking it up.
"Oh it must be Kelly's he probably left it here by accident."
"Yeah well da trash is where it's goin if he isn't here ta claim it. What's 'is name?"
"Jack Kelly," Irish stormed up the stairs and threw the curtain open and stomped across the stage to the center. Normally all these people would have given her the creeps but she was to angry to care. She tried getting everyone's attention but they weren't paying her any attention so she whistled shrilly and it pierced the air turning everyone's head in her direction. "Thank you! Now who da hell is Jack Kelly?"
You could tell just by looking at her that whoever it was, was going to get one hell of a tongue lashing. The guy in question stood up tall and brave, "I'se Jack Kelly, what's it to ya?"
She quickly jumped off the stage and walked over to where he was standing, "Well Jack Kelly I assume dat dis rope here is yours."
He looked at what she held, "Yeah, where'd ya find it?"
"Backstage now the ting I'm wonderin is why it was back dere to begin wit. I mean if it is yours den why did you'se jist leave it back dere for anyone to trip over? Because common sense says dat you'se wouldn't leave dis on da ground-"
"Well it ain't like I put it dere purposely ta trip someone." Irish's temper quickly flared and she turned and pinned him with a glare.
"Don't interupt me! Like I was sayin you'se wouldn't jist leave dis on da ground because dat would be stupid and make you'se look like a jack ass but den again dat's exactly what you are ain't it?"
"Look I'se don't need dis jist give me da rope and I'se promise not to leave it-" He was cut off when she punched him.
"I'se told you'se not ta interupt me, but look at dat I'se gotta go nice chattin wit ya ya bummer here's ya rope." She quickly threw it on the floor and walked back to the stage and jumped up and walked behind the curtain, leaving Jack to stare after her.
Just then two guys walked into the place, one with a cowboy hat on and a red bandana around his neck and the other was shorter and had a cigar sticking out of his mouth. They walked to the table and glanced at the newsie who was still staring back at the stage. "Hey uh Blink?"
He turned and frowned at Jack, "You'se bettah be grateful Jack I'se jist took a punch for you'se."
"Who punched ya? I'll soak da scab!"
Blink picked up the rope and handed it to Jack, "You left dis backstage and dey are back dere." Jack headed towards the stage and behind it, where he saw Medda talking with a girl with curly blonde hair and green eyes, something about her tugged his memory.
"Medda!" Medda turned around and smiled warmly and gave the girl a warning look, to which she rolled her eyes and then studied the guy. He was tall and had on a cowboy hat and a red bandana around his neck.
"Why Kelly what are you doing back here?"
Irish's jaw dropped and she stepped forward in front of Medda, "You'se are Jack Kelly?"
"Da one and only."
Irish started laughing and looked back at Medda, "Oops punched da wrong newsie."
"You'se da one dat gave Blink da shiner?"
"Da one and only," She said mocking his earlier statement.
"Do I know you'se?"
She looked at him closely and strangely her mind flashed back to her first night in New York City in which she spent in the refuge. She then smiled, "Frankie Sullivan is dat you?"
His jaw dropped and then he smiled, "Kat O'Hara? So how was it da rest of you'se stay?"
"Not bad, defiantly not eventful as da first night." He stepped forward and they hugged and began talking, catching each other up on what had happened since they'd seen each other last.
A shadow crept silently across the dark room and stopped next to a bed against the far wall, under a window. The moonlight filters through the window and reflects off of the long blonde hair of a girl. She is bent over trying to awaken another girl and isn't having much luck with it. She shakes the girl roughly and mumbled cursing can be heard. The girl sits up and the moonlight shows her features; shoulder length red hair and freckles can be seen. "God Kat it's like two in the morning let me rest in peace."
The blonde known as Kat shakes her head, "No we're leaving now, if we don't go tonight we'll never see each other again. I overheard Miss Humphrey and Mr. Randolph talking, they said we both cause too much trouble and are going to be moved into a separate orphanage, TOMORROW!"
The red head's jaw dropped and Kat stood up and started gathering a bunch of stuff together. "Come on Jo, I wanna get out of here as soon as possible."
Jo grabbed the only things she owned, an extra outfit and an angel pendant necklace her mom gave her before she died. Kat had already packed her stuff in a little bag and was ready to go. They crept down the hallway and out the front door; they then went running down the road towards the train station. Kat went up to the ticket booth, "Where's the next train outta here go?"
The guy looked at the piece of paper, "New York City." Kat bought two tickets before making her way back to Jo.
"Okay we're going to New York."
"New York?"
"Yeah it's da next train outta here."
"Well I guess dat's okay den."
New York City ~ Central Train Station ~ Chapter Two
The train jerked to a stop and Kat turned to look at Jo who had long ago fallen asleep next to her. She gently woke Jo, "Joey? We're here, come on wake up." Kat shook Jo again and then Jo's head slammed into the window instantly waking her. She jumped out of her seat and put her fists up at the imaginary assailant while Kat collapsed against the back of her seat in a fit of laughter.
Jo looked down and saw she was being laughed at so she rubbed her head sheepishly, "So we're here huh?" All Kat could manage was a nod in between gasps for air. "Jeez it wasn't dat funny Kitty." "Yeah it was, now come on we'se got ta go and get food, I'm starvin." They stood up and grabbed there things and made their way off the train. Trying to work the crowds; they had long ago perfected the art of pick- pocketing. Kat was just reaching the outside when she heard the police whistle and knew that they were coming for her. She raced off into the crowd not paying attention to where she was going. By the time she stopped she realized that she had long ago left the train station behind her and with that Jo.
She tried to find her way back but ended up getting even more lost and slowly counted her earnings, twenty dollars and seventy-two cense. As she made her way into an alley someone came up behind her and hit her over the head with a stick. She looked up in time to see a middle aged police officer hovering over her with his stick in hand, then she passed out.
Jo had just finished making her way to the exit when she heard the whistle, signaling that the cops were chasing someone. She figured it was her so she took off running to the left and ended up deep in the heart of Manhattan. She stopped for minute when suddenly she was pulled into an alley and the beating of her life began. She could feel her ribs breaking but she refused to cry out and when she finally fell to the ground one of her assailants stepped on her wrist instantly breaking it. It was then that she couldn't take it anymore and she passed out from all the pain her body was experiencing.
Kat was aware of someone roughly shaking her before she even opened her eyes. She used her senses to figure out where it was coming from and without letting the person know she was awake her hand shot out knocking her assailant right in the nose. She opened her eyes and saw a dirty looking boy lean back on the heal of his shoes holding his nose and glaring at her with his chocolate brown eyes. "Who are you and where am I?"
He let go of his nose and looked at her incredulously, "You'se don't really spect me to answer dat after you'se hit me?"
"I thought you was a cop, what'd you expect me to do kiss ya?" She smirked at him and made a move towards him, causing him to back up. "Look I ain't gonna go afta you I just wanna look at ya nose. Make sure I didn't do to much damage ta a pretty face like dat." He looked at her suspiciously but let her come forward and examine his nose, when she was satisfied that he was okay and just going to end up with swelling she walked and sat down on the bed.
"You musta really made da bulls mad if dey put you'se in dis place, usually dey send da goils ta da place in Brooklyn."
"Must have," He looked at her as if asking what she did and she shrugged. "Stole some money from dose who don't need it and den I almost got away till some cop hit me wit his stupid stick."
"Ouch, no wondah you'se came at me so quick. Anyway I'se Frankie Sullivan and you'se would be?"
"Kat O'Hara, so what are you in for?"
"Well I was starvin so I'se stole some food."
"Logical explanation, must not be to good if you got caught."
"Guess you'se ain't eider."
"I don't do it unless I gotta and da only reason I'm in this joint is cuz some cop bumped inta me and da guy felt me hand in his pocket."
"Yeah well da vendor toirned at da wrong time and caught me sneakin an apple."
"Well dats why you need a partner, a distraction, and a stealer. Jo she's me best friend used ta be da distraction and I would lift the apple."
"You'se know alot about dis type of stuff, do you'se do it often?"
"I've been an orphan as long as I can member and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Dere just ain't no way around it, it's ain't always pleasant but you still gotta do it."
"Well you'se don't sound like a New Yoirker, so where's ya from?"
"Chicago and I've been here five hours and da coppers arrest me."
"Yeah it's real tough makin it here you got ta be real smart."
Kat looked offended, "What are you sayin I ain't got da brains ta make it here."
Frankie smiled sarcastically, "Nah I'se would never tell a pretty goil like yoirself suptin like dat. I'se jist sayin dat you'se new in New Yoirk and you'se don't know dese streets dat well."
"Don't talk ta me like I'm six I ain't and I don't need dis so just leave me alone and go over dere or somethin."
"Or what you'se gonna cry or suptin?"
"No but I'll punch ya and I don't think you want dat."
He raised his arms in mock defense and smirked, "Oh look at me I'se shakin, you'se don't scare me."
She stood up and approached him, "Oh I don't?" He shook his head so she punched him and they got into a huge fight. He split her lip so she turned her head to the side to spit blood out and she kicked his legs out from under him and jumped on top of him so he couldn't get up. "Do ya give?"
"Yeah I'se give," She stood up and took his hand in hers to help him up. "You'se a good fighta."
"Yeah you ain't so bad youself." They both went to sleep soon after that and the next day, Kat was moved to a cell in a different part of the building but neither forgot each other and wouldn't for a long time to come. Soon after that night Frankie busted out and rode the mayors coach right out of the refuge. Kat finished up her month for stealing and then was released. She thought about trying to find Jo but decided New York was to big and she'd find a job first and try to find her later.
New York City ~ Manhattan Lodging House ~ Chapter Three
Jo McClane was relaxing on her bed trying to count up her money when a couple of boys barged in, arguing. "I'se tellin you'se Cowboy dat hoirse woulda won if dat stupid Jockey was bettah at his job."
"Yeah Race if dat hoirse wins wit annuder jockey witin da week den I'se will give you'se two bits."
"You'se on Cowboy and you'se goin down." Jo studied the two boys quietly and remembered when they both came in together. They had joined about a week after her and had had no problem getting in because they used to be newsies there before they moved or got arrested and they were quite friendly with the leader Rippah. Rippah had been the one who found her in the alley and had carried her back to the L.H. and let her become a Newsie and taught her how to do it. She was one of the best now along with Cowboy and Rippah. Jack Kelly was Cowboy's real name but everyone called him cowboy because of his dream to go to Sante Fe. And Jo had a newsie name but she wasn't used to it yet. It was Trouble, Trouble McClane; got her name because of all the trouble she caused when she first came, always fighting and complaining and breaking things. She just couldn't get Kat out of her head but no one knew about her not even Rippah who had become like a brother to her.
"Hey Race you up for a game of pokah?"
New York City ~ 1898 ~ Chapter Four
Kat O'Hara was running around the backstage are of Medda Larkenson's place trying to find one of the props that had mysteriously disappeared an hour before the opening act. She had been working for Medda for almost four years now but she had refused to take the stage even though she could sing because she had terrible stage fright. Along the way she had met some newsies from Queens and the Bronx but so far she hadn't met any from Manhattan. One of her closest friends, Legs O'Conner was an ex-newsie and had along the way of their friendship given her a nickname, Irish Fury. Now everyone mostly called her Fury but Medda insisted on calling her Kat.
In the midst of trying to find the prop she ended up getting her legs tangled in some sort of cord on the ground and fell flat on her face. She growled and stood up and looked at what it was, rope that looked like a lasso. "Medda!! What is dis stupid rope doin here?" After living awhile in New York she had begun to get it's accent but still had a tinge of a Chicago accent too.
"What rope?"
"Dis," She said picking it up.
"Oh it must be Kelly's he probably left it here by accident."
"Yeah well da trash is where it's goin if he isn't here ta claim it. What's 'is name?"
"Jack Kelly," Irish stormed up the stairs and threw the curtain open and stomped across the stage to the center. Normally all these people would have given her the creeps but she was to angry to care. She tried getting everyone's attention but they weren't paying her any attention so she whistled shrilly and it pierced the air turning everyone's head in her direction. "Thank you! Now who da hell is Jack Kelly?"
You could tell just by looking at her that whoever it was, was going to get one hell of a tongue lashing. The guy in question stood up tall and brave, "I'se Jack Kelly, what's it to ya?"
She quickly jumped off the stage and walked over to where he was standing, "Well Jack Kelly I assume dat dis rope here is yours."
He looked at what she held, "Yeah, where'd ya find it?"
"Backstage now the ting I'm wonderin is why it was back dere to begin wit. I mean if it is yours den why did you'se jist leave it back dere for anyone to trip over? Because common sense says dat you'se wouldn't leave dis on da ground-"
"Well it ain't like I put it dere purposely ta trip someone." Irish's temper quickly flared and she turned and pinned him with a glare.
"Don't interupt me! Like I was sayin you'se wouldn't jist leave dis on da ground because dat would be stupid and make you'se look like a jack ass but den again dat's exactly what you are ain't it?"
"Look I'se don't need dis jist give me da rope and I'se promise not to leave it-" He was cut off when she punched him.
"I'se told you'se not ta interupt me, but look at dat I'se gotta go nice chattin wit ya ya bummer here's ya rope." She quickly threw it on the floor and walked back to the stage and jumped up and walked behind the curtain, leaving Jack to stare after her.
Just then two guys walked into the place, one with a cowboy hat on and a red bandana around his neck and the other was shorter and had a cigar sticking out of his mouth. They walked to the table and glanced at the newsie who was still staring back at the stage. "Hey uh Blink?"
He turned and frowned at Jack, "You'se bettah be grateful Jack I'se jist took a punch for you'se."
"Who punched ya? I'll soak da scab!"
Blink picked up the rope and handed it to Jack, "You left dis backstage and dey are back dere." Jack headed towards the stage and behind it, where he saw Medda talking with a girl with curly blonde hair and green eyes, something about her tugged his memory.
"Medda!" Medda turned around and smiled warmly and gave the girl a warning look, to which she rolled her eyes and then studied the guy. He was tall and had on a cowboy hat and a red bandana around his neck.
"Why Kelly what are you doing back here?"
Irish's jaw dropped and she stepped forward in front of Medda, "You'se are Jack Kelly?"
"Da one and only."
Irish started laughing and looked back at Medda, "Oops punched da wrong newsie."
"You'se da one dat gave Blink da shiner?"
"Da one and only," She said mocking his earlier statement.
"Do I know you'se?"
She looked at him closely and strangely her mind flashed back to her first night in New York City in which she spent in the refuge. She then smiled, "Frankie Sullivan is dat you?"
His jaw dropped and then he smiled, "Kat O'Hara? So how was it da rest of you'se stay?"
"Not bad, defiantly not eventful as da first night." He stepped forward and they hugged and began talking, catching each other up on what had happened since they'd seen each other last.