Disclaimer- I own Question and Bulldog. I own the tower. I own the concept. I own Mush. *Gets sued by Disney for claiming to own Mush*
L/N- I don't think this story is going to be too many more chapters… Probably around six or seven but it will definitely not go over ten. I know this chapter's short, but I'm really proud of it- I think it's my best yet.
Misprint- Oooooooh… Nice LONG review! You win a T-Shirt! *Tosses Misprint a Magical Newsies T-Shirt that has pictures of Newsies that change every second* I don't like killing people… even people that I haven't even introduced. But I had too for plot purposes… I'm glad you cared so much about him, Lol. The "Here's your knife" thing is hilarious! I've shown it to so many Newsie lovers and they all feel the same… none of them have seen that before. You're so observant! *Pats Misprint on the head for her observantness* BAD RON!MUSE! BAD! *Throws a grape at Ron!Muse* Go help Misprint write! Hope that helps! (BTW- I HAVE been reading your story, I just haven't gotten around to reviewing yet, I love it!) French teachers are evil. Mine hates me, she doesn't even deserve to come to Hell (My turf.) J'ai deteste le lange de francais! Tu est un pamplemousse! (The extent of my French after two and a quarter years- Yes I just called you a grapefruit.) And finally, after this half a page shoutout that makes about as much sense as French subjunctives do… Thanks for reviewing!~
Crunch- *Takes pitchfork away* Sigh, Crunchy, haven't you learned ANYTHING in Devil-Minion Training? NO DANCING WITH THE PITCHFORKS! I stopped letting my bouncers have pitchforks because one lost an eye when 'Seize the Day' came on and he started dancing. I can't lose a minion for the same reason. Don't remind me you killed Blink! *Stabs Baron over and over with a pitchfork that was…accidentally left in the fire* Aww thanks! You boosted my faith in that chappie! Shortie-riffic… Hmmmm… I like that word… Thanks for the review!~
P.P.G.- Offense? None taken in the least! Actually, it took me so long to think of a title, so I'm ecstatic that you like it so much! Thanks for the review!~
SparksdaNewsie- Ahhh! Intimidating muses! Amusing though! Thanks for reviewing!~
The Omniscient Bookseller- Can I call you TOB? Your name takes sooooo long to write and I am the laziest person ever… Lol. Anyway… Truth- I'm kinda curious to how it'll turn out too… Thanks for the review! I appreciate it~
Keza: Queen of Procrastination- Your name has also officially been shortened when I do shout outs, K? Yes! Someone who DOESN'T think I'm crazy for having a talking review button! *Glares back, but bursts out laughing cause she sucks at staring contests* Was I supposed to let you know I updated? *CoughAuthorAlertCough* Yeah, Poor Blink in so much pain… and it's only gonna get worse for him… But I'm gonna buy him a BIIIIIGGG ice cream sundae to make up for it, so worry not. Hope you like this chapter and you new Pie Eater… BTW- LOOOOOVVVEEEEE the Writer's Block story!~
Little side note plug sort of thing- I have a new story out called A Newsie God-Faddah Story. It's a Newsies version of Cinderella staring Les as Cinderella, Sarah and Davey as the evil stepsisters, Mayer as the evil stepmother, and Spot as the Fairy God Mother. Check it out and review… PLEEEASSSEEE!!!
Il Salto di Honor
The moon's reflection shimmered brightly in the cold black water. It looked beautiful, peaceful. But underneath the smoothly rippling surface was dark and foreboding; Blink knew something terrible waited in the water beyond where his eyes could see.
Why was he here? This was the last place he ever wanted to see again, and yet, he stood directly outside the crumbling gate with it's half faded 'No Trespassing!" sign. How had he gotten here? The last thing Blink remembered was saying goodnight to Race before he went to sleep. He didn't remember waking up or walking here or anything. It was late, he wasn't sure exactly what time it was, but it must have been early morning, around 2:00 or so.
Cheese it, I'se got's ta sell in a few houahs. I'se goin' back. He thought disgustedly to himself. But he obviously wasn't in control of his own body because, as he willed his feet to turn around, his hand reached out and pushed the gate aside and he began walking toward the old tower and when he reached it, began climbing.
One rung at a time. He kept a perfect pace, never speeding up, never slowing down. But it wasn't him. He was trying to stop; something was controlling him, making him climb. Something was waiting for him at the top, and he hoped to God he wouldn't have to see what it was. The top of the tower came too soon. The trespasser in his body pulled him up onto the platform. He was right. There was something up there. The figure came into focus and Blink gasped when he saw who it was-
"Question!" he choked out in surprise. Question just nodded, the faint light reflected off his face eerily. "Question, we's got ta get outta heah, dere's somt'in' up heah, somt'in' dat's gonna kill us!" The boy just smirked. That's when Blink noticed it- Question had both his legs. His blood ran cold. "Question- You'se're dead."
A loud insane laughter filled the air and Blink realized it was the young former newsie. As he watched in horror, Question's hair fell out in clumps; his skin shriveled and disintegrated; his eyes sunk in, leaving only empty socket. Soon, he was nothing more than a skeleton. The laughter suddenly stopped.
"You'se killed me Blink." The skeleton rasped in a voice much unlike Question's.
"I'se didn't mean foah it ta happen like dis." Blink managed to gasp through his fear.
"You'se made me jump. You'se left me heah ta die."
"I'se sorry! If I'se could do it ovah again I'd'a done it differently."
"Dat don't mattah. You'se did what ya did, and now you'se have ta pay."
Blink had never been so scared in his life. His heart was pounding so loud he was sure Question could hear it. "W-what are ya goin' t-ta do ta me?"
Question didn't say anything, just looked Blink over with his empty eyes.
"WHAT ARE YOU'SE GOIN' TA DO!" He shouted, his voice quavering with fear.
"Jump."
"W-what?"
"You'se hoid me. Jump."
Blink just stood there, staring down at the forbidding water. It was teasing him- laughing at him. Bony hands grasped his shoulders, startling him. "Jump," the voice rasped again right in his ear. He didn't move, couldn't.
The skeleton pushed him suddenly- hard. He lost his balance and went tumbling over the edge of the platform. He stayed suspended in the air for what seemed like forever. Reflected in the water was the skeleton's face, grinning horribly up at him. He screamed. The water came rushing up to him and he hit, and sunk straight to the bottom where he knew Question was waiting for him.
~~~
"Who's screamin'?"
"Race! Shaddup!"
"It ain't me!"
"It's Kid Blink."
"Blink! Shaddup!"
"Hasn't 'e caused enough problems already wit'out havin' ta wake us up in da middle of da night?"
Voices. He heard voices. He knew those voices, they were his friends. Oh no, had Question gotten them? Were they dead too? He couldn't being himself to open his eyes.
"It's all my fault!" Blink screamed at the top of his lungs. To his surprise, his voice was clear and not waterlogged as he imagined it would be, considering he drowned.
"Blink, would ya shaddup already?" That was Skittery. His voice was clear too.
"Shaddup Skittery. Blink, you'se alright?" Specs sounded sleepy, concerned, but not as though he were under water.
"A-are we's dead?" Blink asked tentatively.
Someone snorted- he was sure it was Jack.
"Open youah eyes, Blink," Mush's voice sounded right next to his ear.
"Can't…" He mumbled. "I'se can't see undah watah…"
"Undah watah? Blink, we's in da lodgin' house."
Slowly Blink opened his eyes. Mush was right, he was in his bed in the lodging house. "I'se alive?"
"Why wouldn't you'se be?" Boots called from across the room.
"He killed me-"
"Who killed ya?" Race cut in.
Blink continued as if Racetrack hadn't spoken, "B'cause I'se killed him. But I'se didn't mean ta- it jus' happened…"
"It was a dream, Blink. Dreams ain't real." Mush tried to console his friend.
"He wants revenge…"
"It didn't really happen."
"He had two legs…den his skin fell off…an' his hair fell out… an' he was jus' a skeleton…"
"It's gonna be okay, Blink."
Most of the newsies had fallen back asleep during this quiet exchange between Blink and Mush. Not a sound could be heard in the long silence that followed Mush's last statement. Then Blink broke the silence-
"No it ain't."
~~~
Like I said, I'm proud of this chappie :) Please Review!
Little hint- I have some foreshadowing here but I'm not gonna tell you where… HAHA
~Lexa~