Disclaimer- Me own Red. I think that's all until later in the story…
S/N- Well… I needed a break from learning what the pretty yellow double lines in the middle of a road mean. *Shrugs* I really needed this break though… but yeah, anyway… DRIVER'S TEST TOMORROW!! WOOHOO!!! SHORTIE'S GONNA DRIVE! BEWARE!!! And BTW yellow lines mean that there's traffic going both ways and double lines mean that you can't pass. WOOHOO I know something!
Shout outs!
Raven's Wing- Hate you forever? Of course not! Actually, I totally appreciate your honesty… After reading your review I went back and reread the first chapter, and I can definitely see some of what you're saying that I hadn't noticed before. And isn't that the point of reviews? To tell the writer what they can work on? But anyway, to answer a few of your questions: First, yeah, you can probably tell that it isn't a one shot now so that's answered… Second, the whole story isn't about the fire, it's all about what happens after the fire, as you will see later in the chapter, so yeah, you were supposed to know what the first chapter was about going into the story. Red is going to have a major part in the story, so I figured it would be best to introduce him first. But even if he didn't, I don't think that there are any named newsies that would be good to represent the younger half… maybe it's his voice (which sounds about seven years older than he is in the movie…) but Snipes just doesn't seem little enough. You're right, though, about the explaining his name being awkward… I may change that. But again, thanks for leaving an honest review. As much as I love reading hardcore praise, it's nice to get a really critical review! And a long one with a funny beginning! (Very amusing to read BTW) Hope that this answered some of your questions.~
Morning Dew- (*PLUG*PLUG*) Il Salto di Honor is my baby. I'd totally appreciate it if you read it! (END PLUG) Thanks bunches for reviewing! (How's Runner doing?)~
Lisa- Seems like most of my stories are sad, this one is hopefully going to have some humor in it along the way. Thanks for the review!~
Raeghann- Here's more! Thanks for the review!~
Misprint-it's Il Salto di Honor, you forgot the il, but that's ok; I spelled my own title wrong and had to keep checking up until… oh, about the fifth chapter. And yep, there will be hopefully many more chapters, more than ISDH at least. Thanks for reviewing this AND the epilogue!~
Studentnumber24601- Are you a Les Miserables fan? (I just actually looked at the number for like the first time and realized…) Anyway… I'm not very good at titles… I changed it because this fic made a turn already that I wasn't planning. Hope this fits better! Thanks for the review!
Keza- *Sigh* I think there's something wrong with the happy/fluffy part of my brain right now, as all I can think of writing is sad stuff. This (hopefully) won't be as sad as ISDH though… actually I can tell you now, it definitely won't be. Thanks for the review and we gotta finish that MST soon!~
Night- Thanks for the compliment and for reviewing!~
Rumor- Well, there's Red, but he's not as twisted as Question, so he may not listen. Thanks for reviewing!~
Western Paradise
The Brooklyn lodging house was hardly bigger than the Manhattan one, and it was more than noticeable. Even though the strike had been over a year ago, the alliance that had formed held strong, and Brooklyn was the only place Jack could think of that would be willing to house all of them until they had somewhere else to go. Kloppman had gone to live with family that lived in Staten Island, while the newsies had trekked across the bridge into Brooklyn. Spot hadn't been happy about being woken up when Jack had knocked on the door, but hesitantly agreed, on the condition that they not impede on his boys. There were about six open beds in the lodging house, which were now occupied by at least five boys each. The rest of my newsies were forced to find the softest pieces of floor to curl up on. Needless to say, it wasn't very comfortable for anyone that night.
Racetrack couldn't sleep. As much as he tried to convince himself otherwise, he knew deep down that it was him that had started the fire. He shifted and tried to change positions on the crowded bed, but found that his legs were pinned down by Mush who was lying across them. He groaned, this had to be the worst night of his life.
He didn't think that what had happened had actually sunk in yet; the newsies would probably wake up the next morning thinking that it was all a dream until they realized where they were. Then they would start pointing fingers trying to find out whose fault it was. And Specs knew it was him. Race had no doubt in his mind that Specs wouldn't hesitate to tell the newsies what he knew; they were all going to hate him when they found out.
Kloppman basically let Jack have full reign of the lodging house, as long as he got his fee every night. Kloppman would have no objections to Jack kicking Race out, which Jack would most certainly do. He would be better off leaving now, rather than have all the boys hate him to his face. But where would he go? Obviously he couldn't stay in New York; Manhattan was too friendly with Harlem, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. If Jack kicked him out, those boroughs would never let him in. On the opposite side, their feud with the Bronx easily diminished any chance Race had of going there. There was Jersey City, it was close to the city and he didn't know anyone there, perfect! His hopes fell, though, when he remembered that the Jersey City newsies either had families or lived on the streets. There was no way in hell that Racetrack Higgins would ever stoop so low as to live on the streets.
He racked his brain, trying to find somewhere to go- some magical way out of the mess he had put himself in. It took him the good part of an hour to realize that there wasn't one. Race squeezed his eyes shut, remembering again what the next morning was bound to bring. He had to find a way out, had to at least save his reputation.
Next to him, Jack shifted and let out a loud snore right in Racetrack's ear. This night is getting better and better! Race thought sarcastically. Not only do I get to burn my home down, sleep in a bed, built for two at the most, with five other boys, get all my friends to hate him, and lose my job, but now I get to listen to Jack snore and sleep talk directly in my ear!
Normally Race was across the room from Jack, and therefore did not have to listen to the conversations he usually had with himself whilst in slumber.
"Santa Fe… do ya sweah ya won't foahget me?" Jack muttered and let out another earth shattering snore.
Race bit back the urge to laugh, and suddenly realized what Jack was talking about, Santa Fe, New Mexico; roughly three thousand miles from where he lay at the moment; roughly three thousand miles from the biggest mistake of his life.
Hmm... the way Jack talks, Santa Fe sounds like a paradise… Race pondered. But no, who was he kidding? He couldn't go to Santa Fe, how would he get there? What would he do once he was there? It would be like an adventure! He fought with himself. Whatever happens, it ain't gonna be worse than what's gonna happen to you tomorrow if you stay here…
"I'm going!" He said out loud, and was answered only by the heavy breathing of the others in the lodging house. Painfully he began to untangle himself from the clump of bodies on the bed and walked towards the door, determined not to change his mind. He didn't have much, only the clothes on his back, a pocket full of change, a deck of cards, a cigar, and a match book. But his lack of supplies only added to his growing excitement. He had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. He turned around and took one last look at all his friends before slowly opening the door.
"Wheah ya goin?" A small, sleepy voice broke the silence.
Race blinked, jolted by the sudden noise. His eyes rested on a small boy sitting up on the floor and rubbing his eyes.
"Go back ta sleep, Red." Race said as gently as he could.
"No! I wanna know wheah youah goin'!" Red demanded.
"I'se leavin',"
"Why?"
"I ain't got no uddah choice."
"Why?"
"'Cause I don't"
"Why?"
"I'se'll see ya around, Red." Race rolled his eyes.
"I'se goin' wit ya!"
"What?"
"You'se hoid me! I'se goin' wit ya, Race!"
"No ya ain't. You'se stayin' right heah."
"B-but I'se wanna go!"
"You'se don't even know wheah I'm goin'. It's too dangahous foah a little kid like youahself."
"I ain't a little kid!"
"You'se still ain't comin'."
"Please Race?"
"No."
"Raaaccceee!"
"Don't whine, it ain't makin' me wanna take ya any moah."
"I'se'll scream an' wake everyone up an' then you'se'll get in trouble an' won't be able ta go eithah!"
The kid had no idea what he was talking about, yet he was dead on. Race had no choice- Red had a perfect record for going through with every bluff he had ever threatened.
"Fine. But just remembah, you'se begged me ta let ya go."
The little redhead jumped up excitedly. "Wheah are we's goin', Race?"
"Shhh… Not so loud or we ain't goin' nowheah."
"Wheah are we's goin?" Red asked in a stage whisper.
"Santa Fe, New Mexico."
"Dat's so far away!"
"If ya don't wanna go…"
"No! I'se wanna go!"
"Okay, den we's gotta leave right now."
The sound of the door shutting woke Jack up with a start, but not being able to figure out what had woken him up, he went back to sleep, not noticing that there was one less person in his bed or a patch of floor next to his bed big enough for a child to lie comfortably in.
~~~
Now to STUDY! *Flies off Superman style*
WAIIITTT! *stops*
REVIEW!!!!!! *Flies off again*