It was a long time before Hayden could stop crying and stand up. But finally, he did, and started walking. He didn't know exactly where he was going or what direction to take, so he decided to just keep walking until he got to the next big town. He didn't want to leave from the train station in Philly, just in case his dad might go there and ask about him. He didn't really think that his dad would go through all the trouble, but he wanted to make sure. So he kept walking.

After about an hour he stopped, realizing how late and dark it was. He was lucky not to have been robbed already, he thought. So he decided to go into the nearest alley and stay there until the sun came up. Sleeping in an alley was much safer than walking all alone down the streets of Philly, he figured. An eight-year-old boy would be a good target, and he couldn't loose the money that he had. Walking to the back he sat down against some crates and put his head down on his knees, falling asleep.

~*~*~*~

Lissy woke up to the sound of someone shouting.

"Alright newsies! Time to start carrying the banner!"

She was confused for a minute and couldn't figure out where she was. And then everything that had happened the night before came rushing back to her. Pulling her covers over her head, she started to cry again.

Bottlecap opened the door to make sure that the room's two occupants were up. "Time to carry the banner kids."

Singah got up and yawned, but Lissy stayed under her covers.

"Lissy, time to get up." He said going over to her bed and pulling back the covers. She looked up at him, and he could see her tears. Bottlecap sighed.

"Listen squirt, this is the time we get up every morning to go down to the DO." Seeing the look on her face he gave up. "Fine! I will let you stay here today, but just today. Tomorrow is when you will start selling papes with me and Singah, and I can teach you two at the same time. But don't get used to time off, because you are getting up tomorrow. And if you don't, well, you will see what happens to people who sleep in."

Singah giggled. She had only been there a few days, but she had already seen what happened when you slept in. It usually had something to do with an ice-cold bucket of water being poured over your bed. "You don't want that!"

Bottlecap realized that the two girls hadn't met yet. "O yea, Singah, this is Lissy. She is gonna be a newsie now, and is gonna share this room wid ya. And Lissy, this is Singah, she is pretty new too. You have been here for what, maybe three days now?"

Singah shrugged. "I dunno."

"Ok, well now that you have met, Singah, you gotta get ready."

"Can't I stay home too?"

"No, you have to sell today. You are gonna keep me company."

"Fine."

Bottlecap got up and headed towards the door. He turned around. "Hey squirt, even if you aren't gonna be selling today, breakfast is still in a few minutes so you still gotta get dressed."

When she didn't answer, Singah said "Well?"

"Well what?"

"You keep going on about how we have to get ready, but we can't get ready with a boy in here!" She said with her hands on her hips and a clear emphasis on 'boy'.

Chuckling, he left the room and closed the door.

Singah turned to Lissy. "Hi. So, why are you here?" She made it sound like they were in the joint.

"Why do you care?" She was still trying to hold tears back until this other girl had left, which wasn't easy, and didn't care at the moment if she was being mean.

"Sorry, just wondering." Singah trailed off, grabbing her clothes and starting to change. Once she had finished she gave Lissy a last look and walked out the door. Lissy sunk back down into her bunk and pulled the covers over her head, crying herself back to sleep once again.

Authors Note: Hey everyone, sorry this chapter is kinda short. The voices are there, but they aren't being very talkative. I will try to get more up soon! So please keep reviewing. I like reviews!! *hint hint nudge nudge wink wink* ;)