By SaL
Chapter Ten: Nothing Man
A/N: Ok I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Hotshot and then some. I know I know I like David and all but I can't picture him as a Duke but I needed something big that would make Liam hate him and that he would be ashamed of admitting. Technically he really isn't a Duke until Liam dies and he gets the whole inherence thing. And I did discover in my research that they did have Dukes in Germany so it's somewhat historically correct. Ok so the whole thing is a bit of a stretch but then again most fan-fiction is and that's what's so great about it. So just use your imagination, ok? Go with it. Alright so this chapter starts off depressing like and then kinda gets all happy like. Enjoy!
~*~
'Stupid, stupid, stupid! What have I done? How could I have been so stupid!' The boy thought as he hugged his head to his chest on the cold wood floor of a closet, his new home. 'I wish I had never met Sandy! I wish I never met Jack and Spot and Race and Mush and Blackjack and Hotshot and the rest of the Newsies! I wish I never met Wolfgang and Kurt and Aaron and Tomas and Mitzi! I wish I'd never joined the wolves! I wish I'd never met Liam or Brigit or Mina or Grandma and Grandpa! I wish I never went to Germany! I wish, I wish, I wish I were dead! I wish I was never born!'
Sorrow engulfed David washing away all of his censes leaving him numb and void of all that is good in the world. He just sat there gazing dumbfounded at the dull grey wall never hearing the bars on the small window clatter to the ground or the two people who entered the room.
"Pssst! Hey Dave!" Jack said in a hushed tone while taking in the surroundings, there was just barely enough room for himself and Blackjack to enter. In one corner sat a box with a rag and a bar of soap sitting next to a basin of water, in the next was a tattered old blanket and pillow. "And I thought I had it bad, man this place is worse then the refuge!"
"Ya got that right. Come on lets just get David and leave this place is creepin' me out." Jack nodded in agreement and turned his attention to the shadowy figure hunched in the darkest corner of the cell.
'Yeah. I should have killed myself when I had the chance! If only I had died… *sigh* then none of this would have happened and everyone would be alive and happy.'
"Dave? Hey Dave! You awake over there?"
'What do they need me for anyway? I'd just mess things up again. Someone else would die and they'd blame it on me, I wouldn't hold it against them either though it was my fault. It's always my fault, too many things happen by accident! Yup they're better off without me.'
"Uh hello?! Earth to Dave! Come on buddy we're gonna get you out of here and everything will be alright. Ok?"
'Everything will be alright… yeah… maybe, just maybe there is hope! Maybe there IS something I can do! No, No! I screwed things up it's my fault, I couldn't do anything for Sandy and I can't do anything now! No, no they hate me I hate me it's my fault, my fault…'
"Looks like we're gonna have to carry him out." Blackjack sighed as he stepped closer to David and leaned down to pick him up. Suddenly the body reacted to the hands pressing against recent whip wounds as a scream escaped its dry, cracked lips. Two people were nearing him, no wait now there were three and the walls the walls were closing in! "No, no go away. Please, just leave me alone." The voice whimpered. The group paused but the walls never seized as they rapidly grew closer and closer. "No!" He scrambled to his feet stumbling for the door. "Hey! Let me out! Let me out! I promise to be good and everything! Get me outta here!" The voice cried out desperately pounding on the door surprising the onlookers greatly.
'This is your fault too. You deserve it you know. I hope the walls squash you like a bug!' He thought angrily to himself. 'No, no I don't want it to end like this! I don't want to die alone! Even if I deserve it nobody deserves to die alone! Someone help me! Ha! No one's gonna help you you're weak! You're helpless! You haven't even got any friends to save you! They all hate you remember?' He scolded himself while he sunk to his knees wide eyed as he found he was unable to breath. The figure instantly felt hands wrap around him and carry him off to a corner. "Shhh, shh Dave it'll be ok. You gotta calm down though ok?"
"Uh huh." Dave responded as his eyes began to clear. In an instant he recognized three faces bent over him and began to wonder what was going on.
"Good."
"J-Jack? Spot? Blackjack? W-what are you guys doing here? What's going on? W-what's… oh God…" he groaned as his head reeled and he was aware of the moving walls.
"Huh? Why wouldn't we be here? We're gonna bust ya out!" Spot declared. " Uh, what's wrong Davy-boy?"
"T-the walls they're getting so close. I, I can't bre—brea—ugh!" Black spots rapidly clouded his vision; overwhelmed, David surrendered to the darkness.
"Uh, what just happened?"
"He's claustrophobic Spot. Those damned ingrates locked him up in the smallest room available and they knew! They knew! How could they? How could they be so cruel?"
"Guys we have to leave now."
"Why?"
"Don't you hear that? Somebody's coming." Spot and Jack listened closely and discovered that indeed Blackjack was right. The sounds were rapidly growing louder and louder with every second. "Lets get him and go while we still can!"
"It isn't that simple Spot." Blackjack sighed in annoyance. "We knew it would take us some time to get David out of here, now that he's like this it'll take even longer. At the rate these people are coming we won't be able to get him out in time."
"So? We'll hold 'em off! They can't stop us!"
"They could charge us for trespassing or worse they could kill us. We're just lowly street scum to these people nobody would miss us and you know it."
Jack sat there shocked at the conversation unfolding before him. How? How could they just give up? Didn't they care? "So we leave then."
"No! No Spot we don't leave!" Jack hollered.
"Shut up man! You'll make them come faster then we won't get out of here!" Blackjack hissed. "Good! Let them come! I won't abandon Dave! I won't give up! You might not care but I do! I do!" Blackjack stood there exasperated not believing what was happening. "Get over it Jack! Now isn't the time!"
"No I'm not leaving him! He's my best friend! Are you gonna turn you back on him too Spot? Huh? After all he's done for us after everything we've been through? You're gonna leave. Is this how you treat your friends when they're in need?"
"Jack! If we don't get out of here now we'll never be able to help him, never."
"I could get out! I could escape! I've done it before I can do it again!"
"Go ahead Blackjack we'll be right out." Spot indicated to his impatient companion. "Now Jack lets look at this from a different point of view. Suppose we did stay, and these people found us here. Then we'd be in for it! You see what they did to David! They'd do the same to us they'd find a way to break us! Then how will be able to help David? Not only that but then they'll make it harder on David! Can't you see? We aren't turning our backs on him. If we stay we'll make things worse, if we leave we can devise a new way to get him out. We won't give up Jack! Friends never give up on friends!"
Spot went to the window and prepared to have himself and Jack taken up to the roof where Blackjack and Wolfgang waited. He fastened the rope around his waist and motioned for Jack to do the same. Jack just stood there bewildered his heart racing as the steps drew closer finally stopping outside the door. Frantically he glance between Spot and David his mind racing unsure of what to do. He could hear the man behind the door fumbling for the right key. Then stealing one last glance toward the limp form lying on a ratty old blanket, Jack took the offered hand escaping out the window as the knob turned and two figures entered.
~*~
Mina and Brigit had returned home shortly after learning of the events that had taken place two nights before. She had felt horrible for David feeling that somehow she was to blame for it all. Mina truly did love the boy and knew it was time that she took matters into her own hands. She was on a mission, a dangerous one and she suspected she may never return.
Sighing heavily, Mina set off to find David. She just had to talk to him before she left. A servant volunteered to take her to the 'room' in which David was being held. When they reached the third floor they were greeted with silence. Mina followed the man down the hall and ran into him as he abruptly halted in his tracks. A fierce pounding sound filled the somber hall. She could faintly hear his frantic screams. "Hey! Let me out! Let me out! I promise to be good and everything! Get me outta here!" She cringed with guilt upon hearing the desperateness in his voice.
When the pounding stopped the man quickened his pace with Mina close behind. Mina's eyes welled up while the man fumbled for the correct key to a closet door. She couldn't believe what she saw as she rushed in. It was a small broom closet with a single window. She scanned the room for David and was rewarded with a glimpse of a foot protruding from the darkest corner to the right of the window.
Fresh tears pooled in her eyes as she drew near to him. She noticed his unkempt hair and stubbly face. His clothes were old and shabby. His shirt lay discarded on the floor beside him the scars and dried blood on his back visible. Looking away Mina motioned for the man to bring the washbasin over then signaled for him to leave.
"Oh David" Mina sighed wetting the rag and attempting to clean his mauled back.
"What happened to you?"
"I was born." Came the muffled reply. Mina was shocked she had thought he was asleep. Perhaps she was hearing things, maybe? David's eyes were still closed but when his lips started moving she was sure he was alert. "You shouldn't be here. You're risking too much."
"I am well aware of the risks thank-you. I just came to tell you …"
"How much you hate me" David interrupted dryly. "I hate me too."
"Well you shouldn't. And I don't hate you I could never hate you. I came here to tell you that I really do have feelings for you David. I love you for real and I'm sorry about Sandy."
"But?" He prodded as he sat up and leaned against the wall.
"Well I don't mean to sound insensitive but you have to get over it."
"Maybe I don't want to get over it."
*Sigh* "Do you know why I fell in love with you? It wasn't because I was supposed to for our families. I love you because you're different, or you were at least. David you weren't another one of those boring guys who did exactly what they were told and were brought up to think and to live a certain way. You were spontaneous and daring you did things your own way. You were proud and defiant David, that's what I liked about you."
"Yeah? Do you see me! Look around this is what proud and defiant does to you! They say it's ok to do your own thing but really it's only ok if your thing happens to be there thing as well. If you think different they break you, you might as well be dead. There is no room for defiance here, no room for change."
Suddenly with out warning Mina slapped him across the face tired of hearing all of his hopelessness. "Get over it!" David stared at her shock written all over his face as he gently touched the tender spot. "What was that for? It's the truth. People are so stubborn worrying about themselves that they can't find the time to pull the sticks out of their asses to even consider change."
"So? What are you going to do about it?" Mina demanded.
"There's nothing I can do."
"Wrong answer. There's always something you can do. Make them listen! Just like with the strike!"
"This is a little different from a strike. I can't exactly go on strike against the world. It's hopeless I can't win."
"Stop it! Look I'm sorry about everything you've gone through but none of that's stopped you before! Sandra's the one who died not you! So stop acting like it!"
"I wish I were dead."
"Well you're not so get over it! Don't let Sandy's sacrifice be in vain! You can still do something David you can still fight them!"
"How do I fight them? I don't even know what I'm fighting for."
"This is the country you and your mother came to be free. Fight for America, David, fight for freedom! That's what America's all about. Freedom, David, is what this country was founded on." She leaned over to kiss him on the forehead then stood. "I have to go now I'm supposed to be marrying Wilhelm today." As she turned to leave David shot up putting a hand on her shoulder to stop her. "Wait, Mina you don't have to go through with this." She just smiled looking into his eyes. "Why David, I didn't think you cared." She joked. "I did, you know. I did love you once. You always seem to know where to find me and just what to say, sometimes it's like you can read my mind. I loved you because nobody else knew me like you did and I know you just as well. Mina, please rethink what your about to do. I don't want to loose anyone else." He kissed her looking hopefully into her eyes. "I think it's time for you to let go of your past David, and for your past to let go of you. Don't worry about me there's nothing you can say to stop me. It's not your fault ok? I'm doing this of my own free will."
David nodded taking hold of Mina's hand raising it to his lips. "Farewell my lady. It's time to change the world."
She curtsied in response. "Farewell my lord. Good bye." With that Mina turned leaving David knowing he would be ok. David sighed now all he had to do was wait for his friends to return and hope he could ignore his claustrophobia until then.
~*~
Mina glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing the most expensive bridal gown there was. It was the latest in the fashion world, the dress was beautiful and she was beautiful in it. Mina didn't feel particularly beautiful though. She was thinking about her conversation with David and what she was about to do. 'He's right I don't have to do this. I could expose Liam for the scum that he is. I could tell Daddy that David is alive and well and we could be married. But then neither one of us would have a chance for freedom. This is the only way. This is how we can change the world.' Mina watched as her maids placed a tiara in her hair attaching a veil to it and sighed.
~*~
David sighed he didn't like waiting. He stuck his head out the window thankful that the bars were gone. Breathing in the fresh air he thought of what Mina was doing. 'Well now I really have no choice but to strike back. How can I do it though?'
David's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. He didn't bother turning around he knew who it was.
"Well, well Davy looks like you've lost again. First Sandra now Mina I'm beginning to feel sorry for you." Seeing David tense up Wilhelm continued. "Well now that you're here David, your siblings are pretty much useless to Liam. He was going to sentence them to your fate but I spared them for you. They're going to be my most prized wedding presents. Your sister she's a pretty little thing, she'll be our new house maid and your brother… what should I do with him? Oh yes I've got just the thing. I plan of have children of my own you know. I'm going to be in need of a whipping boy."
David's eyes blazed as he turned on Wilhelm. He rushed the boy grabbing him around the neck shoving him against the wall. "You sick bastard! I'm gonna fucking strangle you!" He hissed watching happily as Wilhelm's face slowly began turning from red to purple. However at that moment two of Wilhelm's personal guards came striding in. "What the hell?!" David exclaimed as the pried his hands from Wilhelm's throat and cuffed his hands to a bar above him. After catching his breath Wilhelm dangled the key in front of David's face. He instructed it to be hung there. "There you see David I won again. Don't worry it's just a little insurance in case you try to escape your cage I mean room." David furiously kicked out making contact with Wilhelm's groin. "You can't do this!" He hollered as the guards cuffed his ankles together. I'm not an animal!" He yelled after them as they left.
~*~
Mina sighed, "It's now or never." She pulled the veil over her face and waited. The doors soon opened as the bride's march began to play. Mina glanced around the packed church at all the standing people waiting to get a glimpse of her. Taking her bouquet she watched as the flower girl finished and the bride's maids and their escorts started down the isle. Mina's eyes landed on Wilhelm and she grimaced inwardly while plastering a smile on her face. Taking a deep breath she headed down the isle.
~*~
"Alright Les see that window there?" The boy nodded. "Good we're gonna lift you up there so you can get in. Once you're in open the door and we'll find David."
"Ok Jack, but what if I get caught?"
"Don't worry about it everyone's at the wedding." Jack lifted Les onto his shoulders while Blackjack reached up and opened the window smirking at Spot who just scowled. He had come up with the plan of getting in but didn't realize how high up the windows were. Spot being as short as he was could not reach up to open it as he had planned. "Yeah, yeah laugh it up! You'se just lucky that I like you'se or else you'd have to find a new place to stay." Blackjack cracked up knowing the Brooklyn leader would seriously kick him out of the city. This just caused Spot to pull his visor over his eyes as his scowl deepened. "Hurry it up will ya Les? We ain't got all day here!"
The door opened with a click and the foursome rushed to the third floor. "Dave! We're back! If you can here us make noise or something!"
"It's the hall on your right Jack!" Came the faint reply. Jack started sprinting down the hall he knew how far down it was. When he came to the door he noticed the lock and looked to Blackjack for help. "I'll take care of this one. You've done enough for one day." Spot said glaring warningly toward Blackjack. In seconds the door was opened and the three beheld David who had never stopped struggling against the cuffs. The wooden bar was just about broken. "About time you got here!" he snapped while swinging his feet up against the wall. Holding the position he gave a good hard pull bringing both the bar and himself down. Reaching up David grabbed the key and freed himself.
~*~
Mina and Wilhelm knelt side by side during the ceremony. They had just received the host and awaited the whine before they would stand and exchange their vows. Mina watched Wilhelm drink the whine with a smile. 'I hope this works.' The chalice was then handed to her closing her eyes she put the golden rim to her lips and drank. 'Please God forgive me for I have sinned.' As the two stood their eyes were becoming heavy as the poison, Mina had slipped in the whine, invaded their bodies. They fell to the ground leaving the crowd gasping in shock.
~*~
"Well come on now we haven't got much time" David insisted taking off down the hall then turning down another to his room. The five entered a large bedroom and David made himself at home. "This is more like it." He sighed falling back on the king size bed. (Hey he's rich what can I say?). The wall opposite the bed held large bay windows and a balcony overlooking a small garden. The left wall had a dresser and a door leading into his personal bathroom. On the right wall there was a desk and a few posters. There were two large chairs in front of the windows separating them was a small bookcase against the wall under the windows.
Les ran over and accompanied his brother on the bed. He jumped around swinging his wooden sword playfully. David watched his little brother as tears threatened to spill from his eyes remembering what Wilhelm had said. He jumped up with him and pulled the younger boy into a loving hug. David spun him around in the air as he jumped of the bed. He set Les down putting his hands on his shoulders. "I missed you Les." The boy smiled and hugged his brother. "I missed you to Davy."
"Hey Les? Promise me something?"
"Anything Hans I mean David" Les grinned at his brother who he now knew had been the boy in those stories all along. "Never go to Germany Les, never."
"I won't go. I promise." Davy smiled and stood pushing his brother's visor down to his noise. He proceeded in making his way to the dresser pulling out a change of clothes. "Well make yourselves at home guys. I'm gonna take a shower and get cleaned up but I should tell you something before I go." *Pause for effect* "Mina and Wilhelm were supposed to get married today but what you don't know is that Mina went to the church early to slip poison into the whine. By now Mina and Wilhelm should be dead. I've been working on a plan to deal with Liam but I'm gonna need your help. I'm still debating weather or not I want him dead." Jack, Spot, and Blackjack stared at him in shock something had happened to him that afternoon when they had left, something good. Spot was the first to speak up. "Are you sure you're willing to go up against Liam? I mean he's pretty powerful, you'd be risking a lot."
"When you've fallen as far as I have the only place left to go is up. So you in?"
"Like you even have to ask."
~*~
A/N: Whew! This is my longest chapter yet! Speaking of chapters there's only like one left! Yeah! So this took me like forever to write and I'm so sorry but I was experiencing writer's block, I hate that disease it so damn easy to catch! So thanks to 'Hotshot' I put on my 'newsie cap' and started writing. Hope you like it! Alright now I have to get back to writing my research paper on the legend of King Arthur. Later!
~SaL