It's no big deal, Racetrack's just jealous, he'll get over it soon…I thought as I got dressed. Then again, he had been really mad when he saw Jack and I, but Jack and I didn't DO anything! Aye, things were so complicated! I didn't have feeling for Jack other than as a friend or a brother. And Racetrack, well, I was never sure about him. I did care for him, honestly! But I couldn't commit myself to believing it. I felt like such a slut after what he had said, even though it wasn't true.
I finished dressing and then walked out the door of my room. EVERYONE'S GONE! I mentally shouted to myself. They left me on purpose! Damn that Racetrack! He told everyone what had (or really hadn't) happened! There was nothing I could do other than walk to The World by myself. The boys had left early, so they were still standing there when I arrived. They all either looked at me as if I were the devil himself or they just ignored me as if I didn't exist. I went over to Racetrack and put my hand on his shoulder, hoping to explain what had happened. However, to my dismay, he simply turned in the opposite direction and lit his cigar. Shaken by the coldness that I was being treated with by Racetrack, I walked over to Jack.
"Did you tell him what really happened?" I inquired.
"Stay away from us. We don't want you here." Jack replied with a hint of sadness and regret in his voice. "Racetrack is our friend and our compatriot, you hurt him and you hurt us."
There was nothing I could do other than to walk into the gates as the circulation bell rang. I only bought 20 papes after realizing that I had no one to sell with and no comfort in the Big City. I collected the papers and walked into the street. On the other side of the street were Cowboy and Racetrack. I lost myself into thought just as I felt someone grab my wrist and pull me into an alley.
"Going somewhere, dollface?" One of the Delanceys spat at me.
"Let me go you coward!" I shouted back at him.
At this, I saw Jack turn and look at me briefly, longing to come help me, but Racetrack turned to him with the words, "Leave 'er alone, Jackieboy. You've defended her enough. If she comes back in pain, than she deserved it and let it be a lesson to 'er." In all truth he almost broke down at the thought of me being beaten. He thought that the Delanceys were just messin' around.
I turned back to my attackers and met their faces with my fists, but it was to no avail. It was two gruff young men against one frightened girl from out west. There was little that could be done. I shrieked as loud as possible, but no one came to my aid. They beat me up hard until I had all but passed out. I was so weak that I couldn't fight back. Then, with one final blow, they caught my head, putting me out for a good while. When I awoke I saw someone familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. He gave me a smile and then said what I feared most, "Welcome ta Brooklyn, Santa Fe."
