Couldn't Get a 'Blink' of Sleep

Author: Bec (Tired of Pen Names)

Disclaimers: I do not own Newsies, Mush, Kid Blink or the Newsboys' Lodging House. But if I did, the world would be a much better place for my female comrades and I. Yes, yes it would. Rowr. Muahaha!

Comments: First Newsie fic. Well, this fic is mainly drama/angst; so don't expect a happy ending.

Kid Blink: Yeah! 'Cause ya try ta kill me!

Mush: Oh, youah fine.

Bec: Yeah, you're fine.

Kid Blink: Why not Dutchy? 'E's expen'able.

Bec: Because I wanted to write a fic about you and Mush.

Dutchy: HEY! Ya dirty bum! I'm gonna soak ya!

Kid Blink: *sticks out tongue*

Dutchy: *lunges for Kid*

Mush: *Holds Dutchy back*

Bec: That's ENOUGH! And now. . .

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The air smelled like fresh rain, but as Mush wandered closer towards the bridge, the distinct odor of fish was in the air. He didn't mind, though. The view was great, and after a long morning of selling, it was a nice spot to take a load off. He finally came to the place where Park Row met the Brooklyn bridge, and he paused a moment, finally looking up from the cobblestone. The bridge was definitely something to take in. A light breeze met his caramel colored cheeks, and a smile met his lips. He spotted Kid Blink up ahead. He was leaning over the side, no doubt irritating a fishing boat below with stones or marbles from his slingshot.

Mush shoved his hands in his pockets and picked up his pace as he moved towards his best friend. "Kid! Hey, kid!"

A few boys that were walking past turned and looked at Mush, but he waved them off, as he hurried towards Blink. "Heya," he greeted more casually. "Watcha doin' ova heah?"

To Mush's surprise, Kid didn't respond at once. The blonde turned about with a cigarette in his hand, the lit end buried behind his fingers, the butt exposed. He pulled it up to his lips and took a drag before he responded. "Heya. . . I was jist, eh, ya know, thinkin'."

Mush's smile remained, despite Kid's not-so-sunny disposition. He was moody sometimes, after all.

"About what?" Mush chirped, pulling up a section of railing next to Kid.

"T'ings." Kid replied, and flipped his cigarette into the water behind him. He was facing the roadway on the bridge, but his eyes seemed to be empty. He wasn't really looking at much of anything.

"Like what?" Mush asked, leaning out just a tad, to look at Kid's face. He held onto the railing behind himself, and craned his neck to look his friend in the eye.

"Geez Mush, like. . . life." Kid replied, becoming frustrated at Mush's characteristic inquisitiveness.

"Oh." Mush's smile finally fell as he got the hint from Kid to lay off. "Well, I guess I cin leave ya be. . . if ya want."

Kid sighed and pulled the hat from his head. "No, Mush, ya cin stay. Not like I got anythin' important ta do."

Mush's face lit up, once again, "D'ya wanna sell t'getha t'night? I did pretty cruddy this mornin'. How'd you do?"

Kid shrugged. "No betta than the usual. No worse. Same thing. Everyday," he went on, "like some machine in a fac'try. All's I do everyday, sell me papes, count me losses, sell more papes, then hope I have money ta give ta Kloppman."

Mush squirmed a bit, and moved closer to the railing once again. What was bugging Kid all of a sudden? "Well, it's not all that bad, is it Kid? I mean. . . we have fun, right? High times, hard times," Mush smiled, and reached to pat Blink on the back.

Kid moved out of Mush's reach and batted his hand away. Almost regretting his actions, Kid sighed, and fumbled for another cigarette.

Mush withdrew his hand and placed it back in his pocket. "M'sorry."

"So'm I." Kid said, but his tone was eerie, not at all apologetic. He turned and grasped the railing, looking out over the East river.

"Kid?" Mush turned, following Blink's actions. He now faced the water. It looked as if a storm was rolling in. They'd have time to get back to the Lodging House before it started to pour. Selling for the evening would be sunk. 'Just the thing to cheer Kid up. . .' Mush thought, drearily.

"What?" Blink snapped, after another delay.

"Doncha think we oughta be headin' back?" Mush gestured at the sky.

"No."

"But-"

Blink cut him off, "I'm not goin' back," he said, decidedly. The breeze picked up, and Mush closed his eyes to Kid's words. 'What is he talking about?' he thought to himself.

The clouds rolled closer, and a clap of thunder rang out in the air. A few of the kids who still lingered on the bridge began to scurry to either side of the vast structure.

"Well. . ." Mush began, wanting to stand by his friend, but also wishing not to get drenched and possibly electrocuted in the process.

Kid kept his eye on the water, and then slowly raised it to the clouds when there was another clap, followed by a brilliant flash of lightning. "Go on, Mush," he ordered.

"But, doncha wanna. . ." Mush gestured towards the Manhattan side of the bridge, hoping Kid would take the hint.

"No, Mush. Just go. " Kid's tone was becoming annoyed. His visible eye was full of bitterness, when he finally turned and looked at Mush.

Mush gave a final pout of protest before he saw the dangerous look in the usually chipper Newsie's eyes. He bit his lower lip and moved a step or two back. He turned on his heel and with slumped shoulders he moved away from Kid. There was no winning. "Wait, Mush-" Kid jogged the few steps to his friend as the first few droplets of rain came down. "I wants ya ta have this. . ." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his daily earnings. "And, uh, give these ta Jack, I don't want ya killin' yaself," he handed a few cigarettes to Mush as well, fresh from his shirt pocket.

"What'rya doin', Kid?" Mush asked, his eyes filled with fear. He held the coins and cigarettes in his open hands, despite the growing winds.

"Goin' out with a bang." Kid turned and made a run for the railing, his words having been distorted to Mush's ears by another clap of deafening thunder.

"What?!" Mush demanded, watching in horror as his friend bounded for the edge of the bridge. He instantly dropped the possessions in his hands and moved after Kid Blink. . .

Kid leapt up onto the side, and stood on a long bar, while he grasped a wire with his hand, at shoulder height.

"Kid! Get down! What'rya DOIN'!?" Mush shouted, feeling utterly helpless.

"Get back, Mush! There's no point in botha us drownin'!"

"Kid!" Mush screamed, as he saw the boy let go of the cable with his hand. He lunged after Kid, and just as the blonde slipped over the bar, Mush's hands grasped the back of Kid's vest.

"Geezus Mush! Lemme go! You're gonna get yaself done in!" Kid wiggled, trying to free himself from his own vest - and Mush. His eye looked down over the water. It was raging. . . the wind was howling, and the rain was pelting both of the Newsies. They were alone on the bridge. . . no one could hear Mush's shouts for help.

"STOP IT! Just stop! Why'rya doin' this!" Mush growled through clenched teeth. He was straining with all of his strength to hold on to his best friend. The rain was blinding him, and his hat had blown away when he lunged for Kid.

Kid's struggling had pulled Mush further over the edge. Neither boy planned on giving up. ""This is CRAZY!" mush insisted, his mind whirling with horrible images and thoughts. "Please!" His legs wrapped around one of the lower beams, and his midsection was pressed up against the horizontal bar so hard that he was having difficulty breathing, let alone holding another human being in the air.

With a final jerk, and a flash of lightning, Kid pulled free of his vest. Mush's hand went out to grab Kid's arm, but it was too late.

The brunette let out a scream of agony as he saw Kid fall from his grasp, and tumble down toward the raging river. His scream was covered by the climax of the storm, and he snapped his eyes shut before Kid's body hit the white and angry water.

BOOM!

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