Riain woke up to the commotion of the city. In his arms was the young Jackie, who still slept. It was the first time that he was able to get a good look at his fellow escapee, and was surprised at her beauty. He had seen many other women before since his father was a well known ladies man, and there was always somebody new each night. But Jackie was something different. Through the bruises that were still on her face and arms, he saw a young girl with a beautiful face of innocence, yet had a look of determination and strength. Her hair was a shade of red that he had never seen before, with natural highlights of blonde and brown. Freckles were sprinkled across her cheeks and nose, and on her shoulders. She had a tiny figure which was well toned, especially for somebody as young as her.

However it was her eyes that amazed Riain the most. Although they were closed now as she slept, he was able to see them the night before. Even in the darkness her eyes had shined, although showing no emotion. They were a shade of green that he had never seen before. With flecks of gold, he could get lost in her eyes.

In the distance, there was the whistle of the bulls. At the sound, Jackie woke up, still in the arms of Riain, who to her was still a stranger. She looked up into his crystal clear blue/gray eyes as he stared back into her green ones.

Breaking the silence she said, "Well, let's go get to know each other," and began to walk out of the ally.

Riain followed her to a bench in a park across the street, which had a perfect view of the water. They just sat in silence together until Riain spoke.

"Well, I'm 10, lived in Brooklyn all my life, and presently have no home. You?"

"8; lived in Ireland, Spain, Italy, da Bronx, and now Brooklyn. Well presently have no home either.But hey that's life."

"Ya know, you don't have to have that hard core shell around me. You can have emotion."

"Emotion is a weakness. That is the only thing that my father ever taught me. That and you have to work hard if you want anything. Nothing is giving to you on a golden platter, not unless you have some cash."

"Ya but we're still just kids! We shouldn't have to work hard yet, or worry about our future. We should just be able to have fun. Run outside, get wet, get dirty!"

"Ya wanna get dirty," she said while a mischievous smile began to show. And with that, Jackie took a handful of dirt and threw it, hitting Riain right in the stomach.

"Oh that's it!" Riain scooped up Jackie's tiny form into his muscular arms (especially for a 10 year old) and brought her over to the waters edge.

"Any last words?" he asked her. But before she could open her mouth, she was in the water.

After surfacing, Jackie pushed herself out of the water, and ran over to Riain, soaking wet, and gave him a big hug, making sure that he got just as wet as she was.

The two went on for the rest of the day, playing together, and becoming fast friends, knowing that they could trust the other. For the first time in Jackie's life she felt like she could trust somebody, and that maybe she didn't have to have that hard shell all of the time.

As night fell, they returned to their ally, promising each other that they would never leave the other, and that they would always be friends. They once again fell asleep with Riain's arms protectively around Jackie's waist, both knowing that they were safe with the other.

The next morning resembled the one before, Riain awaking first and Jackie following.

However on this day Riain rationed that they had to find a real place to stay, and jobs so that they could survive.

"Jack, it won't always be summer, and we won't have money forever. We have to think of our future."

"I know Ri, but nobody would want me to work for them; I'm 8 and a girl. That's not a very good combination. And they might not take you if they see me with you. How bout you go out by yourself this morning, look for a job, and I'll just stay here."

"Alright, just stay here. I can't lose you."

Kissing her forehead, Riain left.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Riain walked the streets of Brooklyn looking for something that he would be able to do. His thoughts were interrupted by the calls of the Brooklyn Newsies.

That's what I can do! Riain thought to himself.

He walked over to a boy who seemed to be about 15 who had a stack of papers in his hand.

"Ummm hi. I need a job and I was wondering -

"Say no more kido. Let me take ya to the leader of the Brooklyn Newsies. He'll tell ya the rules, and show ya the ropes. Pretty soon you'll be selling like a pro. By the way my name is Bricks. Our leader is Spike."

Well that was easy. Bricks. Spike. What weird names. Oh well, I can't wait to tell Jackie.

Bricks then brought Riain to their leader, where he was told the rules, and started selling. Riain told Spike his story, and how Jackie and him had no place to go, and asked him if it was alright if Jackie stayed with them at the Lodging House. Spike, after considering what Riain said, decided that it was all right for him, and that he would watch her and make sure she was ok and let her sell with his boys, but she wasn't his responsibility.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jackie sat in her and Riain's spot wait for Ri to return. Trying to pass the time, she began to sing her favorite song as a child; a Spanish song "Guantanamera".

Due to her singing, Jackie did not hear the footsteps of the police behind her.

"Little girls like you shouldn't be on the street. Little girls like you should be in the refuge."

The cop picked Jackie up, and carried her away bringing her to the refuge, as she was screaming "RIAIN!". Reaching the refuge, Jackie realized that Ri wasn't coming, and this was going to be her home for quite some time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

When Riain reached the ally where Jackie and he had slept for the past two nights, he found it empty. Thinking that she had gone for some food, or other quick errand , he waited for her.

However when she didn't return after an hour, Riain got worried, and began to look for her.

He searched for another hour, until he realized that she wasn't around and that if he didn't go back, he wouldn't make it back to the Lodging house before curfew.