Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own any of the original Newsies characters (*tear*). Thanks to those of you who reviewed. A special shoutout to Racesgoil: tell Bitsy hi for me and let me know when Kit gets in town! Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!! Oh yeah, in this chapter and in others yet to some I'll be using some French. I just wanted to let all of you French speakers out there know that: yes i know my grammar is off and that i don't have the proper accents for all words (thank you MacIntosh keyboards). Also, I had to take out some characters b/c my computer wouldn't let me upload wiht them. Sorry, I'm still getting used to this. Okey, enjoy!

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CHAPTER 2: WHERE AM I?

Sounds of singing and laughter found their way to Chris' ears. She groaned at the all-too-cheery noise for whatever time it was. What a freaky dream. Boy am I glad that's over! Chris reached for where she assumed her radio would be blasting the music for her morning wake-up call, but she found only empty space. Puzzled, she opened one eye to see what was up. Upon seeing her surroundings Chris jolted up in bed sending a sharp wave of pain through her head. AH! J'ai mal a la tete! she groaned.

Oh dear, said a gravely voice, an immigrant. Now what language was dat....? Eh....DO....YOU....SPEAK....ENGLISH?

By this time Chris had hesitantly opened her eyes to see a kindly-lookng old man peering at her cautiously. His actions were almost comical as he spoke to her. Chris laughed and instantly realized her mistake as pain once again shot through her head again. The old man saw her grimace, Are you all- ARE....YOU....ALL....RIGHT? he asked, the look of concern on his face genuine.

Chris managed to say, her head still throbbing, And I do speak English. Now where-

At that moment a young man who Chris recognized from the night before because of his cowboy hat burst through a door Chris hadn't known was there. Eh, Kloppman, she up yet? He stopped in his tracks when he saw Chris, Uh...sorry, miss, I...

That's fine, Chris was getting a little nervous. What's going on? She tried to stand up, but was overcome by dizziness. The young man caught her just in time and helped her sit down on the edge of the bed. I gotta be either dead or dreamin, she mumbled not caring about her grammar as as glanced around at her surroundings again. The room she was in was small and sparse. The walls were an old, unfinished wood and the bed she sat on reminded her of the cots at camp with its rickety metal frame and thin mattress. There was one small wooden stool on which the man named Kloppman sat. Other than that there was only a window, it's thin glass letting in the cold air from outside. Chris looked out the window. Her eyes widened at what she saw: carriages pulled by prancing horses rolled up and down the cobblestone street and people strolled about dressed in clothing she that she thought was from the turn of the century. As she jumped back she was yet again overcome by dizziness. Instantly, the young man was at her side helping her to sit down once more. Chris said, This HAS to be a dream!

Pawden me, miss, but I'se don think you'se can get hoit in dreams, the young man said.

I'm fine, Chris said defensively not wanted to appear any more vulnerable than she already did.

Ah really? he said as he lightly touched her cheek causing her to recoil from the pain of the bruise located there.

Chris began to panic inwardly. How can this not be a dream? What the heck is going on? Wh-where am I? she stammered turning to the old man.

You'se in the the Manhattan Newsboys Lodging House in New Yawk City, miss, he replied.

Well at least I'm still in New York, thought Chris, small consolation. She realized the young man was speaking to her, I'm sorry?

I was just intraducin meself, miss. I'se Jack Kelly, also known as Cowboy an dis ere is Kloppman, he runs da joint.

N-nice to meet you, she said cautiously, she stopped. Should I tell them my real name? I don't even know them. Chris could feel the awkward silence she had created, I'm Chris MacNeil.

dats an unusual name for a goil, Jack said.

Damn, she thought, already you're weird. It's my nickname, she quickly covered.

Eh, Cowboiy, where are ya? a familiar sounding voice yelled from outside the small room.

In ere, Blink, Jack called back.

A young man who Chris assumed to be Blink burst through the door. She recognized him instantly upon seeing the brown patch covering his left eye. I wonder what happened to cause that, she mused.

Jack, come an we gotta get to da distribution office and- Blink stopped when he saw Chris.

Jack laughed, Blink, dis is Chris, and, Chris, this is Blink: your savior from last night.

Oh, well..uh...thanks, Chris said politely.

Eh, don't be. It was mostly Jack. Anyway, Cowboiy we gotta go, Blink persisted turning his attention to Jack again.

Jack looked at Kloppman who nodded, Go on. I'll take care of er.

Well, Chris, Jack said with a charm she knew could melt girls' hearts, It was a pleasure ta meet. I'll see ya latah taday. Maybe I'll even bring me goilfriend, Sarah, so ya can have anothah goil ta talk to, he smiled, Ain't dat a good idea Blink, he elbowed his friend in the side.

Ah, yeah, Blink replied as he pulled Jack out the door.

Now, Miss MacNeil, Kloppman began.

Chris interrupted him, Please, call me Chris.

Alright, Chris, I know you'se been through a lot, but I'se need ta ask ya some questions. Is dat alright.

Chris swallowed hard. Ok, she thought, you can do this. Just make up something believable. You're lost. No: you ran away.....

Her thoughts were interrupted by Kloppman holding out a piece of paper to her, I'se didn't wanta mention dis when da boys were ere, but dis fell out the pocket of ya skirt when dey brought ya ere last night.

Chris took the paper from his hand. The feeling of panic that had momentarily subsided came back with a vengeance when she realized what the paper was: her rehearsal schedule for the musical. The heading of the paper read:

Les Miserables
Rehearsal Schedule
January 2003

What do I do? What CAN I do other than tell him the truth. He won't believe me, but he probably won't believe any other story I can make up.

Again Kloppman interrupted her thoughts, Now, I'se not a big believah in de supernatural, but you'se appear last night, you'se seemed shocked by everyting around ya, an den dat papah...I don exactly know what's goin on, but I'se gonna try an believe everyting you'se say, he smiled.

Chris looked at the old man in front of her. He had such a kind, grandfatherly nature about him. He wants to believe me, she thought, might as well give it a shot.

she began, I really have no clue how I got here. I left my school last night to take a walk and somehow I ended up outside of, well, I think it was this building. I had no clue where I was and i wandered into the alley where I was cornered by the four boys that Blink...Jack...well whoever it was saved me from. And, yes, as far as I know it's the year 2003. I know this isn't very convincing, but you've got to believe me! Please.

Kloppman sighed and turned away, se don know what ta make of dis.... Chris's heart sank, but then Kloppman turned around with a heart-warming smile, I think I'se gonna have ta believe ya.

Oh, thank you! Chris jumped up and threw her arms around the man. As she stepped back though her head began to spin and she fell back onto the bed.

Careful now, Kloppman warned, From what de boiys tell me ya had a pretty hard blow to da head. Just lay back. So ya have no clue as ta what year it is?

she replied sheepishly, but I'm guessing somewhere around the turn of the century? From the clothing and all.

Well, you'se are a smaht one, he smiled, it's Satahday, January 14, 1900.

1900? This is all too much, Chris sighed.

I know, but what can ya do? Rest for now. I'll be back ta check on ya latah and fill ya in on everyting else you'll need ta know, Kloppman started for the door, but turned back halfway, Oh, and, Chris, you're secret, howevah strange it may be, is safe wit me, Kloppman smiled and walked out of the room closing the door behind him.

Chris sighed again. Well, might as well rest: I'm going to need it, she thought as she closed her eyes and drifted into sleep once more.



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OK, ya'll, I know this is again kinda short, but I'm hoping to get more up soon. Please review and let me know what you think!!!!

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