Ise know this one is short, I'm sorry. But that's just the nature of the chappy. There's one left to go, and I have it finished, so you should see it up within the next few days. Oh and this chapter is for Rae, since I know she loves him so much. You inspired me to include him once more before the end.

Chapter 11

A wispy tendril of gray smoke weaved a curling pattern in front of two eyes that glowed an eerie, crazed sheen, giving a pallid light to the darkened and sunken face. Age lined the weary cheeks, bringing with it more obsessive hysteria than the wisdom that had faded years before. Underlings watched, hats both soft silk and rough cotton clutched before them in trembling white knuckles. They waited for a reply, one that could come either whispered or shouted from the manic leader. Each option was equally frightening.

"A battle lost is not a war lost, gentlemen." The gravely words hung in the air, neither party moving. A gold-ornamented clock ticked sixty times before voice or movement disturbed the busy stillness. "War is strategy." A puff of smoke followed the statement, drifting into the faces of those before the desk. None dared to cough. "One strategy fails, we try another, we succeed." Frightened pupils followed the finger striking a cigar, the ashes falling past the tray and mixing with newsprint. "Perhaps we require a tactic of a more persuasive nature."

Lips trembled, words pressed against them, unwilling to tumble further. They waited instead for a dismissal.

A gnarled hand waved the onlookers away. "Find a way." Each nodding, the lackeys shuffled in silent file from the office.

A battle won, not a war lost. None could tell what the following encounter would bring. For now, each side paused to nurse wounds and plan the next move.

Klover—I'm not a les fan at all either. He's a scary rodent child, if you ask me. But I really liked T.H.'s idea of having Race encourage one of the little newsies, and I thought using Les would be most potent, given his relationship to the two missing. I'm glad that you were able to get past your dislike and really feel the story! That's such a great compliment. Thank you!

Shimmerwings—I'm claustrophobic, so a lot of the descriptions came from my personal experience. I'm really bad—no elevators, I hyperventilate on subways, all that sort of stuff. I'm paranoid about locked doors and everything. I can definitely see Jack being claustrophobic because he was locked up for awhile, and he always goes on about how he wants the space. And making Dave experience captive claustrophobia…well that was just fun. Mehehehe. *blushes redder and redder* What can I say, what can I say? What is there to say but thank you, thank you, thank you, and I hope I'm continuing with a story worthy of your most generous praise.

Iolaus—you know I love you. What can I possibly say here to you? I really don't want to take up this whole space and all. Hope you're feeling less dazed! Hahaha. Your approval on this means the most to me out of anyone else's. I try so hard not to confuse you, because I know that if you understand it, everyone else will. *ducks shoe thrown at head* hey, I'm the same way…hahaha.

Rae Kelly—I hope you enjoyed this chapter most of all. It's especially to you, as I said before. I feed off the suggestions of readers, because I think they add depth to the story. I seriously wouldn't have thought of jumping to Pulitzer briefly before the end, and now I think this story wouldn't be as good without this brief break, and I have you to thank for that.

T.H.—HAHAHAHAH! I DID IT! VICTORY IS MINE! *coddles Dave* that, I consider the ultimate compliment. I love making readers like characters they weren't previously into. Now I just gotta work on Trilliah and Eowyn…You still haven't updated you know. *pokes* you'd better have a good excuse for that. 'Course it was a whole month at least for me, but I was burned out. You said you were done! Hehe I really should edit these. I don't. I write them longhand, type them up, maybe glance over them, boom, I'm done. Well my grades didn't suffer. Huzzah! I'm free! *guffaws* world-famous novelist just isn't going to happen. I don't think I have the attention span for an entire novel. I'm looking more at short stories and essays now (the fun kind of essays, on anything the writer wants), that sort of thing. Now you, you're the novelist. You've got the patience to do it. I sure don't. I'd get bored/stuck halfway through. That's probably why this shorter format suits me best. *sigh* I ought to be going now. *pokes* UPDATE!